The Lakes West Magazine January 2026

MAKING WAVES A LOOK INSIDE WYLAND’S MARINE’S LEGACY

Crafted With Purpose

Inside the Story of Manasses Henry Furniture

Laundry, Elevated

Sud’s Laundry Service Turns a Dreaded Chore Into Comfort & Convenience

JANUARY 2026

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LAUNDRY, ELEVATED

Sud’s Laundry Service Turns a Dreaded Chore Into Comfort & Convenience

13

SMELL GOOD CENTRAL

Wicked Trio Brings 530 Scents to the Lakes Area

17

COMMUNITY AT THE COUNTER

The Chupp Brothers Grow E&S Bulk Foods into a Shipshewana Staple

22

MAKING WAVES

A Look Inside Wyland’s Marine’s Legacy

29

JANUARY CROSSWORD

31

CUT WITH CARE

JANUARY 2026

Four Woods Custom Butchering Preserves Tradition

36

THE PISTON DOCTOR

A Rural Craftsman Brings Vintage Equipment Back to Life

40

NEW YEAR OFFERINGS AT NEW KITCHEN STORE

44

CRAFTED WITH PURPOSE Inside the Story of Manasses Henry Furniture

49

CASPER’S COINS

Local Shop Preserves History & Serves Collectors Across Michiana

PUBLISHERS JOHN & MANDI LEWANDOWSKI john@townepost.com mandi@townepost.com (574) 249-9217 KEY CONTRIBUTORS MEREDITH BAKER AMY BEAUCHAM JUBILEE EDGELL JEFF KENNEY AMY LANT-WENGER MIRANDA MEREIROS DARCIE DODDS SCHOTT ASHLEY WATTERS JESSICA WHITEHEAD

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POPCORN PIONEER The Most Famous Name in Popcorn was a LakesArea Legend

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FRESH FOUNDATIONS

Binkley’s Flooring Warehouse Acquires Former Fletcher’s Carpet Location

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CREATIVE CORNER

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LAUNDRY, ELEVATED SUD’S LAUNDRY SERVICE TURNS A DREADED CHORE INTO COMFORT & CONVENIENCE

Owner Cheryl Miller

Writer / Meredith Baker

On the quiet backroads outside Nappanee, where tidy porches and agricultural landscape still signal pride in the everyday, one small business has become a surprising lifeline for families, seniors, business professionals, and anyone who’s ever stared down an overflowing mountain of laundry with a sense of dread. Sud’s Laundry Service, LLC, owned and operated by Cheryl Miller, has turned one of the most unglamorous parts of home life into something that feels

like a luxurious five-star treatment.

And it began with nothing more revolutionary than virtual inspiration from internet research.

Miller remembers that moment well. As a mom with two kids, she stopped mid-video of an influencer discussing side hustles, which included washing other people’s laundry. Then she thought about it a little longer. “People are juggling a lot,” she says.

“If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s getting laundry done right.” What started as a

lightbulb moment snowballed into a fullfledged business that now serves households across Elkhart County and beyond.

SERVICE BUILT ON SIMPLICITY AND TRUST The idea behind Sud’s Laundry Service is straightforward: Cheryl picks up your laundry in a 13-gallon trash bag, washes, dries and folds it neatly, lets you know that your service is complete, and delivers it right back to your door. Clients can choose one-time pickups or sign up for weekly or

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monthly programs. She even supplies the detergent and light stain removal as needed; ironing services are also available for anyone who still wants crisp shirts without wrestling with an ironing board.

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Miller treats every job with the level of detail and concern usually reserved for bakers or woodworkers.

“Every load belongs to a real person, not just a pile of fabric,” she says. She sorts every item carefully, checks pockets like a seasoned detective, and pays attention to fabric types the way a mechanic listens for engine sounds. “Care matters,” she adds.

“People trust me with the things they wear. I don’t take that lightly.”

Clients — especially those balancing long workdays, school pickups, elderly parents, traveling professionals and endless schedules — say the service offers more than convenience. Some describe it as a weekly reset button, the moment their

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home feels calmer and a bit more doable.

WHERE EVERY CUSTOMER BECOMES PART OF THE RHYTHM Miller has built her customer base mostly through word of mouth. Neighbors mention it to neighbors. Teachers tell other teachers. A nurse shares her relief that clean scrubs magically reappear on her porch, neatly piled.

“When something helps you breathe easier, you tend to talk about it,” she says.

Over the years, she’s learned that the small details make a big difference — folding kids’ outfits together so they can grab clothing faster in the morning, or calling ahead if a newly discovered mosaic of wrinkles the week before a big event requires a skillful hand.

Most clients never see the behind-thescenes — the steady hum of washers or the

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soft percussion of towels being folded into neat, picture-worthy squares. But they feel the effects. A widower who recently lost his wife taped a thank-you note to his laundry bag as he copes with managing chores amidst the loss of a lifetime partner.

“It’s humbling,” Miller says. “Laundry is personal. People let you into their real lives, the messy parts and even the meaningful ones.”

school months, when chores tend to pile up faster than anyone plans.

“If I can give somebody a couple of hours back in their week, that matters,” she says.

“Time is one thing you can’t wash, dry or fold.”

Laundry service provides pickup and delivery throughout the greater Nappanee community. To get started, call or text 574-354-7584. You can also follow Sud’s Laundry Service, LLC, on Facebook or Instagram for updates, service details and helpful reminders.

A BUSINESS FOLDED INTO COMMUNITY VALUES Sud’s Laundry Service fits naturally into the fabric of Nappanee, a town built on resourcefulness, steady work and the idea that helping one another isn’t complicated.

Miller’s business may be small, but its impact stretches far beyond the baskets she carries.

Her hope is to continue serving more households, especially during busy seasons like holidays, harvest time and back-to-

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SMELL GOOD CENTRAL WICKED TRIO BRINGS 530 SCENTS TO THE LAKES AREA

Writer / Amy Beaucham Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

“We sell all kinds of smell-good stuff,” Lori says. “Our current fragrance collection has over 530 scents. In our new store, you will find Some businesses chase attention with bright more than 15 different vendors. Come see all signs and big slogans. Wicked Trio is more the unique goodies!”Wicked Trio began with interested in what you experience inside and a few wax products Lori and her family made vividly replay in your mind on the drive home. at home. Customers loved the fragrances and After visiting Wicked Trio, you are sure to started asking for more ways to enjoy them. notice the way a favorite scent lingers, the way They wanted their favorite scents as perfumes, the unique, inviting shop felt like it was waiting in body butters, in wax melts for warmers. just for you, and the way its cheerful owner, Each question turned into a new product.

Lori, seemed to know exactly what would Before long, Lori realized she had found more make you smile. than a hobby.

Follow the lane at 9858 E. 100 N. off Highway 23 near Knox and look for the black building with pink trim and playful pink woodpeckers out front. Inside, shelves are filled with perfumes, body butters, wax melts, bath salts, carpet deodorizers and more, all created around one central idea: people deserve luxurious scents without luxury prices.

Her husband’s years of dedicated military service and Lori’s cherished years beside him as a military spouse shaped the way she grew the business. She gained a deep respect for the organizational methods, routines and discipline that keep everything running smoothly. Lori now runs what she calls a “tight ship,” paying close attention to quality, turnaround time and fair pricing. She This is Wicked Trio, a disabled veteran-owned, remembers what it felt like to stretch every family-run fragrance company that has quietly dollar and wants her customers to enjoy grown into a destination for what owner Lori premium products without the premium price Dunning affectionately calls “anything smelly.” tag. Perfume quickly rose to the top of the

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best-seller list. Lori buys high-quality fragrance oils labeled as “type” versions of popular designer scents and turns them into waterbased perfumes with a generous percentage of fragrance. Alcohol, she explains, evaporates faster and is tougher on skin.

“I’m about the customer,” Lori says. “What makes the customer happy is the product inside that bottle.” Many designer perfumes sell for hundreds of dollars for a similar size. At Wicked Trio, customers get an essence version of their favorite fragrance at a fraction of the cost, often in formulas that last even longer on the skin. Body butters, whipped scrubs, bath salts, shaving butter, aroma beads, room sprays, roller-ball perfumes, car fresheners, diffuser oils, solid perfumes, pain rubs and more have followed. Most are made with natural butters and oils, with color added only to wax products. Lori is candid with customers about fragrance sensitivities and uses essential oils when she can, while still offering the wide variety of scents people request.

