Amish Country Northern Indiana
Apr 16

Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival

The Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival is one of my favorite festivals of the year.  I love this small town event, and here is what we do when we go for the day.
1.    We enjoy the all-you- can-eat sausage and pancake breakfast.  I know if you see the line you’ll wonder if it is worth the wait.  Trust me, it’s worth it!  It’s also a great time to chat with the people at your table and find out how long they’ve been coming to the festival, and what they like best about it.

2.    Take a walk down Elkhart Road and see all the street vendors.  I find lots of great local products here.  From local food to hair bows.

3.    Put the little one on some rides.  My daughter loves the pony rides and the amusement rides that go around in circles.  This year there is a bounce house, so I know where I’m going to be for an hour or two.

4.    Walk into the Wakarusa Dime Store and take your chances of dealing with a kid on a “sugar high.” They have the jumbo jelly beans. We always make sure to buy enough to last through the year.  This years’ new flavor is cotton candy.

5.    Get the little one’s face painted and enjoy some of the local entertainment.

6.    Wondering if you should eat at Nelson’s or take it home.  If we take it home, I don’t have to worry about what’s for dinner.  If we eat it there, we get to talk with all the other festival goers and enjoy the smell of Nelson’s Golden Glow Chicken for another twenty minutes.

7.    Go home and wait for next year.
I hope you enjoy this first-of- the-year festival in Amish Country and let us know your favorite things.

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Apr 13

Experience Downtown Elkhart, Indiana

It’s fun to spend time in the city as well as the country.  And Downtown Elkhart is a vibrant city with a heart for a good time. I like to walk along the RiverWalk and a stop at a locally owned restaurant or bistro or grab a cup of coffee at the Daily Grind.

I also enjoy sampling Stirred’s signature martini’s, or craft beers at Harrison’s Landing. Then there’s terrific not-to-be-missed museums. Sundays are free admission at the Midwest Museum of American Art – an outstanding collection of works by America’s masters. Any day this gem is well worth the small price of admission.  It’s just across the street from the grandly restored Lerner Theatre where you can catch exciting live entertainment and theatre. Inside and out- this place is fabulous.

Ruthmere house museum also offers free Sundays beginning April. Don’t miss seeing this magnificent  mansion and get a look at the life of the rich in the early 1900’s. Plus there’s events and live performances taking place throughout the year. See a show, stroll Wellfield Botanic Gardens, visit a museum, grab a bite, sip a drink, and enjoy life all within easy walking distance in downtown Elkhart.

What is your favorite thing to do in Elkhart?

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Apr 9

5 Top Places for In-Home Amish Style Dining

In home Amish Style Dining

When people come to Amish Country they are often looking for a place to get a good in-home Amish-style meal.   Here are some dining tips and places that deliver a great in-home, family-style dining experience.

First, you need to come hungry.  An Amish-style meal is an all you care to eat, pass the plates of meat, vegetables, noodles, and bread affair.  Of course, there’s always pie involved.  So you’re biggest decision is going to be what type. It’s important to remember to keep portions small.  That way if you’re still hungry you can re-fill your plate instead of heaping it on all at once and making yourself uncomfortable even with your jeans unbuttoned (And the Amish are not wasteful, so it’s rude to leave a plate full of food.) Plus you need to save room for that pie!

Where to find Amish families that will serve in-home meals?  Here are five great choices.

Buggy Lane Tours.  Kenny Stutsman offers a buggy ride, farm tour, and an Amish-style meal at his family farm.

M & L Acres in Shipshewana.  M & L is the most recently opened in the area.  LeAnna Yoder is your hostess, and she and her family prepare a meal sure to please.

Miller’s Country Kitchen in Shipshewana.  Try breakfast, Thrasher’s Meal or a Wedding Dinner— their house specialties – tasty and fun.

The Carriage House in Topeka.  Join Elaine Jones for a delicious home cooked meal in her pristine dining room. Elaine is a noted baker and her caramel sauce is worth every calorie.

Mullets Dining in Nappanee.  The Mullets are a staple in Nappanee and certainly know how to do it right.  Patrons always leave happy and full.  There number is 574.773.2140

It’s important to note to plan ahead to find out if there is room at the table. So phone, leave a message and they will get back to you. It’s a fun experience to go with a group of friends or just a few. You’ll meet new people as dinner companions and have a wonderful time.  I hope you get a chance to visit one of these families the next time you’re here in Amish Country.

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Apr 6

We Are Pet Friendly in Amish Country!

It’s spring, and everyone’s eager to get outdoors including your canine companion. There are tons of things to do around Amish Country along the Heritage Trail for you and your furry friend.

First thing that comes to mind, of course, is a stroll through the park. Elkhart has great parks for fun with your dog. The River Walk, which passes through downtown Elkhart and several parks including Island Park, is always popular. Goshen offers plenty of beautiful parks and trails that work for bicyclists as well as hikers and dog walkers. More

Then there are the county parks.  Bonneyville Mill, near Bristol, has miles of well-marked, wooded paths that wind along small streams and lead around the parks oldest operating grist mill. The trails there may be more challenging for some as they travel up hills and down mulch covered walk-ways. Ox Bow County Park in Elkhart, offers plenty of flat, paved walkways as well as non-paved wooded trails.

