Songbird

During the restless, non-stop agendas of all our lives, we need to stop and take a deep breathe, and listen.  Listen for what you may ask?  Well, the songbirds.  The music we may only here first thing in the morning on a summer’s day before our lives take over and we stop listening to beauty of nature.

The Songbirds of Northern Indiana, is a not for profit organization in the city of Plymouth.  This organization is dedicated to the rehabilitation of Indiana’s backyard birds and are entirely funded by donations.  Songbirds cares for nearly 150-200 injured birds annually with 80% release rate.

On Saturday June 15, 2013 the Songbirds of Northern Indiana will be hosting “Walk so Birds Can Fly” event through the beautiful Greenways Trail in Centennial Park.  This 2 mile walk is a fundraising event to benefit the wild bird rehabilitation center.  Find a flock, sign up as individuals or a group, teams that raise a minimum of $25 per walker will receive a free T-shirt for each walker.  Registration begins at 10am on June 15 and walk begins at 11:00am.  Sign up at www.walksobirdscanfly.com 

Culver Academies, Black Horse Troop

The Culver Academies’ Black Horse Troop and Equestriennes have accepted an invitation to participate in the Presidential Inaugural parade Jan. 21 for President Obama and Vice President Biden – celebrating a return to Washington, D.C., in the centennial year of Culver’s first inaugural appearance in 1913.

The 2013 Inaugural Parade marks the 100^th anniversary of the Black Horse Troop’s first ride down Pennsylvania Avenue. The mounted unit served as the official escort for Vice President Thomas Marshall during Woodrow Wilson’s inaugural parade in 1913 and again in 1917. Marshall was governor of Indiana from 1909-13.

“As always, securing the invitation is the biggest challenge. It’s such an honor. I think the Troopers of a hundred years ago would be very proud to know that Culver is still a part of the parade on Pennsylvania Avenue,”  said Ed Little, director of Horsemanship operations.

As of Jan. 20, Culver was among 42 organizations which had accepted invitations to the 57^th Inaugural Parade. There were 2,800 applications submitted to the Joint Task Force – National Capital Region, which submitted a list of eligible applicants to be reviewed by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, according to its website. That is twice the number of parade applications for President Obama’s first inaugural. The Academies was the only Indiana unit listed. Other mounted units were from Michigan, Wisconsin, and Kansas.

“We are thrilled to have received this invitation to participate in the Inaugural parade, especially since it will be the 100^th anniversary of our first ride,” Head of Schools John Buxton said. “Special thanks to the Culver Inaugural Committee for helping the Obama administration see the value of tradition and perseverance — both important Culver values.”

Fifty-nine cadets from Culver Military Academy’s Black Horse Troop and 24 members of the Culver Girls Academy Equestriennes, plus members of the Horsemanship staff and adult chaperones, will make the trip to Washington. Nearly 90 horses will be transported by Sallee Horse Vans of Lexington, Ky. The weekend is much more than a parade, however, as students will tour the city and be feted by alumni and parents joining in the historic weekend.

“It is a privilege to play some small role in this quadrennial event, and we hope all Culver alumni and friends share the excitement the Academies community is experiencing,” said Director of Alumni Relations Alan Loehr Jr.

The 2013 inaugural will mark the 16^thappearance in the parade for the Black Horse Troop and the seventh for the Equestriennes. After the 1917 inaugural parade, Culver went 40 years before returning to Washington in 1957 for President Eisenhower’s second term. The school has been represented by mounted units at every parade since, except in 1993 when an invitation for President Clinton’s first inaugural parade was not extended.

57th Inaugural Parade

The parade will be televised live on several networks with uninterrupted coverage on C-SPAN.

About Culver Academies

 Located on Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Ind., Culver Academies is a boarding school offering a college-preparatory curriculum for boys and girls in grades nine through 12.

Annually, Culver has an enrollment of 806 students representing more than 37 states and 28 countries. Approximately 20 percent of the students are international, coming from such countries as Canada, China, Ecuador, Germany, Guatemala, Korea, Croatia, Lithuania, Mexico, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

Culver’s mission is to educate its students for leadership and responsible citizenship by developing and nurturing the whole individual through integrated programs that emphasize the cultivation of character.

