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.

Hey, I'm Irish Dave, and welcome to Experience Michiana.

We have a fun show this week and lots of animals on this week's show as well.

And I'm not just talking about the people who host the show.

We're going to go to Stable Grounds in Middlebury.

Courtney went out there to find out about that.

It's a really cool program attached to their school.

I'm here at the Potawatomi Zoo to find out about their gift of lights.

That's coming up this holiday season.

But first, Kelly went to Mishawaka to find out about the dinner detective.

This holiday season, get ready for a murder mystery dinner theater where you can be the culprit or you can be the victim.

Yeah, I know.

It sounds crazy.

I'm not sure how it works, but we're here at the Holiday Inn and we're about to find out.

I've heard so much about the dinner detective, but I finally get to meet the detectives behind this.

Now, this is Dylan slash detective, and this is Nicholas, and you're also a detective.

But before we get into character here, Dylan, you're the owner of the dinner.

Detective.

How did you get involved in that?

I am well.

I started acting in the show in 2012 in Chicago acted in the show for a couple of years.

And I thought it was a franchise opportunity.

And I love bringing comedy like actually good comedy to smaller markets.

So yeah.

Now this is unlike anything that I have experienced or I've been a part of.

So this is a dinner theater, it's a murder mystery.

But everyone that comes is part of the theater experience?

Now, how does that happen?

Yeah.

So when you get a ticket to the show, you have the entertainment as well as a four course meal.

Our actors are hidden among the guests.

So as you're checking into the show, as you're seated, as you're eating your apps, the killer could be right next to you at the table, right next to you.

And we would never know.

Yes, you would never know until the end of the show, of course.

And then, you know, how do you do it?

Because is it a lot of improv for the actors?

Yeah.

Oh, yeah, definitely.

Yeah.

Definitely a lot of improv.

So we kind of have a basis for who the actors are supposed to be.

But from there, they know, okay, I'm this person and these are key things I need to eventually get out to help head towards clues.

Otherwise they are that person at the table.

And how would that person converse with the rest of the people there that evening?

So tell us about your character.

You're one of the detectives.

Of course.

I'm glad you asked, Kelly.

I really do appreciate that.

My name is Detective Patio Furniture.

Patio furniture?

Patio furniture.

Yes, it's a family name.

Okay.

My my mother was a cop and my father was a lazy boy.

So that just a little something about me.

Yes.

And you know, I'm really hard on crime.

That's just.

Are you a good detective, though.

Am I a good detective?

Do I want you at my table?

I'm a bad detective and a good father, and that's the way I like it.

Okay.

All right.

I don't want you at my table, what about you, Nicholas?

I am Detective Jeffrey Dahmer.

Okay, not to be confused.

I am a vegetarian, so.

Yeah, no relation.

Don't worry.

Don't worry.

But it's a proud name, so I'll keep it.

Not changing that in any way at all.

And I'd like to believe I'm a very good detective.

I have a 20% solve rate for all my cases.

That's not bad.

Now, speaking of cases, do you take this from actual cold cases?

We do, yeah.

Yeah.

So the the murder mystery show is set in modern times, and all the scripts are based on actual cold cases.

Oh, my gosh.

So the one that you're doing that's coming here to South Bend now, there's going to be one happening this weekend.

What cold cases?

Can you share it or not at all?

No.

So it's we can't share the actual cold, cold case.

Yes.

But we do have four scripts that we run and the show runs year round.

We do have a show this Saturday as well.

But yeah, the show runs year round currently here at the Holiday Inn Mishawaka.

So what's it like when people come?

Well, what can they expect now?

You mentioned the dinner.

What's the food like?

Because I hear the food is really good.

Yeah, food.

Fantastic.

You've got three different options for an entree.

All three I personally think are excellent options.

Got a little hors d'oeuvre, salad and a wonderful dessert at the end of the evening.

Okay, wait, wait.

We have to talk about something that's really important.

The bar.

The bar.

Okay.

Oh, yes.

Okay, yes.

