Amish Country Blog

Sweet Creams Soda Shop
700 S. Main @ State Street / Elkhart / 574.970.5568
-Step back in time
-Try the lunch-time grilled cheese with sautéed peppers & onions
-Best noon ‘till 1:30 pm

Michael’s Italian Restaurant – since 1957
Corner of 6th & Harrison / Elkhart / 574. 522.3664
-Great local feel with “Wednesday night regulars”  – mayor, former police chief
-Best Wednesdays 7 – 8:30 pm

Tabletop Soignee at Flytrap’s
505 S. Main Street / Elkhart / 574.295.1400
-Check out the beef “brutzli” served on a cooking stone @ table
-Great a-la-minute Swiss methods
-Cool original art

Thirsty Thursdays @ The Vine
214 S. Main Street / Elkhart / 574.970.5006
-50% off wines by the bottle each Thursday, free tastings – very popular
-Great retro interior

Power Lunch Fridays
McCarthy’s on the RiverWalk / Elkhart
333 NIBCO Parkway @ Elkhart Avenue bridge / 574.293.2830
-The place for bankers/ developers/ players to launch deals
-Best  Fridays 12 – 1:30 pm

Members of the Maple Leaf Quilt Guild, Heartland Quilters, Artful Quilters, New Paris Puzzler Quilt Guild, Happy Hoosier Homemakers, Zion Extension Club, and Pie Gabba Sew are organized to welcome over 1,000 quilters into Elkhart County on National Quilting Day, Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen.  Purdue Extension Services Educator, Mary Ann Lienhart-Cross remarks, “The rich heritage of quilting and hospitality make Elkhart County an ideal location to host this 20th anniversary event”.

“The Gathering of Quilters” features a quilt block exchange, a quilt exhibit and show, local demonstrations with product sales, and vendors offering quilt supplies, products, fabrics, notions and kits. Guest speaker, Brenda Papadakis, an expert in applique and Civil War era quilts and designs and the author of the 1996 “Dear Jane” book is the keynote speaker. In her famous book which started the “Dear Jane” quilt craze, Papadakis has lovingly recreated the two hundred twenty-five patterns from the celebrated Jane A. Blakely Stickle 1863 quilt. Brenda will lead a keynote session drawing attendees into the historical context of Jane’s achievement and connecting her to quilting
lives today.

Contact Diana Bennett at 574.642.4194 for information.

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

The Elkhart County Historical Museum invites girls to bring their American Girl Doll to the museum and learn together what life was like for children growing up in the 1970s.  On Saturday, Februrary 27th the museum will host “The Groovy ‘70s: Featuring American Girl Julie!”

The program will focus on some of the things that helped define the ‘70s.  One example is the environmentalist movement which made great strides in the 1970s.  1970 marked the first celebration of Earth Day and the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1972. “In recognition of the environmentalist movement, the girls will be making kites just like Julie did in her book Julie and the Eagles,” says Oestreich.  “Julie made and sold the kites to try and raise money to save endangered bald eagles.”

Girls will also be making projects featuring some of the fads of the 1970s. “Two of the more famous fads are lava lamps and pet rocks,” says Oestreich.  “So each girl will get to make a lava lamp and pet rock to take home.”  Other fads included roller skating, homemade ribbon barrettes, and pong.  In addition, many girls in the seventies read Judy Blume books and watched Little House on the Prairie.

Girls are welcome to come dressed in seventies inspired attire.  For girls this means bell-bottomed pants, platform shoes, turtle neck shirts, and flower prints.  Hair for girls switched from long and straight in the first part of the decade to more loose and feathery like the hair of Charlie’s Angel Farrah Fawcet in the latter part of the seventies.

Several American Girl related prizes will be awarded to participants including a grand prize of the Julie doll.  Additionally there will be prizes of American Girl story books, activity books, and clothing.  If anyone is interested in donating items to allow for more girls to go home with prizes please contact the museum.

While the bringing of an American Girl Doll to the program is encouraged it is not required.  Everyone is welcome to attend the program whether or not they have a doll.

