The Lakes Magazine October 2019

OCTOBER 2019

MAGAZINE

A BABOON SANCTUARY

PEACEABLE PRIMATE SANCTUARY FOUNDER TALKS VISION, COMMUNITY & UPCOMING BABOON FEST

TheLakesMagazine.com

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Deli • Sandwiches • Bakery • Outdoor Poly Furniture • Hand-Dipped Ice Cream

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BUILDING BETTER FUTURES • New Construction • Remodeling • Decks • Kitchens • Bathrooms & More Tim Howard (574)806-3179 Clint Salyer (574)298-7277 Office (574)842-3595 Howard-tim@att.net

New Age Construction thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 3

Looking for a Reliable Contractor?

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4 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. THE LAKES MAGAZINE

23

THE LAKES MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS John & Mandi Lewandowski

John@TownePost.com / 574-249-9217 Mandi@TownePost.com

TOWNE POST CEO Tom Britt

Tom@TownePost.com

TOWNE POST PRESIDENT Jeanne Britt

Jeanne@TownePost.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Robert Turk

A BABOON SANCTUARY: PEACEABLE PRIMATE SANCTUARY FOUNDER TALKS VISION, COMMUNITY & UPCOMING BABOON FEST Winamac, with its charming downtown and courthouse which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is probably best recognized as the county seat of Pulaski County. Few people may know that just about 20 minutes away from the shopping area is Peaceable Primate Sanctuary, a refuge for baboons that have previously lived in research facilities or were involved in the pet and entertainment industries.

7 Wren and Bee Pottery: Walkerton

38 One Stitch At A Time: Misty

Artist Uses Nature As Inspiration For Pottery

Meadows Country Store Co-Owner Creates Beautiful Handmade Quilts

11 Justin Time: Plumbing & Heating

41 Hole in One: Pretty Lake Golf Club

Company Celebrates 5 Years of Serving Marshall County

Offers Outstanding Golf Course

18 Sublime Subs: Gourmet Sandwich Shop Is a Winamac Favorite

43 Raise The Roof: Habitat for

Humanity of Marshall County Builds Homes For Those In Need

20 Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental

47 5 Fun Farms In Northern Indiana to

23 A Baboon Sanctuary: Peaceable

50 Plymouth High School Celebrates

Council Strives For Clear Waters

Visit This Fall

Primate Sanctuary Founder Talks Vision, Community & Upcoming Baboon Fest

28 Simplee Stated Gifts: Popular

Grand Opening of Dr. Susan Bardwell Aquatics Center

Plymouth Shop Offers Gifts, Home Decor & More

32 September Crossword Puzzle Answers

33 Frain Mortuary: A Mission of the Heart

Rob@TownePost.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Austin Vance

ADVERTISING DESIGNER Valerie Randall

EDITORIAL MANAGER Josh Brown

Josh@TownePost.com

EDITOR

Samantha Kupiainen

OCTOBER WRITERS

Angela Cornell / Christy Heitger-Ewing Julie Yates / Mary Lowry Matt Keating

OCTOBER PHOTOGRAPHERS Jubilee Edgell

SHOP LOCAL! Help our local economy by shopping local.

Advertising supporters of the The Lakes Magazine offset the costs of publication and mailing, keeping this publication FREE. Show your appreciation by thanking them with your business.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS ARE SPONSORED CONTENT

54 A Survivor’s Journey: Holocaust

The The Lakes Magazine is published by the Towne Post Network and is written for and by local area residents. Over 13,000 copies are distributed each month in The Lakes area.

58 The Geneva Center: Popular Kids

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Survivor Frank Grunwald Recounts Incredible Story Camp Creates Lasting Memories For Campers

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62 What’s Happening In October At The Lakes

36 October Crossword Puzzle thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 5

TheLakesMagazine.com TownePost.com

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Owner Chris Franey

WREN AND BEE POTTERY Walkerton Artist Uses Nature As Inspiration For Pottery Writer / Mary Lowry Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Chris Franey, owner of Wren and Bee Pottery in Walkerton, has always been an artist ready for a challenge. She started her career 30 years ago as a decorative painter

and decided four years ago that she was ready for something new.

“Pottery was something I’d always wanted to attempt, and basically, I woke up one morning and thought ‘I’m gonna start learning to throw pottery,’” Franey says,

laughing. “I’m a lifelong learner, and I always like to learn new things. I like to challenge myself, and I like to do challenging things, and pottery is at the top of my list.”

Although she still paints, Franey spends most of her time now throwing pottery.

thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 7

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She tends to stray away from doing decorative work, and she does not sculpt. Instead, she prefers making functional pottery, like something you could eat off of.

Her wildlife management degree translates into a love of the outdoors, which she uses as a source of inspiration in her work.

“The colors and the scenes around me really affect [my work],” she says. “A lot of my inspiration comes from nature.”

It is clear how heavily nature impacts Franey in her business, right down to the name. Wren and Bee Pottery was inspired by her love of nature. Wrens are birds known for being busy and engaged, constantly flying around to investigate something new. Bees, of course, are also known for being busy, which is a characteristic Franey sees in herself.

“If I wasn’t me, I’d be a wren or a bee,” she says. “I’m usually busy and engaged in something.”

Another inspiration comes from Franey’ willingness for a challenge.

Always one to try something new, overcoming challenges is her favorite part of the job.

“I’m very curious, and I like to learn, and I like the constant process of learning and improving my skill requires. That’s what motivates me,” she says.

The most unique thing, besides Franey’ outlook on life and learning, is definitely the artwork she sells.

“

I’m very curious, and I like to learn, and I like the constant process of learning and improving my skill requires. That’s what motivates me.

“I don’t do production work — each piece is handmade, hand considered, and hand-decorated. I very rarely do the same thing twice, which is not only a good thing, but the way I work, too,” she says. “I like interacting with people and showing them my perception of the world around me.”

She is looking forward to perhaps, one day, taking her pottery out on the road.

When she was a painter, Franey would take her artwork to different shows.

She plans on doing this with her pottery when she advances more.

There are a few different ways to purchase artwork from Wren and Bee Pottery. First, you can buy it at New Kitchen Store (330 S. Liberty Street,).

They are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Franey also has a studio out of her house that she sells from. The best way to contact her is via email. You can reach her at franeychris@yahoo.com.

MARSHALL COUNTY

Festivals!

Festivals!

MARSHALL COUNTY Culver Winter Fest

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4-H Fair Culver Fall Fest Culver Lake Fest Dates Available Holy 2019 at Walk Bourbon Summer Fest Christmas Fest at Hensler’s Nursery VisitMarshallCounty.org

2019 Dates Available at VisitMarshallCounty.org

VisitMarshallCounty.org • 800-626-5353 thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 9

Grab the fun by the bars The water’s your playground

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Owner Justin Turnage

PLUMBING & HEATING COMPANY CELEBRATES 5 YEARS OF SERVING MARSHALL COUNTY Providing Expert Maintenance, Repair & Installation Licensed & Insured

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Writer / Mary Lowry Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Since opening five years ago, Justin Time Plumbing &Heating has been dominating the competition. Owner Justin Turnage first got into the business through his father. His father taught him the trade, put him through school and helped him grow into the business owner he is today.

“I owe my success to my father,” Turnage says. “He taught me more than any classroom I’ve ever been in.

I worked for him for 10 years as he mentored me. He put me through school and got me licensed.”

After learning from his dad, Turnage set out on his own to begin his own company. Justin Time Plumbing &Heating first opened on August 11, 2014. It started out small. Turnage was the sole employee and worked out of a van. In the last five years, the business has grown immensely.

“In the last five years, we have grown into a 2,500 square-foot shop, with a full sheet metal fab shop, six fully stocked pink service vans and nine employees,” he says.

One unique thing about Turnage’s employees is their dedication to the job. They work to do the very best for their customers, treating every home as if it was their own. They also promote as many locally-made products as they can, in addition to installing mostly products manufactured in the United States.

Turnage and his team love what they do, and that care translates into the community. From donations to choosing fuel-efficient vehicles, they are contributing to the wellbeing of the area.

“We enjoy giving back to our hometown,” he says. “We donated a central air conditioning system last year to a local veteran in need. This 12 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

year we would love to offer that again.

We always give out gift certificates for local fundraisers, service contracts for silent auctions, and we love to sponsor local events.”

Their iconic pink vans are also helping to care for the area — averaging up to 20 miles per gallon while fully loaded, they look to reduce their carbon footprint.