So, you know, sometimes here, you know, you know, a wife will get a ticket and and drag a husband to the show.

And that's that's what we like to see here.

Just here for the bar.

That's my favorite type of customer.

A person who's like, okay, I've been to a murder mystery before, sometimes they're a little campy.

We like to take the camp out of the murder mystery and do actual hard hitting improvizational comedy.

And hey, the bar helps.

So can one of the people that are there that's not an actor.

Can they be the culprit or can they be the victim?

You can purchase a suspect package.

Oh, there's a suspect package.

We sell three suspect packages per show.

And that just guarantees involvement for a member of your group in the show.

Tell us about some of the different packages, because for me, I think this would be a great holiday gift.

Sure.

Yeah.

Nicholas, You know anything about the suspect package?

Yeah, of course.

Of course.

You know, without giving away too much information, per se.

But you can when you purchase this package, there's two that are a little bit more similar than the third.

But all three guarantee, like you said, that involvement.

And we definitely like to make a spectacle of that person and we really, really heavily insinuate that that could be one of the other killers possibly in the evening.

So it's super fun.

Usually the person doesn't know that they're being involved.

All you do is bring a photograph of them to the show and we do the rest.

I'm sure this could also be a really great team building experience.

Absolutely.

Yes.

If you have a team of stiff corporate robots and you want us to bring life and breathe life into your organization, you got to call the dinner detective a specifically Jeffrey Dahmer and patio furniture.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah.

No, we have it's you know, it's great.

Like you're at tables of eight usually.

And so you have to work together with the clues at that table to solve the mystery.

That's great.

Now let's can we talk?

Move on over here and talk a little bit more about these props here.

I saw this one.

I am not wearing this.

So when we all went to wear this, still dead, don't ask.

I'll put it on.

That went on.

Of course.

Of course.

That's how you prefer your meals.

Yes.

Still dead don't ask.

I'm also not going to give you the knife since you said that you're Jeffery Dahmer.

You're right.

So I touched it already.

I mean, all my fingerprints on there or.

Yes, they are.

Okay.

And now we know you're actually.

Yeah, entirety of South Bend knows your actual height, Kelly.

What am I about five six?

Yeah, yeah.

We'll go with that.

Can we lower this a little bit?

and then the hammer.

So can, can people that come that are not the actors we can use these props as well.

Absolutely.

So, you know, this photo wall is at the show, we like to have a little, you know, Instagrammable moment.

This is cool.

Yeah.

So we got that.

And what is this also?

Do I need these for the clues?

Like, am I looking for fingerprints, footsteps?

What is this for?

If you don't know what this is Kelly, you're going to be using this in about 30 years.

So this is this is that you can read your morning paper, of course, and also for clues.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know, we we try to keep the clues relatively electronic.

But, you know, if there is a physical clue, this could help you suss out any key details.

So.

All right, great.

So what are the days now?

I know that it's opening this weekend, but how long is this running until?

Yeah.

So the show runs year round.

We do have a show this weekend.

We opened in South Bend in 2018.

So yeah, we've been, we've been running here for a while.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

So you guys have shows all year round, but you also do private shows.

What are they like?

Yeah, so private shows a lot of times, most commonly we do like corporate parties or even holiday parties, any company, any group of people.

It doesn't have to be a company specifically can essentially buy out the event and you know, all of you will show up and we'll perform the same show for you, although we can cater it a little bit more directly towards your group.

You know, we can have some inside jokes, some office lingo, things like that.

All right.

That sounds like a lot of fun.

Yes.

And we work closely with the clients, of course, too.

Oh, I'm still in my detective, Patio furniture voice We work closely with the clients to develop backstories as to why the actors would be there.

So, yeah, I was like, Oh, this is my new boyfriend.

Turns out to be the killer.

Oh, okay.

But don't they all?

Yeah, all of them.

I know.

Yeah.

Typecast.

Yeah.

All right, so let's try this.

I'm going to come in and I'm going to be one of the guests at this dinner.

And let's see how this works.

