One, two, three, four.

Get my shoes then out the door.

Five I'm alive, six, seven, eight feelin' great.

Nine, gonna shine, life is good I'm doing fine.

Ten, Gonna do it right then do it again.

Yeah yeah.

I look up to the sky with all the beautiful color but, there's more than just for me so gonna share it with another.

I got to show, to give, let out, I want to sing and shout.

Take a look and see A beautiful morning that turns into beautiful evening.

And together make a beautiful life.

And if you want see, then come along with me.

That's right.

Welcome to Experience Michiana.

I'm so excited you're joining me for this show, because there's some things that we're talking about this week that I didn't even know that were happening in Michiana.

One of those is an up and coming jazz festival right here in the Three Oaks area.

You want to make sure you get all the details so you can experience a jazz festival.

We're also going to be talking about RETA, which is an amazing organization that helps women who are pregnant with some resources as well as some family resources.

We're going to give you all those details on that.

But right now we are checking out the Goshen Theater.

The Riverbend Film Festival is happening tonight.

So if you're not there and you're watching us, you're going to head there for the next couple of days, and we're going to give you all those details and how you can get involved.

Oh, for more than 20 years here in the Michiana community, there has been a film festival that hopefully you haven't missed.

But if you have, this is the time to join it.

The Riverbend Film Festival is happening this year in the Goshen area, right here in the Goshen Theater, and I have with me some lovely friends to join me and tell me all about this film festival.

Yeah, so we have events starting Thursday evening.

That's our Goshen College and Beyond event.

It's co-sponsored by the communications department from Goshen College.

And features student filmmakers as well as other area kind of youth and entry level talent.

So it's really impressive.

And then, Friday and Saturday, just all day, we have assorted blocks.

We have narrative fiction blocks, we have documentary blocks, primarily short films, but we're really excited about a couple feature films, that we're going to be showing here, as part of the film festival.

And you guys have been doing this for more than 20 years.

I know, Joni, you've been a part of this for what, since 2016?

Somewhere in there.

Yeah.

Okay.

So awhile right.

Yeah.

Why does the community come here to enjoy?

I mean, what brings people into independent films?

Because it is it's a unique component, but it is so important and so critical to the film community.

It is I think that, just our festival supports independent filmmakers, you know, just by giving them a big screen, a big screen to show their films on, you know, with audiences who are very interested in, you know, that create kind of creativity, you know, making their own films.

I think it's really inspiring.

So I think really that's the draw.

And then, you know, being able to interact with filmmakers as well.

Yeah, throughout the weekend.

And, and I think that's a unique component of this is you guys also have the opportunity to kind of speak with those who are involved with the films.

There's a couple different spots where you're going to have that opportunity.

Oh yeah, okay.

After every block, we're going to do a short Q&A session.

If we have any awards to present, we'll be doing those.

Okay, folks, but our feature films, we're going to have a longer Q&A session where the audience can be a little more involved in that.

And what are your guys's feature films this year?

So we have two, Strange Journey, which is a documentary about the making of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Okay, okay, we have to do something because The Rocky Horror Picture Show, I mean, I love that show.

It is classic.

It's been around for, what, 50 years?

Yeah, actually, the 50th anniversary anniversary.

Okay.

This is special.

And this is a very special presentation.

You guys have been going with us.

So we're we're actually really lucky.

We're bringing in the filmmaker, Linus O'Brien, who is the son of Richard O'Brien, who's the creator of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

He played Riff Raff in the, film and the stage version.

Yeah, yeah.

The butler.

So, if you know anything about that.

So he's coming in to talk about the film, meet with us, answer questions.

And really, it kind of speaks to a level of access that you don't get with other film events, because we bring in filmmakers, we have not just people from Indiana, but, from all over the world, from, we have people coming out from California for this event.

And it's a really great opportunity to, not just, see new voices be represented, but get to interact with them as well and have that dialog.

And I love that you start with a Thursday, like bringing in the students first, you know, because that's kind of the growth pattern that you see.

And moving into kind of citywide, statewide, national, international, right?

Yes, yes.

Actually, this morning I was talking to a man from Belgium who is coming out.

So trying to help him here and experience this.

Yeah, that's what we're talking about.

We have films from Spain, Belgium, Italy, Italy, Italy.

Yeah, just all over the world.

And people can still get tickets, right?

Yes, yes, you can still get tickets on our website.