Carpet deodorizers are one of her newest hits.

Regular customers began asking if she could

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create something for carpets that would smell as good as their perfumes and body products.

Lori listened, experimented and put the first jars into the hands of trusted regulars for feedback.

“I am now selling them right and left,” Lori says. “I’m so glad they asked.”

The deodorizers are a fine powder that you sprinkle over carpet, let rest for 20 to 30 minutes, then vacuum. Scents like Sweet Orange Chili Peppers, Christmas Tree, Pumpkin Spice Latte and Mountain Air have already found loyal fans.

As Wicked Trio grew, Lori needed more space than her home workshop could offer. Her much-appreciated husband built a 15-by-24foot building on their property and painted it black with pink trim. It sits behind another building, so first-time visitors should watch for the pink woodpeckers and follow the lane back.

Inside, shelves are lined with Wicked Trio products and displays from more than a dozen local vendors. The sign “Wicked Trio & Friends” sums up Lori’s heart for helping other makers grow alongside her.

“You cannot be in competition with anyone else in the store,” she says.

Each vendor brings something different: sublimation-printed shirts and tumblers, handcrafted jewelry, 3D-printed art, glittery hair gels, resin pieces, clever teacher gifts, cozy home décor and even “creepy cool” oddities created with found feathers, bees and moths.

Current vendors include Anne’s Oddities, Bright Beads, Color Street, Ginger Gems, Grandma and Papa’s Creations, Manic Moms Creations, Ashley’s Mia Bella Candles, Reedle 14 | January 2026 | TownePost.com

Deedle Designs, Shirts N Such, The Lather Lab, TJs Creations, Vee’s Creations and Weist’s Crafts and More, alongside Wicked Trio’s own displays.

Many of these makers also appear in the shop’s live sale events on Facebook. During a live, a vendor holds up each item, shares the price and assigns a number or code word.

Shoppers claim pieces by commenting with that code, and the first claim that appears on Lori’s screen wins. Items are held for two weeks for in-store pickup and payment, unless customers choose to pay sooner and have their treasures set aside. Even after a live ends, shoppers can still comment on the video, and if the item is available, Lori will add it to their cart. Lori keeps order forms at the front counter and personally manages special orders so her vendors do not miss a sale. She understands their world. Before opening the shop, Lori spent years hauling her own booth from fair to fair. Now she pours that energy into the customers and vendors who find their way to her little pink shop.

“I’ve been a vendor,” she says. “So I know what it’s like to have to lug your stuff around.”

At the heart of it all is Lori’s family. On her business card, she lists herself as CEO and “headstinker,” with her much-appreciated husband, a retired electrician, and her granddaughter by her side.

“I’m the headstinker. My husband is the old fart. My granddaughter, who is my lovely assistant, she’s a little stinker. So you know, we’re a bunch of stinkers here,” Lori says with a laugh.

Her daughter, Melissa Goodrich, is an integral part of the business as well. Melissa helps with cleanup, crews and organizing the shop, and

Lori likes to say that if the rest of them are “stinkers,” Melissa is the “air freshener” who keeps everything fresh and running smoothly.

During the interview with Lori, her personality was as memorable as any fragrance. Her quick humor, strong business instincts and deep care for people came through in every answer. She moved easily from explaining formulas to telling stories, turning an already enjoyable conversation into something that felt more like a visit with a longtime friend.

Lori talks about customers the way some people talk about close friends. She knows their favorite scents, remembers how they first found her products and enjoys helping them discover new combinations they might never have tried on their own.

Online reviewers echo that focus.

Customer Cristina Tinoko shared that she first placed an order online, but Lori canceled the shipment when extreme heat threatened to damage the products. Later, Cristina spotted Wicked Trio body butters at the American Antique Mall on Indianapolis Boulevard in Highland and bought three of them. In her review, she refers to those body butters as “these beauties,” and says she now plans special trips to see what other scents Wicked Trio has to offer. After years of hunting for her favorite floral, Allison Welliver found it at Wicked Trio.

“I have been searching for lilac oil forever from small businesses, and no one ever has it in stock,” Allison says. “Wicked Trio not only had it, but they also had two different kinds! I bought both…Thank you so much for giving me my scent back!” She adds that she received “amazing customer service.”

Customer Lori Plaspohl recalls meeting Lori and a fellow maker at the Covered Bridge Festival in Mansfield. She and her best friend loved the products they sampled, yet what stayed with them most was the conversation.

It was such a bright spot in their day that they circled back to talk more and buy more before they left. Other customers rave about everything from shipping to specialty products. Customer Amy Smith-Wilson in Virginia describes opening a box of wax melts and being greeted by scents that “smell so good,” noting that they arrived quickly and in perfect condition, even in the heat.

Nicole Fulgham, who has sensitive skin, says her favorite body butter “really lasts forever in both scent and moisture” and reports no irritation. Jenny MayCrochet Ethington credits Lion Pain Balm with easing her arthritis knee pain so much that she has stopped using another over-the-counter ointment. Longtime fan Renée Markovitz jokes that she might be “addicted” to the products and offers this advice with a wink: if you have to be addicted to something, “do scents, not drugs!” Stories like these keep

Lori pushing forward, even while managing her own health challenges. She feels deeply grateful to have found work that suits her gifts and personality.

“It is not just about money, it’s making treasured new friends along the way,” she says.

Community work is woven into Lori’s schedule. She leads Hope for the Holidays of Starke County, coordinating gifts and support for families who need a boost during the Christmas season. She also maintains detailed records and communication so that the

program can continue to grow.

Inside Wicked Trio, that same generous spirit shows up whenever local organizations need help. When groups ask for a gift basket or gift box for a fundraiser, she responds generously.

Lori says she always, always does say yes to those requests.

The creativity and care she brings to community projects show up in the way she helps customers build gifts, too. Fragrance collections are especially popular during the holidays. Shoppers can choose a mix

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of perfumes, scrubs, body butters, carpet deodorizers or other items in their favorite scents, and Lori will assemble them into a custom gift box. She often adds a discount when people build a larger set.

For many first-time visitors, the experience begins with a single fragrance. Lori might suggest a small bottle of perfume, a jar of body butter or a bag of aroma beads that fits their style. Once customers discover how long the

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scent lasts and how soft their skin feels, they tend to come back.

“My perfumes are where it’s at,” she says with a smile.

Wicked Trio is located at 9858 E. 100 N. in Knox, just off Highway 23 down a lane behind the front building. Look for the pink accents and those memorable woodpeckers.

Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours and seven-day-a-week shopping leading up to Christmas. For weekend or after-5 p.m. shoppers, a quick text or private message is often all it takes for Lori to step out and open the door.

She jokes that it usually takes about 60 seconds to walk out to the shop, unless she is in the middle of time with her greatgrandchildren, who always win. To ask questions, place orders or schedule a visit, customers can call or text 574-575-1524 or email Loridunning1@gmail.com anytime.

Wicked Trio ships orders and will often deliver larger purchases within about an hour of Knox. Customers can shop online at wickedtrio.com or message Lori through the Wicked Trio Wax Company Facebook page to claim items from live sales, place special orders or ask scent questions.

“We sell all kinds of smell-good stuff,” Lori says.

Whether you gravitate toward a soft, fruity floral, a nostalgic lilac, a cozy holiday blend or something completely custom, chances are she already has a fragrance waiting with your name on it.

COMMUNITY AT THE COUNTER

THE CHUPP BROTHERS GROW E&S BULK FOODS INTO A SHIPSHEWANA STAPLE Writer / Meredith Baker Photographer / Jessica Whitehead

Step inside E&S Bulk Foods on State Road 5 in Shipshewana, and the first thing you’ll notice isn’t the neat rows of bulk bins or the scent of fresh pies cooling near the bakery counter — it’s the feeling. A warmth hums through the aisles, somewhere between the quiet rhythm of a small-town morning and the friendly chatter of shoppers swapping recipes.

For locals, E&S isn’t just a grocery store. It’s a gathering place, a

reminder that honest food and honest work still anchor the heart of northern Indiana.

Nearly four decades ago, Ervin “Butch” and Sarah Chupp opened their little country grocery. Now, the second generation of the Chupp family prepares for the store’s next chapter: a move into a brand-new building that will double retail space, bring back a beloved sandwich deli, and carry forward their legacy.

