One, two, three, four, get my shoes then out the door.

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

I've got a shot 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've got to show to give let out I want to sing and shout.

Take a look it's a beautiful morning.

That turns into a beautiful evening, and together make a beautiful life.

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

That's right.

Welcome to Experience Michiana.

I cannot wait for next week's show so I can show you what we did inside at BrazierFit Boxing.

Oh, I have to tell you, It's my first time here.

I had a great time Dave, I want to thank you for inviting me.

No, you're a beast mode.

I didn't Kelly have two modes airplane mode and beast mode those are the only two.

We had so much fun.

Can't wait for you guys to see that next week.

But we have a great show.

Yesterday I was in Buchanan at the Art Center and we're going to find out all about the exhibit, celebrate the St. Joe River.

Yeah, it's going to be great.

We're also going to hear from Courtney this week.

She's at the summer sipping craft brew fest in Plymouth.

Do you need a beer after that workout?

I need a brew.

I know.

But first, let's head over to the Michiana Master Gardeners Annual Garden Tour.

Then we'll get a beer, maybe water, water.

I think after this class, I need water.

The flowers are blooming, the bees are buzzing.

I can hear the birds chirping, too.

There's plenty to see outside right now.

Nature is just beautiful.

And I'm really excited to share with you today in Bristol, Indiana, they're doing the Michiana Master Gardener Association garden tour, which is just wonderful.

And I have with us today Gaye who is the chair of the event.

And this is something that you guys have been doing for a number of years now.

Right.

This is our twenty third annual garden tour.

And we are just so excited this year because we canceled last year because of covid.

And this is our first year in Bristol, Indiana.

So it's just a very fun event for this year.

It is.

And you go to different cities throughout Elkhart County each year, correct?

Correct.

We we stay within Elkhart County, but we do move around so that we see all aspects of the county and many wonderful, wonderful gardens.

And this year there are seven different gardens that are part of the tour, correct?

Correct.

And how do you go about selecting who is going to be a part of that?

Well, you know, that is that is a thing.

We have a garden selection committee.

And so they go around, they drive around, they kind of look and they find someplace they think looks good.

Go knock on the door and check out.

Plus get recommendations from other master gardeners who might live in the area and know people who have beautiful gardens that would maybe want to share them.

What exactly is a master gardener?

A master gardener is a volunteer.

So our our organization is through the Purdue University extension services and locally through the Elkhart County Extension Office.

We go through a training of classes for about three months on a host of topics like fruit trees and lawns and perennials.

And yes, so we learn about many aspects of gardening and horticulture so that we can then volunteer and share our knowledge of gardening and horticulture with our community around us.

Which is so important to.

I know, obviously, nature, obviously in general is very important that we take care of it and we give back to it.

Exactly, exactly.

So when is this event happening?

Because it's a one day event.

It is a one day event.

It is this year.

On June twenty sixth.

The gardens will be open from 10:00 until four.

But we also have a hospitality center, which this year is located at the Bristol United Methodist Church 201 division street in Bristol.

At that location, we are hosting a plant sale, which will be amazing, as well as a a lovely assortment of merchandise in a garden themed motif for outside garden art, as well as things for in the home.

And you can also buy tickets on the day at the hospitality center.

OK, perfect.

And that money goes back to the organization.

Right, right, right.

This is one of our two big fundraisers for the year.

Whic is important.

And our money goes to things like supporting the community garden in Elkhart.

We provide a scholarship for a horticulture student at Purdue University and other meaningful things throughout the year.

And so where can people find the course or the maps for the tour?

Well, once you buy your ticket within that booklet, it will have directions and a description of each of the gardens and it will give you a driving path to be able to go through the tour.

OK, and people can also purchase tickets ahead of time.

Right?

Where can they get the tickets at?

Right, good question.

So if you go to our website at Michiana Master Gardeners dot com, you can either buy your tickets there online for 11 dollars.

And also on the website, it has a list of businesses who are are selling tickets for us in advance, and they are only ten dollars.

