The Lakes West Magazine April 2026

Unnecessary Extras

Local Shop Brings Vintage Charm to Rochester

Dash Getaways Travel Brings People Together Through Curated Adventures & Shared Experiences

RECORD RUN

KNOX STAR MYLES MCLAUGHLIN LEAVES HISTORIC LEGACY OF RECORDS, LEADERSHIP & HUMILITY

All

Bulk

Bagged

Fertilizers

Potting

Play

Beachside Tavern Brings Community, Food & Lakefront Gathering Back To Bass Lake 17 BLOOMING BUSINESS Hannah’s Country Road Greenhouse Brings Fresh Flowers & Community Events Near Bass Lake

23 MEANINGFUL JOURNEYS

Dash Getaways Travel Brings People Together Through Curated Adventures & Shared Experiences

31 APRIL CROSSWORD 37 RECORD RUN Knox Star Myles McLaughlin Leaves Historic Legacy Of Records, Leadership & Humility

Local Shop Brings Vintage Charm to Rochester

TRUFFLES 46 UNNECESSARY EXTRAS

HOT FLASHES & BELLY LAUGHS

Local Author Proves Laughter is Great Hormone Therapy by Writing a Humor Book About Perimenopause

56 PALM SUNDAY FURY

1965 Tornado Outbreak Changed Indiana History

62 QUICK STOP

Find Convenience & Community At Good Oil Company & Good To Go of Winamac

66 SMILES THAT LAST Plumlee Dentistry Brings a Hometown Approach With High-Quality Results s 72 ORCHARD TO JAR Scherger’s Kettle Brings The Flavor Of Fresh Fruit To Life With Homemade Jams, Jellies & Marmalades

76 APRIL EVENTS

JOHN & MANDI LEWANDOWSKI john@townepost.com mandi@townepost.com (574) 249-9217 KEY CONTRIBUTORS AMY BEAUCHAM MIKE DIKOS JUBILEE EDGEL CHRISTY HEITGER-EWING JEFF KENNEY

AMY LANT-WENGER

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DARCIE DODDS SCHOTT TONY STRAW

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TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599 PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ERIN TURK

CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS EDITOR JOSH BROWN

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TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011

PULASKI MEMORIAL HOSPITAL EXPANDS ONCOLOGY CARE CLOSE TO HOME

Writer / Amy Beaucham Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

A cancer diagnosis has a way of changing the rhythm of life in an instant. The words themselves are frightening enough. Then come the appointments, the testing, the decisions, the insurance questions, the side effects and the emotional weight carried not only by the patient but by everyone who loves them.

For families in rural communities, that burden can grow even heavier when treatment requires long drives to larger cities. That is

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why Pulaski Memorial Hospital’s oncology program matters so deeply.

At a time when some surrounding rural oncology services have closed or scaled back, Pulaski Memorial Hospital has expanded its own cancer care offerings, giving more patients in Pulaski County and neighboring areas access to treatment closer to home. What has grown there is not simply a service line but a coordinated effort built on expertise,

thoughtful planning and a belief that people facing one of life’s hardest battles should not have to leave their community to receive excellent care.

“From the patient perspective, keeping that care local matters,” says CEO Steve Jarosinski.

Jarosinski says the hospital’s commitment to oncology begins with a simple understanding. Patients who are already enduring a stressful,

exhausting day should not also have to spend hours on the road if quality treatment can be provided nearby. Keeping care local supports quality of life, reduces added strain and makes it easier for patients to remain consistent with treatment.

That decision has required both heart and strategy. Jarosinski explains that Pulaski Memorial’s participation in the federal 340B drug pricing program helps make oncology services more sustainable by allowing qualifying hospitals to purchase certain medications at significantly reduced prices. As a critical access hospital, PMH also benefits from cost-based reimbursement for many Medicare patients, which helps support rural care.

Even so, the challenges are real. Medicaid reimbursement is limited. Insurance denials and prior authorizations can delay treatment. Recruiting specialized staff in a rural market is not easy. Yet Pulaski Memorial chose to grow rather than retreat.

Brian Ledley says hospital leadership recognized early that as nearby programs closed, the need in this region would increase quickly. The hospital responded by bringing in additional providers, expanding clinic access, repurposing space and investing in the people and systems needed to support a much larger program.

“We’re vital in providing health care services in a rural area,” Ledley says.

The growth has been dramatic. Linda Webb, chief nursing officer, says the oncology model once operated on a much smaller scale, with more limited clinic and infusion availability. As demand increased, the hospital moved quickly to strengthen the program in practical ways that would protect patient care and support staff.

Instead of allowing rapid growth to strain the program, hospital leaders worked to reinforce it. Webb says PMH invested in a new oncology-specific electronic

medical record to improve safety in chemotherapy ordering, pharmacy review and medication administration. The hospital also contracted with a vendor to assist with prior authorizations so oncology staff could spend less time navigating administrative requirements and more time focusing on patient care.

One of Webb’s clearest priorities is making sure that care feels both clinically strong and deeply personal.

“It’s listening to those patients,” Webb says.

Physical space has grown as well. Oncology office visits now take place in a renovated clinic area across from the hospital, while infusion services have expanded within the hospital itself. Webb says the hospital has also been working with an architect on additional renovations to create an even stronger infusion area for the future.

Those improvements support a program that has grown from serving only a handful of patients each month to caring for dozens.

The oncology clinic is led by Dr. Kalid Adab and provider Shannon Tingle, FNP, who together guide patients through diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care. As a nurse practitioner, Tingle says her approach to oncology is grounded in both evidence and relationships. When she first sits down with a newly diagnosed patient, Tingle says her philosophy is to be transparent, kind and understanding.

“I like to give them all the information and invite their questions so we can talk through everything together,” Tingle says.

Tingle bases her practice on evidence-driven care, using NCCN guidelines while also collaborating with larger institutions such as the University of Chicago, Mayo Clinic, Rush and Indiana University. That means patients can receive local treatment while still benefiting from consultation, second opinions, advanced diagnostics or referrals when needed.

She believes one of the greatest advantages

of oncology in a community hospital is continuity.

“The patients get to see the same provider, the same nurses,” Tingle says. “They get comfortable with the staff.”

That continuity builds trust and creates a sense of stability during an uncertain time. Patients are more likely to keep appointments, stay on schedule with treatment, ask questions

and remain engaged in their care when they know the people caring for them.

Tingle is also quick to challenge outdated assumptions about cancer treatment. Modern oncology, she says, is no longer defined only by the harshest images people may still carry in their minds.

“The evolution of cancer treatment is not just cytotoxic chemotherapy anymore,” Tingle

Quality Care, Closer To Home

Pulaski Memorial Hospital Medical and Surgical Group diligently works to provide groundbreaking services and compassionate care to our local communities.

Operating clinics in six convenient locations, our staff is dedicated to providing “Quality Care, Closer To Home.”

From routine check-ups to acute and chronic care management, the team at the Culver Medical Center is ready to keep you and your family healthy.

The clinic is staffed by Dr. Tim Day, a Culver native; Dr. Dan Anderson, a General Surgeon; Alexa Good, FNP-C, a Family Nurse Practitioner; Morgan Faanes, DPM, a Podiatrist; and Sandra Ringer, LCSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. They are ready to meet your primary care, surgery, foot care, and behavioral healthcare needs.

The Culver Medical Center is open Monday through Friday, and all providers are accepting new patients.

says. “There are targeted therapies, there are immunotherapies and there are biosimilars.”

Patients today often have more options, better symptom management and more opportunities to maintain daily life while in treatment.

That progress is paired with a level of personal care that staff members describe again and again. Webb speaks with admiration about oncology nurse Kelly Ortman, RN, OCN, whose national oncology certification reflects years of experience, continuing education and deep commitment to the specialty. In a rural setting, Webb says recruiting oncologycertified nurses can be difficult, which makes that expertise especially valuable.

Ortman’s work helps anchor the program clinically but also emotionally. Her role includes not only overseeing safe, knowledgeable care but also helping create an environment where patients feel known and supported.

“There’s a family atmosphere,” Ortman says.

That atmosphere shows up in warmed infusion chairs, carefully prepared spaces, thoughtful touches during long treatment days and staff members who know their patients well enough to anticipate needs before they are spoken.

Tingle says those close relationships are also what keep many oncology professionals motivated despite the emotional demands of the field.

“You have to care about people in this work,” Tingle says.

Pulaski Memorial’s oncology program also works in close coordination with surgery, imaging, lab, pharmacy and other departments. This coordination allows patients to move through appointments and treatment with less fragmentation. The hospital provides infusion-based care not only for cancer but also for certain blood disorders and chronic conditions requiring similar therapies.

For many patients, local care means more than convenience. It means the difference between manageable treatment and overwhelming treatment. It means less time in the car, fewer disruptions for family members and a greater chance that patients will keep going when treatment gets hard.

One of the biggest messages Tingle hopes readers take away is simple. Access affects outcomes.