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From Basement Beginnings to a Beloved Landmark The story of E&S Bulk Foods started in 1970 in the basement of the Chupp home. Ervin and Sarah named their store Forks County Line Store, a nod to the “Forks” area where Elkhart and LaGrange counties meet.

As their business grew, they moved operations into a converted barn before selling to Ervin’s brother-in-law, Levi Bontrager. But Butch wasn’t one to stay still for long. After a brief stint farming, he felt that pull again — the one that comes when a good idea refuses to sit quietly.

In 1986, he opened a new grocery store next to Eash Sales, a neighboring dry goods store in Shipshewana. He called it E&S Sales, for Ervin and Sarah, and ran it with the help of his sons and daughters.

Business grew fast. By the mid-1990s, the Chupps had built new warehouses, expanded their retail space, and begun employing locals who would remain for decades. Today, the business employs nearly 150 people, several of whom have been with E&S for more than 20 years.

Each one, says co-owner Kenny Chupp, plays a vital role in the store’s success.

18 | January 2026 | TownePost.com

“We’ve been blessed with good hardworking people. They’re like family,” Kenny says.

Faith Built on Family Running a second-generation business is no small feat. Studies show that only about 30% of family-owned companies make it past the founder’s generation. But the five co-owners — brothers Kenny, Jay, and Duane, along with brothers-in-law Merle and Larry — have found a rhythm.

The brothers are grounded in the values passed down from their parents: faith, fairness, and fellowship.

“The biggest factor in our success is that we all share the same faith in the same God,” Jay says. “That doesn’t mean we always agree. We’re five different personalities, after all. But we know we’re stronger together.”

A commitment to communication, and a shared rule to “leave work at work,” helps keep both the business and the family healthy.

“We don’t drag disagreements home,” Jay says. “That’s not fair to our families. We work it out and move on.”

It’s an ethos that’s kept the business steady over time.

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“We’re excited,” Kenny says. “We’ve added on so many times over the years that things have gotten tight. This will help us serve everyone better.”

The Store That Feeds Community

Walk the aisles of E&S and you’ll find everything from bulk baking items and dried herbs to homemade noodles, local honey, and candy by the pound. There are bins of flour and sugar for every holiday pie. Tubs And for Jay, ever the visionary (and self-proclaimed “foodie”), there’s of chocolates are perfect for gift baskets. In season, local produce fills joy in dreaming about what comes next. the bins. The smell of bread baking draws a steady stream of regulars who swear by it.

“I’d love to see us do old-fashioned taffy pulls again, maybe even add sushi or smoked meats as daily features,” he says with a grin.

During peak tourist season, the store bustles with out-of-towners “But one step at a time. For now, we’re just grateful for where we exploring the heart of Amish Country. Yet the Chupps never forget are.” who helped them build their foundation.

Faith for the Future

“Our locals are the backbone,” Jay says. “And we don’t take that for granted.”

These days, E&S isn’t just a second-generation business. The third is already stepping in. Eight of the owners’ children work at the store.

They learn the ropes, take on responsibility, and carry the A New Chapter Rising family’s/ values forward.

RESIDENTIAL LIGHT COMMERCIAL In 2025, the Chupp family broke ground on what will soon become / FARM

the next home of E&S Bulk Foods — a 128,000-square-foot building GENERAC HOME STANDBY GENERATOR That legacy weighs heavily, but in the best way. just north of their current site. The new space will feature expanded bakery, produce, and deli sections, and the long-awaited return of SALES, SERVICE & INSTALLATION “Dad used to worry about us running the business into the ground,” their sandwich counter. For the Chupps, though, bigger doesn’t jokes. “Now it’s our turn to worry about them. But honestly, I think Panel & Jay Service mean impersonal. The move is about comfort, efficiency, and they’ll Upgrades do great.” continuing to improve their customers’ experience.

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“God’s been good to us,” Kenny says. “We’ve been given much, f o and our goal is to give back — through good food, good service FREE ESTIMATES as 25 Ye ustomes g n i Financing Available t C and a good example.” br a hful Cele ou Fait 15718 State Rd. 17, Culver, IN 46511 | 574-842-4776 | www.LiveOakElectric.com ing Sev For the Chupp family, success isn’t measured in square footage Panel & Service Upgrades RESIDENTIAL / FARM / Troubleshooting LIGHT COMMERCIAL or sales, but in the quiet satisfaction of serving others, one & Repair New Wiring & Rewiring scoop, one loaf, one smile at a time.

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very year there comes a time in late spring when the air gets warmer and the days get longer, and plans point to spending time on the water again.

What better way to beat the winter blues than to start preparing to hit the water for family fun, fishing and more.

Wyland’s Marine in Elkhart and Mishawaka is the one-stop shop to answer those nautical needs. From new and preowned watercraft sales, service and even financing, Wyland’s Marine is a comprehensive company serving water activity enthusiasts for 85 years.

Wyland’s Marine has been family owned and operated since 1941. Earl Wyland first opened Wyland’s Marine on U.S. 33 in Elkhart, selling Evinrude outboards along with hunting and fishing gear. In 1983, the Wyland family acquired Bulldog Marina on Jackson St. in Elkhart along the St. Joseph River, where the original store still stands today. San Pan and Aqua Patio pontoons were the main seller in those days.

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A decade later, in 1993, a second location opened in Mishawaka, also along the St. Joseph River, and both stores are still in operation today, with plans to open a third location in southern Michigan soon.

Today, this impressive full-service marine business is helmed by Owner Steve Wyland, and run by General Manager Tim Buzalski, Office Manager Taylor Wyland and Sales Manager Abe Buzalski.

Wyland’s Marine sells a variety of watercraft and equipment. Watercraft lines include Bennington, Godfrey, Evotti and Sylvan pontoons, as well as Hurricane deck boats, Yamaha outboards and Kawasaki jet skis.

Boats can be customized with items such as the Lillipad Ladders and diving boards, which they sell. Customers can also find RGC boat lifts and docks, and Trailmaster trailers at Wyland’s.

In addition to watercraft and equipment

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sales, Wyland’s offers full boat and engine service with their factory-trained technicians and service personnel. Additional services include repowering older boats with new motors, installing electric bimini tops, and new boat covers and canvas.

“We are always looking for younger folks interested in becoming mechanics,” Buzalski says.

And if all this doesn’t make the argument for Wyland’s Marine being a one-stop shop for all things water activity, add to the list annual watercraft maintenance such as detailing and algae build-up removal, boat lift and dock installation, winterization service and inside boat storage. In fact, Wyland’s Marine has the capacity to store over 800 boats inside their clean, metal storage buildings for the winter.

Pickup and delivery are available with or without a personal trailer.

Rental needs are covered on Wyland’s menu of services as well, with over 70 slips available

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to rent between both store locations.

Freedom Boat Club is onsite to answer Wyland’s customers’ boat rental requests.

Wyland’s stays current on watercraft innovations and connected to customers by participating in the annual Discover Boating Chicago Boat Show for more than 40 years.

This year’s Chicago show is scheduled to take place January 28 – February 1, 2026. They also participate in South Bend’s Michiana Boat & Sports Show, this year taking place January 23-25, 2026. Wyland’s also holds their own in-house show in February.

For more information about Wyland’s product lines and services, visit wylandsmarine.com. Wyland’s Marine has two locations, one in Mishawaka at 13100 Jefferson Blvd. You can call them at 574-259-1510. You can visit the Elkhart Store at 3931-A East Jackson Blvd and call 574-295-7632.

They are closed for the season until May.

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CUT WITH CARE

FOUR WOODS CUSTOM BUTCHERING PRESERVES TRADITION Writer / Amy Beaucham

A full freezer says something about a home. Wrapped parcels tucked neatly into organized stacks invite thoughts of Sunday roasts, weeknight meals and the comfort of knowing good food is ready when you need it. Families across the Lakes West area often begin that journey at Four Woods Custom Butchering in Topeka, where the story

behind the meat is as important as the flavor the return they expected. When her uncle on the plate. mentioned that a local butcher shop was coming up for sale, the idea took root.

Four Woods is owned by Joseph Bontrager, Joseph sat down with his wife to talk it who brings 13 years of experience from through, then reached out to Richard, a working side by side with a seasoned trusted relative whose years of experience butcher before stepping into ownership in professional butchering and willingness himself. His start came at a time when he to walk alongside them made the idea feel and his wife were running a small, reputable possible. dog-breeding business that did not provide

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processes beef, hogs, deer and sheep, with goats likely to be added as demand grows.