So you can go to that website to find local businesses that are selling our tickets.

Well, that is so wonderful.

I know we I can hear the water running behind us.

We have one of the tour locations right behind us.

Absolutely.

And I think we're going to be talking with the homeowner to get a little tour of the ground.

Absolutely.

Well, thank you so much.

You bet.

Thank you for coming.

Kathy, you are the homeowner here.

And this is one of the stops on the tour.

And this is just such a peaceful place.

Blissful in fact.

Yeah, right.

Which is kind of where you came up with the name this.

What is the name of the garden that you refer to it as?

Well, I refer to it as Anundah, and that was that's an Indian name.

That means Bliss.

And it is because it's a very peaceful place.

It is.

And you've done so much here.

Let's kind of take a little look around let's see what you have here.

There's so many different colors.

There's a lot of varieties.

Right.

These are all called Coral Bell Coral Bills or Heuchera.

And what's so fun about Heuchera is they have such a huge variety of shapes and sizes and colors because this one has the stalks coming out of it.

Right.

Right.

Which is a really great complementary color to the green leaves, too.

Yes.

Yes, I think so.

So how do you go about planning, you know, each year?

What does it look like to you?

Some of this comes up every year and you deal with that.

But what does the planning process for you to really make it's a mastery!

Well, you know, sometimes it's a matter of sitting down and going through books and looking online and and talking to other master gardeners.

And sometimes it's just I have a picture in my mind of what I want, OK?

And sort of like here, OK, this was empty for a long time and it bothered me.

I kept thinking, what can I do here?

So after we had put the fountain in and put in the sort of little dry creek bed, this was empty.

And I thought, I just need to continue the creek bed.

I love how that looks to one day that overflowed because Mark forgot to turn it off and it came right down the stream.

And these are little yucky cherries.

And we follow sort of a Asian or a Japanese theme, you know, all along the front of the house.

And and so we feel like at this point in time, it just adds to the peacefulness of the house with us.

Absolutely.

And the Japanese maple is probably my favorite tree.

Oh, yeah.

I love these are so gorgeous.

They are.

They're a little hard to grow.

Yes.

And sometimes you don't want them to grow, you know, you want them to spread a little bit.

But they are sensitive.

So they're not a tree you can put out where it's going to get a lot of heat or a freezing.

You know, this is all things that you learn as a master gardener.

Yeah.

Yeah, that's true.

Definitely.

Yes.

And there's more to look at on the terrace.

Yeah, sure.

Let's walk around this way.

OK, yeah.

So now we're heading down to the terrace and this is another beautiful space here, too.

I love the height changes in here, too.

What does that mean to you?

Well, when we built this house, we we put the house up on a ridge like that.

That was what sold us on the property because we could put this kind of roving house because you notice our garage is not attached.

This part sticks out in the house, kind of moves in the curb.

So having this was a challenge to try to think, what can we do here, that it won't be a drop.

So steps at a time when people come to the tour, they will you'll be here on hand.

There's going to be volunteers from the Master Gardener Association to to kind of show people around, explain to them what all of these different plants are.

Right.

OK, right.

There will be markers that will tell what the plants are.

Now, one of the problems we run into with spring there were these freezes that occurred after things started growing.

And so we lost a lot of things to the freeze and frost because there was like five days in a row that we had one freeze after another and things just couldn't keep up.

So we've had to do some replacing and we have deer.

A wildlife is another part of the equation and they do tend to eat things.

So speaking of eating things, you have a little vegetable garden, too.

Actually, I'd love to show you my vegetables.

It's one of my pride and joys.

Let's go look.

Your garden here is just everything is beautiful here, but your vegetable garden, and this helps sustain you, too.

Oh yes, I do freeze and I can, you know, and then, of course, if I have a lot of extra stuff, like, you know, at the time zucchinis come in, one zucchini plant will overproduce.

So, you know, I'll give what I have extra to the food pantry or.

