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Ben Stutzman

Mar 19 2025
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Spring is the Time for Action

By Things to Do No Comments

Spring Highlights

The Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau provides our community with an in-depth Event Calendar because, no matter the time of year, there is always something good going on in or around Elkhart County. This is especially true as springtime rolls near, and NOW is the time to add your events to the 2025 ECCVB Event Calendar.

Put yourself squarely on the Elkhart County community’s radar by posting your 2025 events, neighborhood gatherings, activities, festivals, clubs, recreational opportunities, concerts, and in-store business promotions on the Event Calendar using the ‘Submit Your Event’ button on the calendar page.

Scavenger Hunt

Bristol’s Bonneyville Mill County Park hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt, March 17 from 5-7 p.m. Adventure-seekers up for a challenge can decipher clues and find the hidden golden shamrocks. Snap a pic and share on social media for your chance to win a prize!

St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt
Spring Artisan Market

Elkhart Parks and Recreation presents the Spring Artisan Market, March 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McNaughton Pavilion. Browse a variety of handcrafted goods, artwork, jewelry, home décor, and more—all made by talented local makers, crafters, and artists.

PUFFS, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic

Goshen Theater is excited to bring the show Puffs to its stage! A parody of the Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling, this comedy will leave you laughing, and is appropriate for general audiences. Shows are March 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m., and March 30 at 2 p.m. Get tickets while you can!

Puffs on Stage
Passion and Poetry poster
March Concert

The Elkhart County Symphony presents Passion and Poetry, March 30 at 4 p.m., at Downtown Elkhart’s The Lerner Theatre. The concert features a collaboration between the Elkhart Symphony and the young musicians from the Goshen High School Symphony Orchestra.

April First Fridays

First Fridays presents Goshen Gives Back, April 4 from 5 to 9 p.m. Enjoy great First Friday festivities while also supporting local nonprofit organizations! A percentage of all purchases at participating downtown businesses will be donated to assist local partner charities.

April First Fridays in Goshen
Family Day poster
Hoppy Together

Elkhart Health & Aquatics hosts the Hoppy Together Easter Family Day celebration, April 6 from noon to 3 p.m. An egg drop for toddlers, painting, and games of Easter Bingo are all in the mix, and kids can meet the Easter Bunny! This community event is free but you must register in advance.

Mini-Camp for Kids

The Elkhart County Railroaders, Elkhart County’s vintage baseball team, hosts a Vintage Baseball Mini-Camp on April 11 for kids ages 8 through 12. Register by April 10 for this unique event, presented by Elkhart County Parks and held at the Elkhart County Historical Museum in Bristol.

Vintage Camp poster
Free Series poster
Free Movie Series

The free community series The Lerner Loves You, made possible by the Elkhart County CVB, presents Clue: The Movie on Sunday, April 13 at The Lerner Theatre. The showing is at 3 p.m. and the first 300 guests get a free box of popcorn in appreciation of 100 years of community support!

Dec 15 2024
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Happy Holidays to All

By Things to Do

During this Season of Giving, please support Elkhart County nonprofit organizations every way YOU can!

The holiday season is once again upon us and, first and foremost, we wish happiness and joy to you, your family and friends, your loved ones, and your neighbors.

In the spirit of this Season of Giving, we ask you to please consider supporting Elkhart County nonprofit organizations with a year-end gift, or by pledging time in 2025 as a volunteer. Local nonprofit organizations rely on community support and work hard every day to meet the needs of all our valued residents. There is no better feeling than knowing YOU played a part during this holiday season to help make someone’s world a little bit brighter!

To learn more about Elkhart County nonprofit organizations, and the ways in which you can help, please visit the Community Foundation of Elkhart County website at inspiringgood.org.

Let’s celebrate the season together!

The holiday season is a time for giving, and also a time to create memories and enjoy our many blessings. Luckily, Elkhart County is full of great opportunities to enjoy well-crafted holiday events and activities, discover unique shopping and dining options, and to share fun new experiences with family and loved ones.