The thoughtfulness of the company bodes well for customers, and it gains them recognition. For four years in a row, Justin Time has been voted the No. 1 plumber in Marshall County.

They were also voted the No. 1 HVAC contractor for Marshall County in 2019. They have gained regional and international recognition, too. In 2016, Armstrong Air recognized Justin Time as the Rookie of the Year, which was awarded to one company within three states for dedication and growth.

They have also been recognized by Mitsubishi Electric, a multinational corporation, as a Diamond Contractor, the highest level of accreditation available by the company. Diamond Contractors are known for their upto-date technology and installation techniques.

To set up an appointment, call their office at 574-780-2245. You can also put in a request for service online at justintimeplumbingandheating. com. You can also check out their Facebook, Justin Time Plumbing and Heating, LLC, for recent projects and special offers. Justin Time based out of Walkerton, Ind.

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Always the 2nd Saturday in October, local groups form teams to vie for honor of having the best chili in fulton county.

Prizes are also awarded for “The People’s Choice” and “The Best Decorated Booth.”

DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER

October 12, 2019 TASTINGS START AT 11AM & LAST UNTIL THE CHILLI RUNS OUT!

FIRST COME FIRST SERVE! AWARDS 1:30PM

WHILE THE CHILI IS BEING PREPARED, TASTED AND JUDGED, THE BLACKTOP CRUISERS CAR CLUB HOSTS THE FAMOUS RED HOT CAR SHOW 8AM-4PM, AWARDS AT 4PM

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Flea Market Antiques Collectibles New Mattresses

We give old fashioned customer service along with the most progressive treatment for your pets.

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OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Dinner every Tuesday & Friday 5pm to 8pm Open year round with fun parties and events for holidays and football season Check out the dinner specials on our facebook page.

Try the Manitou Monster Pizza!

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Rochester, IN 46975 Fax: (574) 223-2007 culliganfultoncounty.com

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Ernest Hochstetler, Phone: 574-773-2434 Fax: 574-773-2438 • 29379 CR 52, Nappanee, IN 46550 thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 17

Owner Ezekiel Vasquez

GOURMET SANDWICH SHOP IS A WINAMAC FAVORITE have a lot of regulars that have told us this is the best salad bar they have ever had.”

Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Sublime Subs, 123 E. Pearl Street, Winamac, Sublime’s salad bar is 14-feet long. has become a big hit over the last year, thanks to its great selection of both hot and Ever since Sublime opened September cold gourmet sub sandwiches.

2018, Vasquez has thoroughly enjoyed meeting new faces and old friends.

The restaurant has succeeded because Ezekiel Vasquez, the new owner, makes sure Customers already have their favorite choices. his customers also enjoy Sublime’s delicious “Our best-selling hot sandwiches are the soups and salads.

Mark Cuban and Two Little Pigs,” he says.

“The community loves what we have brought to downtown Winamac,” Vasquez says. “We

Other sandwiches made with fresh-baked bread include the popular Sublime, the

Marley, the Hottie and the (big hit) Chicago.

Sublime house favorite sandwiches also include the Zeus and a vegan option, the Vincent Vegan. The shop also has a slate of “Team USA” sandwiches to offer tastes from cities across the country.

The daily homemade and unique soups at Sublime have also been highly successful.

“We make a Thai chicken soup that is killer,” Vasquez says. “Our tomato basil bisque is amazing too.”

18 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

Sublime also has a “hurry-up fridge,” with food for customers on a short break, specialty coffees, chips, cookies and a relaxing atmosphere. A Sublime catering menu and services are also available.

“Beer and wine will also be available soon,” Vasquez adds.

Sublime regulars are encouraged to ask about their loyalty app that rewards customers with free food.

Before he was at Sublime, Vasquez worked in music.

# 1 LAKE LISTING & SELLING AGENT.

“I was a touring musician,” he says.

“I toured with a band called Islander and a band called Forever at Last. I played bass and did back up vocals.”

Vasquez started at Sublime as a manager in 2018. He recently bought the shop from the previous owner, who named the shop after the band Sublime, an American punk band from Long Beach, California.

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Vasquez has enjoyed doing a lot of fun things at the restaurant, including coming up with some unique soups and sandwiches.

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Vasquez notes that fans of the smash-hit Netflix television series, “Stranger Things,” enjoy Sublime’s “Number Eleven.” The sandwich is named after the show’s Eggowaffle loving El, better known as Eleven character, one of the main protagonists of the series. Sublime’s Number Eleven sandwich has waffles and chicken.

“Eleven loves Eggos, and who doesn’t love chicken and waffles?”

Vasquez adds.

Sublime Subs is located at 123 E Pearl Street in Winamac. You can give them a call at 574-6353299 or visit them online at sublimewinamac.com for more information and a full menu.

Rhonda S. Hurford Broker

(574) 250-1835 rhondahurford@gmail.com www.collinshomes.com thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 19

Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

A name can say a lot about a place. Take Maxinkuckee, for instance, which is derived from a Pottawatomie phrase that means “Clear Water” or “Diamond Lake.”

Thanks to decades of hard work from the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Council (LMEC), this ancient description is still accurate.

However, that has not always been the case.

Back in the 1970s, locals noticed some changes in their beautiful lake, and they didn’t like it.

LAKE MAXINKUCKEE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL STRIVES FOR CLEAR WATERS

“The water was not as clear as it had been in previous years,” says LMEC chairman Allen Chesser.

Something had to be done. So, LMEC was formed to observe and address the problem.

The Council turned to limnology, the study

20 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

of lake science and water quality, hoping it would give the council a clue about what was going on.

“Understanding what was happening to the lake was the first step in seeing if the changes were temporary or if they were caused by long-term effects in habitation and agriculture,” Chesser says.

The results from that initial study were telling: Lake Maxinkuckee was in danger and would die if the council didn’t take immediate action.

After discovering the lake’s diagnosis, the Council’s first step was to construct three wetlands around the lake, ranging in size from 2.2 to 80 acres, all of which have since helped heal the lake. Built around each of the three major tributaries leading into Lake Maxinkuckee, the wetlands have made a natural habitat for a variety of plants, animals and microscopic life, some of which are rare and even endangered. Thanks to that variety, the Maxinkuckee wetlands are a prime area for continued limnological studies.

“Lake Maxinkuckee is probably the most studied lake in Indiana for a whole host of things, whether it has to do with fisheries, aquatic plants and more,” Chesser says.

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But it’s not only the lake that has benefitted from the wetlands. The whole Maxinkuckee watershed, or area of ground that contributes water runoff to the lake, has gained from LMEC’s efforts.

“Each of the wetlands treat between 15,000 to 19,000 acres of arable croplands. So these wetlands are very important to the Environmental Council,” Chesser adds.

Although Lake Maxinkuckee’s watershed is smaller than most lakes in this part of Indiana, it’s still larger than most would assume, stretching

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approximately 2.5 miles north and west and nearly three miles south.

Although the environment is vastly important to LMEC, there’s another side to their purpose.

“The other part of what we do is to educate the public,” says LMEC’s executive director, Kathy Clark. “We write newsletters, we hold classes, we take the public on wetland tours.”

And all of that for the larger Lake Maxinkuckee community, not just those who live and work on the lake and around the watershed, but also for the farmers who benefit from the watershed and even those who come for recreation only, a population that is only growing as time goes on.

And, of course, LMEC has big plans for the next few years.

“The biggest [project] is replacing the

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1500-yard levee,” Clark says. “We’ve been successful in raising that money through grants plus our wonderful donors. We’re ready to start.”

The Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Council welcomes company. They are located at 116 N. Main St. Ste. 4, Culver IN or you can check them out online at lakemax.org or facebook.com/ LakeMaxCouncil for more information.

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22 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

Founder and Owner Scott Kubisch

A BABOON SANCTUARY PEACEABLE PRIMATE SANCTUARY FOUNDER TALKS VISION, COMMUNITY & UPCOMING BABOON FEST Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

Winamac, with its charming downtown and courthouse which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is probably best recognized as the county seat of Pulaski County. Few people may know that just about 20 minutes away from the shopping area is Peaceable Primate Sanctuary, a refuge for baboons that have previously lived in research facilities or were involved in the pet and entertainment industries.

Although it is not a zoo, the facility located at 6415 North 800 West, does open its doors to the public at specific designated times throughout the year for fundraising events.

started developing the idea for the facility 17 years ago.

“Through my work, I had seen photos of primates in research labs,” he says. “I started to research what happens to the animals when they ‘retire.’ I found out there were chimpanzee and ape sanctuaries but none dedicated baboons. These monkeys needed a place.”

