'the PAPER' Elkhart County

09/24/2024

Bike Hike
Experience the newly paved trail!

Join a naturalist for a 12 mile ride through the beautiful Elkhart County countryside while enjoying the crisp, fresh, autumn air. Our Journey begins at Abshire Park, 1302 E Lincoln Ave, Goshen, IN 46528
We will travel 6 miles to C.R. 20 intersection and ride six miles back. This is an asphalt paved bike path and all riders must provide their own bike, helmet, water bottle. Our program begins Saturday, Oct. 05th, 2024, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. There is no fee for this program and no registration required! This will be our last bicycle ride this year on the Pumpkinvine so enjoy it while you can.

For more information regarding this specific event, contact Andy Langdon, Interpretive Naturalist, at [email protected] 574-875-7422.

For more information about this and other upcoming events please visit our website @ elkhartcountyparks.org or by calling the administration office at 574-535-6458.
For more information regarding this specific event, contact Andy Langdon, Interpretive Naturalist, at [email protected] 574-875-7422.

For more information about this and other upcoming events please visit our website @ elkhartcountyparks.org or by calling the administration office at 574-535-6458.

09/23/2024

Ruthmere Museum TO PRESENT Gallery Talk ON BIRDING

Melissa Gunter, Education Chair of the South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society, will present a free Gallery Talk called, "Introduction to Birding" on Friday, October 4th at 11 am at Ruthmere. She will share basic information about birds and review the most common birds found in our region. After the talk, guests may go outside with Melissa to identify birds around Ruthmere. To register, visit Ruthmere.org/event-5613603 or call (574) 264-0330.

Gallery Talks feature a twenty-minute discussion on an object/artwork within the Ruthmere collection, a relevant topic from the 19th or early 20th centuries, or a person or event in local history. Thanks to Ruthmere’s sponsors, Gallery Talks are free and open to the public; October’s Gallery Talk is sponsored by Steve & Jean Barton. If you are unable to attend, all Gallery Talks are recorded and uploaded to Ruthmere’s YouTube page (YouTube.com/RuthmereMuseum) within a few weeks after the event.
For more information, visit www.Ruthmere.org.

Melissa Gunter, Education Chair of the South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society, will present a Gallery Talk , October 4th at 11 am at Ruthmere.  She will talk about 

09/23/2024

SPIDER NIGHT HIKE AT RIVER PRESERVE
FIND YOUR SPIDEY SENSE WITH THE ELKHART COUNTY PARKS
Hoosiers will have the chance to encounter one of the creepiest of crawlies at the Elkhart County Parks’
“Creatures of the Night” program on Thursday, September 26, from 7:30-9 p.m. at Benton Dam in River
Preserve County Park. Visitors are invited to brave the dark and see these eight-legged creatures in action
on a spider-seeking night hike.
September’s free program aims to help participants spin a new perspective on spiders and replace fear
with fascination.
“When you have a phobia of spiders like I do, it can be hard to see them as anything other than
terrifying”, stated Annie Aguirre, program coordinator.
“But if you push through those jittery feelings and
start to observe them, they can be really fun to watch. It’s sort of like watching a thunderstorm – both
scary and captivating at the same time.
”
Activities will include an engaging talk by spider expert, Linda Strain, educational displays, and the
opportunity to observe arachnids on a guided hike.
Cost is free and open to ages 8+. No registration is required. Participants should note the program is
weather-dependent. Check the Elkhart County Parks page (facebook.com/ElkhartCountyParks)
or website (elkhartcountyparks.org) for updates.
Meet at Benton Spillway in River Preserve County Park, located one mile south of US-33 on C.R. 31 in
Goshen.
For more information, or to explore upcoming programs and park activities, visit elkhartcountyparks.org.

09/17/2024

TOLSON HOSTS LATIN FESTIVAL IN CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Elkhart, IN, September 16, 2024– The Tolson Center for Community Excellence is proud to announce the upcoming Latin Festival, a vibrant and enriching event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The festival will take place on Saturday, September 21, 2024, starting at 12:00 pm at the Tolson Center for Community Excellence.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx individuals and communities. The Latin Festival at the Tolson Center offers an opportunity for the entire community to come together and celebrate the diversity, traditions, and heritage of Latin America.

The festival was planned in collaboration with DeliaMar Mega-Shop, Mariscos Don Miguel and other local business owners in the community. The festival will feature an array of engaging activities, including live music performances showcasing traditional Latin & Mexican rhythms, dance showcases, colorful arts and crafts exhibits, authentic cuisine representing diverse Latin American and Mexican cultures, and educational displays highlighting the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx leaders. Participants will have the chance to immerse themselves in the cultural tapestry of Latin America and Mexico and gain a deeper understanding of its significance within our community.