Oh, wonderful.

To friends.

You know, I'm not into setting up a vegetable stand at this point yet, but you never know because you're never get everything that you have here.

What are some of your favorite vegetable plants in here?

Well, broccoli and broccoli.

And I've got some broccoli right now that's ready to be picked already.

We just need some ranch to go with it and we'll be all right.

Right.

Yeah, I'm growing cabbages and lettuce and beets, but I. I made these little tagsout of clay.

Yes, I did.

Oh, look at you.

Oh yeah.

And so.

So I thought it'd be fun to put them in, especially, you know, for the garden show and all that.

So.

And you're still carrying the Japanese theme in here too.

Right.

Right.

This is just a little Zen garden, and it was just an empty spot that needed just a little something, again, peaceful.

Thank you so much for showing us around.

This is just beautiful.

And we didn't even touch everything.

There's plenty more for people to see here when they join the tour.

Again, it's coming up in June.

So I hope people do come and visit and you'll be here to talk to them as well.

I'm happy to.

This is where I love to be.

You know, it's a great place to be.

So, it's our happy place.

I feel so happy here.

Yes.

Thank you for coming.

We really appreciate you coming for us.

Yeah.

You know, that was wonderful.

We're actually spoiled for a lot of great gardens around the area and you may not know this about me, but growing up, I loved to garden with my mom.

So it's actually one of my favorite things to go and see gardens.

I have to have you come over to my house because I'm a terrible gardener.

You know, I like planting things.

I don't like cutting the lawn, though.

It's all like gardening, but I don't like actually lawn care now.

I just need help with the plants.

OK, I'll do it.

But let's head over to Buchanan at the art center to find out more about celebrate the St. Joe River, because it's a beautiful river and something that I think we take for granted in our community for sure.

Yeah.

So let's go.

Today, we're at the Buchanan Art Center with Danielle, who is the executive director.

And I love the hair.

Thank you.

Very, very cool.

It's kind of my statement.

Peace.

People recognize me by it around town, actually.

OK, a lovely statement of peace.

And I just have to say, this is also a lovely space here.

Talk first time here.

It's so bright and airy and cheerful.

But there's also a little bit of a history here because this is an art center now.

But it was a library.

Yes, it was the original Buchanan Library.

They're down the street now.

But we still get people coming in just to visit because they remember it that way.

And they still come here every once in a while and go where all the books.

But then they see the art and They take a look around anyway.

And there is a little space for books here, too, that we're going.

Yeah.

Show you in a little while.

So there's there's that too.

But this is really great.

And so this is one of the exhibits here and it's all about the St. Joe River, which is really cool because I feel like this is a feature that we have in our community that's so beautiful.

Sometimes we take it a little bit.

Oh, yes.

Yeah, definitely.

And all of these people had such a different view of the works of the river.

So it's absolutely great.

So what's your favorite piece?

So I've got to admit that my favorite piece is South Bend on the Saint Joe.

That is so pretty.

I believe it's the only night image in the show.

And I just love the gorgeous blues and the reflections.

And I, I can just feel being downtown in the middle of summer with that one.

Yeah.

No, that is really pretty.

I love that.

Who's the artist?

Linda Fritzner.

OK, is she local.

All of our artists are local.

All of them are within one hundred miles but ninety percent of them are within 50 miles.

OK, well let's go from night to day over here.

This one's really beautiful as well.

Yes, this one is Claire [inaudible].

We'll actually have a solo exhibit by her next year.

She does oils and I believe this is the Broadway Bridge and Niles.

OK, very nice.

And I kind of like this one here because it shows a different season.

Yes.

And this one is Watercolor by Nancy Turner Winter's Light.

And that was another good thing about the variety we got.

We got winter, spring, summer, fall, all of it.

Oh, my gosh.

Can we go back over here?

Because this one is I kind of really love.

So it's the river, but it shows some of our beautiful wildlife that we have here.

Yes.

So I believe this is on the Riverwalk in Elkhart and a little bit of more story.