Just go to Riverbend Film fest.com and, you'll find the ticket link there.

But basically you can do you can choose an all access pass which gets you into every single event special party, every screening, even the late night double feature that we're doing.

And because we're showing, we're showing Rocky Horror Picture Show and I have a doc right here.

Okay.

So that are you going to be selling tickets Friday night?

We are not selling.

Oh, come on, you're not selling.

You're not selling me.

Can I bring my own?

Yes, you can bring your own.

we're not going ot stop you.

Oh, you do have a list of prohibited items.

Okay, good to know.

No toast, no throwing hot dogs at the screen.

Okay.

But things like that.

Mostly because we have to turn around and show films all day on Saturday.

So we do have more feature film.

We actually have five really for this year.

Five because the feature film Friday Night is the, Cora Dale documentary.

The Screening, or sorry, Thursday night is the Cora Dale documentary.

Okay.

The screening, during the Goshen College and Beyond event.

So Friday will have Strange Journey the story of Rocky Horror back to back with Rocky Horror Picture Show.

And then Saturday we are showing, the our feature film Drink and Be Merry, which stars Jefferson White.

He was, star in the series Yellowstone.

So a lot of people would recognize him, I'm sure.

And we have, the crew coming from that, movie, and they're they're coming to town to do the Q and A's and be on the radio and all kinds of stuff.

I always love when you get the opportunity to kind of talk to the people who are part of the process, because it brings it so much more into a reality, right?

Because we see the big picture and it all comes together so beautifully.

But like when you can hear the inner workings of how it, how it made magic really.

Right.

Well, and a great opportunity to do that, honestly, is our Saturday morning event, which is open.

It's free to the public and, it is at Goshen Brewing Company.

We call it our coffee chat.

We'll have coffee and danishes, and we'll actually have a panel with the filmmakers where you can meet, talk to some of our filmmakers.

We're also bringing, actually a local person who's an intimacy coordinator, is coming as well to talk about, you know, that area film as well as just getting the film off the ground and getting your ideas made and.

Yeah, absolutely.

I love that you guys have some free events sprinkled in.

So make sure you guys check out the calendar of events so you know what to come to.

And and where you need the tickets to.

But but I love that you said that, you know, giving them the opportunities to learn what makes the magic learn what the process is.

I feel like I know so many kids, you know, especially on their social media, and they're working the process and trying to get themselves into a position where they can eventually make an independent film and so on and so forth.

And that is right here in Michiana.

It is so inspiring, actually, to come to a film festival, just watch one block and you will leave inspired.

Really awesome.

It is to me.

I need to know when they're coming to the theater.

What do you mean?

Like, do they need to bring anything with them or plan for all day adventures?

I mean, yeah, all of our film blocks are pretty tight back to back.

Our events are, you know, bathroom breaks are there, you know, there's enough time for that.

So for the necessities, it is.

Absolutely.

We tell them, you know, bring it, bring their curiosity.

Because, you know, they may be challenged in ways a lot of folks, if they're not used to independent cinema or short format cinema, might not be used to seeing a story that's told in full in 3 minutes or 10 minutes.

Yeah.

And how is that different?

Like, how is an experience different?

How might you describe that?

Well, the best way to explain it is, you're getting, a picture, a snapshot of a director or creator's idea, and you're getting it very condensed.

It's like reading a short story or even a poem, you know?

So they have kind of less, time to, explain everything to you.

And but they still have to deliver the same impact.

And so one of the things that's, that's really gratifying when you watch a film that's really affecting this way is you might be looking at the next Christopher Nolan, or Julie Taymor or you know, Oliver Stone or whoever, you know, because this is how a lot of those filmmakers got started, started as students and presenting at these kind of festivals.

Yeah.

And I would say it's very laid back.

Feel free to get up, go to the bathroom, come back, get concessions or whatever.

And is it family friendly?

I would say that our most family friendly event would be the Thursday night event.

Those are all made by youth, you know?

So maybe older teens would love that.

We do have, one block on Friday, I believe.

Let me check.

No, this is Saturday.

It's the film Indiana Block, where we've partnered with the ECCVB to, offer a free popcorn for everybody that comes So I have a free popcorn one, too.

There's more than popcorn in Indiana, I love it.

All right, well, thank you guys so much for sharing this.

I hope everyone comes out at some point throughout these next couple days.