People do not always have to drive to Chicago, Indianapolis or another major city to receive excellent oncology care. They can pursue second opinions, advanced consultations and specialized recommendations while still completing much of their treatment close to home.

At Pulaski Memorial Hospital, close-tohome care is not presented as a lesser version of something else. It is a growing program shaped by skill, compassion, collaboration and a deep commitment

to providing high-quality oncology care. With nationally certified oncology nurses, evidence-based treatment guided by national standards and strong collaboration with major medical centers, patients receive care that reflects the same clinical rigor found in larger institutions — delivered in a setting where they are known personally.

For patients facing one of the most difficult moments of their lives, that care — close to home, surrounded by familiar faces — can make all the difference.

To learn more about oncology services at Pulaski Memorial Hospital or to schedule an appointment, visit pmhnet.com or call 574-946-2100. Pulaski Memorial Hospital is located at 616 E. 13th St. in Winamac.

LAKESIDE REVIVAL

Community. Family. History. These are the cornerstones of careful planning behind the 2025 opening of Beachside Tavern in Bass Lake. The new iteration of the waterside restaurant opened in summer 2025, when owners Tiffany and Carl Balaszek found a way to reintroduce a destination for people to gather and enjoy time with family and friends.

The

Some of that history includes stories about a first job as a teenager or working for a previous owner back in the 1980s and throwing some of the best parties on the lake. The phrase “if these walls could talk” comes to mind.

The new owners hope to honor the history of the property while creating a new place where friends, families and visitors can gather to enjoy the lake, good food and good company.

The owners have their own history in the area. Tiffany was born and raised in Starke County, graduating from Knox High School, and Carl graduated from North Judson High School. Tiffany worked as a nurse for a dozen years before stepping in to support Carl when he opened The Pit Stop Auto Care in Knox in November 2020.

As parents to two young children themselves, the owners understand the demands of a busy family life. So when a homemade dinner around the table doesn’t fit into the daily schedule of their customers, they invite families to come to Beachside Tavern and

enjoy a family-friendly dinner with them.

The list of what makes Beachside Tavern unique starts with the fact that it is the only restaurant in Bass Lake located directly on the lake. Customers can take advantage of pier slips that allow boaters to pull up, dock, dine and unwind at Beachside Tavern.

If the weather and lake are too good to leave, customers can place a carryout order for food and beer. Customers can also look forward to online ordering, including Uber Eats and DoorDash.

Beachside Tavern offers lake and sunset views from the vast outdoor deck overlooking the water’s edge. In warmer months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, guests can expect entertainment on the outdoor stage Friday and Saturday nights.

Menu specials are extensive. There is a build-your-own buffet option, plated options, appetizers and customized menu provisions to help accommodate customers’ financial needs. Gift cards are also available.

If plans include a private party, there is a banquet space that can accommodate 75 people.

Current promotions include a weekly special, a Friday fish special, half-priced martinis on Wednesdays, $1 wings on Thursdays and Sundays, $2 domestic bottles on Thursdays and half-priced drafts on Sundays.

Beachside Tavern has participated in the Bass Lake Festival and hosted benefits including bike runs and poker runs. Other community events have included a Halloween party, holiday Cookies with Santa and a festive New Year’s Eve party.

As members of the Starke County Chamber of Commerce, Beachside Tavern has hosted a Chamber Breakfast welcoming fellow businesses in the community.

“We enjoy giving back and supporting other local small businesses,” Tiffany says. “We know the importance of community involvement, and we are at the center of it. We shop local and believe there is enough business for all of us in this small-town community.”

The owners sum up their motivation, drive and perspective, saying, “It was never about opening a restaurant. It was always about community.”

Beachside Tavern is located at 3698 S County Rd 210, Knox, IN 46534. Open: Wednesday 2-9 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.8 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours may vary by season.

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for specials, events and updated hours.

Launching a business was something that began to blossom many years before opening day for Hannah Hunnicutt. Growing up with a father who ran his own sign business, a grandfather who ran his own trailer manufacturing business, and a grandmother who always welcomed Hannah’s help working in her garden, it was no surprise to anyone when she chose to put her Purdue University horticulture major and business minor to work by starting her own fresh flower business.

BLOOMING BUSINESS

HANNAH’S COUNTRY ROAD GREENHOUSE BRINGS FRESH FLOWERS & COMMUNITY EVENTS NEAR BASS LAKE

Writer / Darcie Dodds Schott

What began with helping her grandmother in the garden as a child, expanding later through studies in a high school horticulture class and experience competing in Future Farmers of America, came into focus for Hannah when she followed in her family’s footsteps of starting a business.

Hannah’s Country Road Greenhouse opened in spring 2025 with a variety of plants, flowers and colorful floral hanging baskets for sale. Hannah’s work ethic and enthusiasm drove the twists and turns of

opening and running a seasonal business that relied heavily on word of mouth.

She began by selling annual flowers and hanging baskets for Mother’s Day, and like herbal mint left to grow without boundaries, the news about Hannah’s Country Road Greenhouse spread throughout the community.

A typical basket measures 12 inches, with five to six plants per basket, such as petunias, geraniums, lantana and other

florals to create a beautiful burst of colors. The coco fiber baskets are larger, measuring 16 inches, and contain eight to nine plants per basket.

This year’s opening day is April 25 with a festive Artisan Market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central time. Located south of Bass Lake, Hannah’s Country Road Greenhouse is used to noting both time zones to make sure customers plan accordingly.

The Artisan Market will feature 21 craft vendors who create baked goods, skin care, laser-engraved artwork, local honey and more. The market will host a coffee truck and the popular Elephant Ear food truck, weather permitting. Last year, the first of these markets was such a success that Hannah will host the opening-day event and a similar one in the fall.

Last year, Hannah also participated in the North Judson Mint Festival during Father’s

OPENING DAY

Day weekend, which was a successful sales venture made possible by the help of her grandparents, who managed the greenhouse while she was at the Mint Festival.

Throughout the spring and early summer, the greenhouse stocks annuals, hanging baskets, large planters and individual plants, including vegetables and herbs. This season, Hannah plans to add to the variety of hanging baskets and individual flowers for sale and introduce perennials, trees and fresh Amish produce to the items available at the greenhouse.

The greenhouse will stop selling flowers July 1 but will continue to offer fresh produce throughout the summer. In September, the greenhouse will reopen with autumn items including mums and pumpkins. November, December and January will once again be busy with seeding until the next spring brings with it another beautiful season of blooms.

Located south of Bass Lake, the greenhouse mainly sits on family land. Typical hours of operation are Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern time, when customers can stop by and choose from the daily fresh variety of flowers.

Hannah’s Country Road Greenhouse maintains an active presence on Facebook, particularly with Facebook Groups, which is the preferred way to reach Hannah about current seasonal items. In fact, it was on Facebook Marketplace that Hannah first saw and eventually bought her first greenhouse.

For more information and details on seasonal events, visit their Facebook page or contact them through email at hannahscountrygreenhouse@gmail.com.

Hannah’s Country Road Greenhouse is located at 5444 E. 900 S., Monterey, IN 46960 — 2 miles south of Bass Lake just off Route 35 along the Stark and Pulaski counties line.

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MEANINGFUL JOURNEYS

DASH GETAWAYS TRAVEL BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH CURATED ADVENTURES & SHARED EXPERIENCES

Writer / Amy Beaucham Photographer / Jubilee Edgell

For some, a getaway is a spontaneous afternoon that turns into an unexpected memory. For others, it is finally standing in a place they have pictured for years — a skyline, a coastline, a historic landmark brought to life. For many, it becomes something even more meaningful: connection, shared laughter, and the

comfort of knowing someone has thoughtfully prepared the way so they can simply be present.

That is the space Dash Getaways Travel was created to fill.

Founded by Plymouth resident Lana

Ball, Dash Getaways plans and hosts experiences that range from motorcoach day trips to multi-day adventures across the United States and abroad — Egypt, New Orleans, Mount Rushmore, haunted Kentucky towns and Broadway excursions. Carefully curated itineraries are built not just around destinations, but around how

those destinations bring people together.

“This business has always been about relationships,” Ball says. “I truly enjoy traveling with our Dashers and experiencing those trips alongside them.”

For Ball, that word carries layered meaning. She values knowing her travelers and understanding their interests, comfort levels and hopes for a trip. Many stop by the storefront simply to talk through ideas before ever booking, and that trust matters deeply to her. Those relationships continue once the journey begins. Thoughtfully designed group travel has a way of dissolving unfamiliarity as conversations begin on the motorcoach, meals are shared and stories surface. By the end of the trip, strangers often feel like longtime friends, and Ball witnesses that quiet magic of connection forming in real time.

Her path to entrepreneurship was steady

and deeply rooted in family influence. Ball grew up in Bourbon, Indiana, watching her father build Ball Auction and Realty into a respected and thriving business serving the surrounding communities. The work ethic, consistency and community presence she witnessed there left a lasting imprint.

Travel was also part of her upbringing. Family trips were not extravagant, but

they were intentional. Experiences were valued, and time together mattered. Those early memories shaped how she now views exploration, not as a luxury, but as something formative.