Founder and Director Scott Kubisch has always had a deep love for animals. After finishing high school, he began working in a series of animal-related jobs and amassed 20 years of employment experience in the Zoo field. Although this is the fourth year When asked where the baboons come the sanctuary has housed baboons, Kubisch from Kubisch answers, “85% are from

thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 23

research facilities throughout the country — California, New York and Texas. These have had a good life and have been treated well but need a place to live once their research study is over. Ten to 15% come from roadside zoos and pet trade.

We consider these rescues since the people who owned them came to realize they don’t make good pets.”

Baboons are warm weather primates that don’t like the cold but do enjoy a lot of space to roam in. The sanctuary has extensive indoor areas with big windows, lots of light and plenty of airflow for the winter months.

Outside areas are reinforced with very strong fencing and can be as large as a quarter of an acre.

Just like humans, baboons need dental and medical attention and the sanctuary prides itself on giving its residents the best and most up to date care available. The facility has state of the art x-ray, ultrasound and dental equipment needed not only routine check-ups but also if an emergency would occur. As the population of baboons increases, a larger clinic will be needed to meet increased needs.

“Our current Animal Clinic Campaign is striving to raise $125,000 to build a new clinic,” Kubisch says.

“When we bring a new baboon in, we need quarantine areas to keep them separate from the other animals for a period of time. And, as our numbers grow, we have to keep the sick baboons separate and allow our veterinarians to give them the medical care and attention they need.”

24 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

On Sunday, October 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the public will have the chance to view the facility during the 2019 Annual Baboon Fest. Traditionally their biggest fundraising event, it features guided tours, live music, food, raffles and events for kids. Last year it was attended by more than 600 people. As in years past, school supplies that will benefit local elementary students will be collected.

The event will be held rain or shine with an entrance fee of $10 for adults and free admittance for children.

“Patrons who belong to our Monkey Club can attend the Baboon Fest and all other fundraising events for free,” Kubisch adds. “They can also call the sanctuary and set up a date for a guided tour from one of the animal caretakers.

Membership starts at only $35 and includes a certificate. We can split up anyone’s donation into monthly payments through us or a credit card. It spreads it out so it’s easier to afford and an easy way to donate. For us, it helps to have money coming in each month for budgeting but also because we run entirely on donations. We receive no federal or state support for what we do.

“The Peaceable Primate Sanctuary is my vision for the lifelong care and safety of baboons. Each one has personality and soul. They deserve to live out the rest of their life in a stimulating environment and with dignity.”

Visit Peaceable Primate Sanctuary on Facebook, online at BaboonSanctuary. org or give them a call at 574-8960590 for more information. Peaceable Primate Sanctuary is located at 6415 North 800 West in Winamac, Indiana.

METAL ROOFING FOR YOUR HOME

Local Manufacture

• LONG LIFE CYCLES (75-100+YRS)

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• SOLAR PANEL COMPATIBLE DURING AND AFTER INSTALLATION • DESIGNER PROFILES: SLATE, TILE, WOODSHAKE & SHINGLE • SYSTEMS STARTING AT SAME COST AS ASPHALT SHINGLE RE-ROOF

thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 25

50 Year Limited Lifetime Warranty

P.J. Gilsinger & Co.

- OWNERS -

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

FLORIST AND BOUTIQUE

• Farm equipment • Local school memorabilia • WWII artifacts • Early household and farming tools • Several unusual exhibits

This Is NOT your traditional florist!

Unique & traditional Wedding, Formal, Funeral, Birthdays, & Anniversaries Arrangements | Gifts | Balloons | Bath & Body Products Holiday and Lake Themed Decorations

217 E. CULVER RD. • KNOX SILVERLEAFFLORISTANDBOUTIQUE.COM

Museum Hours:

May-October Thursday, Friday & Sundays 1:00pm to 6:00pm

November-April Sunday’s 1:00-6:00pm

Contact Brenda Gilsinger for Inquiries or Appointments (574)595-7851

TUXEDO RENTAL AVAILABLE

5641 S. Main St. Winamac, Indiana

LEAVE YOUR ELECTRIC BILL BEHIND! Richards is the areas Halloween Headquarters and favorite destination for great deals on Lights, Decor, & Much Much More!

SINCE 2006!

Residential • Commercial • Agricultural • RV Ask about our lithium batteries!

OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Solar Systems for Residential, Commercial & Agriculture Batteries Inverters & Inverter Service Center Excellent Customer Support!

8015 W 1350 N, Suite A 574-773-0546 • Nappanee, IN 46550

www.richardsoftoto.com • (574)772-5923 RichardsOfToto@hotmail.com 3060 S. Range Road North Judson

26 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

Mon & Wed-Fri 9am to 5pm Sat & Sun 9am to 5:30pm Closed Tuesdays

& CONSTRUCTION, LLC SPECIALIZING IN HIGH QUALITY STEEL ROOFING

Amish made pallet Furniture. Pallets Sanded down for a Smooth Rustic Finish with 2 coats of clear coat. Several finishing Colors available.

Use card for info and inspiration keeping roofing related. Award winning the last 4 consecutive years!

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Bedroom Suites Coffee Tables Storage Benches Desks Bars Entertainment Centers Kitchen Island Changing Tables & more

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Hochstetler Storage Barns • Lowest Cost • Amish Built • 3/4 Tongue and Groove Plywood Flooring • All Custom Build to Order • All sizes Available • Several Windows and Door options • 2x4 walls • Standard Metal Roof • Treated Lumber Runners and Floor Joists

Enjoy many of the great benefits of health and wellness by becoming a member today. Your membership will give you access to our incredible facilities and many other fantastic advantages.

Here are some you will enjoy: All Group Exercise Classes (over 90 per week), AQ Excercise, Member Orientation, 25 Yard Lap Pool, Free Fitness Assessment, 1/7 Mile Walk/Run Indoor Track, Racquetball Courts, Gymnasium, Free Exercise Prescription, Equipment Orientation, Cardiovascular Equipment, TechnoGym Strength Training Equipment, Nautilus Strength Training Equipment, Two Free-Weight Lifting Areas, Punching Bag, Rock Wall, Community Outreach Education, Warm Water Therapy Pool, Steam Room, Dry Sauna, and Hot Tub. Call us today to get your membership started.

Hours of Operation

574-642-0048

palletfurnituredesign.com 69388 State Rd. 13 Millersburg

Monday - Thursday: 5:00am - 9:00pm | Friday: 5:00am - 8:00pm Saturday: 6:00am - 3:00pm | Sunday: Closed

2855 Miller Drive, Suite 101 | Plymouth Ph.574-936-2333 • Fx. 574-941-1074 www.fitnessforum.biz

thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 27

Owner Sandy Saenz Writer / Julie Yates Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

POPULAR PLYMOUTH SHOP OFFERS GIFTS, HOME DECOR & MORE

It all started with baskets to show customer appreciation in the corporate world. Today, Sandy Saenz sells the beautiful gift baskets she became known for, plus gifts and home decor items, as the owner of Simplee Stated Gifts. Located at 100 W. Garro St in Plymouth, the shop has the ability to transform items into personalized gifts through laser engraving.

“I’ve always been a crafter type of person,” Saenz says. “I have a background of office management and I was responsible for figuring out customer Christmas gifts. Each year there ended up being a gift basket of some type. I started doing craft shows with my gift baskets. They were popular because it was an easy ready-to-go gift.”

Saenz enjoyed basket assembling so

Choose from Over 1000 different frame options!

Gifts, Home Decor and more This store also has 1 of the very few P. Graham Dunn Laser Engravers that exist in all of Northern Indiana.

Right now It is capable of engraving up to 400 options.

For all inquiries contact Sandy Saenz.

Open Tue - Fri 9:00am to 5:30pm | Saturday 9:00am to 3:00pm (574)936-5259 | Simpleestatedgifts@yahoo.com 100 W. Garro St. • Plymouth | www.simpleestatedgifts.com 28 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

Looking to gift a memorable item such as a military sword, flag or impressive shadowbox?

much, that seven years ago, she reached out to Martin’s Supermarket and asked if she could have a pop-up shop in a vacant space they had at the front of the store. They agreed, and even though she was working full-time, she ran the shop in the afternoon and evening hours for six weeks before the holidays. Each night she created more baskets for the next day.