Please keep in mind all city, town and county parks require that your canine companion be on a leash.  And clean-up is a must!!

There are more great places than I have space here to mention for you and your paw-footed friend to enjoy. But don’t worry! We’ve made a Top Ten list of Pet Friendly Stops along the Heritage Trail just for that reason.  Everything from grooming to baked goods for pets, this list surely has something for everyone. By everyone, we mean Fido too!

What are your favorite places to go with your dog?

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Apr 2

Amish Country Waterways

There are lots of trails in our area—bike trails, railways, snowmobile trails, but our most obvious but least talked about trails are our waterways.  In Elkhart, we have two rivers that run through the city, the St. Joe River, and the Elkhart River.  Both rivers are great places for canoeing and kayaking.

There are two places in Elkhart Country you can rent canoes and kayaks.  The first is Goshen City Parks. Their canoes are $20, plus a $20 deposit.  You float down the Elkhart River from Goshen to Oxbow Park in Dunlap. The trip takes about 4 hours.

Lazy Days Canoe and Kayak Rental also has a trip on the Elkhart River.  You can go from SR 13 to Bainertown.  This is a 11 mile trip and takes you through DeFries Gardens County Park.  Rental for a canoe is $40 for two people  and a kayak is $32.

Lazy Days Canoes has 3 St. Joe River trips.  The first trip is 8 miles, and takes you from Mottville to Bristol.  It takes about 3.5 – 5 hours.  Rental for a canoe is $36 for two people and a kayak $28.

The second trip is from Bristol to CR 17.  It is a 5 mile trip, and lasts 1-3 hours.  Please contact for rental prices.

The third trip is only for those that are hearty and in great physical shape.   It goes from Mottville to CR 17.  This trip is 13 miles and takes 5.5 – 7 hours.  Please contact for rental prices.

Going on the River will allows you to experience wild life, and a slower pace of traveling.  It’s a great way to discover Amish Country, and have a new experience.

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Mar 23

Amish Courtesies

While working here at the Visitor’s center I have learned that folks often ask questions about our Amish communities and about the Amish way of life.  I thought that it would be fitting to post some basic information here on our blog. You’ll find more information about the Amish on our AmishCountry.org website.

The Amish are private people who choose to keep their lives centered around their faith. Their faith dictates foregoing modern amenities, including electricity, automobiles and telephones. This simple way of life is derived from teachings in the Bible and the Amish desire for an autonomous community.

The Amish can’t pose for photographs or use cameras to capture their images. The Amish believe photographs lead to pride, which threatens the importance of the “community” by calling attention to individuals. Photos that are taken from a distance that do not show their faces may be acceptable but permission should be asked beforehand if possible. Please be courteous and refrain from taking any photos that make people uncomfortable.

I also get questions about seeing inside Amish homes and farms. Like most people, the Amish don’t open their homes to strangers. However, some Amish operate business inside their property. This offers a unique opportunity to visitors. You can check with our website for a listing of local Amish operated businesses. You’ll get a chance to chat in a comfortable environment. More

I’d like to include some quick tips to help Amish Country travelers.

  • When driving (especially at night) watch out for slow moving horse drawn buggies. Avoid honking or startling the horses. This could spell disaster for all involved.  And please do not feed or pet horses that are tied to a hitching rail or harnessed to a buggy.
  • And remember the golden rule. Treat and respect those in the Amish community as you would like to be treated. The Amish are people like you and me who simply choose a different way of life.
  • If you’d like to learn more, Menno-Hof  in Shipshewana tells the Amish and Mennonite story and answers many questions. More.

Are there any Amish businesses in the area that you like to visit and chat with the owners?

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Mar 19

Hope Along the Heritage Trail

The 2012 Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer are again partnering to raise awareness and generate funds for breast cancer research by raffling The Star of Hope quilt wall hanging, crafted with exclusive Vera Bradley fabrics, to benefit breast cancer research.

See the quilt* and ENTER TO WIN (raffle tickets are 3 for $5) Now through September at the following participating retailers:

Das Dutchman Essenhaus (Middlebury) April 13 – April 19 | August 6 – August 20
Cinnamon Stick (Middlebury) TBD
Sarah Davis (Davis Mercantile / Shipshewana) TBD
Woldruff’s Footwear & Apparel (Goshen) May 7 – May 17 | June 28 – July 9
West View Florist & Gifts (Elkhart) TBD
Linton’s Enchanted Gardens (Elkhart) April 19 | May 18 – May 20 | August 3 – August 6

Wellfield Botanic Gardens
See the Star of Hope pattern realized with flowers in a supersized quilt garden at Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart Beginning May 30. This vibrant, waterside display is a living tribute to the fight against breast cancer.

* All proceeds benefit the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.
View the Vera Bradley Foundation Summary

*Through partnerships like the Hope Blooms Quilt Project, the Vera Bradley Foundation has contributed $15 million to breast cancer research at the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis. The hope created right here in Indiana is inspirational! Hope along the Heritage Trail is the Quilt Gardens contribution to this effort.