Here are some highlights from the Event Calendar so generously provided by our friends at the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau:

Holiday Lights

Presented by the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, the Holiday Lights drive-through holiday light experience is fun for the whole family! For a complete list of dates and times, visit the Holiday Lights landing page on the ECCVB event calendar.

Breakfast With Santa

Don’t miss the chance to enjoy Breakfast With Santa at The Barns at Nappanee! This jolly-good event offers a delicious breakfast buffet and quality time and a story with Santa. Space is limited, reserve your spot today!

An Elegant Christmas Tree Tea

Nappanee’s Market Street Manor Bed and Breakfast presents An Elegant Christmas Tree Tea, featuring a traditional tea with sandwiches, scones and spreads, and sweet treats. Hot Christmas teas will be served, gather around and enjoy!

Goshen Nights of Lights

Shanklin Park is the scene for this wondrous holiday light show full of animated light silhouettes, walk-through silhouettes, and tree wrappings. Drive-through, bike-through, or walk-through from 5-10 p.m., daily, through New Year’s Day.

Mistletoe Market

The Mistletoe Market at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, Dec. 19-20, is a magical addition to the Holiday Lights event. Stroll along through this festive wonderland featuring a variety of food and artisan vendors.

Big Little Christmas Party

Gather your team, friends, or small group to celebrate the holiday season in style at Hotel Elkhart’s Big Little Christmas Party! This festive party provides an unforgettable evening of holiday cheer with entertainment and a holiday buffet!

NYE at Hotel Elkhart

Ring in the New Year with an unforgettable night of live music, delicious dining, and luxury accommodations at the New Year’s Eve Soulful Celebration, Dec. 31, at Hotel Elkhart! Featuring live music with Abbie Thomas and the Crazy Hearts.

The Fire & Ice Festival

At Downtown Goshen’s January First Fridays event, carvers turn 300-pound ice blocks into time-bound art while fire dancers light the night sky. Downtown stores provide warmth with delicious drinks, treats, and post holiday shopping deals, and activities for kids abound!

For all the information you need about fall events and Elkhart County’s Thanksgiving and holiday shopping options, visit the ECCVB event calendar.

Nov 15 2024
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Elkhart County, let’s support OUR friends and neighbors on Small Business Saturday!

By Things to Do

The first Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30, is Small Business Saturday, and it’s a big day for so many of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones who are Elkhart County small business owners.

Small businesses are the backbone of our community. They create local jobs, foster community engagement, help build community identity and vibrancy, and keep revenue right here in Elkhart County. Just like you, they are fully-invested in the success of our community, and they understand and care about our important causes.

When you spend money at a local small business, you are directly supporting the people of Elkhart County, our causes, our success, and our quality of place!

Saturday, November 16

Indoor Farmers Market
The Indoor Farmers Market has everything you need to plan a great Thanksgiving celebration. Visit your favorite local vendors, shop for fresh local produce, and find handmade goods that will make great holiday gifts. Whether you’re a market regular or new to the scene, the Indoor Market offers something for everyone!

Saturday, November 16

Craft & Vendor Bazaar
The annual Craft & Vendor Bazaar at Elkhart Northside Church of the Nazarene presents over 50 booths of crafts and small businesses, and a delectable Bake Sale! Admission is FREE, but donations are accepted to help the Women’s Ministry team continue to help the Elkhart County community. For more information, call (574) 264-5866.

Saturday, November 16

Nappanee Craft & Vendor Market
The Claywood Center hosts the Nappanee Home for the Holidays Craft & Vendor Market from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring more than 120 distinctive vendors—including Palacios wreaths and other crafts, Laser Beams & Needful Things, and the Little Red Hen Candle Company.

Tuesday, November 26

Tuesday Thanksgiving Market
The Goshen Farmers Market presents its Tuesday Thanksgiving Market from 3-7 p.m. This special farmers market, on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, offers an assortment of items—including produce, meats, baked goods, and cheeses—to make your your Thanksgiving unforgettable!