Founded in 1894, the boys’ school, Culver Military Academy, is based upon a military-type system used to teach self-discipline, responsibility, and leadership. Culver Girls Academy, founded in 1971, and is based upon the prefect system, with girls practicing democratic, self-rule to achieve similar values.

The Academies and the six-week Culver Summer Schools & Camps, with an enrollment of 1,400 for boys and girls ages 9-17, operate on the same 1,800-acre campus in Marshall County in north-central Indiana.

For more information, visit www.culver.org.

Rentown Country Store, Bremen

Looking for an unique place to grab those stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts, look no further than this great country store.  A breeze of fresh country air, welcoming Amish store owners and a fall festival filled with old-fashioned delights await visitors to a tiny spot in the road known as Rentown, three miles southeast of the community of Bremen.  It’s not actually a town, but had visitors from all over the world come to shop for a host of goods at Rentown County Stores, affectionately known as “The Cheese King of the Midwest.”

The cheeses are abundant, with over 80 varieties for sale.  Each year, store owners Dennis and Leah Hochstetler order a 1,000 pound block of mild cheddar cheese.  A ceremony marks the slicing of the cheese in 2.5 pound blocks.  “We sold out last year in a month,” Leah says.

But cheese isn’t the only thing you’ll find here.  The Hochstetlers sell deli meats and a wide variety of bulk foods, including homemade noodles, candies, and granola.  Local growers bring fresh produce to the store in season.  You’ll love the scrumptious baked goods – breads, cakes, pies, and 10 types of cookies.  They bake between 250 and 300 dozen a week during the busy summer months.

The Cheese King of the Midwest

The whole thing started back in 1972, when Dennis’ dad, LeRoy Hochstetler, built the store.  In earlier years, LeRoy’s father and a neighbor used to get into their horse-drawn  buggy and teased that they were always rum renna, which means “gadding about” in Pennsylvania Dutch.  They laughed that locals were going to start calling the place “Rentown.”  So that’s why LeRoy named his store.

A visit reminds you of an old-time general store with brooms and other utensils for sale hanging on the walls.  The store’s Snack Den serves breakfast and lunch, and is known for its delicious biscuits and sausage gravy.  “We usually have groups lined up in to eat on Saturday,” Leah says.  “Often local diners will invite waiting customers to join them.  It’s just that friendly around here.”

Delicious tasty treats for those stockings

This fall, Rentown will celebrate its second annual Old Fashion Days, October 5 and 6.  You can enjoy a steam tractor and engine show, train rides and antique swap meets, plus watch wood carving, threshing and horse plowing.  Homemade ice cream, open kettle soup, fried pies and a host of other food round out the festival, which will leave you with the relaxed feeling that you’ve truly spent a day in the country.

Unwind Camera Contest

The Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau “MCCVB” is looking for unique, fun and creative tourism images!  The “Unwind Camera Contest” began August 1, 2012 and ends October 1, 2012.

The MCCVB is looking for action photographs featuring people enjoying, festivals, attractions, shopping, sporting events, dining, outdoor activities, nightlife and entertainment or any visitor experience that showcases all the Marshall County area has to offer.  Photos should have striking, dynamic color and be taken at a location that is open to the public.  1st place winner will receive a prize of $300.00, 2^nd place will receive $200.00, and 3^rd prize will receive $100.00.

Please contact Cori Holzwart at Marshall County CVB to receive official contest rules and entry form at ceh@visitmarshallcounty.org.  All images must be submitted digitally.

Culver Cove Resort location of Culver Wine Fair

Tip your glass to the first annual Culver Wine Fair and discover the beautiful town of Culver, Indiana!  This tasty wine event is located on the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee at the beautiful Culver Cover Resort.  Come out to this event hosted by the Culver Chamber of Commerce on September 15, 2012  from 1:00pm to 5:00pm.

Sample many of Indiana’s finest wineries such as Harmony’s Winery in Fishers, McClure’s Winery in Peru, Whyte Horse Winery in Monticello,  Smith’s Winery in Columbus, and People’s Winery in Logansport.  While Easley Winery will be providing cases of wine that will be used as door prizes during the event.  Relax to the live music of local Chad Van Herk and the sounds of Kent Arnsbarger while indulging in tasty appetizers.