“During that time, a woman approached me and asked me to consider being a vendor in a shop she was opening in downtown Plymouth,” Saenz says. “She and her daughter were opening a store to rent space to craft vendors. That started a three-year relationship with the owner. I helped her in the store on weekends and such while I was still working at my corporate job full-time.

Four years ago, Saenz and a friend took over the store. As time progressed, Saenz was able to transition into working part-time at the shop and later full-time. Her business partner branched off this spring.

“I stayed, renamed and rebranded as a solo business owner. So, I’ve been involved in this same location with a gift shop for over seven years and I’m looking forward toward many more!”

Saenz says.

When asked about her ability to personalize gifts via a laser engraver, Saenz answered, “Most business people say that you should find the needed niche and fill it. We felt this is a service that would allow us to fill a need for personalized gifts that could be bought locally and usually done while customers wait. In our research before investing in the machine, we couldn’t find anyone within our area offering such a service.”

Saenz is involved with and serves the community in several ways.

She is currently on the board of Discover Plymouth, which is part of

A Fine Eatery

The Evergreen Fresh Seafood Handcut Steaks Housemade Desserts

(574) 223-3837

530 Main St. • Rochester Reservations Recommended

Tuesday-Wednesday 11-9 Thursday 8am-9pm Friday & Saturday 8am-10pm Sunday 8am-3pm Shorter Hours During Winter Months Closed Monday

thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 29

the Indiana Main Street Program, and strives to revitalize the downtown area.

She is glad to support local schools, churches, and other groups when they ask for donations for fundraising events. Four times a year she holds a quarterly giveback day when 15% of sales are donated to a local nonprofit organization.

“I have a nice group of regulars that come by when a gift is needed for an occasion, they are searching for some new decor or small accent for every day,” Saenz says. “A lot of people comment on how friendly and warm the atmosphere is. Customers become like old friends that you catch up with on each visit.”

Simplee Stated Gifts is located at 100 W. Garro St in Plymouth. For more information, they can be reached at 574-936-5259 or on Facebook @ simpleestatedgifts.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE LOCAL CONTRACTOR?

FREE

New Patient Exam & X-Rays

MYERS SERVICES

574-249-0970

Myers Services is a 2nd generation construction company owned by Culver graduate Ben Myers.

We offer home remodeling, windows, decks, flooring, tile work, light excavation, concrete, sidewalks, driveways, and foundations.

Owner Ben Myers, MyersServiceLLC@gmail.com 20250 W 19 B Rd Culver, IN 46511

Some Limitations Apply

(574) 772-7720 dentures-Indiana.com

Conveniently Located, Christos Plaza, Knox 30 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

CHRIS BRAMAN & HOWARD BAILEY Owner

Funeral Director

Jennifer A. Korous is a CPA serving the area with 2 convenient locations.

Individual/Business Tax Services Payroll Services

574-842-5000

514-W. Mill St. Culver, IN www.culversportsidemarina.com

4915 W. State Road 10 North Judson

(574)896-2204

Financial Statement Preparation Business Planning & Consulting

120 E. 17th Street Rochester

(574)223-1040

Jennifer@jlwidman.com | www.jlwidman.com

• Commercial & Residential Service • Season Firewood • Lot and Fence Clearing • Stump Grinding and Removal • Trimming Topping • Storm Damage Fire Wood • 24-Hour Service

Culver Animal Hospital Compassionate care with over 40 years experience Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri : 9am - 5pm Thur & Sat: 9am to Noon

(574) 842-3155 • 1111 N. Lake Shore Dr. | Culver thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 31

September CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS /thelakesmagazine

Local family owned and operated for 30 years Proudly owned & operated by Tom & Carolyn Blackburn.

Quality, Clean, Late Model & Pre-owned Vehicles

Purchase with peace of mind!

All vehicles come with a 3 month / 3000 mile warranty!

• Window Tinting • Auto detailing For inquiries contact Brad Allen at brad@fredallenauto.com (574)946-7145

www.fredallenauto.com

Sat & Sun Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Buffet, Catering, Meeting / Banquet Room for up to 74 people Open Mon - Thur 11am to 9:00pm, Friday 11am - 10:00pm, Saturday 8am to 10:00pm, Sunday 8am to 9:00pm

(574)936-4128 | 2100 N. Michigan st. • Plymouth

32 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

Co-Owner Jon Frain

FRAIN MORTUARY: A MISSION OF THE HEART Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

It’s quiet in the foyer. Flowers line the hallway leading to the chapel, the perfume filling the air with a sweet essence. At the door of the chapel, there’s a pedestal with a sign-in book and a little stack of bulletins with the deceased’s picture on the front.

Right inside the door, there’s a mural of pictures celebrating the life that was.

There are a few people at Frain Mortuary that no one has really seen, and they like it better that way. They are the ones in black suits that greet the guests as they walk inside. They’re the ones that will check on the young mothers with their children and relatives of the deceased in the back room. They’re the ones who place a caring hand on the widow’s shoulder and quietly asks if she wants a glass of water. They’re also the ones who helped the family plan

this important ceremony and the funeral tomorrow morning. They are the staff at Frain Mortuary.

In 1951, Maxwell C. Frain began working for what was known as Fry & Lange Funeral Home and Furniture Store. While there, Maxwell caught Walter Lange’s vision that the services they offered were a chance to minister to hurting people at one of their most critical times of need.

thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 33

Welcome to Sanders Foods, we specialize in the groceries your family needs.

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS!

“[Lange] talked about the responsibility that he felt he had to care for others and to do things quietly and humbly and not for recognition,” says Jon Frain, Maxwell’s grandson and coowner alongside his father, Dan. In 1961, Maxwell took over the business. When his sons came on board, he mentored them in Lange’s code of ethics. That legacy has now become the core of Frain Mortuary’s purpose and mission.

“WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE TREATED THE SAME AND GIVEN DIGNITY AND RESPECT.” As a man of faith and an active member in the community, Jon’s calling to care for the hurting is genuine.

CHECK OUT ALL THE GREAT DEALS ON OUR WEBSITE!

www.sandersfoods.com • (574)946-3155

Open Mon - Sat 7am to 8pm Sundays 9am - 6pm (Eastern Time) 858 N. Plymouth Rd. • Winamac 34 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

“Most of what we do is in the way we treat people: we visit with them and treat them like family,” Jon says. “We believe that everyone deserves to be treated the same and given dignity and respect.”

The Frain’s take it one step further by offering grief resources.

“We provide a variety of prep materials at our funeral homes for families at the

time. They also have them upon request and on our website, just simply to let [mourners] know that they are not alone in that process,” Jon explained. “We also follow it up with a grief resource book that we send usually within a month after the death.”

At the end of the day, the staff at Frain Mortuary find deep satisfaction with their work.

“It’s not strange for me to care for a deceased person and it’s not uncomfortable to care for the living,” Jon says. “I take on people’s burdens. I say, ‘Put them on me for this week and let me take care of things. You focus on remembering your loved one while I do all this for you.’”

Frain Mortuary has locations in Winamac, Francesville, and Medaryville. They can be reached through frainmortuary.com or at 574-946-3222.

Top Quality • Real Compassion Personal Attention • Exceptional Service

FRAIN MORTUARY, INC. 305 E Main St Winamac, IN 46996 574-946-3222 www.frainmortuary.com

thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 35

OCTOBER CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Balanced 7. Game fowl 8. Rebuke 10. Blessed 12. Chewing 14. Office circular 16. Extended family 17. Protested 20. Pillaging 23. Crave, ... for 24. Tarried 25. Sham DOWN 1. Naval flag 2. Suffers 3. Stylish 4. Sweet herb 5. Political declaration 6. Recording room 9. Dawdle 11. Getting 13. End of pen 15. Beatles hit, ... Lane 16. Christmas songs 18. Mended with needle 19. Spent time idly 21. Leg joint 22. Kit

For the answers, visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TheLakesMagazine

We provide the best possible care for your pet!

We Groom all Breeds including Large Dogs & Cats 2159 N. Oak Dr. Plymouth, IN 46563

Call or Text 574-612-3524 for an Appointment!

www.gordonspetgrooming.com

36 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

Med One Mobile Ambulance Services will get you there safely no matter what or where you medical needs are!

Greg Wireman, Owner

574-249-8123

www.med1mobile.com gwireman@med1mobile.com

Mastering The Beauty!

Orva Yoder

8094 W. 1050 N., Nappanee, IN (574) 354-7884 - Home (574) 356-6059 - Cell

New Homes • Restoration • Strip & Re-stain Yoder’s Log & Timber Pros is a small, family owned and operated log home business.