So this one and her previous mate were run over by a boat.

Oh, happily, she found another mate this year and they just hatched their first brood of chicks like a week after this was painted.

So it's adorable.

That's wonderful.

Are more over there.

Yes.

So let's go take a look.

And they're all different kinds of paintings, watercolors, right?

They're all different.

Yeah, photography.

And then even with the painting, there's oil, there's watercolor, there's acrylic, there's Gouache, which is this one right here, that one call.

So this is mallards on the St. Joe.

And it is Gouache Painting, which is a opaque watercolor medium.

And this is actually by one of our instructors.

Really?

Yes.

Beautiful.

She has a class coming up in September, actually, for birds and wildlife and colored pencil.

But she's one of our most popular instructors, stuff that is really beautiful.

Now, how long is this exhibit going to be?

Around until July 11th.

So July 11.

OK, so you have about three more weeks or so.

Yes, because the summer is going fast.

Yes.

And then we have a whole new round of exhibits, so it never ends here.

Now, you also have one called Art for Art.

Yes.

Well, why don't we go take a look.

So, Danielle, this is the art for art.

And there's really a message here about paying it forward.

Yes.

So one of our previous board members and volunteers is also a volunteer for Redbud Area Ministries, which is a food bank.

They also help with bills and household needs.

She decided that she was fortunate with how much art has impacted her life.

So she is offering a portion of her collection, a small portion of up for sale.

And these sales are going to fund free art classes for the community.

Now, since we're here, there's also something about paying it forward to the community that you do here called empty bowl pottery sale.

Yes.

So it's empty bowls is an international program.

It actually began in Michigan.

A lot of people don't know that in Detroit.

We've been doing it in Buchanan for about twenty six years.

And basically we invite people in to make pots and they can either pre-purchase them or donate them to the sale.

All of the funds go to Redbud Area Ministries, Food Bank, and so far, ever since we've been involved, Empty Bowls has been the single largest monetary donation to them every year.

Well, that's great.

We're going to see the pottery studio in just a bit.

But let's go and take a look at an emerging artist that you have here that's from this area.

Definitely.

Well, Danielle, tell us a little bit about this artist.

So this is Jordan Bauer, and she is an emerging artist from Buchanan.

She just graduated from Buchanan High School two days ago.

So she won an award at our annual youth exhibit.

So we offered her an emerging artist show.

Luckily, she was able to take it and this is the result and we're very excited for her.

That is wonderful.

And so she kind of started out here.

And where is she headed?

Milwaukie Institute of Arts.

Very nice.

Well, she's so talented.

I can't take my eyes off of this one here.

Yes, this is really cool.

Can you tell us a little bit about this one?

So most of her work is based on either misheard lyrics or fairy tales like reimagined.

So they're not necessarily based in reality, but a mix of the two.

I said, I hope not because I don't need any more butterflies in my brain.

But I love that.

That is really beautiful.

She's extremely talented.

Yes, very, very nice.

It must be a great feeling to be able to have, you know, young artists in this community that you're able to help and then able to go on to higher heights and maybe have an exhibit here.

Yes, yes.

And we love having new artists here, whether you've been doing art for, like, years in your basement or you're just getting started or even if you've been having shows and fairs, we work with you to get all comfortable for your exhibit.

And we hosted receptions and we do what we can to get you going.

Can we take a look at the pottery studio?

Of course.

So a lot happens back here.

I can see.

Oh, yes, this is one of our core programs for us.

And tell us a little bit about the program.

So Marie Remingtons started it after she retired because she had to keep herself busy and pottery is her love.

She's a great resource for us.

So as you can see, we have wheels and we have the tables.

So we do both wheel throwing and hand building.

We can fit quite a few students in here normally, and they take their pottery.

They either sell it at art fairs or enter it into competitions, anything they want with it.

Can anyone take the classes?

Yes, we have classes for all skill levels and all ages.

I love that.

OK, all skill levels, all ages.