So, you guys ready?

Okay, here I come.

Oh, hello, everybody.

I'm so glad to be here.

I'm so hungry.

What's what's.

What are we having for dinner?

Hello there.

Well, what are we having for dinner?

Yeah... what's... what's for dinner?

Okay, we got to get your priorities straight.

There's been a murder, Kelly.

Oh, well, I mean, it's not my fault.

Of course I mean, I had nothing to do with it.

Oh really?

I really didn't.

Forget dinner.

Maybe.

Can I have a drink?

Is there a drink?

Okay.

Yeah, we do.

Looks a lot like my ex husband but you know.

They all, You know, they all look alike.

You've got a type and it's on the floor.

Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah, okay.

Well, yes, we do have a bar, cash bar in the room, but in this case, you're a customer here.

You would have a name tag, a name tag that you would have created earlier in the evening.

What's that?

What's your name tag?

Say, what's your alias?

Here, let me see.

My alias is a pseudonyma.

Okay, Pseudonyma.

Yes, okay.

Sure I can.

I'm ready for that.

Okay, here we go.

There we go.

And does that name have have a meaning at all?

Oh, that's that's a country that I frequent.

Oh, it's a country?

Okay, country you flee to.

No, no, no.

After committing crimes.

No, I would never commit a crime.

That's what they all say.

So you're a dual citizen.

I think I might need to go wash my hands, if that's okay.

Okay.

First, before you do that, could you go ahead and put your finger...

I mean, your paw prints...

I mean your hand on the murder weapon here.

Is that that's the murder weapon.

They used a hammer?

Spoiler alert.

Well...

I tell you what, I would be more than happy to do that, but I must just exit off to the ladies room to wash my hands before dinner.

But I will be right back.

Okay?

Okay.

I will be right back.

And for those that would like more about this dinner, Detective, how can they get in touch with you all?

Of course.

Well, you can go to www.thedetective.com/southbend Okay, that's on the World Wide Web for those who don't know.

Yes.

Well, Detective Pati and Detective Jeffrey Dahmer, it was so wonderful meeting you.

But I will be right back.

Poor guy.

I feel so sorry.

I'm sorry.

I knew we didn't like him anyway.

Well, today we're in Middlebury, Indiana, checking out this amazing new place, Stable Grounds.

And this is such a unique facility that you have here.

Of course, we have our little friend Cupid here with us.

And I have with us Kori and Becca, who really got this all started.

What is the mission here at Stable Grounds?

Our mission is to help serve students with mental health therapy.

And kids come to us all day long, Monday through Friday with from Middlebury Schools.

And so we're actually giving them an opportunity for mental health counseling right here onsite on the Middlebury Community School's campus.

And it's so amazing that you guys are doing this.

So this is kind of like K through 12.

Is it?

okay.

And so you actually have miniature horses here for them to touch, feel, play with.

What does therapy look like when you involve animals with that?

Therapy is actually in our arena and we have obstacles and situations that we set up, set up with kids and they use a horse or a donkey, miniature or full sized.

to walk through some of these obstacles and then we talk about how that's a metaphor to what they're going, what's going on in their own life.

And now, Becca, how many animals do you guys have here?

Oh, it changes all of the time.

Right now, we have 14, so we have two full sized horses, a couple of miniature donkeys, and then the rest are of the smaller size.

And how many children are you helping serve?

We see 50 to 60 kids a week.

A week?

Yes.

So that is our appointment slots.

We have waiting lists and we're seeing them throughout the school day right now in groups and individual.

How important is it to have something like this in the Middlebury School community?

So the the impact that we have is the opportunity to collaborate with the school and give families a chance to get kids in for all different sorts of things, but in a timely manner.

We've seen that the wait time to get into appointments is six months sometimes and these kids needs are immediate.

And so we are offering these services and can get kids in a lot faster and the neat part about using the horses is we can get a lot further with them quicker than sitting in an office setting and just talking about their feelings.

And you guys are really you're right here on the campus of Middlebury Schools, so that's very convenient for them.