We specialize in producing custom built log home with a strong belief in quality and integrity.

Garage • Closets • Decks • Pole Barns • Interior Remodeling • Log Home Maintenance Metal Roofs • Custom Traditional Homes • Custom Log Cabin Homes

Midwest Farm & Pet, LLC

Creating Memories in Stone Stone Carving

Exceptional Service!

We are the resource with knowledge on all of your pet needs.

Hickey Monuments • Granites Head Stones • Slants

(574) 646-2509

535 5B Rd.• Bremen, IN 46506

No Sunday Sales

Rich Yoder - (574)646-2603 8232 W. 1050 N. Nappanee

thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 37

ONE STITCH AT A TIME MISTY MEADOWS COUNTRY STORE CO-OWNER CREATES BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE QUILTS Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

There’s an old saying that goes, “If you see someone without a smile, give him one of yours.” For Lois Ramer, co-owner of Misty Meadows Country Store, the smiles she gives comes in the form of handmade quilts.

For Ramer, quilting has always been a part of life.

“When we were growing up as Mennonites, we had to learn how to quilt,” she says. “We are housekeepers, homebodies. We sew a lot of our own clothes, of course, and we have a lot of fabric scraps and so forth. It’s like the old pioneer women did.”

But for Ramer, who sewed her first quilt at the age of 12, hand-quilting was more than a chore or beautiful zero-waste strategy. It

was a legacy passed down from mother to daughter and gave local women and girls an opportunity to get together for quilting bees.

Quilting continued as a way of life even when she married the love of her life, Aaron Ramer. Together they ran a greenhouse and garden center and had four children.

When the time came to retire, they wanted to do more than enjoy their children and grandchildren.

“I always like to have something going in my life,” Ramer says. “It’s the same with my husband.”

So in 2011, the Ramers opened a shop just north of Rochester that specialized in more than 500 fabrics, quilts, quilting supplies and unique gifts like Christian books, melody clocks and Donna Sharp purses.

“People like to come here just for the quiet

atmosphere,” Ramer says.

Eventually, the business ballooned to include quilting customers’ quilt tops, whether by machine or by hand.

“We always discuss that when they come,” Ramer says. “If they really want to keep something like grandma used to have it, they want to hand-quilt it.”

Ramer’s business continued to grow until a computerized long arm quilting machine, programmed with more than 400 different designs, became well worth the investment.

Her larger investment, however, is in the lives of those who walk through her door.

“I like to make people happy,” Ramer adds.

“I really like to hear people say, ‘Well, this really makes my day,’ or ‘you did a wonderful job,’ ‘I’m happy to have this quilted.’”

38 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

To date, she has made quilts for people not only across the nation but also for customers as far away as Germany.

Often, the quilt means more to Ramer’s customers than simply a longterm project.

“Most of the people that do quilts are proud of their work,” she says. “It’s an accomplishment that they worked hard at or it’s something their grandma had and they want to have a keepsake from it. A quilt is not an everyday happening. It takes perseverance.”

But quilting is more than a business for Ramer. It’s also a labor of love, especially for her 25 grandchildren.

“I make a quilt for every grandchild,” she says. “Those patterns I create myself. And they’re all different.”

Of course, quilting remains a family tradition in the Ramer household, an art that each granddaughter gets to learn in her early teens, just like their Grandma Lois did.

Misty Meadows Country Store is located at 6120 N. Old U.S. 31 in Rochester, IN. They are open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9-5 and on Saturday from 9-3. They can be contacted at 574-223-6120.

END OF SEASON SALE

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Affordable Prices

Open Weekdays 7am to 2pm Appointments Available After Hours

(574) 342-3049

7092 Cedar Rd Bourbon, IN thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 39

Mullets Fencing & Supplies LLC Family owned & operated since 1986

Mullet’s offers the Highest Quality Products and Installation of both Residential and Agricultural fencing.

Vinyl • Wood • 4 Rail Farm • Board and High-Tensile Chainlink Fence Post Pounder Rental + Fencing Supplies Gates and Railroad Ties for sale.

Contact David & Jerad Borkholder for inquiries.

6223 8th Road | Plymouth • (574)536-5418

Sales & Installation of Stoves • Inserts • Fireplaces Grills (pellet, gas, natural) BBQ Supplies & Seasonings

Located at 6146 W 1350 N • Nappanee, IN Open 9am to 5pm Monday through Saturday.

(574)773-4826 • www.weaverfurniturebarn.com

One Stop shop for: • Local signage • Banners • Lawn signs • posters • stickers • vehicle lettering & decals

• window clings & film • magnets • T-Shirts • Signs • Wall Art • Interior • P.O.P Displays

Plus OUTSTANDING Tradeshow exhibit services!

(888) 735-4348 (574)773-2686 | 2570 Beech Rd • Bremen

Info@otesinc.com | 5235 W. State Rd 10 North Judson OTES signs & graphics

40 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

www.otesinc.com

Pretty Lake Golf Club General Manager, Chris Tilbury

PRETTY LAKE GOLF CLUB OFFERS OUTSTANDING GOLF COURSE the Pretty Lake Golf Club record.

“He shot a course record 63 from the blue The Pretty Lake Golf Club has been tees,” Tilbury says. around since the 1920s and has a rich

history — just ask its general manager, Pretty Lake Golf Club is located on Pretty Chris Tilbury, PGA. Lake in Plymouth. History has been kind to

the course, which has only improved greatly “The golf course opened in 1923 under the with time. It was originally built as a ninename Plymouth Country Club,” Tilbury hole private country club. says. “The club operated as a private golf

course until 2015, when new ownership “The 18th hole wraps around the lake to took over and changed the name to Pretty finish next to the clubhouse,” Tilbury says.

Lake Golf Club. The club hosted the LPGA “The (clubhouse) bar overlooks the lake Tour in the mid-70s. To this day, the with a patio that has lake views. Pretty Lake members speak about what a true honor it Golf Club has the best greens in the area. is to have hosted that great event.”

The pool also overlooks Pretty Lake.”

Tilbury noted that when the late Payne Tilbury says the course is for golfers of Stewart, an American professional golfer any skill level. It challenges people with a who won 11 PGA Tour events, was fresh beautiful backdrop and includes fairways. out of college, he made a stop to play at

Plymouth Country Club. Stewart once held “I like that our golf course is good for any Writer / Matt Keating Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

level of golfer,” Tilbury says. “We have tees that are challenging for the best golfers, as well as tees for the beginners. The golf course is in great shape and can be enjoyed by all. It also plays well and fast. I love the sheer beauty of it.”

The family-oriented club has stayed prosperous throughout its history thanks to its community.

“We have been very fortunate that the response (from the community) has been great,” Tilbury says. “With golf courses closing in our area, we are lucky to have the support of the ownership to continue to offer great golf. Our membership has doubled over the past four years.”

Tilbury says that “if you like golf, the pace of play is excellent with the average round at under four hours.”

thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 41

SOCIAL GATHERINGS

In addition to golf, Pretty Lake Golf Club offers parties as part of its membership.

It hosts several types of parties, such as weddings, baby showers, graduations, and bridal showers.

“It’s a great place to come out and enjoy a nice meal with great scenery,” Tilbury says.

The club offers food at its Sand Trap Sports Bar & Grill. The Sand Trap has a wide selection of both upscale and casual dishes.

“The Sand Trap is mostly known for its pizza because they are homemade,” Tilbury says. “They also have a great selection of salads that are seasonal. There are also popular entrees, including New York Strip, chicken dinners, and an ‘all you can eat’ fish dinner for $12.95.”

The club also has an excellent and fully

stocked Pro Shop with high-quality equipment and apparel.

“We have a lot of great golf clothes and everything you need, and we also have a good selection of lake-related clothes,” Tilbury says.

Practice facilities are available with chipping and putting areas. A PGA staff and driving range are also offered.

Pretty Lake Golf Club also offers membership options for the lifelong golfer, as well as beginners. Tours of the faculty are also offered. The memberships include

family, junior family, senior membership, single membership, non-resident membership, and a social membership.

Tilbury noted that the club is very familyfriendly.

“We have family tees for kids and families,” Tilbury says. “The kids have a great time, and so do their parents.”

Pretty Lake Golf Club is located at 10055 Pretty Lake Trail in Plymouth. For more information or to reserve a tee time, call 574-935-3705 or visit prettylakegolf.com.