Pre-sale tickets are $15.00 may be purchased at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4145721966 and $20.00 on the day of the event. Don’t forget to journey to many of Culver’s unique boutiques and dining and visit the Culver Wine Fair Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CulverWineFair. Sit back, relax, drink in the view, enjoy!

Historic Downtown Plymouth

Come to Plymouth, 30 miles south of South Bend and Notre Dame.  Surround yourself with the charm of a classic Midwestern small town and the non-stop fun of the famous Marshall County Blueberry Festival – Indiana’s largest four-day festival.

Discover downtown where friendly shopkeepers and restaurant owners make you feel like one of the family.  Where streets are lined with trees and buildings from a century ago, all lovingly preserved.  Browse the quaint shop along Plymouth’s main street, Michigan Street where you’ll find everything from a quality men’s store to sporting goods and a florist.  Catch a bite to eat at a family cafe or an upscale restaurant.

At the Marshall County Historical Society Museum located in the 1910 Lauer Building, exhibits trace local history.  It has expanded into the adjacent Historic Crossroads Center, named for Plymouth’s location where two famous highways crossed, Michigan Road and the Lincoln Highway.  The historic landmark built in 1875 Plymouth’s Old Fire Station is now home to the Marshall County Visitor’s Center.  The Heartland Artist Gallery exhibits the work of a different local artist each month and once a year a juried art and photography exhibit for your enjoyment.

Several city parks, including the largest Centennial Park, are scattered across the city.  North of downtown, Magnetic Park a 16-acre preserve along the Yellow River, features a 1930s WPA erected stone archway, club house the water’s magnetic qualifies inspired the park’s name.  Throughout the year at various venues in the county, Encore Performing Arts presents nationally-known entertainment.  In June and July, Encore stages concerts and theatrical performances during Music in the Park at the Young Amphitheater in Centennial Park.

Nestled in the tranquil rural countryside seven miles north-west of Plymouth is a golfer’s dream – Swan Lake Resort, a first class and full service golf resort with a 92 room inn, fine dining restaurant, 36 holes of challenging championship play and the United States Golf Academy.

West of Plymouth is Ancilla College, a two-year liberal college located on an idyllic campus among the lakes and cornfields.  As a two-year co educational, liberal arts college, Ancilla focuses on the growth and development of each individual student.  With a cadre of excellent faculty accessible to students, the College provides seventeen academic programs and a strong general education curriculum.  At Ancilla you have the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level in six sports.

So, take the time to unwind and come visit Plymouth and all its fun and exploration.

Corndance Cafe, Culver

Ahhh, food.  We all cannot get enough of it, with its succulent flavors, creamy fillings, crispy leaves, and Marshall County has just that.  The Northern Indiana “Foodie Trail” has twenty-eight delicious destinations made the cut for this route of must-try restaurants, brought to you by the editors of Midwest Living magazine. Use this guide to navigate the diverse — and delicious! — culinary landscape of Northern Indiana. From Mediterranean cuisine to traditional Amish fare, fine dining to pub grub, each stop along the way will leave you craving more. So if you’re a foodie, you’ve come to the right place. And you’re in for a treat.

Marshall County with its winding roads and color quilts add to the relaxed feeling you’ll find here. So do these local dining spots chosen by Midwest Living:

Corndance Cafe in Culver, Indiana is chef-owned by George Pesek.  His diverse talents shine at this cozy, intimate restaurant in the downtown district.  A nearby bison farm he owns supplies meat for burgers, appetizer bites and a special.  The eclectic menu reflects many countries, but dishes are made distinctly American and use fresh, local ingredients.  Dessert menu changes on a daily basis.

Downtown the road on Lakeshore Drive in Culver the Original Root Beer Stand offers an  old-school seasonal restaurant that comes complete with carhops neon signs, and root beer.  Brewed daily, the root beer smells wonderful, and the flavor is strong and pungent, with tones of cinnamon and molasses.  Turn on your lights and a carhop takes your order.  Favorites include the Chicago style hot dogs and burgers with sides of fried mushrooms, fries, onion rings and more.

In the county seat of Plymouth, is Opie’s Deli located in a quaint restored building, offering old fashioned goodness and quality local ingredients in deli sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, fresh soups, and ice cream and gelato.  Breads are from a located non for profit Earthworks, the coffee is from Fort Wayne, and many other items purchases locally.  Opie’s is cute with its tin ceiling and abundant natural light, offering many placing to enjoy your entrees.