Friday, November 29

After Thanksgiving Sale
The Realm Yoga & Mystery School presents its After Thanksgiving Sale, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop in for 50% off all books, yoga mats, and Buddha statues. Yoga packages are offered at 25% off, and The Realm offers an assortment of sales and specials to help you in your journey to better health and wellness.

Friday, December 6

Hometown Holiday
Hometown Holiday, from 5-9 p.m. in Downtown Goshen, is a holiday celebration that brings the entire community together to sing carols with friends and neighbors and join in the (6:30 p.m.) community tree lighting on West Washington. This FREE event also offers kids activities, like free pictures with Santa!

For all the information you need about fall events and Elkhart County’s Thanksgiving and holiday shopping options, visit the ECCVB event calendar.

Oct 15 2024
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Halloween Fun Abounds in Elkhart County

By Things to Do

Unless you live under a giant pumpkin, you probably know that October in our area means it’s almost time for ghouls, ghosts, fun costumes, and hair-raising adventures with family and friends.

There are fun and exciting Halloween activities throughout Elkhart County for people of ALL ages—from the young to the young-at-heart—and in our October newsletter we are happy to help you choose your own adventures and plan your very own Halloween itinerary!

You can’t go wrong with the classics

Trunk or Treat events are all the rage, and Elkhart County offers no shortage of these fun and safe gatherings. The 12th annual Island Park Trunk or Treat event, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Elkhart’s Island Park, is a family-friendly celebration that is FREE for children under 12. Costumes are encouraged and candy will be plentiful—bring your little ones for an afternoon of safe Halloween fun!

Goshen is the the place to be for the Shanklin Park Trunk or Treat Fall Fest, Oct. 26 from 5-7 p.m. at the park’s Schrock Pavilion. This FREE family event presents trunk or treating, blow-up Halloween figures for fun photo opportunities, and hay rides. Local vendors are also on-hand to provide treats for revelers of all ages, and a drive-in movie is shown from 7-9 p.m.

The Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds presents a FREE Trick or Treat event on Oct. 25 from 1-5 p.m. and the Indiana Black Expo Elkhart Chapter presents its 6th annual Community Halloween Trick or Treat, Oct. 31 at 5 p.m., at Elkhart’s Tolson Center.  Elkhart County Parks presents its Spooky Night Hike, Oct. 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Cobus Creek County Park, and also presents a Halloween Campfire and Hayrides event, Oct. 25 and 26, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Ox Bow County Park.

Harrowing Halloween Highlights

October 18-20

Little Shop of Horrors
Miller Auditorium, inside the Goshen Theater, is the place to be for three scary screenings of the one and only classic, Little Shop of Horrors! A 7:30 p.m. showing is featured on Oct. 18 and 19, and the theater presents a special daytime 2:30 p.m. showing on Oct. 20. Tickets are $17 for students and seniors, and general admission for adults is $25.

Saturday, October 19

Southgate Crossing Trunk or Treat
Southgate Crossing presents a Trunk-or-Treat event, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. This is a FREE, fun, and family-friendly community celebration! Just bring a bag or a bucket for collecting treats, and be prepared to come with a smile. Kids are encouraged to dress up in costumes and decorate their buckets. The rain date for this event is Oct. 25. For more information, or to inquire about sponsorships, please call (574) 221-1999.

October 24-26

Haunted Walk Through The Woods 
The Elkhart Environmental Center presents the 5th Annual Haunted Walk Through the Woods event, Oct. 24-26. Enjoy decorated trails and choose from both kid-friendly and spooky walking options. A $5 donation is suggested for entry and times vary depending on the date. For more information about this fun Halloween activity, please call (574) 293-5070.

Thursday, October 26

Halloween Party
Sponsored by Sanders Pianowski, LLP and Friends of the National New York Central Railroad Museum, Elkhart’s National NYC Railroad Museum present a Halloween Party Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Trteats and games are on the agenda, and the museum’s NIBCO Century Flyer mini train gives rides through the haunted tunnel! Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for children 4-12 and seniors 61+, and free for kids under 3.

