Which will you enjoy most?

Gliding down the Pigeon River in your canoe or kayak?
Greeting the outdoors in the fish and wildlife area?
Camping? Hiking? Fishing?
Or making new friends?

The Senecal family and furry friends welcome you to Trading Post.

At Trading Post Canoe, Kayak, and Campground in Mongo, Indiana, you can enjoy all the above. Owners John and Jesslyn Senecal have worked long hours on the off-season to prepare for your arrival, and now the gates are open and they’re welcoming you in for the season!

Says Jessica, “I am looking forward to this year’s outdoor season because it provides us the opportunity to see our returning customers from the previous year, and also to meet and build relationships with new customers too!

This visitor made a very interesting new friend!

“Each year brings different circumstances with temperatures, rain levels and water conditions, so with Mother Nature we never really know what to expect. We learn to be very adaptable to whatever the conditions might be!”

Jesslyn says about this photo taken last fall, "Here are a couple sandhill cranes that we paddled right up to on an evening paddle!"

This year, the conditions are just right for your visit. The second largest canoe livery in Indiana, The Trading Post has six canoe and kayak river trip options which travel through the 13,000 acres of the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area.

The outpost also contains a 70-site campground, with all sites located along the riverside or surrounding the inland pond.

Grab a map at LaGrange County CVB and enjoy all the Barn Quilt stops in the area.

Trading Post is also home to one of the many barn quilt murals on the LaGrange County Barn Quilt Tour. Displayed on their store is the quilt mural “Crossed Canoes.” To read about this specific stop along the Barn Quilt Tour, click here. http://www.backroads.org/travel-blog/2012/05/14/lagrange-county-barn-quilt-mural-crossed-canoes/

The Trading Post Canoe, Kayak & Campground is located one block west of Mongo, Indiana on the Pigeon River, a short, scenic drive from Shipshewana.

The Pink Paddling Princesses & their escorts enjoyed a great day on the river last year.

For more information on The Trading Post Canoe, Kayak, and Campground, click here.

Spring Hours:
Mon: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tue: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wed – Thu: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Fri: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sat: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sun: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

phone: (260) 367-2493

If you enjoyed this article, sign up to receive all our blogs in your e mail inbox for free by visiting www.VisitShipshewana.org, clicking on the blog link, and submitting your e mail address on our secure site.

By Karen Weiland, Purdue Master Gardener

There are numerous types of leafy greens that can be grown in the garden to add variety, texture and color to the one’s diet.  Swiss chard, spinach, kale, lettuce, endive and collards are popular salad ingredients.  Arugula is one that is gaining popularity and one that I need to try.  Leafy greens are considered a cool season crop.  Swiss chard and New Zealand spinach are greens that will produce in the heat of the summer.

Usually, most leafy greens are direct seeded.  Lettuce, kale, collards and swiss chard can be transplanted.  To grow your own transplants, sow the seeds indoors in April or about 4 weeks before transplanting them to the garden.  To harden the seedlings before transplanting them reduce water and temperature for 2 to 3 days.  Space the plants according to seed packet directions.  Do not plant them too close together as plants will not reach their size potential and thus cause a poor yield. As soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, collards, endive, kale, lettuce and spinach can be directly sown into the garden.  Generally soil is ready for tilling and planting when a handful of it crumbles when you squeeze it.  If you are left with a muddy ball in your hand then it is too wet and if worked will form clods of hard soil.  Not a good thing!  After direct sowing the seedlings will need to be thinned while they are still small.  Weed control can be accomplished by applying mulch around the plants.  Mulch not only helps with weeds but it also helps to conserve moisture and keeps the soil temperature cooler.  If you are using grass clippings as your mulch be sure your clippings are herbicide free.

If you have not had your soil tested (and therefore know what nutrients it needs if any) 2 to 3 pounds of a balanced 12-12-12 fertilizer can be applied to 100 square feet of soil at the time when the garden is tilled.  If Mother Nature does not bless us with adequate rainfall, you will need to supplement with 1 inch of water per week in a single application.  Sandy soils may require more water.   Shallow watering will result in shallow rooting and the plants will be more susceptible to drought.  Leafy greens need about 6 hours of sunshine daily to produce well.

When it comes to harvesting take the outer leaves first, leaving the younger ones to keep on growing.  But, when it comes to collards, harvest the inner rosette of leaves. You will find the flavor will be better if you harvest before the weather becomes hot and dry.

If stored in cold, moist conditions, most leafy greens will keep up to two weeks.  They can be stored in perforated, plastic bags or I like to store mine in the plastic, perforated clam shells you can buy strawberries and other fruits in.