Pretty Lake G

O

L

F

C

L

U

B

Indiana’s Best Kept Secret (574) 935-3705

www.prettylakegolfclub.com 10055 Pretty Lake Trail | Plymouth, IN

Russell Kietzman Financial Advisor 574-935-5647

John Chamberlin Financial Advisor 574-935-3909

Craig Wilson Financial Advisor 574-935-4108

Mark Bishop Financial Advisor 574-935-0030

Todd Clady Financial Advisor 574-935-4138

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

42 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

Executive Directory Dean Byers & Restore Manager Michael Orr

Raise the Roof Habitat for Humanity of Marshall County Builds Homes For Those In Need Writer / Mary Lowry Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

For more than 20 years, the Habitat for Humanity of Marshall County, housed in Plymouth, has been providing quality aid to those in need. Executive Director Dean Byers has watched the organization grow since he first came into the group in 2003.

Habitat for Humanity of Marshall County started in 1998 when a small group of

volunteers formed a local affiliate. To this day, volunteers remain the most vital part of the group’s success. In fact, the gracious people who donate their time are one of Byers’s favorite parts of the organization.

“There are several best parts,” he says. “One is to be able to give home ownership to a family. The second one is to have so many volunteers committed to the projects.”

give their time to Habitat for Humanity of Marshall County. The first option is working on building a house. People are invited to share their time and talents to construct a home for other community members in need.

The next option that volunteers could participate in is the program A Brush with Kindness, which can provide routine home maintenance or critical home There are three ways in which someone can repairs for people. For major projects, like thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 43

MOBILE AUTOMOTIVE • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL

drilling a new well or replacing a roof, Habitat for Humanity of Marshall County pairs people with grant programs that will help complete the payment for a project.

“We need people with skills to go out and take care of those repairs for those homeowners,” Byers says.

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The third option for volunteers would be in the Restore. The Restore looks for people who are willing to help organize products, sorting them and pricing them. While they have about 250 hours of volunteer time clocked in every month, they are always looking for more people, seeing as how the store moves a lot of product. The Restore itself is able to exist because of donated items. They are always looking for more donations, whether they be household items or monetary donations.

“We try to keep things affordable, and the fact that they’re donated makes it easy to do that,” explains Restore Manager, Mike Orr. “We try to reduce things going to the landfills by accepting these donations. Sometimes an item might not be sellable as a refrigerator. We can get scrap value out of it, and that provides more income for the funds to build the houses.”

Thanks to the generous donations of the community, the Habitat for Humanity of Marshall County will soon begin building three more homes.

This will bring the total count of homes to 23 since the group’s beginnings. The new homes will be built in Plymouth.

The process of building a home goes through quite a few steps before building can even begin. First, the land has to be purchased by the organization. Then, it has to be surveyed. For the new Plymouth lot, since it is big enough for three homes, the group has to go through a process to get a small subdivision approved.

After they finish all of the initial paperwork and procedures, they can begin on actually building the home.

The process of building typically takes at least nine months. This is due to the number of volunteers. They meet once or twice a week to work on the house, so it takes a while. It’s all worth it, though.

The group’s work is beneficial for not just the families that will move into the new homes, but for the community, as well. By bringing in families to the area, the tax base is increased and more students are enrolled in local schools. It strengthens the community.

“We’re in the process of applying for a grant to build more homes in the area,” Byers says. “It’s through the Indiana Housing Community Development Authority, and it’s called Home Funds.”

If you are interested in volunteering or in learning more, feel free to reach out to them in person, on the phone, or online. You can visit their Restore at 116 S Walnut Street in Plymouth, or you can give them a call at 574-9354214. Visit them online at habitatomc. org. They are open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am to 5 pm. thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 45

Mint City Millwork

A very fine selection of Clocks of all kinds Grandfather, Mission, Mantle, Wall & more

These are handmade right on location by owner Wayne Helmuth who has 25 + years experience in the business. The cabinets are handmade and Clock cases are constructed with mortise and tenon joints, assembled and sanded by hand...one at a time. The triple chime movements are manufactured exclusively

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Sandblasting • Powdercoating Trailers • Vehicle Frames Motorcycle Tanks & more

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Owner Joel Mast (574)546-0591 1730 Dewey st. Bremen, IN

46 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

5 FUN FARMS IN NORTHERN INDIANA TO VISIT THIS FALL Writer / Angela Cornell Photography Provided

Can you capture autumn in a single memory? When I catch a whiff of applecinnamon spice, it takes me back to the apple orchard we went to every year. It was never quite fall until we had spent an afternoon picking apples, racing through the corn maze, and petting and feeding the goats. Then, we would go in the little country store for some apple cider and apple fritters before heading home with our apples, a pumpkin or two and a gallon of cider. A lot has changed since then, but

one thing that’s the same is the allure of the apple orchard. This fall, take some time to make some memories with your family at these five farms in northern Indiana.

GARWOOD ORCHARDS — LAPORTE Not only is Garwood’s one of the oldest orchards in the state, it’s also the largest.

To go U-picking, take the horse-drawn wagon out to the orchard. And when you get back, satisfy your munchies on some American favorites —burgers, brats, hot dogs and farm-raised corn on the cob (when available) — at Garwood Grille. Or, for a

taste of the old country, stop by the Bake Shoppe and Gelato Bar for baked goods, gelato and sorbetto!

Garwood Orchards (appleupick.com) is located at 5911 W. 50 S., LaPorte, IN. They can be reached at 219-362-4385. There is a $5/person entry fee on the weekends.

KERCHERS SUNRISE ORCHARD AND FARM MARKET — GOSHEN This family-owned and operated orchard has been around for 97 years. Beyond apples and pumpkins, they have a corn maze and hayrides — free of charge! Kerchers is also

thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 47

Garwood Orchards — LaPorte

Kerchers Sunrise Orchard and Farm Market — Goshen

known for their farm market, which sells in-season produce plus every kind of fun goodie you could imagine, from cider to popcorn, from gift baskets to soy candles and so much more. Their bakery also has many wonderful, tempting treats.

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Kerchers (kerchersorchard.com) is located at 19498 Co. Rd. 38, Goshen, IN and can be reached at 574-5336311. They are open for school tours during the week and to the public on weekends.

MCCLURE’S ORCHARD — PERU Located between Rochester and Peru, McClure’s is fantastic for a day with the family. They have an area for the kiddos complete with a playground, animal barn, horse rides (on the weekends), and a concession trailer. For U-picking, hop on the handicapped-accessible trolley for a trip into the orchard. Or if you prefer, purchase ready-picked produce in the Apple Barn. Speaking of the Apple Barn, step inside before you leave.

On top of orchard-grown produce, they sell mums, apple cider and more.

In the loft is their Christmas Room, which is well worth checking out. If you don’t walk downstairs humming carols, don’t blame the staff!

If you get hungry, stop by the Café for a light meal or a delicious treat. And mom and dad, check out their awardwinning adult beverages. Enjoy a glass or opt for a few samples.

McClure’s (mccluresorchard.com) is located at 5054 N. US HWY 31,

McClure’s Orchard — Peru

Thistleberry Farm — South Bend

Yellow River Farms — Knox

Peru, IN. They can be reached at 765985-9000.

THISTLEBERRY FARM — SOUTH BEND Imagine a farm that’s masquerading as an amusement park, and you have a good description of Thistleberry. They have a wide variety of activities, from a corn box (it’s like a massive sandbox that’s filled with corn) to a jungle gym made of tractor tires. They also have activities your teenagers will love, like a couple of corn mazes and so much more. General admission is $8.50 a person Monday-Friday and $12.50 on the weekends. Group discounts are available.

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Thistleberry Farm (thistleberryfarm. com) is located at 61391 Mayflower Rd., South Bend. They can be reached at 574-289-0164.

YELLOW RIVER FARMS — KNOX This farm, known for the giant pumpkin on top of their barn silo, is open to the public on the weekends.

Check out the play area with an 80foot slide, tube swing, straw bale maze and a kiddie tunnel. For the older members of the family, there’s a corn maze and a pumpkin cannon as well.

When you’re ready to pick a pumpkin, enjoy a free ride on the horse or tractor-drawn wagon out to the field.

Before you leave, check out their gift shop, full of fall regalia and homemade goodies like jams and jellies.

Yellow River Farms (yellowriverfarms. com) is located 4 miles east of Knox on Rt. 8. They can be reached at 574772-2581.

The staff of Pulaski Memorial Hospital Medical and Surgical Group works diligently to provide groundbreaking services and care to the residents of Pulaski County and surrounding communities.