But you know, if you can do the whole all day passes and just join us for the whole weekend.

So much to enjoy.

I forgot to mention our other feature film test screening that is by Steven Sisco.

He is also coming to town and he has written films like The Grudge and Texas Chainsaw 3D.

He's a horror film guy.

Oh, he's a friend of Riverbend Film Festival.

He loves being here of our fathers.

And he's actually coming into town early just to, you know, catch up for could catch up with everybody.

I think the first year he was here was 2016 or 18.

Yeah.

It was really early after the move to Goshen this year for we did this year to right like this.

This is cool stuff.

Yeah.

Yeah it is cool.

I think everybody that comes just really gives us all kind of good feedback about how nice people are in Goshen.

They love our town and that's always really good.

to hear.

All right.

Well, thank you so much.

Make sure you get your tickets.

Come to some of the free events too.

And we'll see you this weekend in the theater.

So I'm here in Nappanee on a beautiful, hot day, and I just want to preface this by saying I have spent the last five hours out playing golf and 90 degree weather.

Okay, but it's all for Retta, which is a nonprofit organization in downtown Elkhart.

So we thought while we were here we should catch up with Brandie Yoder, who is the CEO.

Brandie, you're actually from this area, right?

Is that.

Yeah.

Okay, so Nappanee area, originally born and raised and raised.

So, we're having the you had the golf outing here today.

That's just one of many fundraisers that you have throughout the year.

Well, we figured we'd catch up with you and talk about RETA, which is based in downtown Elkhart.

And a couple of years ago, you went from a smaller house sized building into a much bigger building.

Now, can you give us an overview about what RETA actually does?

Yeah.

So being a No-cost pregnancy clinic and family resource center, our mission is really to provide life affirming services and build Christ centered families.

So we have services in our medical field.

So we do OB care for the first 20 weeks.

We do pregnancy test ultrasounds.

We have community health nurse and a maternal specialist that follow that mom while they're pregnant.

And after they have that baby, we have no cost mental health services and we have mentorship programs.

So our goal is really to walk alongside these families through some really hard times.

We're we're very relationship based and want to be their village.

And so, I know somebody who had a well, my wife had the baby, but we have a baby that's just over two.

That and a household where we have flexibility in our careers.

You know, we have two incomes.

We have both of us there.

It's extremely difficult just with one.

And so there's a lot of people that just don't have the support network.

There's a lot of people that don't have the circumstances.

And so who are the kind of people that you're helping?

I mean, is that everyone you see for family units as a single parents, or who is it that you serve the most or see the most?

Yeah, a lot of the families that are walking in the door, we're serving a lot of single moms with children.

And our men's programing is growing as well.

And so we do couples, counseling.

We do a couple mentorship, but primarily single moms who, as you said, parenting is really challenging.

And so they're they're trudging it out and trying to make it work.

And you and I have a lot of social currency.

We can pick up the phone and call grandparents or friends or family, and they don't have that.

And so, we're trying to provide them that community that they, that they deserve and need in this really hard time.

I can definitely call them, but my mother cannot come over from Dublin, Ireland.

And no, but I know what you're saying.

We do have people around or even just knowing people that we can call on too, which is great.

And again, when it comes to no cost pregnancy services, it seems like this kind of area of the nonprofit industry, especially when you're a faith based organization, it has a lot of people that either like, really love it or seem to have a really negative view of it.

What could you kind of tell us about, like the non-judgmental approach that you take with people, even though you are a faith based organization?

What is the approach that really makes people feel so welcome?

Yeah, we feel like if someone walks in our doors, they're meant to be there.

And so we are going to provide them, care regardless of their circumstance.

And we're going to love them as Jesus would love them.

As far as our care goes, there's a lot of women in Elkhart County who have a lot of barriers to accessing early and adequate prenatal care, which we know is the leading cause of infant mortality rate.

And so we want to be able to, again, it's at no cost.

Pregnancy care.

We're providing transportation to and from their appointments.

We're providing child care during that appointment, and we're spending about 45 minutes to an hour with them.

So that they feel safe and they feel valued, and they can actually really dig into the questions they have and feel equipped to care.

And one of the ways, because it is experience Michiana, like, obviously not everybody is in a position where they might well, actually, most people would need family resources if they really came down to it.

Because even as I look at it, I think there's men's mentorship programs, and I know as a dad and husband, I could always do it, improving my skills in that area.