“Tolson is thrilled to bring back a festival to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Events like this are a part of our commitment to embrace and honor diversity within our community”, says Breanna Allen, Executive Director of Tolson Center for Community Excellence. This event provides a platform for cultural exchange, education, and celebration, and we invite everyone to join us in commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month.: A peace pole sponsored by Elkhart Rotary Club will be revealed at 4pm to enhance the celebration. The event is open to the public, and all community members are encouraged to attend.”

For More information and event updates, please visit www.tolson.org or contact Breanna Allen, executive director at [email protected]

The Tolson Center for Community Excellence builds off the foundation established by Herbert and Ruth Tolson and carried forward by the City of Elkhart for decades. A true community partnership—built on the feedback from residents—is creating a revitalized Tolson Center rooted in the Benham West ...

09/16/2024

Ruthmere Museum’s Annual BEARDSLEY PIANO COMPETITION HAD record number of entrants – finals on september 21st

Ruthmere Museum is proud to announce the 7th Annual Robert B. Beardsley Piano Prize Competition Finals on Saturday, September 21st in the Ruthmere Game Room from 12-4pm. Ruthmere seeks to discover the next piano virtuoso in the music world. A record number of entrants competed in this year’s competition; 36 talented individuals between the ages of 17 and 28 entered to compete for the prize. They hail from 12 different countries in Europe, Asia, North America and South America, and represent 17 different colleges and universities in 9 states. The finalists are: Yujun Cao (IU Bloomington), HaEun Jung (IU Bloomington), Nayeon Kim (IU Bloomington), Svatoslav "Slava" Korolev (IU Bloomington), Takeshi Nagayasu (U. of Michigan), and Pun Punyasavatsut (U. of Michigan).

Come listen to the finalists compete for a panel of distinguished judges. Tickets are available to the general public for just $5 a person. Doors open at 11am. The competition will begin at noon. Individual artist performance time are yet to be determined. Register for tickets online at Ruthmere.org.

08/28/2024

Ruthmere Museum TO PRESENT Gallery Talk ON THE Lincoln Highway

Joyce Chambers, Indiana Director of Lincoln Highway Association, will present a Gallery Talk on "The Lincoln Highway: Not Just a Blue Line" on Thursday, September 5th at 11 am at Ruthmere. To register, visit Ruthmere.org/event-5650646 or call (574) 264-0330.

Gallery Talks feature a twenty-minute discussion on an object/artwork within the Ruthmere collection, a relevant topic from the 19th or early 20th centuries, or a person or event in local history. Thanks to Ruthmere’s sponsors, Gallery Talks are free and open to the public; September’s Gallery Talk is sponsored by Wade Mayberry. If you are unable to attend, all Gallery Talks are recorded and uploaded to Ruthmere’s YouTube page (YouTube.com/RuthmereMuseum) within a few weeks after the event.
For more information, visit www.Ruthmere.org.

08/26/2024

THE HAVILAH BEARDSLEY HOUSE OFFERING FREE ADMISSION FOR THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE OF HEADWEAR EXHIBIT ON SEPTEMBER 1st

The Havilah Beardsley House, part of the Ruthmere Museum Campus, will offer free admission on Sunday, September 1st as part of the museum’s Free Family Sundays series. The Havilah Beardsley House will be open from 1-4pm with tours beginning approximately every 5-10 minutes. The last tour will begin around 3:40. This Free Family Sunday will feature the museum’s special summer exhibit, The Global Language of Headwear: Cultural Identity, Rites of Passage, and Spirituality. In honor of the exhibit, guests are encouraged to wear their favorite hat and share a photo of themselves in their hat to Ruthmere’s Free Family Sunday event page on Facebook.

The Global Language of Headwear presents 89 hats and headdresses carefully selected from a private collection of more than 1300 extraordinary pieces of international headwear. This exhibition features hats from 42 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America, and is a tribute to the stunning diversity of the world’s cultures. The exhibit is organized into five thematic sections: Cultural Identity; Power; Prestige and Status; Ceremonies and Celebrations; Spiritual Beliefs; and Protection. Hats and headdresses communicate timeless ideas—not only of beauty, but also of what it means to be human.

The first Sunday of each month April - November, either Ruthmere Museum or the Havilah Beardsley House is open to the public for free. Ruthmere is open in April, June, August and October. The Havilah Beardsley House is open May, July, September and November. When one site is open for a Free Family Sunday, the other site is closed. Ruthmere will be CLOSED on Sunday, September 1st, 2024.