Many customers bring animals they raised themselves, while others work with trusted local farmers.

They presented their plan to the bank and received approval in two days. Joseph still remembers that moment clearly, describing it as a blessing he did not expect but knew to follow.

From the beginning, the business stayed busy. Only two quiet weeks fell between July and mid-summer. The rest of the year brought a steady stream of customers through word of mouth alone. Four Woods

them understand what to expect and how to plan. He uses detailed cut sheets that list every option clearly so customers can make choices with confidence.

A typical week at Four Woods follows a system Joseph has refined through years of practice. Customers drop off their livestock in advance so everything can be scheduled properly. Fridays are kill days, when animals are harvested humanely and moved into the cooler to chill. Once they have rested, the sides move along the rail system into the cutting room. There, Joseph and his crew divide each animal into the cuts selected by the customer.

Every package is wrapped, labeled and placed in the freezer. When an order is complete, a card goes on Joseph’s desk, and he promptly calls the customer to arrange pickup.

Many families are new to custom butchering. Joseph’s explanations help

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32 | January 2026 | TownePost.com

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h

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Conversations often turn to how each family cooks. A busy household may prefer more stew meat and ground beef.

Another family that enjoys grilling might opt for more steaks and kabob cuts. Joseph brings these ideas together in a way that allows families to imagine their meals and select cuts that match their style while limiting waste.

Custom smoking has become another part of the shop’s rhythm.

Four Woods smokes hams, bacon and other cuts, along with popular deer products during hunting season.

Joseph’s house recipe for ring bologna has developed a strong following. He also makes pork burgers with a custom seasoning blend and offers summer sausage in both traditional and honey barbecue varieties. Some seasonings come from trusted suppliers, while others are blends Joseph is developing himself.

He pays attention to customer requests

and expands his offerings based on what consistently sells.

Alongside the processing area, Four Woods also has a small retail store that offers ready-to-purchase meats. The space currently features a selection of grain-fed beef and pork from a nearby farm where calves are raised and fed with grain grown right on the property. Joseph hopes to expand this store in the near future. More room, additional coolers and a wider variety of cuts are all part of his long-term plan. He envisions a place where people can stop in at any time and leave with quality local meat, even if they have not scheduled a custom order.

Joseph believes strongly in the value of knowing where meat comes from. He explains that locally processed meat has a softer texture and fuller flavor. Storebought products often include additives that cause them to fry away in the pan.

Families appreciate understanding how

their animals were raised and handled, and Joseph treats that responsibility seriously.

He focuses on returning as much usable meat as possible from every animal and encourages clear communication with customers. While he prefers to discuss details in person at drop-off, he works by phone when needed.

The work is long and physical, but Joseph finds meaning in it. He enjoys hearing that a family filled their freezer or discovered a new favorite cut he suggested. Those

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moments remind him why small processors matter. His goal is simple: satisfied customers who trust the work behind every package they bring home.

Four Woods Custom Butchering offers more than a service. It offers connection.

When meat is processed or purchased locally, the food on a family’s table can be tied back to a nearby pasture, a farmer who cared for the animal and a butcher who understands his craft. Families appreciate knowing their meals come from work done with honesty, skill and respect.

Joseph is committed to maintaining that standard, giving customers the confidence that what they bring home is wholesome, thoughtfully prepared and truly local.

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THE PISTON DOCTOR

A RURAL CRAFTSMAN BRINGS VINTAGE EQUIPMENT BACK TO LIFE

Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger

It’s been said that once you find your calling in life, and you’re fortunate enough to parlay that calling into a career, you’ll never work a day in your life.

Just ask Alvin Troyer. A lifetime resident of rural Ligonier, he was born curious, raised to be creative, and has now found success as a master of mechanics. As a youngster, “knee high to a grasshopper,” as he describes himself, he was drawn

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to machinery of all kinds. Not simply for the allure of it all, but to experiment with dismantling objects and piecing everything back together.

Troyer’s family has strong roots in the area, and the memories of his upbringing are both idyllic and formative in shaping the course of his life. He vividly remembers being particularly drawn to tractors and was always eager to help his father work on them.

“Anything with pistons involved, we were always fixing things,” he says. “I guess I’m a gearhead.”

As Troyer grew older, he discovered that he was exceptionally skilled in restoring vintage farming equipment. Not only was he able to repair tractors and the like, but he was also capable of designing intricate reproduction parts that were perhaps considered obsolete on account of the age of the equipment.

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Eventually, Troyer purchased the farmstead on which he was raised, and his folks moved to a nearby place. The generations of Troyer family members became fully committed to creating a business together, cultivating each of their unique talents.

Troyer had considered calling the enterprise Sycamore Hollow, inspired by a cherished memory of a magnificent tree from the home of his youth. But then the name The Piston Doctor came to mind, and after seeking out the opinion of his wife, Ruth, she thought it would be the perfect name for the fledgling business. So Troyer chose that name, and the business has flourished for nearly four years.

Since his youth, Troyer has amassed an impressive repertoire of skills and talents, all based solely on his natural ability to focus on an issue and find a way to remedy the problem. Not only has he

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become renowned for his reputation to rebuild and recreate parts for antique tractors, but he has also completed full-on restorations and overhauls, from pistons to crankshafts. And as impressive as that is, the fact is even more so when his specialty is older, pre-1950s models, with the goal of getting them to a fully operational level.

“No owner’s manuals,” he adds with a laugh.

Some of his more fascinating projects are the ones in which Troyer was working entirely with random pieces and was tasked with creating a running machine at the completion of the puzzle of parts. He recalls one customer who was convinced that his equipment was beyond hope, having been burned in a fire. Still another brought his machinery to Troyer, hopeful for a miracle to come from the four skids of loose parts that were left for Troyer to untangle. And with the help

of his network of family and friends, the customers were ultimately thrilled with the results.

the Midwest Tool Expo, and he is excited for a personal endeavor he’s been pondering for a long time.

Troyer stays busy virtually year-round with his growing family and the branching out of The Piston Doctor to new grounds, with loyal assistance from his family. Troyer works part time at a local trailer factory, but his first love continues to be rooted in his hobby turned career. His father, Andy, lends his capabilities to the breakdown and rebuilding processes, while his mother, Edna, works in the clerical part of the business. Troyer’s wife, Ruth, takes care of harness repair, and their oldest son has already demonstrated an affinity for following in his father’s footsteps.

Family friend John Schrock complements the workings by sharing a number of various skills as well.

“I’m working on building my own steam engine,” he says. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever worked on.”

Business has been so successful, in fact, that guests will notice a new complex of buildings at The Piston Doctor’s Ligonier home base.

Most recently, Troyer has been a presence at

He also plans to continue making his way around the demonstration circuit, meeting with fellow enthusiasts and collectors.

As for marketing The Piston Doctor, it seems that word of mouth is speaking the loudest for the Troyer family. Alvin Troyer has become somewhat legendary in that not only is he willing to accept a challenge, but surpass it as well. Just like he always wanted.

The Piston Doctor is located at 6316 W. 825 N. in rural Ligonier, Indiana.

To call Alvin Troyer and schedule an appointment, leave a voice mail message for him at 260-241-6113.

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NEW YEAR OFFERINGS AT NEW KITCHEN STORE Writer / Miranda Medeiros

mill, and we will soon have the electric ones. On Another year has passed as it always top of that, we now carry does, and with it leaves the memories of the Ankarsrum mixers, another holiday season. We hope you had which are a wonder all a wonderful Christmas, but we can’t help in themselves. We had but be excited for the thrum in the air that a whole class over them comes with a new year. There has always back in November, and been something so exciting to people that mixer also has its own about the prospect of a whole new year grain mill attachment. about to be laid out before them.

Our very own local Tami Hudson will be teaching The possibilities of what the 365 days the classes, and we could ahead could hold are endless, and it is at not be more excited for the very beginning of this time period them. that people think of all the ways they could make it the best year yet, becoming Now, you might be asking the best versions of themselves and all the yourself the question, “What on earth ways the year could go right. Some people does grain milling have to do with my choose to make financial goals, health, physical, financial, intellectual or hobby intellectual growth, or picking up a new goals?” Well, the answer is simple — skill or hobby as goals. learning the true nature of milling will open a new world to you.