Thursday, October 26

Let’s Get Spooky Market
The Let’s Get Spooky Market, Oct. 26 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, presents goods, treats, and FUN of all kinds! Shop from over 40 local, small businesses, enjoy an assortment of food trucks, and bring the kids for exciting and festive activities—including trick or treating, creative face painting by Diana, a mini pumpkin patch, and an array of cool photo opportunities! Find more information on the event landing page.

Thursday, October 26

Science Spooktacular
The E3 Robotics Center in Elkhart presents Science Spooktacular, an exciting community-based event that offers a unique opportunity for families to engage in STEM and science demos provided by local groups and organizations. The event, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, features an array of hands-on activities, interactive displays, and fun experiments that aim to promote a love for science and encourage curiosity among people of all ages. Admission is $5. For more information call (574) 536-4847.

For all the information you need about fall events and Elkhart County’s Thanksgiving and holiday shopping options, visit the ECCVB event calendar.

Jun 30 2023
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Diane Kritzman, Volunteer, Elkhart County 4-H Fair

Diane Kritzman – Elkhart County 4-H Fair

By Featured News, Goshen, Year of the Volunteer No Comments

“We see about 200,000 people come through the gates every year at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. It’s a big event, and there’s a lot to it – and it seems like every year, a few weeks before the start of it, there’s a point when we all look at each other like, ‘How on Earth are we going to pull this off?’

But those of us who’ve been involved over the years – volunteering and helping to coordinate this event – we’re really like one big family and we’re always able to work together to get things done. It’s a really good feeling when the fair starts and everything is underway – it feels nice to help make it happen.

My husband, Mark, and I have two grown children who were both involved in 4-H – they were in Lamb Club and Beef Club. So I’ve been involved for a long time. Once my kids were older and out of 4-H – and I no longer had responsibilities as a ‘4-H Mom’ – that was when I decided to join the 4-H board so I could stay involved.

This is probably my 15th year volunteering at the fair, and this year I’m the Youth Ag Center Committee Chair. The Youth Agricultural Area is made up of five different areas – each different area teaches the kids about important aspects of agriculture. The experiences are connected by the Farm-Market driving course – which was recently paved thanks to our sponsor, the Mishler Brown Foundation – and the kids can drive on mini, battery-powered John Deere tractors from one area to the next to get a hands-on, and really fun, look at a day in the life of agriculture.

They can drive to Young MacDonald’s Barn to spend time with farm animals, pet them and really see them close up. Then they can drive to the Miracle of Life Giving Center and watch veterinarians supervise dairy cattle being birthed into the world. There’s also the Farmstead Barn and the Blacksmith area. The kids can collect food and drive it over to feed a horse and they can take a coupon to go buy ‘grain’ – which might really just be a granola bar snack, but also an opportunity to teach them about what they’re eating and where it comes from.

There’s also a cornbox – basically a large ‘sandbox’ to play in but filled with corn instead of sand – that’s housed in one of our three, new grain bins. The grain bins were a generous donation from a sponsor – Chore Time Brock (CTB), Inc., out of Milford, Indiana – and their installation was donated by another sponsor, Hochstetler Grain Equipment, of Nappanee. We’ll also have the turtle pond in our area, courtesy of the Elkhart County Parks department, and the kids always love that. And there’s a car wash at the end of the course, so the kids can wash their tractors when they’re done and have that experience of finishing off a good, well-rounded day in the world of agriculture.

This region has so much potential in terms of leading the way to teach kids about the important significance of food. We want kids to have more awareness of where food comes from – that, no, food doesn’t come from Wal-Mart or Meijer. Kids who have a deeper knowledge – or spend time raising animals – tend to have a better understanding that everything’s not just all about ‘me.’ They are thinking outside of themselves. Did I feed my chickens? Did I brush the horses?