Free Family Sundays are made possible through a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. The Global Language of Headwear is sponsored in part by Steve and Julie Bachman. This exhibit and related programs have been made possible through a grant from Indiana Humanities in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Global Language of Headwear: Cultural Identity, Rites of Passage, and Spirituality was jointly organized by Stacey W. Miller and International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC.
For more information, visit www.Ruthmere.org.

07/25/2024

Ruthmere Museum HOSTING THREE FREE EVENTS ON AUGUST 4th – FREE FAMILY SUNDAY, ICE CREAM SOCIAL, & CHRISTIANA NEIGHBORHOOD DAY

Ruthmere has three great events happening all at once on Sunday, August 4th from 1-4 pm.

Free tours of Ruthmere Mansion will be offered as part of the museum’s Free Family Sunday series. Take a walk through the historic home of Albert and Elizabeth Beardsley, built in 1910 and preserved with original furnishings and architecture. Tours will start approximately every 5-10 minutes and the last tour of the day will begin around 3:40. The Havilah Beardsley House will be closed on August 4th.

In addition, Ruthmere’s popular Ice Cream Social event is back for 2024. Enjoy live barbershop music from the New Image Barbershop Quartet and cooling treat on Ruthmere’s front porch. Free ice cream with a variety of toppings will be offered.

Finally, Ruthmere is hosting the second annual Christiana Neighborhood Day (previously called Beardsley Neighborhood Day). Neighbors from throughout the Christiana Neighborhood are invited to visit the Quilt Garden Green to celebrate the local community and learn about nearby organizations. Everyone is welcome to attend; this is a free event for both neighbors and the general public.

Big fun will be had by all as visitors are invited to mingle while exploring the Ruthmere grounds. A kids bounce house worthy of a mansion will be provided by Sonora Party Rentals and Mendia’s Mexican Pizza food truck will be on site offering tasty food and drink for purchase. If you are a Christiana Neighborhood resident, sign up for your free Ruthmere Good Neighbor Membership and learn how to become involved in the newly formed Christiana Neighborhood Association (CNA). Learn about the importance and advantages of the National Register Beardsley Avenue Historic District, cultural attractions and parks within walking distance, local businesses, places of worship, and the great lifestyle to be found by living in the Christiana Neighborhood.

Free Family Sundays are sponsored by The Community Foundation of Elkhart County. The Ice Cream Social and Good Neighbor Memberships are sponsored by 1st Source Bank. Christiana Neighborhood Day is sponsored by The Bill Deputy Foundation and supported by a partner sponsorship with Wellfield Botanic Gardens.

To learn more, visit Ruthmere.org or call (574) 264-0330.

07/10/2024

Elkhart County 4H Media Club hosting open houses during Fair week

Do you like to write? Are you interested in journalism? Ever wonder what happens “behind the scenes” at the Fair? How about creating and posting videos?

If you answered “Yes” to any of the above questions, then the Elkhart County 4-H Media Club may be the 4-H club for you. The Media Club’s main project is to publish The Clover Chronicles, a daily newspaper, during fair week, and we’re looking to take the Chronicles on-line in the near future.

Want to learn more? Then be sure to attend one of the Media Club’s open houses during Fair Week. The media room will be open to the public from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, July 21, and 10 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, July 24.

The Elkhart County 4-H Media Club produces the Chronicles in the lower level of the ECCC. Enter the door by the Main Gate and come on down stairs. Media Club members will be on hand to answer questions as they work on the next day’s issue of the Chronicles.

So come meet both club members and leaders and see why you should join the Elkhart County 4-H Media Club.

Can’t make it to an Open House, no worries, send us an email with your questions to [email protected] or call (574) 536-6434.

07/10/2024

Elkhart County Mini 4-H Celebrates 17% Membership Growth and Expanded Programming
Elkhart County, IN – July 10, 2024 – Elkhart County Mini 4-H is proud to announce a remarkable 17% increase in membership over the past year, bringing our total membership to an impressive 600 young participants. This growth reflects the community's strong support and the dedicated efforts of our volunteers and educators to provide enriching experiences for our youth.
Mini 4-H, a program designed for children in kindergarten through second grade, has expanded its offerings to include a new Livestock Camp. This addition aims to provide hands-on learning opportunities about animal care and agriculture, fostering a deeper connection between our young members and the farming community.
In addition to the Livestock Camp, we have also increased both Mini 4-H exhibitors and the number of projects for the Elkhart County Fair. Our young members now have the opportunity to engage in more diverse activities, showcasing their skills and hard work in a broader range of categories. These projects not only enhance their learning experience but also build confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
"We are thrilled with the growth and the new opportunities we are able to offer our Mini 4-H members," said Mary Kay Longacre the Organizational Leader of Elkhart County Mini 4-H. "Our goal is to inspire and educate young children through fun and engaging activities, and the expansion of our programs allows us to do just that. We are grateful to our community for their continued support and to our volunteers who make it all possible."
The success of the Elkhart County Mini 4-H program is a testament to the commitment of our members, volunteers, and the community. We look forward to another year of growth and development, providing valuable experiences that will shape the future leaders of our community.
For more information about Elkhart County Mini 4-H and our programs, please visit [Your Website] or contact [Your Contact Information].
About Elkhart County Mini 4-H
Elkhart County Mini 4-H is a youth development program that offers hands-on learning experiences for children in kindergarten through second grade. Our mission is to provide a supportive and educational environment where young members can explore their interests, develop new skills, and build lasting friendships. Through a variety of projects, camps, and events, we aim to inspire a lifelong love of learning and community involvement.
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07/03/2024