Thankfully, we have some exciting news that can contribute to all of those From the health benefits and nutritional goals. We will soon be starting a series content of fresh-milled grain that just of classes around the topic of flour and isn’t present in store-bought flour due to grain milling. In late 2025 we started bleaching, processing and excessive shelf carrying Wondermill’s hand-crank grain life, all the way to how many things you

40 | January 2026 | TownePost.com

can make from scratch and save on regular overpriced store-bought items — and certainly learning a new skill — these classes are going to be such a wealth of knowledge.

To stay up to date about these classes and to know when they’re happening, as dates have not yet been determined, we will be posting on Facebook. On top of that, they will be in our calendar located on our website at newkitchenstore.com. Every month, we send out a newsletter that has

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information about upcoming classes as well, and don’t worry — we never spam your email.

If you would like to join our monthly newsletter, call the store at 574-586-2745 and just let us know that you want to receive the monthly newsletter, and one of our employees will get you into the system so you can stay up to date.

On top of all this exciting news, if you weren’t aware, we sell Baker Creek seeds.

We have the new 2026 catalog in store with a couple available for purchase, but if you don’t want to purchase the whole catalog, you can stop in to the store to sign out the catalog for a couple of days and fill out a sheet full of all the seeds you’re wanting to order. When you order through us, every 10 seed packs you order earns you an 11th seed pack for free on us.

The new year brings about such a spirit of hope and determination, and I can only

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hope that you wake up each day this year with a feeling of purpose that spurs your days and helps you take the time to enjoy the small moments that are so fleeting. By the end of the year, it always feels like a blur, and I often find myself marveling at the time that just flew by, wondering how it all happened so fast. Let this be the year that despite whatever side of the bed you woke up on, we choose to start each day with a fresh cup of joy, knowing that the day ahead can hold many mysteries in store, but that each one was meant to happen and may it be carried in your heart to warm your bones on the days that seem harder than most.

So happy New Year to you all, dear readers, and may it be a spectacular year ahead for you.

Don’t forget we carry a variety of specialty coffees that we can grind to any size for you!

Visit us at 1100 Roosevelt Rd. In Walkerton, or call us at 574-586-2745 with any questions!

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CRAFTED WITH PURPOSE INSIDE THE STORY OF MANASSES HENRY FURNITURE Writer / Meredith Baker

When customers walk into Manasses Henry Furniture, a stillness settles in. It’s not silence, but a calm you only find where real hand-sanded edges, the scent of walnut, and the unmistakable craftsmanship practiced by someone who cares deeply about the result. For owner Bill Yoder, that hum of creation became the heartbeat of his life’s work.

Manasses Henry Furniture has been part of the Middlebury landscape since 1986. However, the story people see today really

began when Yoder took ownership in 2015. It was a quiet rebrand that was grounded in values that trace back long before he ever considered running a furniture business.

SHAPED BY FAMILY AND A CORNER HUTCH Yoder didn’t inherit the business the way people assume. What he did have, though, was a grandfather with a tiny woodworking shop and incredible patience, teaching a young boy how to build barstools and birdhouses. Those early hours in the shop left a lifelong imprint.

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That spark followed him into adulthood, and in 2012, just before his wedding, his fiancée asked him to build a corner hutch. It was a simple request that changed his future. “That was my first real piece,” he says. “That’s what kicked off the furniture building.”

This gesture of love turned into a steady stream of requests from friends and, eventually, customers searching for something they couldn’t find in a catalog. Word spread, and then, operating under its original owners, they took notice. That’s when the opportunity to purchase the company arose, and Yoder stepped into the role with clarity and conviction.

BUILDING WHAT NO ONE ELSE CAN Today, Manasses Henry Furniture is known for its unmistakable approach to custom woodworking: solid hardwood construction, traditional joinery, no particle board, and no shortcuts. Yoder describes the work plainly and with the undercurrent of pride of someone who builds trust.

“We try to create something you can’t find anywhere else,” he says.

The custom process begins with listening. Some customers come in with sketches. Sometimes the job requires visiting their home to understand scale and character; other times it means mailing blocks of stains and finishing samples to customers hundreds of miles away.

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Once the vision is clear, Yoder drafts up a drawing for approval. Eight to 12 weeks later, or longer for intricate work, the finished piece is ready for pickup or delivery. Many customers choose hardwoods like cherry, walnut or oak, all of which Yoder enjoys working with for their beauty and durability. And while the business offers more modern painted finishes as well, the shop’s original DNA remains ingrained in traditional craftsmanship.

FURNITURE THAT OUTLIVES GENERATIONS The shop has created everything from dining sets to bedroom furniture, small tables to large heirloom pieces designed to be handed down through generations. Yoder’s own home now features a bedroom set he designed and built himself, one of those rare moments when a craftsperson gets to keep something they make.

And customers come back, sometimes years later, because the furniture really does last. One client recently returned to order a matching table and chair set for her children as she prepared to pass down her own. Stories like that affirm what Yoder believes: custom furniture is an investment, not a purchase.

STAYING SMALL, STAYING HONEST Asked what advice he’d give the next generation should the business ever pass on, Yoder is quick to answer: stay small. Not small in

46 | January 2026 | TownePost.com

ambition, but small in spirit — small enough to stay personal, to look customers in the eye, to honor their stories, their budgets, their homes.

In a world racing toward speed and convenience, custom woodworking asks for something different: time, communication and patience. And in return, it offers something Amazon can’t deliver tomorrow — meaningful craftsmanship.

Standing inside the showroom, surrounded by pieces made to last longer than most trends, Yoder feels the same satisfaction he felt with that very first hutch.

“In the end, you have something you helped create — something you just can’t get anywhere else,” he says.

Manasses Henry Furniture is located at 53692 County Road 37 in Middlebury. To schedule a consultation or inquire about custom work, call 574-825-1185.

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THE LAKES MAGAZINE EAST & WEST EDITIONS ARE MAILED FREE MONTHLY/ 12 TIMES A YEAR. MAGAZINES CAN ALSO BE FOUND MONTHLY ON RACKS AND SHELVES AT OVER 150 LOCAL LOCATIONS. WE ALSO PROMOTE THE LAKES MAGAZINE AND OUR ADVERTISERS DIGITALLY ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES AND WEBSITE.

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CASPER’S COINS LOCAL SHOP PRESERVES HISTORY & SERVES COLLECTORS ACROSS MICHIANA

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Tucked away in a small stone building in Roseland, Casper’s Coins is a rare gem offering collectibles, appraisals and repairs, and is the go-to location for all things numismatic and bullion in and around Michiana. The unassuming shop houses a bustling business that has been servicing collectors and enthusiasts for more than 40 years. What once started as a mom-and-pop hobby shop is now one of two locations bringing in millions in revenue.

Casper’s Coins has a history dating back to

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the 1950s, when a young man by the name of Harley Casper indulged in his hobby of buying and selling coins among his fellow enthusiasts. A hobby that he would continue nurturing for the next 30-plus years, coin collecting eventually evolved into an in-demand business venture. His wife Betty would join forces with her husband and, together, they would open the doors to Casper’s Coins in 1983. They would ultimately pass the helm over to current president Justin Kollar.

Kollar spent much of his childhood in and around the shop, developing a love for the business. Little did he know he would return to the venture in adulthood and lead the charge for the Casper’s legacy.

“In the spirit of family enterprise, the Caspers fostered a love for coin collecting in myself.

I was the son they never had and, over the years, I grew up in the business. When I returned from the army, I went full time with Harley and Betty,” Kollar says.

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In 2010, Casper’s Coins would move into their current location at 214 North Dixie Way to continue their path to expansion.

Kollar now oversees multimillion-dollar sales from coins, currency, gold, silver, estate jewelry and much more. One of the most notable pieces from their collection is a rare 1861 Paquet $20 gold coin, valued at more than $89,000.

“Currently we are the market makers in gold and silver bullion, collector coins from the United States and abroad, and estate jewelry at discounted prices,” Kollar says. “We buy broken gold, silver and platinum jewelry, silver, gold and platinum coins, along with collector coins from around the globe.”

Their business venture has been so successful that they opened a second location in Goshen in partnership with Kollar’s uncle, David Kollar. That location has been successfully operating since 2010.

For anyone looking to buy or sell items,

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Casper’s Coins is a trusted local and vetted expert. You can take part in auction sales on their website, view eBay listings and look for upcoming coin shows. They will also buy your old jewelry.