So you're mostly working during the daytime hours, but I know you have big plans in the future, too.

Yes, we are planning to expand, build a second arena, hopefully breaking ground here this winter yet.

And so we're wanting to double our caseload and see double the amount of students and planning on opening up those slots to students other than Middlebury Schools.

So we're really excited about, you know, being able to offer something else for families.

Yeah.

And what goes into training.

I know you guys are both training.

If you want to talk a little bit about what goes into preparing for having this kind of a company or business.

So we are both licensed mental health therapists.

So Master's level counseling degrees and then we are certified through an organization called EGala, which is an equine assisted therapy model that we implement in the arena where you have a partnership between two people.

So one of us would be focusing on the horse piece and what's happening with the horses and safety.

And then the other is driving the therapy goals and how to connect what's happening in the arena to what they're needing or working on or going through in life.

Sure.

Kori, what's been one of your favorite aha moments that you've seen so far?

Oh, my.

We've had so many moments that it's really hard to even just think about one of them.

But we have kids that come and they're like, I don't think I'm really getting counseling or therapy because they're just learning so much at the time about themselves and how that relates to what's going on in their life.

And they're walking away thinking, I have options, I have choices, I have the power to make things happen for me, whether it's through anxiety or depression or eating disorders or anything that they might be going through divorce, grief, it gives them a lot of insight of what's going on.

And so when they're out here, you guys do everything here in the arena.

So what does that process look like?

Can you talk us through what a typical therapy session might be?

So a great example would be we have something actually set up right now, but we might talk about this is an obstacle that we used yesterday with one of our seniors.

And we were talking about choices after high school.

So the path and the different paths lead different ways.

There's different sized hurdles, different things like that.

And then they take the horse through that and we can talk about how did it go down this path or how did it go down that path?

What choices might help this path go more smoothly versus this path?

Or what is the big hurdle for you after graduation and for different kids that might be choosing the college or it might be what job or where they're going to live or what they're going to do.

And then we can base all of our conversation off of that metaphor of how it went when they worked with the horse.

How does it work differently if you go to the left instead of the right?

So are we going to do adult therapy for this two?

Maybe like these are all really helpful tools for anyone, really.

And I think that's what's great about it too, being in the school system here, it's a great example of this can happen in other communities too, all across the nation.

This is something that really doesn't happen in other school districts.

Right?

Well, we're the first one that actually partnered with a school system to offer on campus mental health counseling with equine.

And so there's been other schools that bus their kids somewhere to have something like this.

But we are actually on campus and are offering these sessions free to the families.

And so we're saving families the time to get them in and also money to be able to have this.

And that's amazing.

And you guys have an event.

I know you've only been here for, what, two years now?

Yes.

It's amazing what you guys are already doing serving so many the kids in the community.

But you have that big event coming up.

We do.

We have an open house on December 15th from 10 a.m. to seven.

And it's for people to get to come out and see our barn, meet our animals in the herd, be able to ask us questions, be able to see a demonstration of what we do.

And so we're just really excited to be able to invite people in.

And that's awesome.

And where can people get more information about stable grounds if they want to get counseling for their child or just learn more about how they can support you guys?

Sure.

We are very active on Facebook and Instagram and also have a website where you can get more information out of all the other horses that have been on these boots.

Hi, Cupid.

Hi.

Well, I know we only have maybe another minute, but can we go in and do a little example?

Oh, great.

Yeah.

Okay, so now we're here on the arena.

Cupid.

I know you're going to be my best friend.

Ready?

Oh, there's a lot that goes into just training the horses themselves, too, right?

So a lot of our horses do have hours of service so that they can get used to, like, all kinds of different obstacles and things.

And we travel different places with them.

So they do have a lot of hours plus of just a lot of experience with people.

So a lot of it's their personality also.

Yeah.

Okay, so tell me what I can do here with Cupid so you can take him down the path and then choose which direction you would like to go.

I have to choose.

I feel like this is one of those old readers.

I have to choose my adventure.

