Who’s ready for a fantastic Friday? Join us for more fun ways to experience the outdoors this weekend AND a heartfelt story about distance love during WW2.

https://www.elkharttruth.com/news/warmer-than-average-winter-weather-brings-out-ice-skaters/article_46250a6a-2d2f-5028-98b9-67f63f0766c3.html

In Downtown Elkhart, temperatures are expected to stay above freezing and get into the high 30s over the weekend. According the National Weather Service, snow is expected with new accumulation of less than a half-inch.

The warmer-than-average temperatures have not put a strain on business at NIBCO. With many out on winter break, the outdoor ice rink has been a popular recreational activity, organizers said.

Weather permitting, the ice rink will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. and again from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Next week the rink will go back to being open Friday through Sunday only. Admission is $3 for children and $5 for adults. Skate rental is $3.

https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/entertainment/2024/01/05/swiss-valley-ski-snowboard-area-opens-for-the-season-with-snowmaking/72120991007/

Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area has announced that it will open for the season Saturday, Jan. 6, thanks to a hard push this week with snowmaking. 

The resort said to expect limited terrain this weekend, though it plans to keep adding to it as more snow can be made. 

“To guarantee an opening, we focused very heavily on a few specific areas,” it explained in its announcement. 

Specifically, it will open the “Easy Over” beginner slope that’s served with rope tows, while it’s also working now to add a variety of features. The resort will also open the slope dubbed “Swiss Miss,” which is served by its Quad 83 chairlift. That’s one of the first intermediate slopes that slide down from the rentals building.  

https://www.goshennews.com/news/a-love-to-last-a-lifetime/article_ce1886ec-a65f-11ee-9011-37722cba07d5.html

In Goshen, a 100 year old woman reflects on the her the love story with her late husband that started while he was serving back in world war 2.Vanessa Padilla from Goshen News wrote this beautiful article. Let’s check it out:

Weather reports share snow is coming our way this weekend and next week–are you ready for the snow?

https://checkout.roller.app/ironworksplaza/products/booknow#/sessions

Ready to enjoy the outdoors this weekend? Downtown Mishawaka’s Ironworks Ice Rink run by the City of Mishawaka offers ice skating, curling, ice bikes and even ice bumper cars!

Daily, they offer 90 minute skating sessions in between each session, they take a 45-minute break for the Zamboni to resurface the ice rink.For curling, you book by teams of 2 for an hour a piece and the cost is $15.Ice Bike rides are 15 minutes a piece and cost $8.

https://morriscenter.org/event/movies-at-the-morris-the-super-mario-bros-movie/

Movies at the Morris continue in January coming up on January 14th. Movies at the Morris is a fan favorite as the Morris Theatre shows free popular movies that have been recently released outside of traditional theaters.Tickets are required at the door, however registering for tickets are free at the link in the show notes below.

https://www.potawatomizoo.org/event/winter-days-2024/2024-01-06/

Winter Days at the Potawatomi Zoo are happening this weekend on Jan 6th and 7th from 12 to 3 pm.The train and concessions will be open along with several winter operational exhibits across the zoo.Zoo members can enter for free and admission for adults are $7.50 each.

With changes in weather coming up, check out some of these fun ways to get out of the house!

https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/entertainment/2024/01/03/swiss-valley-and-michigan-ski-resorts-hope-to-open-with-snowmaking/72082615007/

With outside temperatures hovering below freezing, Michiana area ski resorts are ready to make some snow.

Swiss Valley Ski Resort in Jones, MI and Timber Ridge near Kalamazoo are ready to make the flakes fly.Staff were hoping to finally open this weekend but temperatures may hold them back from that.

Mike Panich, manager at Swiss Valley, shares they would love to be open as soon as possible but may only have limited runs available. Snow had originally been built up at both resorts however, mid-December temperatures melted the snow.

https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/entertainment/2024/01/03/swiss-valley-and-michigan-ski-resorts-hope-to-open-with-snowmaking/72082615007/

Pool Kayaking returns to Elkhart this Sunday, Jan 7th at Concord High School. 