Kollar does want to stress that Casper’s Coins has a friendly and professional staff with knowledgeable experts ready to help everyone from novices and first-time jewelry

sellers to experienced numismatists and master collectors. Their store provides a lowpressure environment, offering fair pricing for buyers and sellers alike.

“Casper’s brings a friendly atmosphere to your buying and selling pleasure,” he says.

“We are here to educate our customers about the value of their items. Not like people see on the pawn shop shows. We

provide a comfortable and trustworthy experience when we are buying and selling items.”

Kollar encourages any skeptics to check out their reviews and come visit their stores in Goshen and South Bend.

To learn more, visit casperscoins.com.

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POPCORN PIONEER

THE MOST FAMOUS NAME IN POPCORN WAS A LAKES-AREA LEGEND

A life-sized bronze sculpture of Orville Redenbacher adorns a bench near the entrance of Central Park in Valparaiso.

Photo/Wikimedia Commons/Chris Light.

Writer / Jeff Kenney

If one of those psychiatric quick wordassociation tests were given to the U.S. population as a whole with the term “popcorn-making company” spoken for a fast reaction, chances are the name of Orville Redenbacher would merit an immediate response from many across boundaries of generation, class and experience.

Popcorn, after all, is a classic American — and worldwide — snack food and has been for centuries, but the man who arguably became most associated with its improvement, distribution and sales was a Hoosier native who began his popcorn journey this month ( Jan. 1, to be technical) 86 years ago, in 1940.

Orville Clarence Redenbacher was born in

Brazil, Indiana, in 1907 to farmer William and Julia Dierdorff Redenbacher. Young Orville, growing up on the family farm, dipped his toe in the popcorn business early, selling it from the back of his car.

After graduating near the top of his high school class, he went on to graduate from Purdue University with a degree in agronomy. He spent the next several years as a county extension agent and teacher

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prior to beginning his stint, in 1940, with the largest farm in Indiana at the time, Princeton Farms, which boasted some 12,000 acres of livestock and crops.

As manager of Princeton, Redenbacher’s efforts helped the company succeed in popcorn sales alongside its other successes, but ironically it was a bad decision on Redenbacher’s part that would indirectly lead to his remarkable rise to popcorn royalty in his own right.

A decade after beginning his tenure with Princeton Farms, Redenbacher deposited a check from a tenant farmer into his own personal bank account, an

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act which led to his employer handing him an ultimatum: resign or be fired.

According to a 2013 Indianapolis Star article, while the incident wasn’t widely known (perhaps understandably so, though Redenbacher later noted that he had quickly paid the money back) in public biographies of Redenbacher, he owned up to his mistake and acknowledged it to family members, like grandson Kevin Fish, who is quoted in the Star article.

That makes all the more sense since the incident proved a momentous turning point for Redenbacher, forcing him as it did to transcend his post as a farm manager and branch out on his own.

Specifically, he partnered in 1951 with Charles F. Bowman to purchase the George F. Chester and Son seed corn plant near Valparaiso in the Porter County town of Boone Grove and launched a company they called Chester Hybrids.

RedBow popcorn company resulted in their suggestion that he put his own name and face — iconic with his thick-rimmed glasses, toothy smile and ever-present bow tie — on the label.

There, Redenbacher and company experimented with tens of thousands of popcorn hybrid strains before, in 1965, landing on their top choice, a hybrid they dubbed “RedBow.” As The New York Times noted, “...for all his bumpkin appearance, the man with the signature white wavy hair and oversized bow tie was a shrewd agricultural scientist who experimented with hybrids.”

One boast the RedBow variety could make was that their corn, when popped, inflated up to 40 times the size of the original kernel, as opposed to the 20-times size of other popcorn brands at the time. Said Redenbacher later, “I crusaded most of my life to do away with unspeakably ordinary popcorn.”

Redenbacher popcorn sold briskly in the years that followed, marketed as a “gourmet” brand after the $13,000 Orville Redenbacher paid a firm in 1970 to conceive of a new name for the

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Long before the TV commercials that made him most famous, Redenbacher had become well-known enough to appear on the popular “To Tell the Truth” game show by 1973.

But even as the company’s success grew to the point that it held a third of the national market for unpopped popcorn, Redenbacher concluded that a larger company with greater assets could take the brand to the next level, and in 1976 he sold the company to the international food entity Hunt-Wesson for $4 million.

The brand was sold to various companies over the following years, eventually in 1990 to the huge agribusiness company ConAgra. Nowadays, in fact, about a third

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of Indiana’s nearly 70,000 acres of popcorn are dedicated to growing for the Orville Redenbacher brand, according to the Indianapolis Star.

But Redenbacher’s name and appearance continued, with him as the official spokesman of the company, eventually in an array of TV commercials, sometimes alongside his grandson, Gary Redenbacher. In response to customer letters asking if the man they saw was actually Orville Redenbacher and not a hired actor, Redenbacher made appearances on talk shows and at events to, as he put it, “make it clear that I am real.”

As the Redenbacher brand grew into a household name, the city of Valparaiso launched its annual Popcorn Festival in 1979 (it continues to this day), with Orville and Gary often appearing as grand marshals of the Popcorn Parade.

Orville Redenbacher was also granted

an honorary doctorate from Purdue’s College of Agriculture in 1988.

Redenbacher’s marriage to Corinne Strate in 1928 produced three daughters and eventually 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She died in 1971, the same year Orville married Nina Reder, who died in 1991.

Redenbacher continued to appear in commercials until he died. Having moved to Coronado, California, he had a heart attack while in his hot tub on Sept. 19, 1995, and drowned.

He left behind not only a massively successful financial and marketing legacy, but a cultural and even scientific one as well. Paying tribute to Redenbacher four days after his death, famous movie critic Roger Ebert, on his “Siskel & Ebert” TV show, described Redenbacher as “...a man who took popcorn seriously, as seriously as we take the movies.”

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Siskel (who had a Lakes-area connection as well, as a graduate of Culver Military Academy), for his part, noted that Redenbacher “was more than just a cute, cuddly advertising figure. He actually was a scientist who came up with a new strain of popcorn that really kept that whole industry alive,” adding, “That’s a real contribution.” (Redenbacher himself once quipped that, “Popcorn has made many lousy movies worth sitting through.”)

Redenbacher’s likeness has continued to appear in commercials since his death, including a digitally created version of him in 2007, for which grandson Gary expressed approval, noting Orville would have been fine with it, as “he was a cutting-edge guy.”

And Redenbacher’s name and impact are ubiquitous, with references to him by characters in recent TV shows like “Parks and Recreation” and “The Office,” among others.

Here in Lakes country, Redenbacher’s longtime hometown of Valparaiso honored him with a life-sized bronze statue near the entrance to its city park.

Created by sculptor Lou Cella, the statue, seated on a bench, invites visitors to take photos alongside one of the Hoosier State’s giants of business and agriculture.

Visitors may perhaps even be able to hear in their minds, from many TV memories, his signature line: “You’ll like it better or my name isn’t Orville Redenbacher.”

Jeff Kenney serves as Museum & Archives Manager for Culver Academies and on the board of the Culver Historical Society.

A 1970s publicity photo of Valparaisoarea popcorn giant Orville Redenbacher depicts his iconic thick-rimmed glasses and bowtie.

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Binkley brings a steady, practical background to the business. He worked in the Carpenters Union for several years before becoming a lineman for the local electric utility, a position he still holds. He knows the community well and understands the value of dependability.

The transition from Fletcher’s Carpet to Binkley’s Flooring Warehouse was smooth.

“We believe in being honest, standing behind what we sell, and being available whenever our customers need help,” Binkley says.

His goal is for customers to feel comfortable coming back, knowing they are dealing with people who care.

The 18,000-square-foot showroom holds an impressive range of flooring. Binkley’s carries carpet, luxury vinyl plank, sheet vinyl (also known as linoleum), and ceramic and porcelain tile. Major brands include Mohawk, Shaw, Mannington and Casabella, with options for both residential and commercial use. Around 60 area rugs are kept in stock, in

“They gave me the keys, and I gave them their money — that was pretty much the whole transition,” he says.