“I think I always knew somewhere down the line I was going to start a business,” she says. “I just didn’t know the timing.”

After earning her degree in retail

management from Purdue University and spending years immersed in the family business — particularly during a season when her mother’s health required greater involvement — Ball began sensing that a new chapter was forming. She carried with her a retail background, an eye for quality and a lifelong love of travel. When those elements aligned, Dash Getaways Travel was born.

The company officially launched in late 2024, and the early months required courage and conviction.

“I wasn’t even sure if five people would sign up,” Ball admits. “In the beginning I would work day after day with very little rest. I’d get home completely exhausted, but there was always that voice inside telling me to keep going. I knew I was building something with purpose.”

That purpose grew from a realization she experienced during the years following the

COVID-19 pandemic.

“I truly felt like people weren’t getting back out and socializing the way we once did before COVID,” she explains. “I was concerned about our community, about people’s mental health and the importance of connection. One of the best things you can do for yourself is travel. I know how happy it makes me.”

That realization helped spark the idea for Dash Getaways.

“This company really isn’t about me,” Ball says. “It’s about connection, community, memories and friendships. I can’t tell you how many people have thanked me for starting it, and that means the world to me. I’m grateful for every single traveler who chooses to come along with us, and my hope is that Dash Getaways truly makes a difference in their lives.”

Trust is everything in travel. People are

Metal & Shingle Roofing

handing over their time, their money and often long-held dreams. Ball chose to establish a visible storefront where travelers could walk in, ask questions and plan their journeys face to face, creating a welcoming place where people can begin imagining their next adventure.

That presence is about to expand.

Dash Getaways Travel will soon move

to a new location at 201 Water St. in downtown Plymouth. After a year of remarkable growth, the company simply outgrew its original space. The new shop will be four times larger, allowing for expanded travel services and a broader retail experience for visitors.

“We are incredibly excited about the move,” Ball says. “Being downtown will allow for more walk-in visitors and give travelers an inviting place to stop in, browse and start dreaming about their next adventure.”

The shop is more than a place to book a trip. It also carries a curated selection of travel essentials, accessories and gifts, all with a travel theme.

“Every item in our shop is something I personally use or would confidently pack in my own suitcase,” Ball says. “From practical travel gear to fun gifts that inspire wanderlust, our goal is to help people travel smarter, travel easier and get excited about where they’re going next.”

The growth has been remarkable. Travelers now come from 19 counties across Indiana and from nine different states.

“I’m truly grateful for each traveler who chooses to travel with us,” Ball says.

Planning a trip under the Dash Getaways umbrella is far more involved than simply reserving transportation and hotel rooms. Ball spends significant time researching destinations, studying logistics and often visiting locations herself before offering them to travelers.

While she sometimes partners with companies such as Diamond Tours for transportation and foundational tour structure, Ball is known for refining and elevating those itineraries by adding thoughtful pacing, immersive experiences and small details that transform a trip into something memorable.

Gratuities are always included, so travelers never feel uncertain about expectations. On multi-day motorcoach journeys,

guests receive Dash Getaways luggage tags, neoprene luggage handle wraps and reusable Dash Getaways water bottles that are refilled throughout the trip. Complimentary snacks are also provided along the way.

“These little touches may seem simple,” Ball says, “but they make a big difference in how relaxed and cared for people feel while they’re traveling.”

Ball also works to dispel a common misconception about group travel. Many people assume it means rigid schedules and little personal freedom, but she explains that while there is structure, travelers still have flexibility.

“There is flexibility built in,” she says. “We want people to enjoy the experience, not feel restricted by it.”

Her own travel experiences continue to shape that philosophy. Ball has traveled solo across six continents, and one of her earliest transformative moments occurred in Scotland when she stood beneath a full moon in the Highlands and realized the same moon was shining over her family back home. In that moment, the world suddenly felt both vast and intimately connected.

If Scotland opened her eyes to the vastness of the world, Egypt settled deeply into her heart.

After years of watching documentaries about the pyramids with her mother, Ball eventually stood before them herself.

“Standing in front of the pyramids for the first time, I actually had tears in my eyes,” she says. “You can’t fully understand it until you’re there.”

She has now spent a total of eight weeks in Egypt, building relationships with Egyptologists and local partners. That investment allows her to offer travelers far more than a surface-level tour.

“For me, it’s not just about visiting Egypt. It’s about truly experiencing it.”

Upcoming international itineraries include Egypt in November 2026 and Australia in June 2027, marking Ball’s seventh continent.

Ball has also begun developing several trips connected to the celebration of America’s 250th birthday, experiences that combine history, culture and uniquely American destinations.

Planned trips include Washington, D.C., a Broadway excursion to see Hamilton in Chicago, a Famous Hoosiers heritage tour, a New York City experience and even a classic American pastime — watching the Chicago Cubs face the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

She has also worked with Diamond Tours to create a custom “America 250” journey that highlights lesser-known historic sites and fascinating stories from America’s past.

At its heart, however, Dash Getaways is about more than destinations, and Ball often reflects on the friendships formed through travel. One story in particular stands out. A 92-year-old traveler joined a tour and formed friendships with women decades younger. Today, they visit one another’s homes and continue planning future adventures together.

“Had it not been for that trip, they may have never crossed paths,” Ball says. “That truly makes my heart smile.”

Though she grew up in Bourbon, Ball has lived in Plymouth for many years and considers it her home. Her civic involvement further anchors the business

locally.

“It’s very important to me that Dash Getaways is rooted in Plymouth,” she says. “This is home.”

The company’s name reflects her larger philosophy. Inspired by the poem The Dash, which reflects on the small line between birth and death and how we choose to fill it, Ball selected a name that would serve as a daily reminder.

“The dash represents the time between when we’re born and when we leave this world and how we choose to spend that time,” she explains.

She believes travel helps people make the most of that time.

“Your Dash should include the people, experiences and moments that truly make you happy,” she says.

Inside the storefront, visitors may also meet Ollie the otter, the company’s cheerful mascot — a playful reflection of Ball’s joyful approach to travel and adventure.

When asked what continues to motivate her, Ball does not hesitate.

“I find great joy and happiness in my calling each and every day,” she says.

Because in the end, the dash is simply the space we are given, and what fills it — shared meals, laughter, discovery and connection — becomes the story we carry forward. Dash Getaways is not simply about going somewhere, but about going together and coming home changed.

Dash Getaways Travel is located at 201 Water St., Plymouth, Indiana 46563

You can give them a call at 574-800-9202 or visit them online at dashgetawaystravel. com, Facebook - dashgetawaystravel, and Instagram - @dashgetawaystravel.

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ACROSS

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Complete disorder

Rushed

Glass pots

Unexpended

Hotel foyer

Male family head

Looking very undernourished

Significant

Brought under control

Large deer

Disobey (rules)

Mixture

Indecently

Most fortunate

Inflexible

Deep wound

Sense of the absurd 1. Dethrones 2. Not here 3. Wide smile 4. Grind (teeth) together 5. Bone specialist

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EASTER, COOKING, AND CLASSES… OH MY!

Writer / Miranda Medeiros

Green grass glimmers in the morning light, with dew sticking to every blade. The early birds sing their fleeting tunes to awaken the world, and the air smells of fresh rain. It could only be April. I think we can all agree that by now, most of us are getting itchy to be outside and ready to enjoy nicer weather. Nothing says spring like hiding Easter eggs filled with goodies around the yard for little ones to find, filling your ears with the laughter that only the amusement of a child can make.

More than that, though, nothing can refill

your cup more than the reminder that “He is risen,” and the price paid for us, and the miracle that the stone was rolled away, the tomb empty, and death did not reign victorious. There is a level of awe and joy that only Easter can bring to my heart, and it fills me with a gratitude that always makes me feel like bursting and usually results in the overflow coming from my eyes as tears of wonder. Wonder as to why such a perfect man would pay the ultimate price for a world undeserving of him.

I believe a lot of people have seen the movie

“The Passion of the Christ,” and the first time I saw it I was a very young girl — too young to really understand. But there was something I gained from it even then that I never could let go of. I remember my heart breaking at the pain of the man portraying Jesus and what he was going through, and horror that such a thing actually happened. I remember thinking then that I would never, ever do anything wrong again so that he would never have to go through something like that a second time, if maybe there was a little less sin in the world. I didn’t fully understand then, but I like

to look back on the resolve I had found in myself to never want to hurt Jesus like that. The faith of children is inspiring. My daughter reminds me of this every day, the way she loves to sit in my arms and throw her body back without a care in the world, just knowing I’ll always catch her. Easter reminds me to have a faith like a child — unfailing and trusting in every way.

Just some thoughts to keep in mind this year as families get the egg hunts ready for children and grandchildren — to take in their happiness and let the children teach you a lesson that is much easier said than done at times.