As always, Happy Gardening!

More information about gardening and related subjects is available online at www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/garden_pubs The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service can be reached at 499-6334 in LaGrange Co., 636-2111 in Noble Co., 925-2562 in DeKalb Co. and 668-1000 in Steuben Co.

Karen Weiland, Master Gardener, Purdue Extension, LaGrange Co.

Meet our 11 year-old Jack Russell Terrier. She’s definitely part of our family. We don’t dress her up in people clothes or let her sleep in our bed, but whenever we go on vacations, making sure she’s cared for is a very big deal.

Meet Holiday Inn Express, Howe. They’ve become a home away from home for a huge family of travelers who hit the road with their pets because this hotel is pet-friendly. They welcome furry family friends, which is a big deal for travelers like us.

As a matter of fact, this specific hotel has won a five dog-bone rating from BringFido.com, a “dog travel directory that provides unbiased reviews” (from their website). BringFido.com has a Director of Barketing who gave the Howe hotel the perfect score.

In our opinion, Holiday Inn Express gets positive “howes,” er, howls, for its pet-friendly service. But it also gets kudos because it’s an all-around solid hotel. Given the Holiday Inn Express franchise, this hotel stays consistent with the brand’s high standards of quality.

But because Holiday Inn Express is located in LaGrange County, Indiana Amish backroads, it also boasts of other regional amenities.

“We promote our local businesses,” said Ronnie Snook, manager. “A local person here can tell you about all the special attractions in the area. There’s so much to offer. Plus, along with popcorn and cookies, we also serve soup every day from the Howe Restaurant.”

Snook mentions a number of visitors are return guests. “We have one family from Pennsylvania who travels here twice each year, and they always stay with us. They tell us it’s because of the staff.”

That staff makes sure each and every room is cleaned from top to bottom, including those special rooms offering bunk beds or Jacuzzis.

Others choose to stay because the hotel is located right across from Michiana Event Center, home to numerous events throughout the year, including the National Clydesdale Sale and Show, Amish furniture shows, home shows, and even a circus.

I took a quick peek on one of the travel websites, and given the reviews on it, the Howe Holiday Inn Express received 4.6 out of 5 points.

Now that’s something to howl about in Howe.

This hotel is located at 45 W. 750 N, Howe, Indiana 46746

For more information on Holiday Inn Express-Howe, click here.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up to receive all our blogs in your e mail inbox for free by visiting www.VisitShipshewana.org, clicking on the blog link, and submitting your e mail address on our secure site.

By Karen Weiland – Purdue Master Gardener

Mosses are green plants that have fine, branched, threadlike stems with tiny leaves and reproduce by wind-blown spores.   They form a thick green mat at the surface of the soil and do not kill the grass as most believe but rather fill in the spaces in the lawn where grass is not growing.

The key to controlling moss is improving growing conditions to encourage a thick stand of healthy turf grass.  The conditions that are favored by moss are excessive shade, poor drainage, acidic soil, compacted soil, low soil fertility, excessive irrigation, improper mowing or a combination of these factors that add up to thin or weak turf.

There are several chemical options from which to choose to kill the moss.  Scotts and Ortho both produce a moss killer and another option is to use copper sulfate at the rate of 5 ounces in 4 gallons of water sprayed over 1000 square feet.  After the moss has been killed and if you are going to reseed, it will be necessary to apply 5 to 10 pounds of ground limestone to inactivate the copper sulfate prior to reseeding as the copper sulfate may be toxic to grass seedlings.  These materials kill the moss because they act as desiccants.  They should be applied over the moss infested area during winter through early spring when moss is actively growing and temperatures are cool.  Read and follow all package directions.  Once the moss is dead, remove it by raking.  You may like the non-chemical approach and try to rake as much moss from the grass as possible.

Unless you treat the underlying conditions to favor grass growth, any solution you try to get rid of the moss will only be temporary.  One of the first things I recommend is having the soil tested.  Mosses prefer acidic soil while grass prefers a pH of 5.8 to 6.5.  Check with your local Extension Service or local grain elevators as they offer soil testing instructions, bags and an address to send your sample to.  Once you have the test results your lawn can be treated accordingly.

Plant a more shade tolerant grass and mow grasses in a shady area at the top of their recommended mowing height range to encourage deep rooting and provide maximum leaf surface for the manufacture of food.

Consider pruning some low lying limbs from surrounding trees and bushes for better air circulation and to allow for more sunshine to reach the grass.

Compacted soil can be corrected with core aeration.  This process involves physically removing cores of soil from the lawn and helps to improve the growing conditions for grass.