So but there are ways as well.

Like, I know the mentorship programs you have, I think are really cool because you have like local judges and local business leaders who come in and volunteer their time to mentor other men.

And and that's something that I think is really cool that you do too.

And not just men, but teens and women as well.

So can you tell me a little bit about the mentorship side and why that's important?

Yeah.

So what we know about trauma is that when trauma happens, what heals that is through relationship and through connection.

And so our mentorship program is vital to our families finding hope and healing.

And it's about a yearlong ask us of mentors, we want them to reach out and meet with their mentees at least once a week.

But we there's some incredible stories.

I mean, people who are, walking through.

We just had a mentor who walked with a mentee through pregnancy loss and, through some really hard relationship things.

And then their, their one person took their mentee to a Cubs game, and a lot of them are picking up and taking them to doctor's appointments or, to church.

And they're just, they're being that community that they really need and that person that can spur them on, encourage them, tell them, like, you got this when even when they don't believe they have it.

And so and again, what I really love about Retta and why I'm even here today to actually like because I got a golf team to play here today is because I really believe in your mission.

Because, you know, I do want healthy families.

I do want healthy children.

I do want men and women to feel like they contribute to the family in every way that, you know, you guys wrap around them, but you do it in such a way that's so loving and non-judgmental that that really matters to me.

Because I think when you judge people, it just pushes them further into whatever hole they're already in, like, you know, and so it's just so I'm just not about that.

You know, I'm not about being out telling people how terrible they are.

I want to be out and tell them, hey, there's people here who actually love you and want to help you.

So yeah.

And that, I mean, everything is so rooted in guilt and shame.

And when we judge people and they walk in the door and we tell them, well, here's a list of things you did wrong or the choices that you made, then that just shuts down the opportunity to meet them where they are.

And so we at all levels of our staff beleave again.

If they walk through our doors, they're there for a purpose and we're going to serve them well.

It was great to be here today to help you with this and some of the fundraising that you need throughout the year.

I know Retta for life.com is our website, so there's always ways for people to get involved to experience Michiana.

And you are downtown Elkhart.

And again, I'm sure there's lots of ways volunteering and different things that people can, can help you guys out.

So.

So I am up in Three Oaks, Michigan.

And the reason we're here is because it's a community of artists, and there's a new event that's happening, and it's a jazz festival.

And today we're going to talk about that with Heidi and Martha.

And you guys are going to tell us about this really cool jazz fest that's coming up real soon.

So when is it?

And what is so jazz Fest was the brainchild of our late founder, Garth Taylor.

He wanted to get this jazz festival up and running this year, and put me in charge in January.

So when Garth says we're going to do something, we're going to do it.

And so we've been very fortunate.

We put together a three day weekend and it's September 12th through 14.

We have a concert on Friday night, on Saturday night and on Sunday.

And we're super excited to be bringing some amazing jazz to Three Oaks.

Now we're not on the stage that it's going to happen.

So where is the Jazz Fest taking place?

So we're currently in the School of American Music's Art and Education Center.

The concerts will be taking place around a couple of different venues here in Three Oaks.

So Friday night will be at the Acorn Theater, Saturday night will be at the Vickers Theater, and then Sunday will be at Commune + Market.

So, Martha, you're going to be kicking us off, aren't you?

For the jazz.

We are so thrilled, excited and honored for this.

Yes, we are going to kick off the entire Jazz Fest 2025.

And, Garth Taylor will be in our hearts because this was this was his vision.

And I had the the great honor to work with him.

We had been working the past eight years on jazz and on various pieces and making them, cultivating them into making them our own and into something very special.

So we're excited about it.

So, let's talk about two things.

First of all, the School of American music right here where we are and help tell us about the importance of this organization and what actually happens here on a regular basis.

Sure.

So we were actually founded in 2012.

Garth started the school with one student.

We now are at close to 90 students at any given time.

They range in age from five years old to 81.

And we provide music lessons here for students on a variety of different instruments and vocal lessons.

We provide scholarships for students who would love to learn how to play an instrument, but maybe can't afford to do so.

We put on free family concerts throughout the community, free singalongs right behind us on the stage here at Dewey Canyon Park.

And we are now doing music festivals.

And so Jazz Fest just kind of was a big culmination of all the things that we do here and incorporating next year, we're hoping to incorporate more students and a lot of different programing, but this year we're kicking it off with some professionals who are going to bring some amazing music to our community.