Longtime employee Carla Bradley stayed on to maintain continuity, and Lisa Tolson, a new hire, quickly got to work cleaning, painting and reorganizing the showroom. His wife, Tifany, a schoolteacher, helps as often as she can, while his brother, son and parents assist with maintenance and improvements. His daughter, Amelia, lends a hand with cleaning and organization.

At Binkley’s, the guiding values are honesty and reliability.

• Carpet • Laminate • Vinyl Plank • Tile • Linoleum • Area Rugs

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 AM- 5 PM

We Offer Financing!

Kitchen & Bathroom Cabinets Bookshelves & Podiums 24314 CR 46 • Nappanee, IN 46550 Ph 574-831-4935 • Fx 574-831-4936 TownePost.com | January 2026 | 59

indoor and outdoor styles and popular sizes from 5x7 to 9x12. New styles arrive as stock moves, so customers always find fresh looks.

Helping customers choose the right product is where Binkley’s shines. Shoppers can feel textures and see colors firsthand, and there’s even a lamp that mimics different types of home lighting so samples can be viewed accurately. Pet owners often choose SmartStrand, Pet Premier or EverStrand carpet — made from recycled materials and designed for stain resistance. Families with children appreciate the waterproof plank options that handle daily spills and traffic.

Binkley’s also carries marine carpet for boat trailer bunks, piers and shore stations.

Installation is flexible. The store provides a list of trusted local contractors but allows customers to hire their own installer or complete projects themselves. They also offer custom cuts so shoppers can buy exactly the amount they need for a single room or stair runner.

Walk-ins Welcome Monday & Wed 9 AM- 5 PM

• Coloring • Highlights • Hair cuts • Hair extensions • Waxing • Piercings • Eye Lash Extensions • Bridal/ Prom Styles Find Us on Facebook @ 50 Shades of Beauty

Owners Elizabeth Vilchiz & Ashley Parlett

Find us on Instagram SHADESOFBEAUTY2025

110 S Main St. Culver, IN 46511 574-242-2931 Over 10 years of Experience 60 | January 2026 | TownePost.com

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New offerings continue to expand. Tile and area rugs were recently added, and plans are underway for a grand-opening event once showroom updates are complete. Binkley looks forward to welcoming the community when the time is right.

Keeping the business local means everything to him.

“That’s why I bought it,” he says. “It’s been here for nearly 30 years. I wanted to keep it a local business so people aren’t having to drive an hour to get what they need.”

Community support runs both ways. Binkley has already sponsored — and plans to continue sponsoring — youth sports at Knox, North Judson and Oregon-Davis schools, and he is an assistant coach for girls basketball at Culver Academies, where his daughter is a senior. Every couple of months, the store runs giveaways that highlight other small businesses, such as a recent promotion with Brothers in Arms, a local shop.

Feedback from customers has been encouraging. Longtime Fletcher’s shoppers appreciate that the store remained open under local ownership.

“People have been happy that we kept it going,” he says. “They like that we’re local and not a big corporation coming in.”

One customer, Jamie Palmer, shared this review: “Very friendly and ready to help us as soon as we walked through the door. They went out of their way to understand our project and get us exactly what we needed. We will definitely be back.”

Binkley expresses gratitude to those who have supported him through the transition.

“I just want to thank the customers who’ve come in during our first few months,” he says. “We’re thankful for the community and excited to keep serving them.”

Binkley’s Flooring Warehouse is located at 2100 East Toto Road in Knox. You can call them at 574-772-7088 or email binkleysflooring@yahoo.com for more information.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT’S IN YOUR WATER? Concerned about Lead, Arsenic and Nitrates?

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574-936-3556 | 326 E. Jefferson St. Plymouth TownePost.com | January 2026 | 61

CREATIVE CORNER

HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

DIRECTIONS

1.

2.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (32 oz) bag frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese • 1/2 cup melted butter • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion • 1 cup sour cream • 1/2 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp black pepper • Garnish with Chives (optional)

62 | January 2026 | TownePost.com

3.

4.

5.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the thawed hashbrowns, cream of chicken soup, shredded cheddar cheese, melted butter, chopped onion, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly distributed and the mixture is creamy.

Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to smooth the top for even baking.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the edges slightly crispy.

Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Simplee Stated Gifts LOCAL CHARM, SIMPLY YOURS & WHERE HOLIDAY GIVING BEGINS Writer / Amy Beaucham Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

alk through the corner doors at Michigan and Garro in downtown Plymouth, and you’ll feel it right away. The space is warm and easy to wander.

Tables are set with seasonal finds, shelves hold Indiana-made treats, and a display of engraved gifts suggests a story behind every item.

Owner Sandy Saenz greets customers like neighbors, remembering who loves Chala handbags, who collects lake-themed décor, and who visited to discover the perfect teacher gift.

This is Simplee Stated Gifts — where thoughtfulness and creativity

greet you at every turn.

Sandy’s path to retail began with a talent for making people feel seen, along with a knack for creative artistry and detail. Years ago, she worked as an office manager for a construction company, where one of her many responsibilities was creating the company’s corporate gift baskets. The feedback was constant — everyone told her she should do it as a business. Encouraged by those compliments, she tested the idea with a six-week pop-up inside Martin’s Super Market in Plymouth. After finishing her day job in

TownePost.com | January 2026 | 63

South Bend, she would drive to the grocery store, open the small shop by mid-afternoon, and stay until 9 p.m.

People noticed. Before long, a downtown shopkeeper invited her to become a vendor. The seed took root.

That location in downtown Plymouth has stayed constant, even as her role evolved.

“I tell people when I share my story that I have been in the same spot for 13 years, but it’s just been three versions: a vendor, a partner, and now a sole owner,” Sandy says.

In 2017, she purchased The Frame Shoppe, the longtime customframing business on the Michigan Street side of her L-shaped building. Today, Simplee Stated Gifts & The Frame Shoppe flow together as one welcoming experience with two entrances. One door opens to gifts and apparel — the other to the framing studio, where custom designs and memory pieces take shape.

Sandy’s creative streak started at home. She learned wood crafts and wreath-making with her mother, then turned that eye for creative detail toward gifts and displays. The store’s décor is thoughtful yet relaxed — each product helps tell the story. Four street-facing windows carry the seasonal theme throughout the year.

Choose from Over 1000 different frame options!

Let us help you frame your memories...

Open Tue - Fri 10:00am to 5:30pm | Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm

For inquiries contact Sandy Saenz: Frameshoppe@yahoo.com 100 W. Garro Street • Plymouth | (574) 936-5259 64 | January 2026 | TownePost.com

For December, they shine with Christmas charm, drawing passersby toward the sparkle within. Inside, customers linger on original wood floors and wander between women’s clothing and accessories, home décor, lake and cabin accents, children’s items, and a corner devoted to Indiana pride.

A feature wall labeled “We Are Indiana” grew from a simple question visitors kept asking: Do you have postcards or anything small that says Plymouth? That sparked a hunt for state-sourced and state-themed goods. You’ll find soup and cookie mixes from the Soup for Success Mission in Elkhart, salsa and jams made in Bremen, Ben’s Pretzels dry mix, Amish popcorn from Berne, and fudge and chocolates crafted in Nappanee.

Shelves also feature well-known gift lines including Chala handbags, Dr. Squatch, Inis fragrances, P. Graham Dunn, Warmies, Stonewall Kitchen, Leanin’ Tree, and Studio M Art Poles.

Customization has become one of the store’s biggest draws.

Sandy added on-site laser engraving nearly six years ago and now personalizes an impressive range of items.

“I have a laser engraver here on site,” she says. “I have over 400 items that I can personalize.”

Customers bring ideas and leave with engraved mugs, tumblers, frames, cutting boards, ornaments, and plaques — each one ready to mark a milestone.

One memorable engraving story began when five sisters visited to shop for their eldest sibling’s 80th birthday. One sister had written a poem filled with family memories. When they discovered the range of items Sandy could engrave, the shopping trip turned into a mission. They secretly planned with her to etch the poem onto a plaque they’d found in the shop — one featuring a graceful

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TownePost.com | January 2026 | 65

tree that reminded them of their family roots. When the birthday celebration arrived and the honoree opened the gift, everyone cried tears of happiness.

She treats every customer like family and means it.

Memories are preserved in many different ways at The Frame Shoppe. People bring in everything from concert posters and children’s art to military medals, farm photographs and quilts.

Sandy listens to each story first, shaping a design that honors the sentiment and stays within budget. One of her most memorable projects came from a retired pastor who wanted to frame a portrait of his late wife.