And lastly,  sauce is taken seriously at this barbecue restaurant at Edward Christian Dining in Bremen.  A sauce sommerlier visits patrons table side, handing out samples of its 10 house-made choices based on taste preferences.  The restaurant’s general manager, Randy, creates the variety, which includes Sunfire (hot), Chipotle (smoky) and the No. 1 seller, Spiced Rum and Cola, a Caribbean mix of sweet and lively.  Open for dinner Thursday through Saturday.

Black Horse Troop at Van Equestrian Center

Culver Academies.  Nestled along the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee, this elite college preparatory school attracts visitors from all around the world.  Visitors can take a stroll across the 1500 acre campus with its red-brick buildings that contain military touches like turrets and parapets.

One of the academy’s biggest source of pride is  the famous Black Horse Troop, which is the largest mounted cavalry in the United States and housed in the magnificent Van Equestrian Center, which also is the largest indoor riding arena connected to an educational facility.

Beyond the beauty and attraction of this campus, Culver Academies is hosting several exciting events that are open to the public, such as the Garrison Parade.   At 8 p.m. every Sunday during the summer, the campers from Woodcraft Camp, ages 9-13 and those of Upper Camp ages 13-17, join forces for a Garrison Parade on the field south of the Vaughn Equestrian Center. There, you will see 1,400 campers from 40 states and countries who represent the lessons of leadership, self-confidence, and personal responsibility that Culver Summer Schools & Camps has been instilling in youths since 1902.  Dates are Sunday July 1, 8, 15, and 29 and Saturday July 21 at 8pm.

Ledbetter, Summer Camp's Three Masted Rigger

Also, July 7 at 9pm in the Culver Town Park, enjoy the traditional Culver Summer Naval Band  aboard the R.H. Ledbetter - the Summer Camp’s three masted square rigger, a staple along the Lake Maxinkuckee shores since 1943.  The Moonlight Serenade tradition began in 1942 aboard the O.W. Fowler, the predecessor to the Ledbetter.  For 69 years, members of the naval band, concert band, and Jazz Band have boarded the flagship under the full moon, playing old favorites for the town and lake residents along the East and West shores of Lake Maxinkuckee.

So be sure while visiting Marshall County, to step foot on the campus of Culver Academies, you will be sure to not leave unsatisfied.

Downtown Bremen

It’s the perfect recipe for an ideal getaway.  Combine a lively summer festival, a touching holiday celebration that takes you back in time and load of outdoor fun.  Add a top-notch inn, restaurants that range from classy to down home and a historic downtown.  The friendly community of Bremen serves it up with gusto.

This Marshall County town of nearly 5,000 makes visitors feel right at home and takes pride in continually up grading an renewing itself, while always remembering its roots.  As many as 20,000 visitors converge here for the annual week long Firemen’s Festival, with carnival rides,  parade, food vendors, crafts, and the crowning touch of 4th of July fireworks (July 3-7, 2012).

Early in December, before Christmas, visitors journey back to Bethlehem during the annual Holy Walk, traveling in Mary and Joseph’s footsteps with stops along the way where you’ll meet hundreds of people in costumes from that time period who tell you about life then.  It culminates in the last stop – the manger.  Churches from Bremen and surrounding towns stage this even on a lovely 2500 acre farm outside of town.

But even if you can’t make one of these events, Bremen had loads for you to do.  Many visitors love to settle in at the Scottish Bed & Breakfast, an elegant inn with lavish rooms, an indoor pool, delicious gourmet breakfasts and even accommodations for pets.  Or you might choose the Bremen Inn, a new refurbished motel in town.  Then its time to explore.

Restoring the past and looking ahead to the future is a priority for Bremen.  Its the smallest community in the state of Indiana with a fully functioning hospital, the Community Hospital of Bremen.  The relocation and restoration of the historic Bremen Depot at 810 Douglas Road was completed in 2010.  The depot was built in 1929 by the B&O railroad and is now a depot museum and area welcome center that has exhibits of Bremen area history.  Appointments to visit the depot can be made by calling 574-546-4340.