The East Race Whitewater Kayak Club hosts an annual indoor series to allow kayakers time in the water to practice or develop new skills from mentors. 

You can join in on certain Sundays throughout the season from 3:30 to 5:15.

Anyone can join in this Sunday by bringing a $15 donation and their kayak to the Concord High School pool area.

https://www.elkharttruth.com/hometown/community-foundation-awards-eight-scholarships/article_ea33fafc-5d8a-5568-b300-3b264f149256.html

The Community Foundation of Elkhart County awards 8 scholarships to local high school students.

Three students were selected to receive the 2024 Lily Endowment Community Scholarship for Elkhart County. These students receive full 4-year tuition at an state university or college within Indiana. 

Recipients are:

Jenna Harlan of Fairfield High School

Kennedy Troyer of Northridge High School

Cesar Vela of Goshen High School

These students were selected from a pool of nominees made by local high schools and finalists were selected based on  academic achievement, extracurricular, civic involvement, career goals, an interview, and an essay.

Jenna Harlan, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholar from Fairfield, said, “This scholarship really opens up a lot of opportunities for me. I had been struggling knowing how I was going to fund college, how I was going to get there. I have been applying for other scholarships, but now I can go to my dream school. I feel like all of the work that I put in was all leading up to this and it was really rewarding.”

Five additional students were selected to receive $5,000 per year towards tuition.

Students selected were:Nathaly Araujo Vera, Jimtown High School

Sage Borkholder, Concord High School

Ethan Henriquez, Northwood High School

Jayden Schlabach, Bethany Christian School

Ella Troyer, Elkhart High School

Join in today for Tuesday's uplifting stories!

https://www.elkharttruth.com/sports/concord-grad-brenneman-loves-swimming-for-irish/article_43217129-bde1-5ada-aa4a-a6a9ba845365.html

Notre Dame University swimmer and former Concord High School Grad Grace Brenneman broke the school record this past November for the 50-meter freestyle.

After swimming for Concord High School and graduating in 2022, Brenneman went on to swim for the University of Notre Dame. 

Brenneman, now a sophomore, competed in the Ohio State Fall Invitational in November and posted a time of 25.97 and set the new school record for the 50-meter freestyle.

Brenneman shares:“It’s great to swim at Notre Dame and it was great to see that result. It means a lot to me. It’s a stepping stone towards qualifying for the Olympic trials. I’m not under the cut, but I’m definitely a lot closer than I was before.”

https://www.elkharttruth.com/news/new-term-begins-for-city-elected-officials/article_085c1697-2095-5fd0-a9aa-6cd579ba2845.html

On Monday, The City of Elkhart officially brought in the next term of elected officials including Mayor Rod Roberson for his second term.

City Judge Charles Grodnik swore in Roberson as well as Clerk Deb Barrett and common council members including: Arvis Dawson, Alex Holtz, Tonda Hines, Aaron Mishler, Chad Crabtree, David Henke, Dwight Fish, Brent Curry and LaTonya King.

https://www.thedinnerdetective.com/south-bend/

Murder Mystery Dinner comes to South Bend in January and February.

For those looking for a unique spin on date night with their spouse or game night with the family, a new spin on the murder mystery interactive show comes to the Embassy Suites near Notre Dame. 

Tickets are $70 and include dinner with this interactive show. The next shows are January 13th and 20th.

Here’s what you can expect:

The Dinner Detective is very uniquely different from traditional murder mystery dinner theater! Anyone in the room can end up being a part of the show, and the action happens throughout the entire room. Throughout the night, a crime will occur, hidden clues will be revealed, and our Detectives will help everyone try to crack the case. In the end, we have a Prize Package awaiting the Top Sleuth who provides the best answer before the killer is unmasked! PLEASE NOTE: Prop guns, loud simulated gunshots, and/or short lighting blackouts may be used as part of the performance!

You can learn more on their website: https://www.thedinnerdetective.com/south-bend/

Happy New Year--tune in for city mayoral updates and a special origin story!

https://wsbt.com/news/local/south-bend-mayor-james-mueller-sworn-second-term-oath-office-politics-democrat-elected-official

Today, South Bend’s Mayor James Mueller and other elected officials were sworn in today at the Century Center in Downtown South Bend.