“You don’t ever, ever apologize for crying in my store. My store is a safe space,” she says. Sandy emphasizes how her business is very much a calling. “I know that I know that I know that I am where I’m supposed to be.”

He and Sandy planned the mat and moulding together while he sat comfortably, sharing memories as they worked. When he later picked up the finished piece, he was moved to tears. He told Sandy he has coffee with his wife every morning. Those moments remind her why custom framing matters.

When asked what stands out most about her business, Sandy shares that it all begins with connection.

“It has to be my customer service — the friendly atmosphere, oneon-one,” she says. “I might not know your name, but I’ll remember that you liked something in my store.”

When sharing life’s joys or struggles, many people find comfort in the safe, welcoming space Sandy has created — and in her listening heart.

Community has always been part of her story. As president of Discover Plymouth, the downtown merchants group, she helps plan collaborative events that bring people to the city’s heart.

When she first arrived as a vendor, empty storefronts were common. Today, those spaces fill quickly with new small businesses. Her next-door neighbor is Gather, a restaurant created by the Gather 2 Graze team. The two spaces share a wide interior opening, so diners can step through to browse the gift shop while waiting for their meal, then return for dessert — or a second look at that perfect item they spotted earlier.

Seasonal events at Simplee Stated Gifts are both festive and engaging. December brings “12 Days of Christmas,” a daily spotlight where one in-store item or category features a special price for that day only. The popular Red Envelope promotion begins on Small Business Saturday, the Saturday following Thanksgiving.

Shoppers earn a sealed red envelope with a qualifying purchase.

Inside is a coupon that might be 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30% off a total purchase, a discount on a single item, or even dollar savings.

Guests bring the unopened envelope back in January or early February, open it at checkout, and often stack it with clearance pricing during the semiannual sale. Two grand-prize envelopes include gift certificates for a full year of shopping. It’s a tradition that brings cheer to the quieter winter weeks and gives customers something fun to look forward to after the holidays.

Gene Kauffman | LaVern Kauffman genek.sds@gmail.com | k2.lavern@outlook.com

574-238-8783 SuperiorDeck.net

66 | January 2026 | TownePost.com

Hands-on creativity thrives in the store’s make-and-take area. The newest favorite is a crushed-glass and resin art class. Participants choose a shape template, place contact paper, select from a wide range of crushed-glass colors, and pour resin for a luminous stainedglass effect. Because Sandy uses a quick-set resin, participants can take their treasures home with them — a handcrafted keepsake as personal as it is beautiful.

The reviews say it best. “This is a cool store to stop in and check things out,” writes Steven Wheat. “The owner is friendly and very

helpful … it’s a great place to pick up gifts for different kinds of parties.” Jennifer Criddle calls everything “so adorable,” from jewelry to clothing to household items. Amanda Lawson praises both the prices and the kindness: “Sandy was such a gem … she made me feel so comfortable.”

Yvonne Comeno appreciates the engraving and value, while Pam Lee sums it up perfectly — Sandy is phenomenal at helping find the perfect gift and “does so much for Plymouth.”

Another shopper, Heather Banas, captured the experience this way: “The store is full of Indiana-made products, squeaky hardwood floors, friendly smiles, and treasures you didn’t know you needed until you found them.”

Sandy’s calendar reflects that same community spirit. She hosts a holiday open house each November benefiting Blessings in a Backpack, a nonprofit that provides weekend meals to children who might otherwise go hungry when school is out. She also helps organize downtown traditions such as the Chocolate Walk and a music-themed scavenger hunt where families match holiday song titles to participating businesses. The goal is simple — to bring people downtown, introduce them to local shops, and keep Plymouth’s small-town heart thriving.

The heart of it all still circles back to relationships. A customer once came in, quiet and weighed down by the recent loss of a son. She was preparing for a long-planned trip to Disney World with her other son and grandchildren but felt guilty about going.

They talked for a while — about the trip, the grandkids, and the memories they would make together. Weeks later, she returned, saying the trip had been exactly what she needed. Before leaving, she turned to Sandy and said, “Thank you for making me smile.” It’s a moment that perfectly captures the difference between shopping small and shopping anywhere else.

At Simplee Stated Gifts & The Frame Shoppe, you’ll find engraved keepsakes, cozy home décor, women’s apparel, lake and cabin accents, Indiana goodies, and that hard-to-find something you’ll be so pleased and proud to give. Step into The Frame Shoppe next door for custom framing that treats your memories like art. Then stop by Gather for lunch before heading back to pick up the gift that caught your eye. You’ll leave feeling as if you’ve discovered something more than a store — something heartfelt, genuine, and worth returning to again and again.

Simplee Stated Gifts & The Frame Shoppe is located at 100 W. Garro St., Plymouth. For more information, give them a call at 574-936-5259 or email them at simpleestatedgifts@yahoo.com.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2026

Koontz Lake/ Walkerton/ Grovertown

ALL times listed are Central Time.

EVERY MONDAY

JANUARY

Bingo – Doors open at 5 p.m., Early Bird starts at 6 p.m., and regular games start at 6:30 p.m. at the Koontz Lake Association Community building.

Submit Your Events!

EVERY THURSDAY 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. - New Kitchen Store Farmers Market. Please visit our online store and don’t forget to like us on Facebook! facebook. com/NewKitchenStore KLA Board Meeting at the KLA Clubhouse is the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Meetings are open to the public and start at 6:30 p.m. Come and join us and find out how you can volunteer in the community. You can also find out what is going on around Koontz Lake.

Bremen/Lake of the Woods ALL times listed are Eastern.

10 9 a.m. – BCC Meeting at the BCC Building, 4374 North Shore Drive, Bremen

17 22nd annual BCC raffle and ice fishing derby at the BCC building.

Contact Tim at 574-248-2985 for information and early registration.

Knox/Bass Lake/Starke County

ALL Times listed are Central Time

6 3:30 p.m. – City of Knox Peppermint Parade

Lake Maxinkuckee/ Culver/ Marshall County ALL Times listed are Eastern Time.

EVERY SATURDAY 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Culver Farmers Market. For more updates, you can follow The Culver Farmers Market is also on Facebook and IG @ culverfarmersmarket.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY 8:30 a.m. – Yoga at the Beach Lodge, all levels are welcome. Chair yoga is at 10 a.m.

23 4:30 – 5:30 - Lions Club Chili Supper at the Culver Depot.

FEBRUARY 6TH – 8TH Culver Winter Fest. Visit findculver. com for the schedule of events.

Koontz Lake Lions Club meet every 3rd Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Sewer District building located at 10625 E Prairie Ave in Koontz Lake.

Meetings are open the public.

FOR UPDATES REGARDING EVENTS PLEASE CHECK THE LAKE ASSOCIATION’S/ ORGANIZATIONS FACEBOOK PAGES/ WEBSITES.

• TOMMY BAHAMA • HART, SCHAFFNER & MARX • 34 HERITAGE • ST. CROIX • JOHNSTON MURPHY

BRIDAL | BRIDESMAIDS | MOTHERS | FORMAL WEAR TREATSSQUIRESHOP.COM | 308 NORTH MICHIGAN STREET, PLYMOUTH | 574-936-3669 TownePost.com | January 2026 | 69

S PELLET STOVE

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WHY BUY Superior A PELLET STOVE? Efficiency and Heat Output up to 85% efficient and 3,500 sq ft. capabilities

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FROM THE LAKES MAGAZINE

70 | January 2026 | TownePost.com

Knox - Winamac Community Health Center

Caring for your healthcare needs since 2007

Knox-Winamac Community Health Center is a private non-profit agency providing affordable high-quality, primary care to residents of Starke and Pulaski Counties.

John Bulger , MD

Kyla Schreck, NP

We accept Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurances. We have a Sliding Fee Scale available to qualified individuals which can significantly reduce the cost of your office visit.

Services Available

Roger Farris, NP

Lesley Metts, NP

Lori Truesdell, LCSW

Primary and Preventive care • Physical Examinations Employment • Sports • School Physicals Well Child Checks • Immunizations • Chronic Disease Mangagement Laboratory Service • Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings Management Women’s Health Screenings and Annual Exams • Behavioral Healthcare Open Monday thru Friday and every Saturday until noon

1002 S. Edgewood Drive Knox, IN 46534 | 574-772-6030

TownePost.com | January 2026 | 71

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