Adventure Bike Camp
Day camp with a twist

Experience the exciting world of Elkhart County on a bicycle! The adventure begins as we discover something new in Elkhart County each day. Attractions include a trip to the pool, disc golfing in Middlebury and bowling in Elkhart also delicious ice cream will be provided. Each day we will begin at a different “start and stop” location. Participants need to provide their own helmet, water bottle, bicycle and bicycle lock. Our program runs from July 8-10 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. and is for ages 10 – 13. The fee for this program is $50/participant. Please preregister by Friday, July 07, 2024 through our website elkhartcountyparks.org. Registration is limited to the first 20 participants.

For more information regarding this specific event, contact Andy Langdon, Interpretive Naturalist, at [email protected] 574-875-7422.

For more information about this and other upcoming events please visit our website @ elkhartcountyparks.org or by calling the administration office at 574-535-6458.

06/07/2024

Please be aware of the note from the City of Goshen:

On or after Monday, June 10th, 2024, weather permitting, RejuvTec Inc. will begin the City of Goshen’s 2024 pavement preservation program by treating roads with Reclamite®. Reclamite ® is a rejuvenating fog seal, that will be applied to the below listed streets in Goshen. RejuvTec will be working from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on these roads. You should see traffic control with some lane restrictions, and minimal disruption to traffic in the following areas.

ROAD TREATED FROM TO
6/10/24 – Eisenhower Dr. North and South Dierdorff Rd. Dierdorff Rd.
6/10/24 – Westwood Rd. Gra-Roy Dr.. S. Main St.
6/11/24 – S. 16th St. Collage Ave. E. Plymouth Ave.
6/11/24 – East. Douglas and East Reynolds US 33 (Lincolnway East) US 33
(Lincolnway East)
6/11/24 – South 16th St. East. Douglas East. Reynolds
6/11/24 – South 16th St. East. Reynolds Egbert Ave
6/12/24 – Fescue Ct. Michigan Ave. Cul-de-sac
6/12/24 – Mayfield Dr. Greene Rd. Bashor Rd.
6/12/24 – South Indiana Ave. W. Plymouth Ave. 500 Feet North of Indiana Ave.
Reclamite ™ is an asphalt rejuvenating emulsion that restores the asphalt pavement back to its proper chemical balance, improves flexibility, eliminates cracking and potholes, reduces road fatigue, and slows the oxidation process. This penetrating maltene replacement technology process is designed to extend the life of newly constructed pavement, and for corrective maintenance on deteriorated pavements to preserve roads in their current good condition, delaying deterioration and more costly treatments.

An applicator truck sprays the Reclamite ™ on the asphalt surface. The emulsion goes down pink and penetrates the asphalt and changes color in about 15-30 minutes depending on temperature and other factors. A light coating of sand is then applied to absorb any material left-over and reduce tracking of the material. Although odorless, during the application process, pets and children should not be allowed on the street. All vehicles, traffic and parked cars must be off the streets that will be treated by 8am. The contractor will close the street or restrict lanes and apply the rejuvenator with a fog seal application. Reclamite ™ is a petroleum maltene based treatment and will temporarily darken the pavement. If residue gets on driveways, you may wash it with water or let it wear off in approximately two to six weeks. If residue gets on a vehicle, wash it immediately with soap and water or use a mild solvent remover such as Bug and Tar Remover, WD-40, etc

Application Process:
-Traffic and all parked vehicles must be off the scheduled roadway by 8:00am.
-The contractor will close the road to apply the Reclamite ™ treatment.
-Sand will be applied and the road and will then be cleared for traffic. Do not drive on the road until after the sand has been applied because the road will be slick, and oil can get on vehicles.
-To reduce the chance of residue on vehicles, please keep speed to a minimum for several days following treatment.
-In case of inclement weather or water on the roads, worked scheduled for that day will be moved to the following day.