As always, Happy Gardening!

More information about gardening and related subjects can be found online at www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/garden_pubs.  The Purdue Extension Service can be reached at 499-6334 in LaGrange Co., 636-2111 in Noble Co., 925-2562 in DeKalb Co. and 668-1000 in Steuben Co.

Karen Weiland, Purdue Master Gardener, Purdue Extension, LaGrange County

We saw this calf in a pasture along the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail!

New life abounds in LaGrange County during May! You’ll see newborn foals frolicking in pastures, baby lambs chasing their mothers, tulips and daffodils blooming, and other flowers sprouting forth in our local quilt gardens.

You'll see more than horses in our Mayfest parade!

This weekend, May 3-4, downtown Shipshewana is the home of the annual Mayfest celebration with the theme, “Horsin’ Around in Shipshewana.” Friday offers entertainment, food, and other local activities, and Saturday ushers in spring with a parade and buggy rides, then events that last throughout the day.

Also this weekend, the Garden, Art, Antique & Green Outdoor Show is held two blocks south of downtown at the Trading Place Pavilion and Antique Gallery Grounds. You’ll find anything and everything you need, and a few things you’ll want, all displayed and sold with our local, downhome hospitality.

And of course, the Midwest’s largest flea market, the Shipshewana Flea Market, opens Tuesday, May 7. Held every Tuesday and Wednesday of each week through October, you can find hundreds of vendors offering wares from fresh fruit to handcrafted furniture, jewelry and art to clothing and quilts.

Check the monthly schedule below, and then help us celebrate spring in Shipshewana & LaGrange County, where you’ll make some great memories.

May 3 & 4                      Mayfest

May 4                            Garden, Art, Antique & Green Outdoor Show at the Antique Gallery

May 7                            Flea Market opens

Now-July 27                “Half-Stitched: The Musical”

May 22                         Guy Penrod, Blue Gate

May 23                         Don Williams, Blue Gate

May 24                         Charlie Daniels Band, Blue Gate

May 25                         Michael W. Smith, Blue Gate

May 24, 25                  Haiti Benefit Auction at Shipshewana Auction

May 27-29                  Extended Flea Market

For more information on these and upcoming events, click here.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up to receive all our blogs in your e mail inbox for free by visiting www.VisitShipshewana.org, clicking on the blog link, and submitting your e mail address on our secure site.

Folks, there’s a new mayor in town, and his name is Paul Petrulis.

He will shake your hand, join you at the campfire, and maybe eat your marshmallows.

Once you meet him, though, you won’t mind; he’s witty and kind, and he’s not the mayor of any town…that is, unless Twin Mills Camping Resort is a “town.”

This 501-site property isn’t a “town,” but with Paul’s help, it’s sure to be a community. “I love interacting with the people here,” he said.

Paul has been in the hotels/hospitality industry for 20 years, and when family health concerns brought his family and him to the area, he knew he had to find work in the service industry he loves.

Two months ago, he landed “the perfect job,” in his words, in managing Twin Mills. “I have the opportunity to be outdoors, to be interactive with lots of people from lots of different backgrounds, and I get to ride in a golf cart.”

What else could he want?

He wants to share the beauty of Twin Mills, that’s what, and if you let him tell you about it, you’ll find yourself wanting to be there.

“If quality family time is what you’re looking for, then I really believe you’ll find it here,” Paul explains.

“Basically, Twin Mills has two sections. The north section (North of SR 120) is the bigger of the two, with 75 more acres (than on the south side of the road) to spread out. This side has the pool, boating at the 110 acre lake, the sport courts, and this is where the planned activities happen. So, if you want to be active, out and about as a family, doing things, then you might want to stay on the north section of the property.”

Paul continues, “If the family time you’re looking for is quiet, down by the riverside, then the south side of the property is where you want to be. This side has fewer campsites with more space in between the sites. It is more quiet.”

Of course, if you choose to stay on the smaller, quieter side of the property, Paul says you’re invited to be part of as many activities taking place on the north side. And Paul has made sure there’s plenty to do, having created different activities every weekend from now until the park closes on November 1.

Paul made me a believer in Twin Mills. I’ve already visited there, and I can’t wait to spend a couple of nights this summer, staying in one of the deluxe cabins. I’m taking my daughter and three of her teenage friends.

If Paul can win over teenagers, then he shouldn’t stop at being a mayor—he should run for President.

Twin Mills is located at 1675 W SR 120, Howe, Indiana 46746, only seven miles from downtown Shipshewana.