Our goal with the Youth Ag Center – and we get so many young visitors at the fair, a lot of whom are not in 4-H and don’t have the same knowledge – is to take the opportunity to educate kids and encourage a future filled with people who have responsible and healthy attitudes toward food. We want them to understand why it’s all important.

I remember those days as a 4-H Mom. It was a lot of work, yes. But they say – and I believe this – if it’s something you enjoy then it’s not work. And, as a mom, what could give more enjoyment than seeing my kids have a chance to learn and grow? Mark and I now have six grandkids, and two who are showing in Elkhart County 4-H. It’s fun to see them working with animals and learning and making wonderful, lasting friendships.

And, also, the fair is just so much fun – and the food is fabulous. It’s like a big reunion every year. At the fair you always seem to see everyone you haven’t seen in a while, it just feels like family. I’m always glad to be a part of it, and to work with so many great people to help make it happen.

The whole volunteer thing, for me – it just makes my heart happy when I’m able to help other people, and this year it mainly involves helping kids learn and grow. That’s important to me, because our youth need more good examples. When you’re at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, in the agricultural areas, and really the whole event, it just feels like there are so many good examples. Everywhere you look there’s an adult leading something or teaching something that’s of value, and everywhere you look there are kids learning and having fun.”

Diane Kritzman, Volunteer, Elkhart County 4-H Fair

The Elkhart County 4-H Fair, going strong since 1851, is one of the largest fairs in Indiana, hosting – on average – more than 200,000 guests during its annual nine-day run. Thanks to community participation and financial support, the fairgrounds have grown over the years into a 380-acre facility with more than 70 structures utilized year-round. The fair is largely produced by a volunteer board of more than 130 and continues its mission to be a showcase for more than 3,800 4-H youth each year. To learn more about this year’s fair, or to find out how you can help as a volunteer, visit the Elkhart County 4-H Fair website.

Nominate a volunteer or share your volunteer story for a feature on our website and social media.

Share your volunteerShare your own storyMore about the 4-H Fair
Jun 12 2023
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Jon Riggs - A Volunteer of the Year

Jon Riggs – Bristol Homecoming Festival

By Featured News, Middlebury & Bristol, Year of the Volunteer No Comments

“I’ll be coordinating the crafters and vendors this year for the Bristol Homecoming Festival,” says Jon Riggs, 55, who works for Jayco in Middlebury, Indiana. “Last year my role as a volunteer at the festival was sort of the jack of all trades; doing different things to help out. But one of our dedicated volunteers is out with a medical issue, and there was a need this year for someone to help coordinate the crafters and vendors.

And so I stepped up to the plate and accepted the position.

I was born at Elkhart General Hospital and was raised here in Bristol, and I’ve lived here all my life. My wife of 31 years first got me involved in volunteering at the festival – she wanted to participate as a way to give back to the community. That first year she volunteered, and I did not – but by the end of the festival that year I was pretty much fully on-board. Been doing it ever since; I’ve been volunteering at the festival for the past 26 or 27 years.

I’m also in charge of food this year – I’ve been able to work with the previous person handling that to get caught up and I’m trying to get my feet wet. But so far so good – I like the idea of helping out with the food. I’ve been coming to this festival since I was a kid. I still remember just how good those elephant ears and strawberry sundaes tasted. This year we’ll have Papa’s Dippin Donuts, out of Middlebury, and a taco truck and all sorts of other great food.

This is just a great little festival. It’s just a lot of fun – rides, food, a parade on Saturday, fireworks. Also we do our annual queen pageant and we’ll have some great entertainment. Over the years I’ve been volunteering for this, I’ve served in a lot of different roles – and sometimes it can be hard work. What makes it worth it for me is that I know my service is helping other people enjoy themselves; it feels like giving back to the community, and it also just feels like you’re playing a part in bringing everyone together.

And then we’ve always got the kids play area for both nights of the festival – and to see the kids all running around and playing in a safe, fun space, getting their faces painted and doing the rides and all sorts of activities – that also just makes you feel good, to be a part of making that happen.