Whoah.

I'm going to go to the left.

There we go.

Whoah.

There we go.

I did it.

See?

We work well together.

Awesome.

Well, thank you so much for showing us around.

If you want to learn about more about Sable Grounds, you can head on over to their Facebook page and get involved that way and hopefully they'll see you at the event.

That's coming up on December 15th.

I am here at the Potawatomi Zoo and I haven't seen any animals yet, which I'm disappointed about.

But we're going to.

But there's even more than animals to see this year.

I'm here with Lindy.

I'm so glad that we decided to be outside and so sighted.

You're in your lovely building here.

You know, it's so much fresher out here, but yeah, it is beautiful.

But I love it here this time of the year and the gift of lights is going on.

So tell us a little bit about that.

Yeah, Gift of Lights starts the Friday, November 25th and runs through December 18th, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 9 each night.

It's a great event.

The zoo is beautiful.

We have gone crazy with lights this year.

Not a lot of animals are out.

This depends on the weather, but the red pandas will probably be out because they love the cold.

There's going to be we have a little Santa's village with Santa, Mrs. Claus, which is a super cute area for the kids to visit with Santa.

And we have our concessions open.

We have some extra we'll have firepits with hay bales.

Just people can sit around.

It's a really, really fun event.

People really love it.

So we're excited about it now.

I was about to say the electricity bill is probably huge, but you got the best sponsor every to cover.

Gift of lights is officially powered by Indiana Michigan Power.

Yeah, they're a great supporter of the zoo and we're so grateful to them.

Yes.

Okay.

So I'm going to ask you a tough question.

Okay.

And if you don't know, you can just say you don't know.

Okay.

Do you know how many lights you have up all together?

I have absolutely no idea.

I, I have placed many, many, many orders with Amazon and plus Winterland.

They supply our big what you see like the big fixtures here.

And then we sort of fill in with tons of rope lighting and blow ups and displays.

It is beautiful at night is just absolutely gorgeous.

I have no idea.

I wouldn't even begin to I don't know what it's going to be.

It's going to be gorgeous.

I feel like you should have counted.

So you can say like a million I'll check my inventory.

Let's say a million Do you have any interns that... their job is to go out and count The light bulb was a great idea.

No, I could probably do that.

But no, it's it's just beautiful because I have we were here one evening late and it's just like, wow, you know, you see it here.

It's beautiful.

It looks nice in the daytime, but at night it just is gorgeous.

So, you mentioned when It's going to be on the different nights starting tomorrow.

Black Friday is when it all begins on this weekend.

And what exactly are there like different event, different themes for different nights and throughout it?

We don't really have different themes.

However, we do have that.

The South Bend Civic Theater they're going to be coming out for a weekend, the the last week in the 17th and 18th.

And they're going to do a cute little show for that over at our at our round barn.

And they're going to mingle with the crowd here.

And then so they're going to do two shows.

We're working on some Christmas carolers just to go around.

We have Elsa, the little princess from Frozen.

Okay, I have a boy, not a girl.

So I can't believe that you forgot.

It's called Frozen one.

We're standing out here.

I don't know what have them some things like that for just to kind of walk around.

Great opportunities for photo shoots all around the zoo.

Yeah.

So you can just get, you know, grab some hot chocolate, you can grab some food.

We're going to have elephant ears out and we're going to have Randy's kettle corn.

So just some fun little munchies plus our our concessions and our bars will be open so you can get warm with a nice class of cider or something.

And we can't be at the zoo and not talk about the animal.

You know, it's like on top of all that, I'll wait.

There's all these amazing animals here, too.

Yes.

So as I said, our red pandas will be out because they love this will go over and see the guy and see the girls.

They're one of my favorites.

The giraffes will be in their barn.

They won't be out because they can't do the weather.

But people can go into the into the center and they can see their giraffes and they're gorgeous and we love them.

The tigers are usually out and you could probably get a good eye with the tigers.

You know, we have our own little farm really??

Eye of the tiger.

You got all of our, you know, our goats and the guys over there will be out.