For more information on Twin Mills, click here.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up to receive all our blogs in your e mail inbox for free by visiting www.VisitShipshewana.org, clicking on the blog link, and submitting your e mail address on our secure site.

I visited Village View on a crisp fall morning and discovered the many reasons to love this bed and breakfast.

I love it for its location on a county road of rolling hillsides and farms with mums flowering abundantly.

I love Village View for the home itself, a beautifully-renovated 1829 farmhouse.

The outside property holds surprises, including yard décor reflective of the Amish and Mennonite cultures.

The exterior of the home is tastefully adorned with welcoming vines, pumpkins, and a star.

The owner, Karen, sweetly calls her hens “the girls.”

And the interior of this bed and breakfast invokes an almost ethereal peace.

Even though there’s much to appreciate about Village View, my favorite thing isn’t actually a thing; it’s a person.

Meet Karen Weiland, owner of Village View Bed and Breakfast. You might recognize her from a guest blog she writes for LaGrange County CVB.

She’s hospitable, attentive to beauty and detail, and she has a personality to calm the most restless soul.

Karen also sells barn quilt murals that she hand-paints herself.

You Choose the Date for An Overnight Girls Get-Away
Karen and Kingsbury House Gallery director Linda Chase have put together a delightful getaway for the girls

Enjoy a two-night stay at the charming Village View B&B and wake up the first morning to a fresh-from-the-farm breakfast.

Then you’ll go to the Carriage House Pottery Studio where you will learn how to handle and roll clay and then trace and carve a fish or butterfly. When completed, the clay will be dried and fired in the kiln while you visit the Kingsbury House Gallery.

There, you’ll see the work of 65 of the best local artists.

You then can enjoy some free time to enjoy shopping in Howe or nearby Shipshewana; take a canoe ride down the Pigeon River in Mongo, drive the backroads Barn Quilt Trail, or rest back at the Bed and Breakfast.

Photo Credit: Danny Graber. All rights reserved.

After free time, a wine tasting and a delicious dinner will be waiting for you at the Village View Bed and Breakfast.

The next morning, after another homemade breakfast and second cup of coffee, it’s back to the Carriage House Pottery Studio to make a color design plan and paint your pottery. Your creative masterpiece will be ready to take home.

Available Monday through Thursday, May through October.
Minimum of 5 people, maximum of 8 people.
This package of a 2 night stay, 2 breakfasts, pottery class, wine tasting, dinner with dessert is only $195.00 per person.
Call 260-562-3168 for reservations and information.

For more information on Village View Bed and Breakfast, click here.

For more information on Kingsbury House Gallery, click here.  Or here.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up to receive all our blogs in your e mail inbox for free by visiting www.VisitShipshewana.org, clicking on the blog link, and submitting your e mail address on our secure site.

My family and I have stayed at Farmstead Inn. Even though it’s only 20 minutes from our home, we go there to get away from phones and other busy distractions. My kids beat me in ping-pong, and then I dunk them in the pool.

I have also stayed at Farmstead Inn when I’ve been with groups. The gathering areas are really great for this scenario: Picture a group working on a puzzle, another group country line dancing, others gathered around a fireplace sharing jokes and secrets, and still more eating snacks (I usually hit all these types of groups, but I don’t stay very long at the puzzle. The snacks get my undivided attention, though.).

Farmstead Inn is both big and personal. There’s lots of room to spread out, to be quiet, or to play in high definition. To get a peek into the hotel, watch this video.

One of the nicest qualities about Farmstead Inn is you can bring your teenagers here, and you won’t get that “Mom, you’re sooo lame” look.

I wrote another blog awhile back, but from my teenager’s perspective. There’s a video to catch, too.

Farmstead Inn is locally-owned, locally-managed, and locally-attuned to all things Shipshewana.

Farmstead Inn is a stopping point for one of the Quilt Gardens Along the Heritage Trail.

Let’s make a memory at Farmstead Inn, Shipshewana.

For more information on Farmstead Inn, click here.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up to receive all our blogs in your e mail inbox for free by visiting www.VisitShipshewana.org, clicking on the blog link, and submitting your e mail address on our secure site.

By Karen Weiland

Growing Leafy Greens         Purdue Master Gardener

There are numerous types of leafy greens that can be grown in the garden to add variety, texture and color to the one’s diet.  Swiss chard, spinach, kale, lettuce, endive and collards are popular salad ingredients.  Arugula is one that is gaining popularity and one that I need to try.  Leafy greens are considered a cool season crop.  Swiss chard and New Zealand spinach are greens that will produce in the heat of the summer.