This is a great town, and I don’t want to be someone who’s just always ‘taking’; you know, showing up and enjoying what everyone else has worked hard to produce. I want to be someone who returns the favor by giving my time and volunteering and helping make sure our residents – and our families and kids – enjoy this great festival and make great memories the same way I was able to.”

Jon Riggs - A Volunteer of the Year

The Bristol Homecoming Festival is July 13-15 in Bristol, Indiana, and has been going strong since 1883.

To nominate a volunteer like Jon for their dedicated work in Elkhart County, fill out this easy submission form. Let us know their story!

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
– Sir Winston Churchill

Nominate a volunteer or share your volunteer story for a feature on our website and social media.

Share your volunteerShare your own storyMore about the Festival
Jun 05 2023
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Dwight Fish - A Volunteer of the Year

Dwight Fish – Salute to Veterans WWII Reenactments and Airshows

By Elkhart, Featured News, Year of the Volunteer No Comments

“I’d say we probably had between five and six thousand people come out to the Salute to Veterans WWII Reenactments and Airshows. It was at the Elkhart Municipal Airport on the Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day, and it was just amazing. It was just such a great event. Just an awesome way to honor our many veterans – by bringing history to life. We had a 99-year-old veteran in attendance and probably half a dozen other veterans up in their 90s or close to it.

I’m a 4th District City Councilman for the city of Elkhart, and a liaison to the Aviation Board, and I served as the volunteer coordinator for the event. The event consisted of American and German World War II military reenactments with foxholes and mock battlefields and real vehicles, and we had airplanes simulating bombing runs to accompany the action on the ground. The reenactments were followed by extended aerial shows and, all told, people got to see vintage tanks and vehicles and special aircrafts in action; including German Tanks, Corsairs, P51 Mustangs and a 1942 Douglas C-53 Skytrooper.

On both days, the airshows were organized by Dacy Airshows – one of the best in the business. Local resident Scott Duck was our ground air boss and managed all the stunts and acrobatics and pyrotechnics for the event. In the airshow we had the Misty Blues all female skydive team and there were T-6 formation flights and Missing Man formation flights and on both days we ended the airshow with the Kem Krest 1,000-foot wall of flames.

This was the first time we had this event in Elkhart since 2015, and we were blessed to have volunteers coming out of the woodwork – people were calling at the last minute wanting to be involved in some way. They were asking if they could help haul supplies and food or drive one of the golf carts to help out – I think it speaks to the respect folks have for the veterans that fought so hard to help secure the freedoms we enjoy.”

– Dwight Fish

Dwight Fish - A Volunteer of the Year
Dwight Fish - A Volunteer of the Year
Dwight Fish - A Volunteer of the Year

Dwight Fish, Volunteer Coordinator, Salute to Veterans Airshow

Nominate a volunteer or share your volunteer story for a feature on our website and social media.

Share your volunteerShare your own storyVolunteer for the next show!
May 23 2023
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Melany Weaver - A Volunteer of the Year

Melany Weaver – LoveWay

By Elkhart, Featured News, Year of the Volunteer No Comments

“A lot of times when younger adults and kids first come to LoveWay, at the start, they’re afraid of the horses. Horses are beautiful animals and therapeutic riding programs are so beneficial – but horses are also large animals and they can be very imposing. Even to folks in general who’ve not seen one that close before, and especially to some of our young and old riders here at LoveWay – many of whom are in wheelchairs, or have mild to severe autism, or have sensory or other challenges…It can be scary at first.

But we have amazing horses here. They don’t spook and they are calm, kind and gentle. The kids in particular really enjoy working with the same horse every week – they give them treats and brush them and care for them. They really develop close relationships with the animals and that is very meaningful. And by the end of the year there’s just so much amazing improvement with everyone involved, it’s just incredible.