Outdoor activities abound around town.  You can walk a mile of pathways and see deer, birds, and perhaps a fox or wild turkey at newly restored wetlands in the east area of Sunnyside Park.  The wetlands include a bridge and a pond.  Jane’s Park, with its incredible expanse of children’s playground structures that look like a series of castles from a distance, draws families for picnics and play.  The park was build in remembrance of Jane Seig Stillson a Bremen mother who died of cancer shortly after childbirth.  Community groups maintain lovely flower gardens at the park, which includes grilling areas and picnic tables.

At one time, Sprig O’Mint Farm was one of the world’s largest international suppliers of mint oil for perfumes, gum, toothpaste and other products.  Today, the site is home to Sprig O’Mint Golf Club, an 18 hole course challenging to all skill levels.  Many of the fairways are bounded by trees and the course includes seven holes with water hazards.  Incidentally, mint oil is still produced in Bremen, but now by Lebermuth, Inc.

Just outside of town, you can swim or fish for bluegill, bass and crappie at the Lake of the Woods.  If you have a boat, you can access the lake at the state owned ramp.

If you’re worked up an appetite from all the outdoor activity, your taste buds will be pleased with Bremen offerings.  Edward Christian Dining serves everything from homemade soups to steaks, trout, pasta and heavenly desserts such as chocolate lava cake.  Local residents swear by the pizza at Wooden Peel, a favorite for more than 20 years.   Mrs. T’s Bakery specializes in wedding cakes, but also is a great stop for donuts, cookies, and other treats.

If you want to explore some more, Bremen is a short drive from South Bend and from Northern Indiana’s Amish country. But this little town with a big heart will be waiting when you return.

Bike Trails in Marshall County

May, National Bike Month, the time where flower planting meets poolside and outdoor adventures become a normal routine.  Marshall County’s “Great Bike Routes” guide suggests the perfect blend of the country’s prettiest scenery and most interesting sights with well planned routes on lesser-traveled roads.  All four marked bike routes begin at Webster Elementary School in Plymouth.

The sixteen mile route takes you on the gently rolling country roads allow you to explore the Twin Lakes area located southwest of Plymouth.  The route passed Chief Menominee’s Memorial and through the lake-filled area where Villages of Potawatomi once stood.

The thirty-one mile route travels southwest of Plymouth and enjoy the beautiful trees along the way.  This route takes you to Culver with its neat shops, plan on having breakfast or lunch at one of the great restaurants.  On your way back, you travel back through the Twin Lakes area with all its Native American History.

The forty-one mile route tours an extra ten mile cruise around Lake Maxinkuckee and all its beautiful homes is well worth the extra miles.  And lastly the sixty-three mile route is a cross country route allows you to visit all the above sights, plus Ancilla College and the “Chapel in the Cornfield” with its Neo-Geothis architecture located in the mother house on the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.  The last half of this ride explores the farmland west of Plymouth.

If walking is more your passion, the Indiana Volkssport Association and the Hoosier Hikers has choosen Plymouth for its fourth stop along the Lincoln Highway, their 2011 year round trail.  The Lincoln Highway along with the Michigan Road was instrumental in the growth of the community.  The 10K stroll starts at Christo’s Family Dining, near the junction of US 30 and Michigan Street.

The trail heads south to Centennial Park, enters the park, crosses the covered bridge and wanders around several baseball fields to a walking path along the Yellow River.  It continues into town to view the old Lincoln Highway signpost at the courthouse square and the over to the library for a rest.  A short walk past the old fire house that is home to the Marshall County Visitors Center and the around the corner to the main street of shops and Marshall County Historical Museum.  Enjoy a magnificent view of the Lincoln Highway and return by the Michigan Road.

The Plymouth Greenway Trail in Centennial Park the trail is approximately 2.7 miles in length and is constructed of bituminous pavement and run from Jefferson Street to the bike path south of Riverside School located on Baker Street.  The trail starts in Founders Park located on East Jefferson Street where you cross over the Yellow River on the walking bridge into Magnetic Park and follows alongside the back of the Yellow River until you crossover and link with the Randolph Street section of the Trail.  You continue north where you will connect with the bike trail that winds along the Yellow through Centennial Park.  Scenic rest areas or “nodes” are constructed at various locations along the trail and contains benches, bike racks, and trash receptacles on a brick paved surface along side of main paved trail.