Alongside the delight of finding eggs full of candy for children, what about the eggs for adults? I’m talking about the delicacy that tends to be at most celebrations — none other than deviled eggs. We have a cooking blog that we run every month, and it goes over how to cook with the spice of the month that we showcase in our monthly

newsletter that goes out by email. We started this blog to show people how they can easily incorporate these spices and blends into foods they already know and love to elevate them.

Our food blog that went out in March was looking ahead with April in mind, for people to try a new recipe for their deviled eggs to share at their events this year. If you are a lover of the Terrapin Ridge garlic kraut mustard, then this recipe will knock your socks off. Instead of using traditional mustard and relish, we replaced those ingredients with the garlic kraut mustard, and it adds the perfect amount of flavor and crunch to the deviled egg all with one ingredient. We also added some other spices, one being dillweed, and it lends a buttery depth to the recipe that makes it easy to keep eating them.

If you’re interested in seeing the full recipe, head over to our website, newkitchenstore. com, and click the blog link to see it for

yourself. If you give it a try, take a picture and tag us on Facebook — we love hearing what people are cooking and if they’re using our ingredients!

We hope you have a wonderful Easter and a great start to your spring season. Stop in and visit us at 1100 Roosevelt Rd., Walkerton, IN 46574, and contact us at 574-586-2745 with any questions. We also have a few classes coming up in April available to see on the calendar!

RECORD RUN

On Friday nights in Knox, Indiana, the stadium lights did more than shine on a football field. They revealed something special unfolding in a small town where an extraordinary season was turning into history.

Writer / Amy Beaucham Photographer / Jubilee Edgell Game day photos by Whitney Thompson

By the time the band struck its first note at each game, the stands were no longer simply full. They were alive.

“Everything stopped for that football game,” Athletic Director Neill Minix says. “The whole community every Friday night.”

What happened during the 2025 season was historic. Long after the final whistle of each game and the stadium lights dimmed against the autumn night sky, something more lasting remained.

By the end of his senior year, Myles

McLaughlin had rushed for 11,839 career yards, breaking Indiana’s career rushing record. In a single season, he set a national rushing record with 4,846 yards and scored 71 rushing touchdowns. He was named Indiana Mr. Football, earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors and was recognized as a MaxPreps Player of the Year.

The numbers are staggering.

Yet when asked what he hopes people remember about him 20 years from now, Myles does not talk about statistics. Instead, he says he hopes people remember the kind of person he was and the way he treated others.

“The person,” he says. “How I treated people. I don’t ever want to be someone who treats others the wrong way. Just the person I am.”

Long before statewide headlines and

national recognition, a little boy was competing against older kids in youth leagues. From the beginning, Myles rarely played strictly within his own age group. His parents, Josh and Suzann McLaughlin, placed him in Pop Warner football when

he was very young, and he often competed a year or two above his grade level. His competitiveness appeared early. He was strong through the legs, comfortable absorbing contact and unafraid of physical play even as a 4-year-old on the soccer field.

Football was also part of daily life at home, where Myles often sat beside his father watching games and asking questions that revealed an unusually deep understanding of the sport for someone his age.

Josh coached Myles through Pop Warner and middle school, and athletics became a natural part of family life. Suzann says sports had long been woven into both sides of the family. Josh himself once held Knox’s career rushing record, a mark that stood for years before Myles surpassed it during his sophomore season — a remarkable passing of the torch between father and son and an early sign that something special was unfolding. Suzann’s grandfather also played college football before returning home to North Judson to run the family’s Fingerhut Bakery. Athletic ability ran through the family, but so did perspective. Suzann says the most important lesson in their home had nothing to do with statistics or awards. Above all else, she wanted her son to grow into a good human being, while Josh

By high school, Myles had already established himself as a natural running back. As Knox’s offense evolved, the

coaching staff began shaping much of the game plan around his unique abilities, placing him in a hybrid RB/QB role within an old-school Single Wing offense, a system built on power running and a dominant offensive line. In that direct-

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snap quarterback position, sometimes described as a wildcat-style role, the ball began in Myles’s hands on nearly every play. The offense depended on his vision, instincts and toughness as a runner, and he embraced the responsibility fully. It was not a traditional quarterback position, and that distinction had the potential to affect recruiting offers. For Myles, however, the focus remained where it had always been: doing whatever the team needed. For Myles, football has always remained simple.

“It’s 11 guys,” he says. “There’s not just one guy. Eleven people have to do their jobs to make everything work, so that’s why I feel like the team is more important than one person.”

When people suggest that he carried the team, he quickly redirects the credit, explaining that the offensive line created the opportunities and the defense made the stops that allowed the team to succeed.

On the stat sheet, his performance was remarkable, but inside the locker room expectations never changed. Head coach Russ Radtke says Myles was treated exactly like every other player. If the team was cleaning, sweeping or picking up equipment, he was doing the same work. At home, those standards carried over as well, and even as records began to accumulate, nothing about the expectations around him relaxed.

Radtke says what spectators saw on Friday nights was only a small part of the preparation behind it. Much of the work happened quietly during the week, in film sessions and long practices where details mattered. According to Radtke, Myles approached those hours with the same focus he showed under the lights, studying defenses carefully and preparing himself to recognize opportunities before the play even began.

Josh McLaughlin says his son often logged far more time studying film than most players, bringing home scouting reports and spending hours learning defensive tendencies. At home, Myles and his father

frequently watched football together, breaking down formations and discussing strategy. Before his senior season, that preparation intensified. Josh says the offseason leading into that final year was when Myles truly sharpened his focus. Summer workouts began early, and the training schedule rarely slowed. During basketball season, he would finish practice and drive nearly an hour for specialized speed training, then return home and repeat the process days later.

There were no crowds for those workouts and no headlines for the extra hours — only repetition, discipline and the quiet determination to improve.

The physical toll of football has been real at times. During a game against Culver Academy, Myles dislocated his kneecap but quickly reset it and continued playing. An earlier challenge came during his sophomore year, when a fractured ankle was discovered after he had already been

Hours (Feb 16- Dec 31):

Monday 12PM -6PM

Tuesday-Thursday 10AM-6PM Friday 10AM-5PM Saturday 10AM-3PM

competing through the injury. Suzann says her son has always struggled with sitting out, and missing time has never come easily to him. Asked how he endured the season physically, Myles answered calmly that trainer Ashley Whitcraft worked carefully to keep him healthy, and that rest, hydration and proper nutrition helped him maintain his strength throughout the year. That conditioning continues to serve him well as a three-sport athlete, and Knox fans recently saw those results again on the basketball court.

His outstanding play on the football field began drawing national attention early in the 2025 season, and with each passing week that attention continued to grow nationwide. Suzann says there were moments when the sudden spotlight felt surreal for their family, and at times she and her husband would simply look at each other and ask what exactly was happening in their lives. Recognition arrived quickly as NFL star Rob Gronkowski publicly predicted Myles would break the national rushing record, Derrick Henry sent a voice message of encouragement, and Peyton Manning mailed a signed photograph. Hearing his name mentioned alongside players he had admired for years felt almost unbelievable to him.

“Definitely crazy,” Myles says. “Something like that I never would have expected. It was surreal.”

Social media brought both praise and criticism, but Myles says he tried not to dwell on it, explaining that although he occasionally saw comments when people tagged him online, the noise mostly served as motivation rather than distraction.

Minix watched the excitement build week after week as the season progressed. What began as strong local support gradually grew into something larger, drawing attention from across the region as Knox’s remarkable season continued to develop. Children began approaching Myles in hallways and gyms, and Minix even recalls his own daughter wearing a Knox hoodie to class at Indiana University when someone asked if she knew the nowfamous running back.

The school eventually organized an autograph night that drew nearly 200 people, and even after games, long after many players had left the field, Myles often remained behind signing programs and taking pictures with young fans. He says he remembered what it felt like to be a young fan hoping for a moment with someone you admired, and he wanted to make sure he took the time to meet as many people as he could before leaving the field.

Even amid the excitement of a recordbreaking season, another part of Myles’s life remained quietly important. As a freshman, he began volunteering in Knox High School’s applied skills classroom, assisting students with developmental disabilities. He explains that several older students he admired were involved in the program, and their example encouraged him to step into the classroom and help as well.

Over time he assisted with math, daily life skills and everyday classroom activities. One friendship in particular became especially meaningful. Myles recalls helping a student named Carson work toward graduation and says watching Carson walk across the stage was one of the most meaningful moments of his high school years.

For Suzann, those experiences mattered just as much as any touchdown. When asked what it feels like to spend time helping students in the classroom, Myles says the experience simply reflects who he is and how much he enjoys helping others. Because of those experiences, he now plans to major in special education and says that if he becomes a teacher, that is likely the path he will follow.

Knox is a Class 3A school competing against larger programs throughout its conference, yet for one unforgettable season, the town moved together in a shared rhythm of Friday nights. One semifinal game drew more than 17,000 online viewers, something Minix says he had never seen before. Myles says the crowds throughout the season were some of

the largest he had experienced in high school, and although he often blocked out the noise while focusing on the game, certain moments broke through — especially the interception that sealed a regional championship and sent the stadium crowd into a roar.

