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

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite times of the year–roses and chocolate, chocolate and food, food and a night out, a night out and no toddler.  What a great way to spend a day.  And the best part is that your significant other usually has to say yes to your ideas for fear of ruining the day.  The Valentine’s package at the Das Dutchmen Essenhaus has all my requirements met, and it is a great place to be when the weather is cold outside.

You can have a wonderful dinner of prime rib, prosciutto wrapped chicken breast, or their famous family-style dinner.   The Mike Vaszari Ensemble will be there to play dinner music–get up and dance if you feel the urge.  A chocolate fondue fountain and a dessert buffet are also on the menu.  Each female guest receives a long stemmed rose- which is great if your partner has forgotten to get you flowers.  Then spend the night in the Essenhaus Inn.  I love that they have thought of everything on my list, and I don’t have to drive more than 20 minutes to get there.  This year, they are even offering massages!

The next day, you can walk over to the bakery and take home some of the best doughnuts you’ve ever tasted.  I think this is a great way to spend Valentine’s Day, and I hope to see you there.

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

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

You can always find something to do in Amish Country.   September is full of Festivals.  So here is just a listing. For details, please go to our event page at amishcountry.org/events.

Bristol Storytelling Festival September 11-12
Nappanee Apple Festival September 17-20
Borkholder Dutch Village Fall Furniture Festival September 18-19
Middlebury Fall Festival September 18-19
Mennonite Relief Sale September 26
Pumpkin Chase Race September 27

If you’ve been here for one of these festivals, let us know what you enjoyed about it.  I love the Mennonite Relief Sale.  Although I can’t afford any of the auction items, I love the feel of having all those people in one place helping a great cause.  I know many people love the Nappanee Apple Festival’s 7 foot pie.  Whatever your looking for, I’m sure one of our September festivals has something to enhance your trip.

-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

The ECCVB commissioned “Aurora – Elkhart Special” quilt is now proudly displayed in the Elkhart County Visitors Center. Come in a take a look – it’s spectacular! The quilt was exquisitely pieced by Diana Bennet (see some of her other quilts in the Visitors Center) and quilted by her good friend. Jinny Beyer pulled together a palette of 55 signature fabrics in colors to complement the Aurora mural.  Feeling ambitious?  There is a special “kit” to make your own quilt available through Jinny Beyer.  For more information call the Visitor Center at 800.262.8161

The Vera Bradley Hope Garden Quilt is making the rounds and on display at Vera Bradley retailers throughout Amish Country.  This year’s quilt is special to the Quilt Gardens Tour. It was made by two Vera Bradley Foundation volunteers using the bright flower patterned Hope Garden fabric. And it was was donated by the Vera Bradley Foundation to help raise money for Breast Cancer Research.  It does give you a feeling of hope when you see this quilt.

You can visit anyone of the Elkhart County locations to enter a raffle win the quilt.  Raffle tickets are $2 each, and you can enter as many times as you wish.So visit the Hope Garden Quilt at its touring locations, and enter to win the raffle. It’s a gorgeous quilt, and will help a great cause.

July 9 – 22
The Cinnamon Stick
102 S. Main St.
Middlebury, IN 46540

July 22 – August 5
Linton’s Enchanted Gardens
315 County Road 17
Elkhart, IN 46516

August 6 – 8
Das Dutchman Essenhaus
Essenhaus Quilt Show
240 US 20
Middlebury, IN 46540

August 11 – 25
Woldruff’s Footwear
129 S. Main
Goshen, IN 46526

August 26 – September 8
West View Florist
1717 Cassopolis St.
Elkhart, IN 46514

September 9 – 16
Linton’s Enchanted Gardens
315 County Road 17
Elkhart, IN 46516

The drawing will be held on Friday, September 18 at the Davis Mercantile Theatre in Shipshewana, IN.  If you collect Vera Bradley, this would be a beautiful addition to your collection.  Let me know if you’ve seen the Hope Garden Quilt and tell me what you thought of it.

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

First, thank you ALL for your kind comments left on our blog! We appreciate the feedback and we’re thrilled that so many of you have such great things to say about Amish Country Northern Indiana!

And the winner of the $25 American Countryside Farmers Market Gift Card is: Kathleen Renno

Congratulations Kathleen! We’ll get your $25 American Countryside Farmers Market Gift Card right out to you. Be sure to visit back soon, we have another fun giveaway planned!

-Jessica, Amish Country Northern Indiana Technology Marketing Manager