I started volunteering at LoveWay about 15 years ago. I have seven kids of my own, and all of them worked here with me – volunteering – from the time they were 16 and throughout high school. We have a property in the country. We have horses and they all did 4-H, so my own kids have all been involved with riding from a very early age. I felt it would be good for my kids to learn about working with others who are maybe less fortunate or have significant challenges. My thinking was that it could help my kids to better appreciate their own health and strength and the blessings that they have.

And I think it did, for all of them. One of my daughters ended up getting a special education degree in college and I think her experience volunteering at LoveWay played a big part in that.

This is actually my first year volunteering at LoveWay by myself, without any of my kids. It’s kind of different but I still love coming here. It’s just a rewarding environment. Coming every week – seeing the other volunteers and all the riders and parents – it feels like seeing family. We all share the same goal – to help improve the lives of kids and adults with special needs and challenges.

I’ve seen amazing things here. I’ve seen people leave here, at the end of the day, completely changed from how they came in. I’ve seen non-verbal children use their first words while on a horse. For some of our riders, they have more freedom here than they do in the rest of their lives. That’s what we want to give them, the freedom to ride. To feel cared for, and to feel confident. And then to see them smiling and riding in the arena and many of them waving to their parents and friends and families in the stands – those are just beautiful moments. I think those moments are special, and helpful, also for the families and loved ones of our riders – to have that safe space where joy can be shared and felt so deeply.

We can always use more instructors and volunteers. I got into it having experience with horses, but another great thing about LoveWay is that if you want to volunteer and be a part of this important work, you can get the training and learn how to do what we do. We’ll teach you.

I’ve always been into volunteering because I think it is just good to do, and I think the world would be a better place if people were less selfish with their time. But I never imagined the profoundly positive effect it would have on me and my children, volunteering at LoveWay all these years.

I just love it. Fifteen years later, and I still love it…”

– Melany Weaver

LoveWay Equine Assisted Services, in Middlebury, Indiana, Elkhart County, was originally founded in 1973 by Gary and Sandy Weatherwax in honor and in loving memory of their daughter, Laurie Weatherwax. LoveWay provides therapeutic riding programs and services for people of all ages with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities and works with more than 350 riders each year – with the help of more than 160 volunteers – to continue its mission of empowering individuals and impacting the community.

Melany Weaver - A Volunteer of the Year

Melany Weaver, left, has been a volunteer at LoveWay for more than 15 years.

Nominate a volunteer or share your volunteer story for a feature on our website and social media.

Share your volunteerShare your own storyVolunteer at LoveWay!
May 17 2023
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Bill Cavanaugh - A Volunteer of the Year

Bill Cavanaugh – The HUB (Bristol Food Pantry)

By Featured News, Middlebury & Bristol, Year of the Volunteer No Comments

“I’m 84 years old, and I will be 85 in July, and I’ve been helping out at the Bristol Food Pantry for quite a few years,” says Bill Cavanaugh, a volunteer at The HUB (Hearts United for Bristol) – the faith-based organization that now operates the longstanding community pantry. “I am a retired school teacher. I think it’s been about 13 or 14 years since I’ve been coming here but someone said it was closer to 20. Chris (Garner) – who is the Executive Director of The HUB and who does such a great job organizing all this – he likes to joke around that I’ve been here since the building was built in 1847…

Tell you the truth, I don’t remember exactly how long I’ve been volunteering here – but I just like doing it because I meet a bunch of new people. There are a lot of people who need help, and here at the food pantry we have that for them. And it’s not just for food. That may be why people come in at first, but these days – thanks to Chris and everyone else who works really hard on this – it’s more than that now. We have the Xchange program and we have (Life Resources Coordinator) Sarah Farris here too – and she meets with folks who come in and talks to them and finds ways to help. We end up helping people out with more than food.

It’s a good feeling to be here with the people who come into the pantry and all the volunteers who are helping. I talk and spend time with everyone. It’s a good thing to do, and it makes me feel good. A lot of the people who come in here say they enjoy coming – I think they’re glad to know people are thinking about them, and care about them.