Myles has committed to continuing his football career at Murray State University, and his father says his son understands that the next level will demand the same humility, discipline and work ethic that shaped him in Knox. When asked what he hopes his college coaches understand about him beyond football, Myles says he simply hopes to be someone they can depend on.

The lights in Knox will shine again next fall, and traffic will thin along Main Street as the stadium lights glow once more against the autumn night sky.

There will be new players taking the field, new games to play and new moments for the town to celebrate. When people in Knox talk about the 2025 season years from now, the conversation may begin with the numbers before eventually turning to something deeper.

They will remember the way Myles McLaughlin carried himself — the respect he showed others, the humility he maintained and the quiet way he chose to lead.

Under those Friday night lights, that may be the record that lasts the longest.

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• 2 cups crushed vanilla wafers

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• 1 package (3.4 oz) banana pudding mix (dry)

• 2 tablespoons milk

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• For the Coating:

• 2 cups white chocolate chips or candy melts

• Food coloring (pastel colors like pink, yellow, green, or blue)

FOR DECORATION:

• Crushed vanilla wafers

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UNNECESSARY EXTRAS

LOCAL SHOP BRINGS VINTAGE CHARM TO ROCHESTER

Writer / Ashley Watters Photographer / Tony Straw

We’ve all got unnecessary extras scattered around. Old toys, vintage clothing and unused furniture often lie dormant, stacking up and collecting dust. You know what they say, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and Lisa Fellers has made it her mission to be the one who turns trash into treasure for the right person.

A former teacher and grant writer, Fellers has always harbored a love for the nostalgic. When it came time to build something of her own, Fellers turned her lifelong love of hunting for vintage finds into a communitycentered space where she could help everyone locate the nostalgic things that spark joy.

Unnecessary Extras started as a side hustle. Fellers began buying and selling items as a labor of love with no real business plan in mind. Her keen eye for good finds quickly took on a life of its own, and before long, she was ready to open her own store.

“I’ve always been drawn to pieces with history and personality. The store has grown step by step: adding vendors, expanding into

collectibles and specialty items, publishing my own planners and books, developing in-house print services and continually responding to what our town needs. It’s been built thoughtfully, one decision at a time,” she says.

Located at 723 Main St. in Rochester, Unnecessary Extras is Fellers’ way of helping people smile. She has a little bit of everything, and vendors are constantly adding new items. Unnecessary Extras carries items such as glassware, small furniture, retro toys, dolls, books, jewelry, paper goods, unique home decor, 80s-era toys, art supplies, craft items, handmade goods, candles, gifts, print services and more.

Fellers does not allow duplicate vendors, ensuring that there is always fresh inventory and each booth retains its own unique identity. She encourages those in and around Rochester, and those beyond, to come in regularly and find something

that speaks to them.

“Unnecessary Extras is built around relationships. We genuinely care about the people who walk through our doors. We strive to be the kind of place where everybody knows your name — where you’re greeted, remembered and valued. Customers aren’t just transactions; they’re neighbors, friends and part of the story of this store,” she says.

Alongside the constantly shifting inventory, Fellers appreciates being able to support local entrepreneurs and crafters. Her deep connection to the community also inspires her to fill the gaps for any needs that might be missing from Rochester. To help with that, she has built a print center to provide photos, cards and custom paper products.

For just that little bit of extra personality, visitors can also meet the shop’s three rescue cats who roam the store looking

for mischief and a scratch behind the ears. Fellers is also active in helping find ways to strengthen Rochester by collaborating with other businesses and serving on local boards and committees that organize events for downtown Rochester.

“Together, the mix of personal connection, community investment and a constantly evolving selection creates an experience that feels welcoming and rooted — not corporate or impersonal. The shop helps keep downtown active and vibrant, while offering a place where people connect, share stories and feel like they belong,” Fellers says.

If you’re looking for that rare find or an oddity that speaks to your personality, make sure to stop in and see what kind of mischief you can find.

To learn more about Unnecessary Extras, visit unnecessaryextras.com.

HOT FLASHES & BELLY LAUGHS

LOCAL AUTHOR PROVES LAUGHTER IS GREAT HORMONE THERAPY BY WRITING A HUMOR BOOK ABOUT PERIMENOPAUSE

Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing

“Christy Heitger-Ewing’s

into This Room?’

book

‘Why

Did I Walk

is drop-dead hilarious.

She

writes about everything we talk about with our BFFs, splaying taboos in her uniquely amusing way. This is a book for every single one of us.”

Wendy Liebman, comedian and semifinalist on “America’s Got Talent”

hen women reach a certain age (usually their 40s), we start having conversations with other females that often begin like this: “So, I’ve been dealing with this weird thing lately …”

That “weird thing” could be anything from itchy ears and dry eyes to a racing mind and unquenchable thirst. It could be facial hair, dizziness, dry skin, acne, excessive clumsiness, inability to focus, sudden fear of driving or an impending sense of doom.

If you find yourself questioning the cause of these symptoms, I’ll save you some time by letting you know that all this nonsense is due to perimenopause, which is that stretch of time prior to menopause when your body produces less estrogen. I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, but this transition period can last up to 10 years. If you’re between the ages of 40 and 55 (perhaps even younger) and are experiencing annoying, odd or surprising physical or mental symptoms, it’s likely perimenopause.

For five years, I grappled with terrible insomnia, thinning hair, intense anxiety, regular headaches, restless legs, dry mouth, painful hip, achy shoulder, throbbing joints and brutally heavy periods. In addition to being hot, itchy, anxious and overwhelmed, I felt like I was losing my mind as I struggled to recall certain words. Plus, I’d forget passcodes and people’s names. I’d space where I’d placed my keys, shoes, purse or phone. I’d leave to run errands, get to the front of the neighborhood and have to stop and think about where I was going so I knew whether to turn left or right out of the subdivision. I’d be in the middle of a task and get sidetracked by some random thought like, ‘If a cat’s fur goes up its own nose, does it tickle?’

Focus, Christy! Focus!

As if all of this wasn’t bad enough, stray hairs began sprouting above my upper lip, and pimples began forming on my chin. WTF? I looked like a cross between my husband and my teenager, with facial hair and zits. And every day, regardless of how much rest I got the night before, I was dog-tired.

Finally, after talking to other women, I put the puzzle pieces together to determine I was in perimenopause — and it was kicking my ass.

I sought relief from my primary care doctor and OB-GYN, but it

all proved futile. I complained about painful sex and was told to try lube. I complained about waking up drenched in sweat and was told to crank the AC down and blow a fan in my face. I complained about sleeping poorly and was told to drink tea in the evening. Essentially, the resounding response I got was a shoulder shrug and the message: “Eh, this is all part of growing older as a woman.”

Screw that!

When I met with a functional wellness doctor who specialized in hormone optimization, I felt seen, heard and validated as she

listened, took notes, drew my blood and built a plan. She was able to offer evidence-based, practical strategies to get me back to the land of the living. Woo-hoo!

Did you know that during perimenopause you may suffer anywhere from 10 to 100 symptoms that range from mildly irritating to beyond aggravating? You may experience vertigo, rage, nausea, panic, frequent UTIs, heart palpitations, acid reflux, tendinitis, sore breasts and phantom smells. Sadly, this is not a comprehensive list.

However, I found an upside. You get to blame everything on perimenopause! If you forget what you were saying mid-sentence, that’s perimenopause’s fault. If you put your husband’s underwear in your kid’s drawer or your dog’s food in your cat’s dish, perimenopause is the culprit. If you drop a plate while unloading the dishwasher or trip over your own feet on the way to the bathroom, that’s the work of perimenopause. If you want to claw your spouse’s eyes out for breathing or chewing loudly — perimenopause. You get the idea.

It really is ridiculous how hormones have rewired my mind and reconstructed my body. At a certain point, you have to laugh. When I found myself Googling “tips for tolerating people,” I knew I must write a humor book about the experience.

“Why Did I Walk into This Room? Finding the Humor When

Perimenopause Is Kicking Your Ass” is for any woman who feels isolated, stuck, exhausted and misunderstood in midlife.

This book offers hope for the hopeless, clarity for the confused, enthusiasm for the apathetic and laughter for the lethargic. If perimenopause has commandeered your brain, wiped you of energy and motivation, and wreaked havoc on your sleep and sex drive, this book is just what the functional wellness doctor ordered.

Christy Heitger-Ewing will be speaking to the Wonderful Women of Hamilton County about perimenopause and signing copies of her new book at 6 p.m. March 24 at Goodness Gracious Kitchen & Cupboard. To RSVP to this event, visit tinyurl.com/jz35rc9s.

For more information or to purchase a copy of “Why Did I Walk into This Room?” visit christyheitger-ewing.com.

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PALM SUNDAY FURY

1965 TORNADO OUTBREAK CHANGED INDIANA HISTORY

Writer / Jeff Kenney

It’s an incident in Northern Indiana history that one either remembers if one was alive for it, or is familiar with if paying much attention over the years: the terrible — and deadly — fury of the infamous “Palm Sunday” tornadoes of April 11, 1965, 61 years ago this month. Six Midwestern states were hit that day with a total of 47 strong tornadoes.