So you guys have really brought music to this community from all generations in a variety of different ways, whether it be different instruments or different genres.

And now you're doing it again as a community by bringing the jazz festival here.

So let's talk about the inspiration and who Garth is.

As we reflect a little bit as his vision comes to life on stage.

Yeah.

Garth was an amazing person all the way around.

He was a brilliant business person, very philanthropic.

And that started early on in his life.

But musician, what music was his heart and his soul.

And so he wanted to combine his love of music and philanthropy, bringing this school to Southwest Michigan.

I think Martha could probably speak a little.

She's known Garth much longer than I did.

So, yes, I would just tell you, in 2017, I had my first encounter with Garth Taylor, and it was at the Acorn Theater, and the two of us had been asked to, lend our talents to a community event, which was the Three Oaks Sesquicentennial.

And there were two key figures involved.

Garth and I had never had the pleasure of meeting one another ever.

And, we had Alan Turner, who is a philanthropist and, a creative in his own right and very vital part of our community.

And, John Handcock, who is known as a film person, and they were collaborating on a stage production at the Acorn called Three Oaks Against the World.

And they brought me in and said, would you sing the The Key character in this?

And I was more than delighted to do so.

I, I love community and I love, embracing it.

And that is where Garth and I first met, at the School of American Music... at the Acorn.

And I subsequently learned about the School of American Music and, we began, an alliance where Garth contacted me after this production was over and he said, Martha, would you be open to singing for a benefit for the school?

And, we began collaborating and working together, and he always presented songs and literature and music, which I wasn't sure we're right for me.

And I would say, Garth, are you sure?

And he'd say, let's go through this and see, because he was very much an educator, too.

But I'm a professional vocalist.

But he was giving me literature that I wasn't sure that I could do, and I, I constantly surprised myself with his gentle guidance.

And he had a very, quick wit and a sense of humor, and you had to kind of get used to that.

But, we had so many amazing, sessions.

We, we rehearsed every single week here.

Always different, always new material.

I could go on.

It has been an amazing journey with Garth Taylor, and I miss him terribly.

So one of the things about jazz is that it's never the same performance twice.

It's it's really that flowing art that you and whoever you happen to be on stage with, you know, it kind of speaks through you that night.

Tell us a little bit about, your performance coming up, who's going to be with you and, and what can people expect when they come out?

Okay.

And yes, you're absolutely right.

And I love the flow of jazz.

I've come from different genres of music throughout my career, and Garth kind of got my feet wet.

And, I'm I'm so thrilled about it.

He is.

He kind of got me into the enthusiasm about this.

First of all, I would like to say I have an absolutely incredible and wonderful, dedicated, group for my ensemble for this event.

And I have, just a beautiful keyboardist who's very sensitive and very talented in Maggie Martin.

And she and I both went to the same university different times.

But we did.

And, I also have, Ryan Cid on guitar, and Joel Cooper on bass and Glenn Northern on percussion.

And we are so excited about the music that we are making and cultivating.

We just can't wait to share it.

And we're excited to hear we're actually going to hear a little bit here.

So you will.

How can people find out more information?

Where can they get tickets, so that they can come be a part of this weekend?

Sure.

So tickets are available online at the School of American music.com.

And we have tickets for Friday's performance.

And so Martha's kicking that off.

And then Lynn Jordan and the shivers will be following, Martha's performance Saturday at the Vickers.

We have Stephen Hashimoto and his quartet.

And then Sunday we have Jeanne Franks doing a jazz Sunday brunch at Community Market.

And all of the tickets are available on our website.

Very good.

Well, thank you both so much for our delight.

All the work that went into putting this together, because we know that these kind of things don't get done by themselves.

And it took a whole bunch of, I'm sure, volunteers and other people to make it happen.

So thank you for all that work.

And also thank you for sharing a number which we are now going to hear from Martha and her ensemble.

So stay tuned.

The Autumn leaves Drift, by the window.

the autumn leaves of red and gold I see your lips the summer kisses The sun burns, and Thanks so much for joining us.

We'll see you again next week right here on Experience Michiana.

Want more from Courtney, Dave and Kelly?

Follow us on social media and visit our website for exclusive behind the scenes content, extended interviews and full length features.

Stay connected and experience it all today.

This WNIT local production has been made possible in part by viewers like you.

Thank you.