The cost to attend “The Groovy ‘70s: Featuring American Girl Julie!” is $3/girl. Participants may choose from a morning session from 10:00 to 12:00 or an afternoon session from 1:30 to 3:30. Pre-registration is required.  To register or for more information, please contact Rebecca Oestreich at 574-848-4322 or Rebecca@elkhartcountyparks.org.

Rebecca Oestreich Elkhart County Historical Museum

The Wakarusa Historical Society’s Educational Days in Wakarusa, Indiana is now open to everyone. This is usually a program for 2^nd to 4^th graders, and now, everyone has the chance to attend Educational Days. These tours are offered each year several weeks prior to our annual Maple Syrup Festival celebrations. 2010 tours will be available from Tuesday, March 16 through Friday,March 19.

The tours are designed for quality educational experiences and include the following FREE opportunities:

Tour the Wakarusa Historical Museum Buildings

Tour the Maple Sugar Camp. Sweet maple syrup will be available for purchase.

Popcorn fresh from the kettle.

Tour Historic Downtown Wakarusa.

A visit to the Wakarusa Dime Store. (shop at own discretion)

A bus will be met by a tour guide at the Wakarusa Town Cabin, located on Walnut Street next to the Town Park, then transport you to the Maple Syrup Camp and/or to the Historical Museum Buildings and back again.

For more information, please call the Chamber office at (574) 862-4344 between 8:00 A.M. and noon, Monday through Friday. The deadline for reservations is February 1, 2010.

-Deb Shively, Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce

Goshen’s 3rd Annual Ice Carving and Chili Competition kicks off the New Year, on January 1 and 2. The popular First Fridays event, Fire and Ice Festival, will give revelers one last holiday fling!

Members of the Michiana Ice Carvers Association (MICA) will carve 700-pound blocks of ice in front of downtown stores on Friday from 5 – 9 p.m. Watch these sculptures take form while you shop downtown businesses offering holiday specials.

The Friday ice sculpture carving is sponsored by area businesses

Then the celebration continues on Saturday, January 2, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

To keep everyone warm and fed, the Chili Fire Competition will also be going on Saturday. Free tastings are available, but tickets required – only 500 will be available. Pick tickets up at the Fire & Ice Festival Headquarters located in the lobby of the Goshen Theater, 216 South Main Street. Tasters can vote for their favorite soup at the Headquarters. The winner will be announced on West Washington Street on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Chili competition coordinator, Darin Short said competitors in this annual tradition invite everyone to taste their special brand of chili. Participating restaurants:

Constant Spring (219 South Main Street)
El Duranguenze (113 West Washington Street)
Electric Brew (136 South Main Street)
Kelly Jae’s Cafe (133 South Main Street)
Maple City Market (314 South Main Street)
Mattern’s Butcher Shop & Corner Deli (201 South Main Street)
Olympia Candy Kitchen (136 North Main Street)
The Window (233 South Main Street)
Tony’s Famous Grill (103 North Fifth Street)

Ice Sculpture Competition on Washington and Main Streets

Contestants test their skills with elaborate competition pieces. With more time to sculpt, and larger blocks of ice, the artists have time to make truly amazing sculptures. Judges will review award cash prizes to the top three contestants.

Sponsors for the competition piece are:

Best Western Hotel
Bill’s Heating, Inc.
Goshen City Republican Committee
Goshen College
Judd Family Dentistry
Mennonite Mutual Aid
Middlebury Electric, Inc.
Salon J
Spohn Ballroom
Troyer Foods

Whether you go on Friday or Saturday, or you enjoy both days, Goshen’s 3rd Annual Fire and Ice Festival will be a crowd pleasing event.

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

Amish Country is a great place to celebrate Christmas, and for those wanting a worship service for Chirstmas Eve, here is a small list of what is available in our area.

ELKHART

Bethel United Methodist Church,1200 N. Michigan St., Christmas Eve service of Scripture, carols, solos and a choir presentation will be at 7 p.m. 574.264-3455.