In fact, the day marks the fourth-deadliest for tornadoes ever recorded, with as many as 271 people killed in the Midwest and 1,500 injured, 1,200 of them in Indiana. The Hoosier State saw 137 killed by 10 tornadoes during the late afternoon and evening (the deadliest recorded tornado outbreak was 747 killed in 1925, followed by 2011 — with 324 dead — and 1974, with 310).

Besides the storms sweeping through the Lakes area (which we’ll revisit in a moment), at least four tornadoes struck Central Indiana that evening between Indianapolis, Lafayette and Fort Wayne, with one storm destroying most of the towns of Russiaville and Alto and devastating part of Kokomo before moving into Marion.

That April 11 followed a previous month filled with cold and snow, so as warmer temperatures emerged that fateful Sunday for the first time in quite a while, many in the Lakes area were outside rather than near radios

or televisions.

In fact, one of several changes wrought by the Palm Sunday outbreak pertains to dissemination of weather alerts. While radar stations were nowhere near as pervasive as they are today, weather services had actually recognized the imminent danger of the storms in time to issue adequate warnings. But many people didn’t receive them, and many didn’t recognize that a danger-related alert had been issued, since no real alert system existed

Relentless

outside of regular weather broadcasts. This led, in 1966, to the introduction of the terms “tornado watch” (conditions are fertile for a tornado) and “tornado warning” (a tornado has been spotted), as well as many communities putting into place civil defense sirens to increase the reach of warnings when actual tornadoes were sighted. This was accompanied by a wider net of storm spotting through amateur radio and other forms.

Earlier in the day on that Palm Sunday, storms had moved across Wisconsin and Illinois and

tornado forecasts were issued for Northern Indiana, northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

As the band approached the Lakes area, damage having been done at Wanatah and Kingsford Heights, a thin funnel cloud touched down in Starke County near Hamlet, crossing U.S. 30 and moving across Koontz Lake, where some 100 cottages were damaged and one resident thrown some 600 feet to his death (one eyewitness reported seeing the funnel turn white as it picked up water from the lake as it crossed).

The tornado grew wider as it made its way toward Laville High School on U.S. 31 between Lapaz and Lakeville, where a new school building was under construction. As architects’ drawings and plans were blown across nearby fields, the tornado completely destroyed — among other things — the new gymnasium wall, which had been 28 feet high and 16 inches thick.

The County Line Brethren Church, just north of Lapaz, was completely destroyed at 6:08 p.m., just 22 minutes before members of the church choir and a Bible study group were scheduled to meet. Several nearby houses were leveled as well.

The one serious injury was to Lena Gillis, an elderly woman who was blown out of her home and thrown into the mud in the field behind it (nearby farmer Richard Mangus said Gillis was “rolled up like a mud ball” in the field; he also described seeing the bricks from the school flying in the sky “like birds” from the tornado).

Two miles west of Lapaz, 42-year-old Robert Halt saw the funnel cloud destroy the Findley Patterson farm just a mile away to the southwest (the storm killed the farm’s owner). Not trusting the safety of his own farmhouse’s tiny basement, Halt made the fateful decision to drive south on Pine Road toward U.S. 6 to escape the oncoming tornado. He watched the funnel from the car with his wife and

three children as the storm jumped about erratically, eventually leveling a barn near the family’s still-moving car.

Halt told the South Bend Tribune that he “lacked 100 feet” of escaping harm, but instead timbers from the barn struck their car and destroyed its windshield. While his daughter was injured and sons unharmed, Halt’s wife, Madelyn, just 38 years old, died within minutes from her injuries. The ambulance taking them to Memorial Hospital in South Bend took some 90 minutes to make what should have been a less-than-30-minute trip, with traffic backed up badly.

In Marshall County alone, an estimated $1.5 million (1965 dollars) in damage to private property was added to the cost of damage to roads and cleanup to the tune of an additional $200,000.

One less tragic story from the Marshall County area was shared with this writer for an article in the Culver Citizen newspaper.

Longtime Culver resident the late Pat Birk and her family lived in 1965 not far from State Road 6 near Lapaz. Birk said the basement of the house she and husband Art Birk and their family had was the only basement in the area, so 37 people were packed into their basement as the tornado hit.

And while Art and Pat Birk’s home had no significant damage, the old, large brick farmhouse of Art’s Aunt Laura Birk was hit while Laura and her sister were having a visit there.

“Afterwards they looked for the cattle,” recalled Pat. “The neighbors all looked, but they never did find any. Aunt Laura and Aunt Ida were buried in the mud up to their shoulders. The neighbors came over and dug those two ladies out.”

Laura Birk’s farm was destroyed except for one bizarre anomaly: a small piece of Aunt Laura’s bedroom left completely intact. “Not far from where they were, out in the yard

where Aunt Laura’s bedroom had been, her nightstand was standing exactly where it was if the house was still there,” Pat Birk recalled. Strangest of all, still sitting on the nightstand was Laura’s Bible. When she asked what page it was on, Pat recalls, Laura said that was the exact page she had been reading.

“When somebody said something to Aunt Laura, she looked at them and said, ‘What’s so amazing about that? G

DESTRUCTION IN THE EAST

In the meantime, the storms continued east, striking the small town of Wyatt, Indiana, north of Bremen, and hovering over Main Street, destroying some 20 homes.

The single tornado was then joined by a newly formed twister, and the path of destruction continued east to the areas of Wakarusa, Midway, Middlebury and the Dunlap/ Elkhart-Goshen area, where its best-known and deadliest work was done.

Wakarusa was hit hard and a child there killed as the storm moved toward Goshen. There, it struck the Midway Trailer Court, killing 10 people and leveling some 80% of the trailer park before taking three more lives and leveling more properties in Middlebury.

The most famous and impactful photo of that day’s tornadoes was taken by Paul Huffman, a reporter for the Elkhart Truth, who risked his own safety to photograph what had become twin funnel clouds on the way to Midway Trailer Court, as he and his wife, Betty, were awaiting the storm from about a mile south of the trailer park on U.S. 33.

Another F4-rated tornado, around 45 minutes later, blew through just north of the trailer park, similarly splitting into two funnels and hitting Dunlap’s Sunnyside neighborhood. Since power lines and other communication tools were destroyed by the first tornado, residents of the subdivision had little warning of the approach of the extremely violent storm, and 27 lost their lives, in addition to

six more killed in a truck stop and house at the intersection of U.S. 20 and State Road 15 (today, a memorial garden called “The Mighty Whirlwind” pays tribute to the lives lost, including that of 10-year-old Stevie Forsythe, whose family never rebuilt at the site).

As the storms moved toward the Shipshewana area, another F4 tornado (averaging between 207 and 260 mph) hit the Rainbow Lake area, killing 16 people, destroying the Shore Mennonite Church and allegedly sucking all the water briefly out of the lake, so immense was its power.

AFTER THE STORM

In the aftermath of the tornadoes, Indiana’s governor declared a state of emergency and news outlets across the nation reported on the situation.

Three days after the storms, on April 14, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson visited the area and toured the damage in Elkhart County, spending some 30 minutes at the Sunnyside

subdivision site and remarking, “Horrible, just horrible.”

In all, the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak included 38 notable tornadoes, including 18 ranked at F4 or F5 on the Fujita scale of tornado intensity, and 22 of them deadly. Six states were affected. The outbreak set a record for a 24-hour timespan that stood until the first Super Outbreak in 1974. It also set a record in Indiana for tornado deaths in a 24-hour period.

The Palm Sunday outbreak was also important not only for the aforementioned changes it brought about in warning and communications systems, but also in the information gathered from it by tornado scientist Tetsuya Theodore Fujita (for whom the “F” ratings for tornadoes are named, after he developed them in 1971). Studying aerial surveys of the Palm Sunday tornado damage led him to realize that the reason some tornadoes may destroy one house but leave another undamaged nearby was not actually

that the funnels “jump” off the ground, as previously assumed, but rather that the worst damage from tornadoes is caused by small mini-tornadoes within the larger funnel, which cause the most impact.

President Johnson, in a speech at the South Bend airport after his survey of the tornado damage on April 14, summed up the aftermath of the Palm Sunday tornadoes in words that were both prophetic and optimistic:

“We pray that our technology and science will some day enable us to exercise a greater measure of control and prevention (over natural disasters). Until that day comes, I know it is the will of the American people that whenever their neighbors or friends in any community, in any state, suffer such losses at the hands of nature, the government of this good and generous people should be ready and prepared to assist in every useful way.”

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HOURS & LOCATION

Effective 9-7-2021!

115 E. 7th Street

New Location

HOURS & LOCATION

Effective 9-7-2021!

Rochester, IN 46975 evansagencyrochester.com

New Location

115 E. 7th Street Rochester, IN 46975 evansagencyrochester.com

Effective 9-7-2021!