Usually, most leafy greens are direct seeded.  Lettuce, kale, collards and swiss chard can be transplanted.  To grow your own transplants, sow the seeds indoors in April or about 4 weeks before transplanting them to the garden.  To harden the seedlings before transplanting them reduce water and temperature for 2 to 3 days.  Space the plants according to seed packet directions.  Do not plant them too close together as plants will not reach their size potential and thus cause a poor yield. As soon as the soil can be worked in the spring, collards, endive, kale, lettuce and spinach can be directly sown into the garden.  Generally soil is ready for tilling and planting when a handful of it crumbles when you squeeze it.  If you are left with a muddy ball in your hand then it is too wet and if worked will form clods of hard soil.  Not a good thing!  After direct sowing the seedlings will need to be thinned while they are still small.  Weed control can be accomplished by applying mulch around the plants.  Mulch not only helps with weeds but it also helps to conserve moisture and keeps the soil temperature cooler.  If you are using grass clippings as your mulch be sure your clippings are herbicide free.

If you have not had your soil tested (and therefore know what nutrients it needs if any) 2 to 3 pounds of a balanced 12-12-12 fertilizer can be applied to 100 square feet of soil at the time when the garden is tilled.  If Mother Nature does not bless us with adequate rainfall, you will need to supplement with 1 inch of water per week in a single application.  Sandy soils may require more water.   Shallow watering will result in shallow rooting and the plants will be more susceptible to drought.  Leafy greens need about 6 hours of sunshine daily to produce well.

When it comes to harvesting take the outer leaves first, leaving the younger ones to keep on growing.  But, when it comes to collards, harvest the inner rosette of leaves. You will find the flavor will be better if you harvest before the weather becomes hot and dry.

If stored in cold, moist conditions, most leafy greens will keep up to two weeks.  They can be stored in perforated, plastic bags or I like to store mine in the plastic, perforated clam shells you can buy strawberries and other fruits in.

As always, Happy Gardening!

More information about gardening and related subjects is available online at www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/garden_pubs The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service

Meet Mary Jane Hoober, owner of Peaceful Acres Bed & Breakfast.

Peaceful Acres owner Mary Jane Hoober calls her bed and breakfast “Shipshewana’s Country Hideaway,” and it is. It’s located well off the beaten path in a large home surrounded by Amish farms and acres of golden countryside.

It’s a place that exudes peace. Then again, the owner makes one feel at peace as well.

Exiting my car, I immediately smelled the fragrance of wood burning. Sure enough, Mary Jane had made a fire in her fireplace; as soon as I entered her home, I heard the crackle and snap of burning logs. Aaahhh, peace.

Mary Jane has been running the bed and breakfast for nine years now. Before that, her husband and she owned The Trolley Café in nearby Goshen’s Old Bag Factory. The food was amazing there; my family went often.

Today, I’m sitting by the same cook/baker at her breakfast table. For anyone who stays at Peaceful Acres, they can know they will be well fed with fantastic food. This morning, Mary Jane has made Oven Baked Praline French Toast with a side of sausage links from local Mishler’s Meats. We also had Oatmeal Coffee Cake, a wonderful cherry juice, and fresh hot coffee.

Mary Jane had candles lit and soft music playing. I wanted to stay forever, her breakfast time was so serene.

This same morning, Mary Jane was hosting guests from Germany, a young couple named Benedikt and Sonja. They had come to love and appreciate the host as quickly as I did. Mary Jane has a piano in her dining area, and she invited Benedikt, a trained pianist, to play for us.

Benedikt and Sonja, visiting from Germany, choose a going-away gift from Mary Jane Hoober at Peaceful Acres Bed and Breakfast.

After the couple went their way, I was given a tour of the home and each of the rooms. Peaceful Acres has four rooms. Each room held its own peaceful personality, inviting guests to feel at home. Several of the furniture pieces had been locally-made by Amish craftsmen. One room, the Garden Get-Away Suite, is made complete with a garden tub.

Reluctantly, I headed back toward my car, but not without taking in the outdoors. Peaceful Acres is surrounded by 10 wooded acres and has a gazebo on the front lawn.

Mary Jane’s cat escorted me to my car as I carried a gift from the host, her autographed book of recipes and stories from her bed and breakfast.

The book contains the recipe for the items she served at the morning’s breakfast, but I think instead of making it myself, I’ll just head back to Peaceful Acres Bed and Breakfast.

For more information on Peaceful Acres, click here.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up to receive all our blogs in your e mail inbox for free by visiting www.VisitShipshewana.org, clicking on the blog link, and submitting your e mail address on our secure site.