I really got into volunteering here around the time of the economic downturn, maybe 2006 or 2007. A lot of folks were having rough economic times back then, and I had some relatives who were going through it as well. I just kind of figured, looking around at friends and family members having challenges like that, that it would be a good thing to do to find a way to help.

Today, me and Bill – the other Bill, Bill Williamson – we got to work before the pantry opened at nine. We loaded up a bunch of cardboard into the truck and took it away. We have a small dumpster outside, but if we load it up with all this cardboard why we wouldn’t be able to fit anything else in there. Chris – he found a factory about two miles away that lets us bring our cardboard there.

I have my own key, these days, and I generally will come into the pantry during the week – off hours, when no one is here – to check on all the fridges and freezers. I’ll read and record the temperatures they’re running at, just to make sure everything is working alright. One morning I came in to check on the fridges and freezers and – forget about checking temps – the whole place was dark. Electricity was completely out.

It might have turned into a bigger problem, but I’m glad I was there to catch it early. I told Chris right away and he did what he does. He went right to work, making calls and reaching out and sure enough he found someone to come in and get it all fixed up.

I was born in St. Louis. My parents and I moved to Kokomo when I was a youth, and then I graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington. I came to this area in the middle of the school year in 1960 to start working as a teacher and I’ve been here ever since. I taught at Westside for 19 years and I taught at Central for 19 years.

Recently I made a new friend – his name is Sy Attica. That’s just a joke. But I have been dealing with sciatica of late – the doctor told me only to take Tylenol for it. I’ve been doing that and I learned some exercises to do. I enjoy riding my bike on big trips – 15 or 20 miles or more. Haven’t been doing that too much, of late. But I do think I’ll keep coming to the food pantry.”

– Bill Cavanaugh

Bill Cavanaugh - A Volunteer of the Year
Bill Cavanaugh - A Volunteer of the Year
Bill Cavanaugh - A Volunteer of the Year
The Bristol Community Food Pantry is now a function of Hearts United for Bristol, i.e. The HUB. The HUB is a faith-based organization – an extension of the Bristol Community Church – that offers assistance and guidance to those in need and offers opportunities for others to give back through service and volunteering. The HUB offers food pantry hours every Thursday and on every third Saturday of the month and offers additional services for those in need. For more information about The HUB, contact Executive Director Chris Garner at (574) 334-6039.

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May 11 2023
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Everett Thomas - A Volunteer of the Year

Everett Thomas – Goshen Theater

By Featured News, Year of the Volunteer No Comments

“After I retired from the Goshen City Council in 2016, Gina Leichty – who at the time was chair of the Goshen Theater’s board of directors – asked me to join the theater’s board. Several years later I was elected as the board chair just as we were launching a $4.2 million capital campaign to renovate the historic building on Main Street, built in 1907 – which had become somewhat decrepit. I then also became co-chair of the capital campaign along with Joanna King, who is now our state representative and namesake of JoJo’s Pretzels on Main Street.

Through the remarkable generosity of local leaders, Miller Poultry, the City of Goshen, the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and the state’s Regional Cities program, we were able to exceed our goal and raised $5.2 million for the renovations plus an additional $1 million for an endowment. Then it was time to start the renovations.

Beginning in the summer of 2020, I became the ‘owner’s rep’ for DJ Construction, which won the bid for doing the work. So for the next two years, I spent 30-35 hours each week in the building attending to all manner of construction details.

I was there so much that my wife began calling the theater ‘the other woman.’

But we ended up with a beautifully restored centerpiece in downtown Goshen for arts and culture, albeit just in time for the COVID pandemic to hit. For months, this beautiful old dame was all dressed up with no place to go! But now, with a full complement of staff, the program is up and running. So, having invested many hours in getting there, it is a labor of love for me to now volunteer in several new capacities, especially during the free movies.

Thank you, Katie Barnes, I am honored that you nominated me. You are the best!”

– Everett Thomas

Everett Thomas - A Volunteer of the Year
Everett Thomas at Goshen Theater

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