Tel: 574-224-6988

115 E. 7th Street

evansagencyllc.com

Fax: 574-224-6925

Rochester, IN 46975 evansagencyrochester.com

Hours

Tel: 574-224-6988 Fax: 574-224-6925

Monday-Friday

Tel: 574-224-6988

Hours

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Fax: 574-224-6925

Monday-Friday

Saturday By Appointment Evenings By Appointment

Hours

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Monday-Friday

Saturday By Appointment Evenings By Appointment

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Saturday By Appointment Evenings By Appointment

QUICK STOP

FIND CONVENIENCE & COMMUNITY AT GOOD OIL COMPANY & GOOD TO GO OF WINAMAC

Writer / Mike Dikos

Convenient. What makes something … convenient? Turning on the kitchen sink for a glass of water? Flipping the switch and the light comes on? Adjusting the thermostat and the room becomes warmer? All make life a little easier. How about grabbing a gallon of milk on the way home from work for the kids’ cereal in the morning? What about running out for your favorite candy bar and a cold soda to help you finish cramming for that physics exam tomorrow? Or driving all night after the business meeting with 150 miles left to go and finding a station still open to fill the tank and savor a cup of freshly brewed coffee? Better yet, having to finish the project at work, arriving

Sometimes it’s the things we take for granted that make life a little less complicated because of their convenience. So when the need arises to satisfy that hunger for the snack you desire, you need to grab a few pantry staples to restock your shelves, when you have that craving for a tasty chicken dinner, or if the family car’s gas tank is in need of filling, make Good To Go of Winamac your one-stop shop to fill your needs.

Originally based out of Monterey, Good Oil Company was founded in 1941 by Don Good Sr. Early on, selling and distributing petroleum-based products for agricultural use and residential heating made up the day-to-day operation. Eventually, Don became a distributor for Standard Oil/Amoco and, over the years, continued to improve and grow his business. Finally, after serving the community for more than 35 years, Don retired in 1978 and handed the reins over to his sons Don and Dean.

After running the business for a few years, Don and Dean could see the winds of change blowing on the horizon. Grocery stores weren’t just selling groceries, but now were also selling fuel. Gas stations weren’t just selling gas, but were also selling snacks and food. To remain competitive, they opened their first convenience store in 1980 and never looked back. Twenty stores later, and located in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, they continue to grow and expand.

In today’s fast-paced environment called life, convenience plays a huge factor. This was recognized, and in addition to selling fuel and snacks, they expanded their stores to include hot, freshly made food. In several stores one can get popular items such as hand-battered chicken tenders made fresh daily along with potato wedges, or a made-to-order pizza with your favorite

toppings. Gone are the days of seeing the same hot dog rolling under the light bulb. Breakfast and lunch items are also served at their appropriate times. The Good To Go Cafe allows you to have a hot meal, sit down and unwind a bit from the daily grind. In addition to having the ability to prepare food on their own, four of the stores have teamed up with the familiar chain Subway, offering customers its many sandwich options. Using the Good To Go/My Good Rewards app provides savings on fuel and food items.

With their roots being that of the petroleum industry, expansion and improvement were inevitable. In addition to supplying their own stores with fuel, Good Oil provides 160 other stores with fuel from suppliers that include Amoco, BP, Marathon, Phillips and Citgo. A fleet of 29 tanker trucks ensures safe and reliable delivery to keep your business running smoothly, whether your demand is for diesel fuel, gasoline, lubricants or even biofuels. Along with running a successful company, community involvement is another area that Good Oil takes pride in. From being sponsors for local events, donating to those in need and supporting area schools, Good Oil gives back to the community that they have been a part of for more than 80 years.

“Supporting our local schools is something that we really enjoy,” Good says.

Being a family-run company, a new generation is transitioning in to oversee operations. Daughter Nikki and son Wyatt have assumed the roles of incoming CEO and president, respectively. Their leadership will ensure customers, their 350 employees and the community stability for years to come.

Should the need arise to inquire about or schedule a delivery, Good Oil Company and the Good To Go convenience store can be reached at 574-946-4863. The store is open 24 hours and is located at 1201 N. U.S. Highway 35 in Winamac.

Open: TuesdayFriday: 10-6 Saturday: 10-3

SMILES THAT LAST

It is by design that Plumlee Dentistry is a unique office whose characteristics have created the recipe for its decades-long success. As summarized by one senior staff member of the practice, “We have a hometown feel, while

delivering the highest quality of personalized dental care.”

Personal attention and meticulous patient care are not only routine at Plumlee

Dentistry, they are the daily commitment to a mission statement that has guided the staff in delivering the highest level of dental care for nearly 40 years: “Together as a team, we will strive to create an uplifting, caring,

service-oriented atmosphere. By educating our patients and ourselves, we will always be motivated to do state-of-the-art dentistry. We will be passionate about achieving excellence and providing dentistry in our patients’ best interest, thereby creating an environment of mutual trust. This is our commitment to both you and ourselves.”

Leading the team of dentists, hygienists, assistants and front office staff is Dr. Louis Plumlee, who opened the practice in 1985. Growing up as the son of a foundry worker, Dr. Plumlee recalls a comment his father made years ago: “Whenever I went to the doctor, the way they talked to me made me feel like I wasn’t very smart.”

This powerful statement became a core value for the young man, and when he chose his path into dentistry, he knew he wanted to serve patients with dignity and respect.

Today, this patient-focused approach to dentistry is evident in every aspect of the practice. Dr. Plumlee and the staff start each

day with a “morning huddle,” where they discuss the day’s schedule and how best to serve the needs of each patient they will see.

Dr. Plumlee attributes the appreciative atmosphere of the practice to the culture he intentionally developed and cites this as what sets Plumlee Dentistry apart from other practices.

“Culture creates a lifestyle within the practice It guides how you think and function together, and how you treat each other and those you are serving,” he says. “It ensures that the doctors and the staff are consistent in their approach and fully aligned.”

He understands that his leadership role each day is to sustain that culture, which focuses on a positive attitude and an optimistic mindset.

The cohesive atmosphere translates to patients, including one who remarked that “every time I visit Plumlee Dentistry, I feel like I’ve visited with friends who just happen to be

taking care of my teeth and who truly enjoy what they do.” According to Google reviews, many others agree. The most recent analysis lists Plumlee Dentistry with 734 five-star reviews.

Along with routine dental services, Plumlee Dentistry offers specialized procedures including same-day crowns, preventive cleanings and proactive periodontal therapy, orthodontic clear aligners, cosmetic dentistry, implant placement and more. In addition to Dr. Plumlee, there are three other doctors on staff: Drs. Kurt and Oriana Corsbie and Dr. Kevin Downey. Along with the doctors, hygienists, assistants and office staff work to ensure a seamless experience from the moment a patient walks in the door to when they leave.

Above all else, Dr. Plumlee clarifies that the priority of the practice is achieving optimal oral health for each patient.

“If we can bring people into optimal oral

health, it can extend their lifespan by seven to 10 years,” he says.

To acknowledge and reward patients committed to good oral health care, Plumlee Dentistry offers membership plans geared toward those without dental insurance. The plans include preventive care appointments and all services included in those visits, one emergency dental visit per year, and a 12% discount on restorative needs.

A positive culture and working environment are the result of layers of intentional planning. Dr. Plumlee has multiple checkpoints in place to ensure staff members are continually exposed to learning opportunities for improvement. This includes continuing education focused on the most up-to-date technologies.

All doctors attend a local study club once a quarter, where about a dozen dentists gather to discuss what is and isn’t working in their practices.

“It’s an environment that promotes personal and professional growth and encourages self-reflection on how each doctor works with staff and patients,” Dr. Plumlee says.

An important component of the practice’s culture is grounded in Dr. Plumlee’s 38-year collaboration with dental consulting company Paragon Management, led by Ken Runkle. Runkle leads regular meetings to analyze business principles and systems, clinical

expertise, staff interactions and the overall approach to patient care.

One of the staff doctors, Dr. Kurt Corsbie, was a patient of Dr. Plumlee’s as a child and later chose to study dentistry, ultimately returning to practice alongside his mentor. Jenny, a hygienist, has a similar story. She worked at Plumlee Dentistry during high school and, after becoming licensed, joined the staff.

Dr. Plumlee celebrates the fact that some team members have been part of the practice for 10, 20 and even 30 years. When asked what he attributes the strong staff retention to, he offers a simple yet meaningful answer, “We believe that your family comes before our business,” he says.”

That philosophy resonates with the staff, says treatment coordinator Lori.

“Dr. Plumlee is very understanding of the challenges we encounter throughout our lives and is there to support us and help us navigate

those challenges,” she says. “It makes us feel appreciated and valued. We carry that over to our patients, caring for each of them while providing great dentistry.”

The doctors believe in practicing what might be called the Golden Rule of Dentistry. When approaching a patient’s care, they take time to consider, “Is this something I’d recommend for my family and friends?”

Plumlee Dentistry continues to meet the changing needs of patients by making strategic additions to the office staff. Currently, the practice includes a bilingual dentist, hygienist, assistant and front desk staff.