So that means anyone can come and take the classes here.

Now, you also have a summer concert series coming up.

And sweet 16.

Yes, of course some.

So the summer concert series is the last Sunday of every month, June through August at two p.m. and the first one is June twenty seventh, featuring young local artists from the community.

So there's that theme again.

And then our Sweet 16 is our 16th anniversary.

So we've been here for that long.

Which is fantastic, it's difficult for non-profits and arts organizations, so so we're going to have a huge party and we're going to have artists, vendors and demonstrations and exhibits and food vendors, the whole shebang.

And when is that?

That is August 14.

OK, August 14.

Sweet 16.

Yes, right.

Well, thank you so much for the tour, Daniel.

Really appreciate it.

And thank you so much for all that you're doing to bring art to this community.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you so much, Danielle, for the tour was our first time at the Buchanan Art Center, just a really beautiful museum over there, but also WNIT is going to be kind of celebrating the St. Joe River all summer long.

So we're going to bring you more about that as we go along.

We're going to jump in?

Yeah, we're just going to jump in the river.

I wish I could.

Well, after that workout, what I really need is to find out about the summer sipping craft beer festival.

It's going to be in Plymouth because I could do it a beer after what we did here today.

Yeah, maybe two or three.

What better way to kick off summer than the summer sipping craft Brew Fest?

It's going to be kicking off this weekend, Saturday, June 19th, down in Plymouth, Indiana.

And I have with us today Marshall, who is the event committee coordinator and chairman.

And this is an exciting event because you weren't able to do it last year, but you're bringing it back again this year.

Yeah, absolutely.

We were pretty disappointed.

We were brought the event basically brought it back last year.

And it's always been a Parks Department event to support local community events.

And it kind of went by the wayside with local politics.

And so as a private organization, the Builders Association, we took it on.

Then due to covid, we had to cancel all of our plans.

But the nice thing is all of that funding and all of those plans, we've now been able to expand that this year.

So it it'll be an amazing event.

That's awesome.

And it's happening this Saturday, June 19th.

And what's the time frame for it?

Time frame is four to nine.

And you can buy a VIP ticket so you can get an hour in early.

There's always very popular beers that will be at each table.

Those go quickly.

So if you get the VIP ticket, cost you a couple of dollars more, but you can get in and you have a full hour of extra sampling.

Awesome.

And I know you guys have been doing this for a few years.

So obviously the breweries have expanded and we have some phenomenal breweries in the area here.

What are some of the ones that will be featured on Saturday?

So locally we have Koontz Lake Brewery, which is obviously from Koontz lake, but they have a new facility in Plymouth, Indiana.

We have ten, fifty, six brewery.

We have Bad dad, we have Iron Hand Winery.

Those are some of the local ones.

And then we have a lot of very large breweries that will be there with representatives.

By the way, a lot of these breweries are sending a representative.

So if you really want to know about the beer, not only are you getting a poor, but you can also learn a little bit.

But we've got a Texas ranch water Lagunitas New Holland Sun King, which we're very excited about.

Also an Indiana beer Yuengling, Cigar City Kirchen Marker upline, New Belgium.

And the list goes on and on.

We have over 30 different tables that will be serving beer ads.

So there's going to be plenty to choose from.

That's awesome.

And I understand the tickets are unlimited as far as what they can consume.

Obviously drink responsibly.

And if you have a designated driver along with you, of course, there's an option, an optional ticket for them to for somebody who won't be drinking any of those.

Absolutely.

You know, Coca-Cola is donating water.

Rap water system is donating water.

So hydration will not be an issue.

We encourage everyone to drink as much water as possible.

A designated driver price is ten dollars.

You get soda and water with that.

We also will have two trucks.

Those are a separate fee if you want to buy food.

But they'll be inside the event as well as.

So there's plenty of opportunity for them to have a good time, but to be very responsible in doing awesome and this event is going to happen.

Rain or shine.

But it looks like Saturday's forecast going to be pretty good out there for you guys.