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Mar 16

Lighter Fare….along the Heritage Trail

Aunt Karen's Cafe in Middlebury, INSometimes in the course of human events, it becomes important to watch the waist line. And for me, that time is now! The holidays, the super bowl, and winter weather keeps me inside the house and the fridge. Spring inspires me to examine my girth. And after critical review, I have decided to tighten up, slim down and eat less. My challenge is I love Amish Country bakeries, pastries, candies, and mashed potato laden meals.

I sometimes dread thinking about eating more sensibly and mistakenly think that means less food, less flavor, less enjoyment at meal time. Although I must confess it is entirely possible to eat well and not surrender any taste. I’ve come to learn that there are plenty of light and delicious eating options available in Amish Country too. Check out our options!

I have compiled some selections of places that serve items on the lighter side and all taste great! And if you’re one of the lucky ones not worrying about an expanding girth, these eateries serve up terrific grub that shouldn’t be missed!

b on the River downtown Elkhart, INb on the River -  This cozy spot with a scenic view along the RiverWalk in downtown Elkhart serves up tasty café fare. Daily specials made fresh. After a bite, burn some calories along the RiverWalk traversing the Elkhart and St. Joseph Rivers.

 

Aunt Karen’s Café – Located in Middlebury, not far from downtown. This spotless, friendly  eatery makes some “can’t miss” salads and savory soups.  Plus they offer sandwiches and specials sure to please any discerning palate.

Mattern’s Butcher Shop- This downtown Goshen dine-in delicatessen and butcher shop is Mattern's Butcher Shop and Deli, Goshen, INhoused in a renovated corner building and boasts all natural-fed meats, poultry and fresh wild caught seafood with no supplemented growth hormones, added steroids or by-products. Healthy, fresh, safe and TASTY food.

I almost forgot to mention that it’s National Nutrition Month too. Find out more
So now you have another reason to watch what you eat and treat your body right. Just don’t neglect those taste buds and enjoy some delicious food in Amish Country.

What is your favorite place to eat on the lighter side?

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Mar 15

Vintage Shopping Along the Heritage Trail

Lifestyle Expert Andrew SkipperSince opening it’s doors in December of 2010, people from as far as Chicago have been flocking to Mod Closet on the corner of Main Street and Lexington Avenue in down town Elkhart to purchase a piece of the past.  Mod Closet is a unique vintage clothing store carrying women’s apparel and accessories from the 1950′s through the 1970′s as well as vintage home decor.

Since Mod Closet is on the lower level, you first have to descend a flight of stairs to get to the door.  To me, this just adds to the fun and charm of the “Mod Closet experience!”  As a designer, I am constantly frequenting shops, antique stores, and flea markets, but Mod Closet is something quite unique.  Owner, Doni Funkhouser explained that the Mod Closet is different than a thrift store because everything you’ll find there is ready to wear.  All of the clothes have been professionally cleaned and repaired.  And you won’t find reproductions because Mod Closet only carries authentic vintage pieces.

Many of the shop’s customers come in from Chicago and frequently comment on the great selection and affordable prices.  Mod Closet has also been a fantastic resource to local photographers for props and vintage pieces.

What I love about it is that it’s the perfect place for a serious collector as well as someone who is new to the vintage shopping experience. And everyone knows I love a good deal, so when I discovered that most items in the store are priced between $10 and $30, I was ready to start hunting for treasures!

Mod Closet, Elkhart, IN

Mod Closet, Elkhart, IN

If you’re looking for something unique, this is the place to find it. From classic to bohemian, Mod Closet has something for everyone’s taste.  It’s funny how fashion and interior design go hand in hand.  I always tell people no matter what your taste is, you should mix in something vintage.  You’ll be amazed at how much life and character vintage pieces give a space.  And Doni feels the same way about clothing.  She loves to see people coming and looking for something vintage to pair with a new outfit they just bought from Stephenson’s (a boutique just up the block).

I must say that I had quite a nice time at Mod Closet and didn’t come away empty handed. Mod ClosetThe lamp in the window had to come home with me!

Hours:
Monday: 11am – 4pm
Tuesday: 1pm – 6pm
Wednesday: 11am – 4pm
Friday: 1pm – 6pm
Saturday: 11am – 4pm
Address:  201 S. Main St. (lower level), Elkhart, IN 46516
Phone:  574.303.4680
Website: ModCloset.com

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Mar 7

Spring along the Heritage Trail

Two of my favorite things are ready to come out for spring, and that’s asparagus and rhubarb.  I love these first vegetables of the year.  (And, for those of you who don’t know, rhubarb is really a vegetable. ) When I was little I loved eating rhubarb straight from my grandma’s garden with salt on the stalk.  Now, I love making rhubarb sour cream snack cake.  And I love a simple warm asparagus salad, or roasted asparagus, or asparagus and pasta.  So many great dishes can be made with these two vegetables. I can’t wait for you to go to Goshen’s Farmer’s Market or The Shipshewana Flea Market, pick up some, and enjoy this first taste of spring in Amish Country.

What foods represent spring for you?

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