Dr. Plumlee also keeps the practice doors open to those interested in working in the dental field.

“We want to expose people to the profession through job shadowing and internships, and some of those collaborations have resulted in people joining the staff,” he says. “We pursue talented people we believe will strengthen our team.”

When asked about technology overshadowing personal interactions, Dr. Plumlee is quick to respond that Plumlee Dentistry will never be the first to implement high-tech concepts.

“We allow technology to be proven before we put it into practice,” he says.

The common theme throughout Plumlee Dentistry is preventive thinking. Through continuing education, team meetings and culture-building activities, the doctors and staff prepare daily to provide optimal oral health care. For patients walking through the door, all that preparation simply presents itself as another smile and warm hello.

Visit plumleedentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment, call Plumlee Dentistry at 574-936-3505.

Plumlee Dentistry is located at 1400 N. Oak Drive, Plymouth, IN. Follow Plumlee Dentistry on Facebook and Instagram.

ORCHARD TO JAR

SCHERGER’S KETTLE BRINGS THE FLAVOR OF FRESH FRUIT TO LIFE WITH HOMEMADE JAMS, JELLIES & MARMALADES

Writer / Amy Lant-Wenger

Imagine for a moment how it would be to stroll around an orchard, or wander into a grove, colorful and brightened by the seasons of sunshine. And what if you could pause, find the most perfect fruit of the bunch and savor a bite.

While that may not always be possible on account of northern Indiana’s characteristically chaotic weather routines, there is a place tucked away in the heart of Shipshewana that promises to deliver the closest thing to such an experience. It’s a humble storefront with an ambitious mission. They want each and every person who samples their homemade jams and jellies to, as their slogan goes, “Taste the Fruit.”

The family business is known as Scherger’s Kettle, and it is a bustling place where sweet and savory condiments are freshly created, with ingredients procured from local resources. Their products are free of additives and preservatives, which allows the flavors of the fruit to be authentic and bold. For the Scherger family, maintaining this natural approach is more than just a pledge to their customers. It’s a practice that is steeped in history and tradition. The story goes back to the turn of the 20th century and features the

tale of an old copper kettle.

David Scherger, who is part of an ownership team that includes his wife, Peggy, and his daughter, Kelly McConnell, had received a precious family heirloom some years ago that set events into motion to lead to the present state of the sweet Scherger enterprise. David was gifted a 50-gallon copper kettle that had been used by his great-grandfather, Anton

Scherger. It was where the elder Scherger had made apple butter, created from harvested apples bursting from the trees that Anton himself had planted. That kettle would go on to serve its purpose for three more generations to follow. David, who was greatly influenced by this craft, remembers well assisting with the harvest as a youngster. For him, it’s about more than simply turning out a stellar product. It’s capturing the magic of fond memories.

The good fortunes continued, and in 2004, the Scherger family built an addition to the historic Davis home, which made it possible to expand their production facility. By 2008, the family acquired the building that had formerly housed the Bread Box Bakery and utilized that space for storage.

At the current Scherger’s Kettle site, the kitchen area is a meticulous and wellcoordinated endeavor. There are two local Amish women who spend time in the kitchen cooking and processing the fruits and juices into what eventually turns into jams, jellies, marmalades and much more. The fruits are still kettle-cooked, and the ingredients are very basic — fruit, pectin and sugar. The lowersugar varieties are made with evaporated cane sugar, a perfect option for those who have dietary restrictions.

Once the fruits are expertly cooked, the finished product travels through a series of tubes and gets piped directly into glass jars. The jars are then taken to a refrigerated storage

space to cool. Fruits that are obtained out of season are flash-frozen, which ensures that the maximum ripeness and flavor are sealed in.

So what distinguishes a jam from a jelly from a marmalade? Jellies, explains McConnell, are made using only fruit juice, which allows for the smooth, translucent texture. Jams, meanwhile, are made by using the entire fruit, so the resulting product is chunkier, featuring visible pieces of the fruit. Marmalades are similar, but are created using a citrus base, such as lemon or orange.

Store-bought jams, according to David, typically have approximately 35% minimum fruit content. Scherger’s Kettle is proud to offer jams that boast a 45% minimum. The reducedsugar selections offer a 70% minimum fruit content by weight.

There are several other lines of tantalizing spreads, salsas, raw honey and butters to try from Scherger’s Kettle as well. Some of the more unique and popular flavors include bacon jam, mango salsa and smoky jalapeno tomato chutney. McConnell

says that her family often uses some of the savory varieties for cooking and marinades. Another interesting line of products includes marmalades infused with a floral essence, such as blueberry hibiscus and lemon lavender, which have proven to be top sellers as well. When asked how they manage to come up with such creative flavor combinations, McConnell says, “It’s a lot of experimenting and taste testing. Everything we sell is something we’d eat ourselves.”

The Scherger’s Kettle collection is generally sold in retail settings, and they can work with wholesale arrangements as well. The products can also be purchased online at shipshewanajams.com.

For those who would like to stop by and visit Scherger’s Kettle in person, the store is located at 140 1/2 Morton St. in downtown Shipshewana. They are open every day from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., except for Sundays, when the shop is closed. To reach the business by phone, call 260-768-4629.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2026

APRIL

Submit Your Events!

Koontz Lake/ Walkerton/Grovertown

ALL times listed are Central Time.

EVERY MONDAY

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.

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.

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.

MARCH 31

3:30 p.m. – Ankarsrum mixer class. Intermediate level, class 2 of Ankarsrum series is free but spots are limited so preregistration is required. Call New Kitchen Store at 574-586-2745 to save your spot.

4

9 a.m. – Koontz Lake Association Easter Egg Hunt at Lion’s Parl. 7

6 p.m. - Koontz Lake Conservancy District Monthly Board Meeting. The meeting will be held at the Sewer District building located at 10625 E Prairie Ave in Koontz Lake. Interested parties may join remotely by calling (240) 591-0378 and entering the code 385729# when prompted, or via web at https://join. freeconferencecall.com/klcdboardmeeting.

11

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Jura Machine Coffee Class at New

Kitchen Store. Come see how the Jura machine works to have all your favorite coffee drinks from the comfort of your own home! Discussion and how to 10 – 10:30 a.m. Drink making available from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Limited spots available for discussion and demonstration, call the store at 574-586-2745 to reserve your spot.

Rent the Koontz Lake Clubhouse for your next party! The rental fee is $100 for non-members, $75 for members with a $65 deposit that is refunded if no damage occurs to the clubhouse. If interested, please contact Cathy at 219-229-4424. The facility holds up to 100 people and has a fully equipped kitchen.

Bremen/Lake of the Woods

ALL times listed are Eastern.

4

LOWPOA Easter Egg Hunt at the BCC Building, 4374 North Shore Drive, Bremen, IN.

11

9 a.m. - LOWPOA Meeting at the BCC Building, 4374 North Shore Drive, Bremen, IN.

APRIL 11 THROUGH MAY 22

LOWPOA Flower Sale

18

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

25

LOWPOA/BCC Clean Up Day.

Lake

ALL Times listed are Eastern Time.

EVERY SATURDAY

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Culver Farmers Market is the only

indoor farmer’s market between South Bend and Indy (that we know of). You will find local meats, produce, baked goods, sweets, handcrafted gifts, and more for your favorite vendors. It is held at the Culver Union Township Public Library’s lower level located at 107 N. Main St, Culver, IN. For more updates, you can follow The Culver Farmers Market is also on Facebook and IG @ culverfarmersmarket, their website culverfarmersmarket.org, or emailing them at culverfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY

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

3-4

7 p.m. or until sold out – Tyner Odd Fellows Fish Fry carry out and dine in at Plymouth Wesleyan Church, located at 11203 Michigan Rd., Plymouth, IN.

4

11 a.m. – Culver Town Easter Egg Hunt located at the Culver Park.

19

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Youth Service Day. Kids can come lend a hand and earn service hours if needed at the Culver Beach. For questions, please reach out to Crystal Moss at 574-216-0682 or cmoss@townofculver.org.

23 – 26

Culver Academies Spring Parents Weekend

24 & 25

Culver Town Wide Garage Sales

25

4 – 7 p.m. or until sold out – Tyner Odd Fellows Fish Fry carry out and dine in at The Tyner IOOF Lodge (Tyner Community Building) located at 4836 French St., Tyner.

Knox/Bass Lake/ Starke County

ALL Times listed are Central Time.

MARCH 29

1:30 p.m. – City of Knox and Knox City Police Dept’s Easter Egg Hunt at Wythogan Park.

25

8 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Spring Opening and Craft Fair. Hannah’s Country Road’s Greenhouse will be kicking off the plant season with a craft fair and food trucks! Come check out all their annuals. Vegetables, perennials, hanging baskets, and so much more! 5444 E 900 S, Monterey. You can reach out to Hannah with any questions at 574-780-5917 or hannahscountrygreenhouse@gmail.com

Knox - Winamac Community Health Center