Grace Lutheran Church, 831 W. Marion St., offers two festival worship services on Christmas Eve at 7 and 11 p.m. Pre-service music will begin 15 minutes prior to both services. 574.294.1951

Hillcrest United Methodist Church, 4206 E. Bristol St., will have a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. 574.264.3240.

St. John’s United Church of Christ, 2701 E. Bristol St., will have a candlelight service on Christmas Eve, “From Joy to the World to Joy in My Heart,” at 8 p.m. 574.264.4640.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 405 W. Beardsley Ave., will have Christmas Eve candlelight services at 7 and 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve. “Emmanuel: The Birth of God’s Presence” will be the service’s theme. 574.293.0482.

Christmas Eve Masses at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St., include a 4 p.m. children’s Mass, a 6 and 10 p.m. Mass. Christmas caroling starts at 9:30 p.m. On Christmas Day, Masses will take place at 8 and 10 a.m. 574.262.1505

At St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, a children’s Mass takes place at 4 p.m., Christmas Eve, followed by Mass in Spanish at 7 p.m. and the Vigil Mass of Christmas at 10:10 p.m., which includes prelude music and the office of readings and will be conducted in English, Spanish and Latin. Christmas Day Masses will be at 8:30 a.m. in English and 10 a.m. in a trilingual format. 574.293.8231

On Christmas Eve, Trinity Lutheran Church will have a “Lessons and Carols” Eucharist at 11 a.m., worship for children followed by “A Birthday Party for Jesus” at 4 p.m. and a candlelight Eucharist at 10 p.m. at the south campus. The north campus at 30888 C.R. 6 will hold “A Candlelight Christmas” at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, celebrate 10 a.m. Eucharist at the south campus, 400 West Blvd. S. 574.522.1491

Trinity United Methodist Church, 2715 E. Jackson Blvd.,  offers a 5 p.m. children and family service, a 7 p.m. Night of Hope Service and a 9 p.m. candlelight communion and message. No services on Christmas Day. 574.294.7602.

GOSHEN

The annual Christmas Eve service of lessons and carols will be at 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve at College Mennonite Church, 1900 S. Main St. This service will feature the reading of the Christmas story interspersed with congregational carol singing and anthems presented by the adult and youth choirs. The service will conclude with a traditional candle lighting service.  574.535-7262 / CollegeMennonite.org.

The candlelight Christmas Eve worship service at First Presbyterian Church, 215 E. Lincoln Ave., begins with an organ concert at 7:40 p.m. Christmas Eve, followed by a church service at 8 p.m. 574.533.7845.

Crossroads Community Church, 57415 Alpha Dr., will conduct Christmas Eve Services at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. 574.875.4479

A Christmas Eve service will take place at 7:30 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 105 S. Sixth St. 574.533.4984.

At St. John the Evangelist, 117 W. Monroe St., Christmas Eve services include a family Mass at 5 p.m. in English,7 p.m. in Spanish and a midnight Mass in English at 10:30 p.m. On Christmas Day, Masses will take place at 9:30 a.m. and noon. 574.295.1725

MIDDLEBURY

First Mennonite Church of Middlebury, 203 E. Lawrence St., will conduct a Christmas Eve service at 8 p.m. 574.825.5135.

On Christmas Eve, First United Methodist Church, 301 S. Main St., will serve communion in the sanctuary from 6 to 6 :45 p.m. A candlelight service of lessons and carols begins at 7 p.m. 574.825.2585.

NAPPANEE

Nappanee Missionary Church, 70417 S.R. 19, has scheduled a 6 p.m. Christmas Eve service in the worship center and a 7 p.m. Connection service. 574.773.7773.

There’s a unique shopping experience in Nappanee this Friday. It is their Christmas Country Trail and 8 stores will be open from 6pm to Midnight.

The eight businesses participating are:

Little Nook Bookstore
Rentown Variety Store
Stettas Discount
Inkredible Art Stamps
Pine Hill Discount
Nappanee Country Store
Nappanee Bicycle Store

What a great way to experience Nappanee, enjoying the small hometown feel of Christmas, and then buying unique Christmas presents along the way. I hope this turns into an annual event, and that more businesses are willing to participate.