But you have an awesome tent that you're adding this year, too.

Well, thanks to builders Mark from Warsaw, Indiana, we're going to actually have two 30 foot by 40 foot tents that are set up, no side.

So that's going to be really nice for all the participants.

As far if it does, rain will be completely covered, but also just for shade.

Sometimes it can get a kind of hot sun out there.

But we've got music.

MGB band will be playing.

We have a few other solo acts.

So the entire event will have live music that everyone can enjoy.

And if you want to bring your own camp chair or your own chair and sit out there, but there's plenty of seating in the amphitheater and picnic tables as well.

OK, and then once you get in the door, you're in the door.

So make sure you bring all of your stuff with you.

Correct.

Bring that stuff with you.

You know, we're asking people to not bring coolers that way people don't sneak something else in.

But if you want to bring your chair, bring it in.

We will have some wristbands if you need to come in and out.

It's not the end of the world, but really there's no reason to leave.

We have all of the sanitation area, hand washing restrooms.

Food will all be inside the barrier.

So come in, plan on staying and have a good time and of course, bring a valid I.D.

That's important.

We want to make sure this is a twenty one plus event.

Point that out.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

And you can buy tickets at the door if you'd like.

We really encourage ones to visit our Facebook page, summer sipping craft brew fest.

It's a it's a mouthful.

But if you get on the Facebook page, you can buy your tickets on the links right there as well.

OK, awesome.

And where do all the proceeds benefit?

Benefit.

So we have a lot of different sponsors that are really helping out with this.

First source has been a really huge sponsor.

First Federal Bank.

We could listen to an entire slew of names of companies that have been helping us out with this, including Marshall County tourism.

But really, the Builders Association of North Central Indiana is putting this on as a community event.

And we're doing this this year to help the Rees theater restoration project.

So it's a local little theater downtown.

It's a great project.

They have given us a ton of volunteers to help out with this event as well.

So we really like to see that theater get up and run and get the doors open and to be a real anchor for the arts in our community.

We look forward to that.

That's so wonderful.

And do you guys still need volunteers for Saturday to?

You know what, usually this kind of event we're begging for volunteers, but the Rees theater.

Their project community really came through strong.

We have plenty of volunteers, so we have volunteers that will be pouring some beverages if that really didn't provide somebody.

But then we have plenty of other people that will be working the event to make it nice and safe, including two police officers.

Local police officers will be working the event to keep everyone safe and keep everyone having fun.

But again, responsibly.

Well, it sounds just like a wonderful, exciting event.

And I'm so glad that you guys are able to put it on once again this year.

And again, you can get the tickets through your website, through your Facebook page, and you can get them there.

And they're pretty reasonably priced for unlimited beer and wine for a few hours on a Saturday evening, unlimited sampling.

And historically with this event, we end up sending cases of beer back because there hasn't it has not been consumed.

So with this one we held to the same number, we should have plenty of sampling for everyone to enjoy.

And again, unlimited until we run out.

Right.

So I don't think we'll run out there.

So come out and have a good time and enjoy a variety of brews.

Awesome.

Well, thank you so much, Marshall.

We're excited for you guys.

Yeah.

Thank you, Courtney.

We thank you for having us on.

We appreciate it.

Isn't that great that they have so many different beers?

I mean, I'm not even a beer person, but I'm like, I'd like to try some of those.

Yeah, it's nice to go and get the little flights.

And try them, like, I love actually trying to sampling different beers and then finding one that you love.

Yeah, well, next week.

OK, so we're bringing all of our friends and family here next week, right.

Yes.

My quest to get fit and continue losing weight this year has brought us to BrazierFit.

And, you know, I mean, you want to give little you know, these arms are stronger than you imagine.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Were you a little preview?

No.

All right.

Let's see if I remember.

Welcome to the gun show.

Here we go.

All right.

Here.

Thanks for joining us.

I'll see you next week.

OK, yeah.

See you guys next week.

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