With twenty-one excellent physicians and nurse practitioners operating clinics in four convenient locations, our team is dedicated to providing “Quality Healthcare, Closer To Home.”

Medical Office Locations Winamac • Francesville • North Judson • Monterey

For questions about services provided, or to schedule an appointment, please call (574) 946-2194.

616 E. 13th St., Winamac, IN • (574) 946-2100 • www.pmhnet.com thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 49

Sean Surrisi, Leanne Senter & Jerry Chavez.

Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

It was one of the hardest phone calls Leanne Senter, Plymouth High School’s diving coach, had ever received. “Leanne, I’m not going to make it this time around,” said multiple-time cancer survivor Dr. Susan Bardwell after discovering that her cancer had returned. Before she passed in August 2012, she asked some fellow swim parents to see to it that the Plymouth High School swim teams would someday have a home pool again.

PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF DR. SUSAN BARDWELL AQUATICS CENTER

Bardwell’s dying wish provided fuel for a project that began earlier that year.

Jerry Chavez, President and CEO of the Marshall County Economical Development Corporation, explained, “The school corporation got out of the business of operating a pool for their school team. As a result of that, they displaced not only the high school swim team and diving team, but then also displaced the regular kids’ swim

50 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

programs, locally called the Sharks.”

With that displacement, the high school connected with nearby corporations who could supply practice pools. The high school swim team practiced in the Oregon-Davis Public School pool, which was a 21-minute drive one-way. The younger teams went to Culver Academy to practice, a 24-minute drive.

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Several swim team parents and advocates, one of whom had been Dr. Bardwell, were willing to do whatever it took to give the swimmers a home pool. After Bardwell passed away, the rest of the group pushed all the harder to see the project through.

“The conversations when I came five years ago were, ‘How do we raise $14M so we can have a 10-lane pool in Plymouth?’” Chavez says.

Answering that question became their highest priority. Two years ago, a partial solution surfaced: Plymouth sought to gain a Regional Cities Designation.

“It’s a program through the state,” Chavez says. “We applied and we were successful.”

Since the Aquatic Center was a main project in the application, it was awarded $2M. Excited over their victory, the advocates sought out other grants and loans. Finally, in July 2018, there was enough capital to break ground. thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 51

“IT’S THE END OF A LONG ROAD, BUT A JOURNEY WELLTRAVELED.” - LEANNE SENTER “We will, come October 5, have a ribbon cutting with what I would say is a fully-functioning competition pool,” Chavez says. “We’re a bit proud of this.”

For Coach Senter, October 5 means a lot. Not only will it be a day to remember Dr. Bardwell, for whom the Aquatic Center will be named, but also it will be a time to celebrate the culmination of seven years’ hard work.

“It’s the end of a long road, but a journey well-traveled,” Senter says.

However, it’s even more personal than that. “The pool’s going to be named after me. It’s quite an honor and quite humbling.”

The Aquatic Center’s reach will extend beyond competitive swimmers. “It’s built for competition, but it’s also going to be a community pool,” Coach Senter says.

For members, open swim times will be offered daily, along with 15-plus programs, like water aerobics, scuba and snorkeling classes, as well as regular swim lessons.

Allison Kara 574.936.2556 | 2159 N. Oak Dr. Suite 3 | allisonkarainsurance.com 52 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

The Dr. Susan Bardwell Aquatics Center (facebook.com/ SusanBardwellAquaticsCenter) is located at 2740 Miller Drive, Plymouth IN. They can be reached at 574-935-3939.

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BEAN BLAST! • 14 YEAR ANNIVERSARY •

Saturday October 19th, 2019

Customer Appreciation Day! WE WILL BE SERVING FREE HAM & BEANS, CHILI, & CORNBREAD UNTIL THE LAST BEAN IS GONE!!

Beans will be ready around 10AM.

We are accepting donations for Starke County Food Pantry & Kid’s Closet

Not only do we have antiques... we have old stuff, new stuff, costume jewelry collectibles, candles, jams, jellies and don’t forget some downright ugly stuff!

REG. HOURS: THURS-FRI-SAT 10AM-4PM OWNERS: JERRY & VICKI COOLEY

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Frank and Barbara Grunwald & Becky Anspach

A SURVIVOR’S JOURNEY HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR FRANK GRUNWALD RECOUNTS INCREDIBLE STORY Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

When Nazi troops invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939, Frank Grunwald was six years old, living a comfortable life in Prague with his older brother and parents, Vilma and Kurt.

“We didn’t live in a scrumptious, exaggerated way, but my father was a physician so we were upper-middle class,” Grunwald says.

The following year, the family was expelled from their apartment and Grunwald and his brother expelled from public school.

Three years later, the family was transported to Terezín, a Jewish concentration camp. Grunwald’s family was placed in a Czechoslovakian family camp that was set up in Auschwitz/Birkenau, which was established when news leaked to the general European population that Jews were being killed in gas chambers by the thousands.

Panicked German officials, in an effort to establish credibility, forced the prisoners to pen postcards that stated that they were alive and well. The truth, however, was that the transports who came from Terezín to Auschwitz were scheduled to live for six months prior to execution.

“The code SH stood for ‘Special Handling’ and it meant you were to be killed after six months,” Grunwald says.

In July of 1944, Grunwald’s family was up for medical selection. Those in their 30s or 40s who were healthy had a chance of survival, but children under 14 and adults over 55 were automatically sent to the gas chamber, as were those who were crippled, like Grunwald’s 16-year-old brother, who was born with a congenital leg defect.

“When [Nazi concentration camp doctor] Josef Mengele saw that my brother walked with a limp, he automatically put him on death row,” Grunwald says.

When his mother learned her son was to be executed, she volunteered to stay with him.

Five days later, on July 11, 1944, Grunwald’s mother, brother and grandmother were put to death.

Grunwald would have suffered the same fate had it not been for a German prisoner whom Grunwald worked for as a messenger.

Since he liked Grunwald, he physically pushed him into an older group of boys, thereby saving his life.

Just prior to entering the gas chamber, Vilma handed a German guard a letter and requested that he deliver to her husband.

Remarkably, he did and it now resides at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. According to the museum’s chief acquisitions curator, the letter is the only such document ever created that was written from Auschwitz in the moments prior to gassing.

Grunwald’s father was moved to a medical camp while Grunwald, 11, was taken to a men’s camp. To manage his anxiety from being separated from family, Grunwald often fantasized about sitting around the dinner table with his family, feasting on beef and mashed potatoes.

“That wishful thinking helped me survive,” he says.

In January 1945, with news that the Russian army was nearing, thousands of Auschwitz prisoners were evacuated and forced to walk the Death March.

“It was called the Death March because if you couldn’t walk, you were shot,” says Grunwald. And they were grueling walks because they were given no food or water.

54 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

When Auschwitz was being evacuated, the prisoners walked to the Gleiwitz railroad station and were transported to Mauthausen Concentration Camp in Austria where Grunwald spent the following four months in three other camps. The last Death March was to the Abendsee Caverns.

“There were 5,000-6,000 of us and they were walking us to the caverns to shoot us because they didn’t want the German population to witness the shootings,” Grunwald says.

The SS ran out of time and dropped prisoners off in the Gunskirchen make-shift camp in the woods near the village of Gunskirchen. There, after almost one week, they were liberated by the U.S. Third Army on May 4, 1945. Grunwald was taken to Austria where he stayed for six weeks.

His father later found him. It was a bittersweet reunion when Grunwald learned that both his brother and his mother had been killed.

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To help him heal, he focused on art and music just as he did in Auschwitz.

“My brother and I would hum and sing American jazz songs like Stormy Weather and Sweet Lorraine to transport ourselves mentally to another world,” says Grunwald, who is currently working on a musical/ documentary called Sweet Lorraine in Auschwitz with the Butler University jazz band that will debut on March 28 on Butler’s campus.

A retired product designer who worked for GE for 25 years, Grunwald lives in Indianapolis with his wife Barbara.

574-546-3771

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5958 4th Road Bremen, IN 46506 thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 55

He teaches a class at Purdue each spring semester in the school of product design.

Grunwald, who has two children and five grandchildren, has spoken to close to 100 high schools and many universities and churches. Last month, Grunwald spoke at The Center at Donaldson where nearly 800 people came to the campus to hear his incredible story. Five hundred of those in attendance were students from Ancilla College, as well as other local schools. Becky Anspach, Resident Manager of Maria Center Independent Living, noted that Grunwald’s visit brought much awareness and education to those students.