Click here for the map of the businesses. Let me know what you bought, and if you enjoyed your experience if you go.

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

Children are invited to the Elkhart County Historical Museum to learn about the holiday customs immigrants have brought to Elkhart County.  This children’s activity day will be held on Saturday, December 12th from 10:00-4:00 and will feature crafts and activities for all to enjoy.

“The holiday season is full of fun and festive traditions and many of these traditions have been brought to us from cultures around the world,” says Curator of Education Rebecca Oestreich.  “This activity day will teach kids the history behind some of their favorite customs as well as introduce them to new traditions they can take and try out at home”.

For example, children will have the opportunity to explore the Swedish tradition of St. Lucia, the African American celebration of Kwanzaa, the European practice of St. Nicholas coming to fill shoes with treats, and the German immigrant custom of hiding a pickle on the Christmas tree.  “The Christmas tree pickle is a fun game where parents hide a pickle somewhere on the Christmas tree.  The first child to find the pickle gets an extra present and good luck all year long,” explains Oestreich.  It was originally thought to have come from Germany, but the tradition is now believed to have been started right here in the United States by German immigrants.

The children’s activity day will also focus on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  “The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a holiday celebration brought by Mexicans to our area.  It coincidentally falls on December 12th so we will be having special readings of Tomie DePaola’s book The Lady of Guadalupe throughout the day along with a craft,” says Oestreich.  “Additionally, one lucky child will win the DePaola book to take home.”

Admission to the Children’s Activity Day is $1/child.  For more information, please contact Rebecca Oestreich at 574-848-4322 or Rebecca@elkhartcountyparks.org.

- Rebecca Oestreich-Elkhart County Historical Museum

This is the time of year for Christmas Celebrations throughout Amish County.  Two of my favorite things about this time of the year are Santa and Music.  Santa doesn’t show up often, but its obvious breakfast is his favorite meal.  And the music in this area is beautiful, and helps to put me in the Holiday Spirit.

Breakfast with Santa:

December 5 at Central Fire Station from 8am to Noon.
December 13 at Amish Acres from 9am to 11pm.
December 19 at American Countryside Farmers Market beginning at 9am.

Music in Amish Country:

At the American Countryside Farmers Market there will be Christmas music every weekend until December 19 on the concert stage.  And while you’re listening to the great music, make sure you shop for unique gifts for everyone on your list.

Festival of Carols, presented by the Goshen College Choirs, will be performed on December 4.  This is a beautiful event, and one that will keep you coming back year after year.

Northridge High School is putting on a Christmas Show on December 12 called Christmas Traditions from 4pm-7pm that will feature both old and new holiday favorites.

The Elkhart Symphony Christmas Ensemble will play at Ruthmere on December 17.  Ruthmere is also dressed for Christmas.  So it will really help put you in the Christmas spirit.

No matter how you want to celebrate the Holidays in Amish Country, you’ll have a great time in Amish Country.  For more details about the above events, or to learn about other Amish Country Holiday events, please visit Amishcountry.org/events.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

Last Sunday, I went to the Community Showcase of Arts Choir and Ensemble Recital at Goshen College Sauder Hall.

First, let me say that I forget how wonderfully intimate Sauder Hall is. It seats about 300 people, and you  feel very close to the stage and the performers.  This modern facility is a great asset to Goshen College, and a wonderful resource for the community.

The first group that played was the Ensemble groups.   They all did great, and the music was done well.  I loved seeing the New Horizon Orchestra play together.  Ages ranged from 8 to 80, and what a treat it was listening to the musicians.   They played a rendition of Autumn from the 4 Seasons, and a piece from Tchaikovsky.

The Shout to Joy and Rejoice choirs both sang.  The Rejoice Choir (grades 6-8) and Shout to Joy Choir (grades 3-5)  did a terrific job on “This Little Light of Mine.”

There are is a lot of talent in Goshen, and I am looking forward to the Spring Recital.  You can check out the Community Showcase of Arts events on the Goshen College website www.gcmusiccenter.org, along with all the events happening at Sauder Hall.

- Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist