Amish Country Blog

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

Eyedart studio gallery invites art lovers and art haters to see an unorthodox exhibit in downtown Goshen. Regardless of ones interest or indifference to art, the exhibit is worth the visit. “Contemporary American and Italian Artists on Paper”, featuring forty-two works by twenty-one artists from Italy and the United States, offers a rare chance to view art created by internationally-renowned, master-status artists. After an eight-week pause in Goshen, the traveling exhibit will voyage to galleries in Milan and Rome, Italy.

The exhibit is the brainchild of Scott L. Hatt, artist and curator from the Spurious Fugitive in South Bend, Indiana, and David Lester Learn. David spent over fifteen years living and traveling in Italy, cultivating relationships with some of the most respectable artists and galleries in the country. Upon returning to South Bend in 2009, Hatt and Learn began collaborating to bring their American and Italian artist-associates together.

While it may seem that Midwestern and Italian artists could not be more disparate, Hatt and Learn saw more connections than divisions between the two groups. “In the twenty-first century, artists around the world are dealing with the impact of globalization on media, art, and technology,” says Hatt. “The exhibit exploits these similarities.”

As a reflection of common issues with which contemporary artists grapple, Hatt established a few basic rules of symmetry: all of the pieces had to be created on paper, trimmed to the same size, matted and framed uniformly. Not shockingly, each artist’s piece stretches the boundaries of their same-sized frames. Stitches, string, photography, paint, pencil, ink, crayons, cardboard, and wax found their way into the works.

Another commonality within this group is a willingness to collaborate without reservation. “The Italian gallery owners with whom we worked were very generous; choosing artists with major art careers in Europe and the U.S.,” said Hatt. “For example, they invited Nini’ Santoro, who generously created two pieces for the show.” Santoro, whose name is less familiar in Northern Indiana, is well known in art history books and in major art hubs throughout the world. Many museums around the world house his work including the Museum of Modern Art in New York.  “Two other Italian artists with advanced careers are Aldo Bertolini and Marisa Facchinetti, both of whom have a concurrent show at the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco, California.”

“On the American side,” continued Hatt, “The show features some heavy-hitters including Fred Stonehouse, Adam Benjamin Fung, and Timothy Vermeulen. Stonehouse, a Milwaukee native, has shown his work all over the globe. The Zolla/Liberman Gallery, in Chicago, represents Fung. With both the Americans and Italians, we’re achieving the Spurious Fugitive’s goal of bringing art to our community that wouldn’t otherwise be shown in Northern Indiana.”

So go to Eyedart and enjoy this great show.  Let us know what you thought of it, and leave us a comment.

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

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

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

Ahh, Halloween is on Saturday.  I have 500 pieces of candy, and I’m still not sure that it’s going to be enough.  Saturday is the big day, and it makes me nervous that there will be twice as many kids out as usual. This year,  I have out a half bale of hay and 4 pumpkins, and that’s the most festive I’ve been for Halloween in years.

Here are a few events that are going on in Amish Country to help get you in the Halloween mood.

Thursday, October 29
The Elkhart Environmental Center annual Monster Hike.  Bring your children out to trick or treat for Halloween with nature’s monsters. They will see live creepy crawlers. Costumes are encouraged. A $3 donation is appreciated. Please call 293-5070 to register.  It starts at 11am.

Friday, October 30
Hall of Heroes, the largest Superhero Museum in the world has been taken over by Doctor Doom and his fellow nefarious colleagues.  Experience this Halloween Extravaganza as seen from the villain’s point of view.  From 7pm to 10pm, admission is $5.

Trick or Treat on Main Street in Goshen.  Starting at Noon, you can visit participating Main Street businesses and do your trick or treating, and shopping all at once.  It’s a good way to get your little ones ready for the big day.

Saturday, October 31
American Countryside Farmers Market will give treats to all kids who dress in costume.  There will be games, clown, balloons, and entertainment.  It will be a fun time for all those who want to celebrate a little earlier in the day.

For more events, check out our events page at AmishCountry.org/events

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

I went to Kercher’s Sunrise Orchard on Saturday.   It was wet and cold, but we still managed to have the best time.  We were there about 10:30am, and the car lot was almost full.  We went right to the line for the tractor ride to go to the pumpkin patch.  It was a long wait.  I loved watching all the kids running to the apple orchard to pick the apples, and seeing people line up to buy all the great food items.

When we finally made it out the pumpkin patch, the ground was very wet, and I was very glad that I wore boots!  After about 20 minutes, we found our perfect pumpkin.  On the way pack from the pumpkin patch, we met a family who each had a pumpkin.  I found out they had been coming to Kercher’s every year since their daughter was five.  It’s great that families mark this event.

Early Saturday morning, I read a twitter from Kercher’s that they were roasting a hog for their pulled pork sandwiches.  I had to try one.  It was the best!  With apple cider and an apple dumpling, I had the best lunch.

So next year, when you need a pumpkin and want time to enjoy Fall, go to Kercher’s.  If you went to the Kercher’s, what did you enjoy doing?  Do you have a picture of your pumpkin?  Show us what you picked.

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

Kercher’s Harvest Festival is coming up on October 10th and 11th.  I’m sure if you go, you’ll have fun.

When I was little, Kercher’s Market use to be on SR 15, and it was one of my first experiences with farm fresh vegetable and fruits.  I can still remember how the place smelled like apples.  They changed a little bit over the years, but it’s still a fun experience.

At the Harvest Fest, you can pick pumpkins and apples.  I love going out to the pumpkin patch and seeing what kinds of pumpkins other people are getting.  Some people wanted the biggest pumpkin they can get, but remember you’re carrying that 15lb pumpkin to the car—without dropping it! It does make decorating for fall enjoyable.

Kercher’s has great food at the Harvest Festival, along with plenty of apple cider. Of course, there are apples, lots and lots of apples.

So go to Kercher’s Harvest Festival and enjoy your day outside, enjoying fall.  If you have any memories of Kercher’s you’d like to share, let me know.  I’d love to hear from you.

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

If you’re ever interested in what is going on in Amish Country, click on our events tab.  You’ll find all kinds of events, and hopefully one of them will add to your Amish Country experience.  September is full of festivals.

The Quilt Gardens Tour is viewable for one more month.  Make sure you come and enjoy the tour.  There have been some interesting things happening to the gardens this year.  In Wakarusa, a hail storm took out part of the Quilt Garden.  In Goshen, a critter ate a little of the Quilt Garden at the 4-H fair, although the Meadow  Brook Agriquilt would have been more to his liking.

The Elkhart Civic Theatre announced their 2010-11 season.  It looks another great year for Elkhart Civic.  Premier Arts is finishing out their 2009-10 family series. Sauder Concert Hall at Goshen College has another great lineup for their 2010-11 season, I want to go see the Chieftains, and the African Children’s Choir.  The Round Barn Theatre finishes their season with Cats, which I love!  I would also check out the Blue Gate Theater in Shipshewana.
So while you plan your trip to Amish Country, check out our events page.  I bet there is something on that page you don’t want to miss.

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

It’s not so surprising to see travel research ranking visiting small towns tops the list of desired vacation activities. Elkhart County is especially blessed with terrific cities and towns with vibrant main streets.

The ECCVB is showing them off in exciting new ways to motivate travelers and keep them interested by launching a series of video clips promoting our cities and towns on our  new YouTube Channel.

Take a look. This is just the beginning!

Let us know what you think of these videos, leave your comment here.

I was in Downtown Goshen this past Friday for First Fridays. For those who don’t know, on the first Friday of every month, Goshen opens its downtown for the evening. There are special events that are planned, and businesses stay open later to welcome the guests.

There was entertainment for everyone on the courtyard lawn. The fountain in front of the Courthouse makes for a great kid gathering place. Amazingly, nobody was in the fountain. Music seemed to permeate the whole downtown. There was a band at the courthouse, and one Washington Street. My little one was dancing most of the night.

On this particular Friday, there was a cruisin’ reunion. For those of you that don’t know, Goshen allowed cruising, until they shut it down in the mid 1980’s. The event gave everyone with a vintage car to come out and have fun for the night. A few of the cars had to be helped along, but most of those older cars were still able to move without problems. The drivers were grinning from ear to ear. You could that they were having a great time.

So when you come to Amish Country, plan your visit to include the first Friday of the month, and plan to visit Goshen. You’ll be glad that you added First Fridays to your trip. If you’ve been to Goshen for First Fridays, let me know what you enjoyed about your time downtown.

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