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“We heard many of the students telling Frank that they will never forget him,” says Anspach. “That’s why it’s important to keep his story alive.” The Maria Center, an independent senior living center and part of the Catherine Kasper Life Center (CKLC). CKLC is part of The Center at Donaldson and is a ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Through all of these endeavors, he hasn’t accepted payment.

“I never felt it right to monetize my Holocaust experience,” says Grunwald, who admits that it’s tough to recount his experiences time and again.

“It’s emotionally draining, but I feel that it’s my duty to be the voice for those who aren’t here,” says Grunwald, 87.

He says his most interesting audience question came from a 13-year-old boy who, after hearing his miraculous story, inquired, “When you were going through all of this, did you ever feel sorry that you were Jewish?”

Grunwald shook his head.

“I never thought to feel sorry for myself,” he says. “I felt like this whole thing was a mistake made by the people who were persecuting us.”

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56 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

To learn more about Frank Grunwald’s story, watch his documentaries “Misa’s Fugue” and “They Played for Their Lives.”

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thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 57

Executive Director Cathy Adley Writer / Angela Cornell Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

The Geneva Center

It was her first time at an overnight camp, and she was nervous. She had been told about all the fun activities she would do over the next few days at the Geneva Center — like swimming, hiking, crafting and enjoying bonfires —but being away from mom for four days was just, scary. But while setting up her bunk in her cabin, she made fast friends with the girl who had chosen the bed next to her. With her new best friend, the next few days flew by. She enjoyed every activity she was told about beforehand and then some, like canoeing, tie-dying her own camp shirt and seeing deer and wild turkeys while on a hike. When her mother came to pick her up, she was sorry to leave. But she knew that she’d come back next year.

Fast forward 10 years and that little girl is back. But this time, she’s a counselor welcoming the shy campers on the first day of camp. She can’t wait to show them

Plymouth Family Dental Care James Ryan, D.D.S. Overnight Retreats • Adult & Youth Retreats • Banquets College & High School Retreats • Family Reunions Weddings • Day Meetings • Business Meetings Host Site for your Camp Program • And so much more

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(574) 936-8787 1409 N Michigan St • Plymouth Plymouth Family Dental Care 58 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / OCTOBER 2019 / thelakesmagazine.com

everything that she loves about this camp. As she watches the cars pull in with little faces peeking out through the back window, she’s reminded of how much she developed personally through the camps and retreats she has attended here. And now, she has the opportunity to pour into them.

For Executive Director, Cathy Adley, watching that kind of development is one of the best parts of working at the Geneva Center. This interdenominational retreat, camp and conference center is dedicated to providing “a place that serves all God’s people by providing a ministry of Christian hospitality and nurture,” according to their mission statement.

They offer old-fashioned hospitality in many ways. Every group is served by a maintenance staff who is dedicated to helping them have a good time. The Center is fully equipped for groups up to 160 with a main conference center, lodge and six cabins. For mealtime needs, they offer a full-service kitchen as well as kitchenettes in some of the cabins for groups who prefer to make their own meals. And of course, there are plenty of wonderful activities for campers of all ages.

The Geneva Center is a perfect environment for what they offer.

“We have a lot of church groups that do couples’ retreats or ladies’ retreats.

We have high schools that come and do retreats and choir groups from colleges,” Adley says.

Adley adds that the Geneva Center represents a new lease on life for camps that have been displaced.

“There are other groups that bring their camps to our facility,” she says.

“There are a lot of other camps that have closed down. A lot of people are needing a place, so we offer that too.

If someone already has a program in place, but they just need an area, we would welcome them.”

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9/9/19 1:14 PM

One kind of group for whom the Center is everything in one area.” well-equipped is crafting and hobbyist groups.

On top of hosting retreats for outside “We have a lot of quilting groups and groups, the Geneva Center offers camps scrapbooking clubs,” Adley says. “We for children age five through high school have big rooms where they can set up in the month of June and public events their stuff during the day. It’s just really throughout the rest of the year, like a Fall nice that everything is under one roof, if Harvest Celebration that will be held later they stay in the main conference center. in October.

Whereas, a lot of other places they go, they have one building where they work in and For those who grew up going to the Geneva Center every summer and those who just one building they sleep in. But with the accommodations we have here, they can do found this camp recently, the facility offers

a myriad of opportunities. Some learned to swim in the camp pool. Others appreciate the good food and comfortable beds.

Many enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. But most would agree that the Geneva Center is a wonderful gem tucked away in the backwoods of Fulton County.

The Geneva Center is located at 5282 N. Old US 31, Rochester IN. You can check them out on Facebook, visit them online at genevacenter.org or give them a call at 574223-6915 for more information.

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Hair cuts for women, men, & kids Nails • Blowout • Formal • Style Highlights • Lowlights Balayage • Vivids • Airbrush Tan Deep Conditioner Malibu & Facial Wax Stylist / technicians include Owner Angela Maroules plus Kim Heath & Stacy Osborn.

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Retail & Wholesale Buyers of Standing Timber & Cut Logs Manufacturers of Landscape Mulch Saw Mill Products Colors: Natural - Red - Brown - Black

8769 W. 1350 N., Nappanee, IN 46550

Ph: 574-586-7222 Randy & Keith Kafantaris, Owners

thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 61

Hot food served daily, Chester Fried chicken, fish, chicken tenders,tenderloins, Soups, Homemade Beef and noodles and more.

I N O C TO B E R AT T H E L A K E S

BASS LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS MEETING OCTOBER 5 | 9:00 A.M

Bass Lake Property Owners Association meeting at Bass Lake Property Owners building

SOUP SOCIAL

OCTOBER 19 | 5:00 9.M

Soup social at the Bass Lake Property Owners building

C U LV E R WONDERING HANDS FREEWRITING EVERY TUESDAY IN OCT. | 6:45 P.M.

Wandering Hands Freewriting, hosted by Kristen Counts at the Culver Union Township Public Library.

S’MORES ON THE BEACH

KOONTZ LAKE FISH FRY

OCTOBER 5 | 4:00 P.M.

Fish fry at the Grovertown Conservation Club.

WALKERTON PARKS BEER & WINE FEST OCTOBER 5 | 3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. Walkerton Parks Beer & Wine Fest at the Walkerton Park.

BINGO EVERY MONDAY AT 5:00 P.M.

Doors open @ 5, Early bird @ 6 cdt, Regular bingo begins @ 6:30

PICKLEBALL EVERY SATURDAY 9:00 P.M. - NOON

Pickleball every saturday 9-noon cdt @ lions park. Everyone is welcome! Learn, play, have fun and wear good tie gym shoes!

KOONTZ LAKE BOARD MEETING OCTOBER 8

OCTOBER 3 & 17 | 6:30 P.M. - 7:45 P.M.

Wandering Hands Freewriting, hosted by Kristen Counts at the Culver Union Township Public Library.

CONSTELLATION OF STARKE KOONTZ LAKE MEETING DATES TBA ON KOONTZ LAKE SANDBAR

SENIOR SUMMIT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS OCTOBER 23 | 9:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

HALLOWEEN PARTY OCTOBER 26 | 7:00 P.M. - 10 P.M. CDT

Senior Summit for senior citizens & their caregivers; at The Center at Donaldson. Call 574.935.1784 for more information

Halloween party w p.t. and the cruisers 7-10 cdt. Details tba on koontz lake sandbar

TRICK OR TREAT SAFETY TIPS • DRIVERS, BE MINDFUL OF TRICK-OR-TREATERS • INSPECT ALL TREATS BEFORE CONSUMPTION • DISPOSE OF UNWRAPPED OR OPENED CANDY • ESCORT CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES • CARRY A FLASHLIGHT

• • • •

ONLY VISIT WELL-LIT HOUSES NEVER ENTER A STRANGER’S HOME BE MINDFUL OF CARS BE CAUTIOUS AROUND PETS

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.

Walter Fritz, MD

Lori Truesdell, LCSW

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 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

Elizabeth Moerman, MSN, APRN, FNP

Tracy Haddix, NP

Kim McCullough, NP

Open Monday thru Friday and every Saturday until noon

1002 S. Edgwood Drive Knox, IN 46534 | 574-772-6030 We are the exclusive Kolay Luxury vinyl Flooring sales & installation service in the Area Delivering high end but affordable flooring options right to your home!

Call Joseph @ (574) 564-5856 or (574) 773-2673 thelakesmagazine.com / OCTOBER 2019 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / 63