So, yeah, just depending on the weather, some of them just simply have to stay warm.

But you'll see a good in the learning center is open so you can see the flock.

Yeah.

Do you think there's any chance that we could go and take a selfie or the Tigers or?

We could probably go do a selfie with the with the red pandas.

Oh, my gosh.

So the last time I was here for this show, I actually didn't get to see the red pandas.

But I want to see the red pandas because they're in my like top three cutest animals.

They're adorable.

That and sloth Yeah don't don't ask me why I just love sloths.

People most people do they love the sloth and they love the red pandas.

Yeah.

So.

So maybe we could go and see.

We certainly can.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

Hi Raya.

Hi Sisu.

Hi!

They are.

Absolutely.

So this is Raya and Sisu.

They're sisters.

They are absolutely adorable.

There's really no other word to describe these two other than adorable.

So they're munching on some bamboo and they're and they and they love this weather.

So they will definitely be out.

You will get to see these guys during Gift of Lights.

And of course, gift of lights and events like that.

It really goes towards because the zoo isn't open during the winter.

Yeah.

So we are officially closed until April 1st.

So you know, so it's kind of slow.

We do have quite a few events, the gift of lights, you know, the proceeds from all the money that we make that goes to feed these beautiful creatures, all of our animals, you know, they have to eat all year long.

not just through that.

They can't wait till April.

So, yes, come out and support our wonderful animals and our zoo.

And it's also just like, look at them.

I love the way he's just grabbing the branch.

I know they're adorable.

So, yeah, they'll be out all the whole month, so absolutely love it.

See them.

I want to hug one.

Would it bite my face?

They can be a little.

Yeah.

Oh you, you.

But they're sweet.

Sweet when they're not biting.

Yeah, exactly.

I love it.

So yeah we have some extra special we have extra lights over here this year.

So people can really get a they they love company.

They will, they will love to have people come to see them.

So so just a reminder again.

So it starts tomorrow, Black Friday.

and then it goes every weekend until until December 18th, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 5 to 9, 5 to 9 p.m.. Do people have to buy tickets online?

Yes, yes, yes.

And the ticket price, I can tell you, tickets for adults, $11, children $6 and senior six.

If you are a zoo member, the adult price are $8 and child is four and then we will have our train running and it's all decked out and lit up and that's $3 per person.

So yeah, the train, the, the carousel is not working.

If the weather doesn't do well on the cold.

But as I said, we will have our concessions open.

We will have our round barn for beverages or adult beverages, hot chocolate, lots of good munchies and just a lot of fun, lots of lights.

I love when people say adult beverages.

we're skirting around that we're going to be out here.

We really don't mind.

We do a hot... some kind of a hot Sangria situation.

It's delicious.

I mean, not that I've tried it a lot.

Yeah, yeah.

I can't smell it off your breath right now.

Trying to stay warm.

Yeah... we gotta do what we gotta do.

You know, it's fun.

It is a great event.

And I know for so many families in this community, I know a lot of parents, the zoo is like their lifeline when they get those like season tickets or their annual ticket holders, it's like they use it, a lot.

And not only is it not only that, but it's like we are growing.

So much, we are going to have a new Black Bear exhibit next year.

We are getting three new lions next year.

It is just like it's just so much fun to be a part of this zoo.

Josh and Margie have done amazing things too.

It's just growing and growing and growing and it's just going to be better and better next year.

I love it.

All right.

I'm going to go in and see if I can get a selfie with the tigers.

Okay.

You can do that.

Until then, make sure you get your tickets for the gift of lights here at the Potawatomi Zoo.

Thank you so much for watching Experience Michiana.

And don't forget, if there's something that you think we should experience, go to our Facebook page and send us a message on there.

Maybe you've been out and about and you've experienced something that you think we should go to.

Just let us know.

We're very thankful that you tune into our show every single week here on Experience Michiana and we hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

Experience Michiana is made possible in part by the Community Foundation of Saint Joseph County and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the state of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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

Thank you.