James Mueller is now in his 2nd term for the City of South Bend and had a chance to share a public address after being sworn in. James Mueller shares how working together within the city will make the community stronger and shared his passion and optimism for the city during the next few years under his leadership.

He shared:"Bold, deliberate public action will be necessary to get us where we need to go, the kind of action that's already underway with historic investments across our city. We are stronger together, and only together will we rise,"

-Mayor James Mueller, City of South Bend

https://www.goshennews.com/news/goshen-mayor-officials-sworn-in-at-meeting/article_491e9794-a50e-11ee-addd-7fbfb4819e23.html

In the city of Goshen, Mayor Gina Leichty was sworn in to officially begin her duties as an elected official. She was selected through caucusing earlier this year as interim Mayor.

Mayor Gina Leichty is the first elected female mayor in Goshen.

Before adjourning, Leichty, who is the first female mayor of the city, expressed her gratitude to those who had taken part and assisted with the campaign season.

https://www.facebook.com/inspirationalspeakercharlieadams

Charlie Adams recently shared this insightful story within a Facebook post, siting the origin story of the new movie “the Boys in the Boat.”

The post from Charlie shares a story shared with him from David Hoffert from Warsaw Community Schools.

Charlie shares:

“The Boys in the Boat” is an incredible and heartwarming story of teamwork and the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Ryun and I had a chance to see the movie version yesterday with a special knowledge of Joe Rantz. In fact, most likely the book or movie would have never been made without my history students in 2006. 

As a teacher, I loved to introduce my students to people who lived the history and could share from their experiences. That included hundreds of the Greatest Generation of the Great Depression. Many of my summers as a history teacher were spent traveling the country doing historical interviews with research grants. 

In 2006, my students were studying Jesse Owens and Berlin Olympics. They asked if there was anyone still alive that could tell them about being at the Olympics. We did a quick internet search (revolutionary for its time) and came across a little known participant (Joe Rantz) in Washington state who won a gold medal as part of the 8 man rowing crew team. We put together a letter and sent it away. 

A few weeks later later we receive an incredible letter and packet from Joe and his daughter Judy. Joe was in hospice care and his daughter used this request and opportunity from students to collect of his thoughts and experiences before it was too late. My students (and I) felt privileged to learn from these experiences. Joe passed away in 2007. 

A highlight was sharing with Joe’s daughter that that initial letter had gone full circle as “The Boys in the Boat” became class read in our middle schools. 

Was so much fun watching the movie knowing Joe Rantz’s story might have been lost to history without some students in Warsaw Community Schools. By the way…..In case you have not read the book or watched the movie…..do, as you will be inspired and reminded why teamwork makes the dreamwork!"

- David Hoffert

Warsaw Community Schools Supt

It’s the final day of 2023! 

Show Notes

https://www.elkharttruth.com/news/goshen-swears-in-new-kid-mayor-council/article_55aedd22-32c9-53d6-ab75-271443024ae0.html

Newly elected Kid Mayor Lincoln Tolin and five other elementary school students took a modified oath of office during the council meeting Monday. 

The oath the students took commits them to “support and be a voice for the City of Goshen fourth-graders” to the best of their ability.

Wendy Clark, program coordinator said:“The program goes along with the state academic standards for fourth-graders. Each kiddo who wants to participate has to choose an issue that is pertinent to Goshen that is important to them,” she said at the Nov. 13 meeting, as the finalists were preparing to give their speeches to council. “And then they have to think about a solution that is feasible for a fourth-grader to accomplish.”

https://www.wndu.com/2023/12/26/new-dinosaur-museum-south-bend-nearing-completion/

The Indiana Dinosaur Museum in South Bend is set to open in a few months.WNDU reports work on the buildings is wrapping up, with work on the exhibits just beginning. At this point, it’s hoped the museum can open in April, or May at the latest. 

The museum hired a world class dinosaur sculptor to produce a replica of “Juliette,” who is the inspiration for the museum. She is a duck-billed dinosaur who was museum founder Mark Tarner’s first rare find as a paleontologist. Juliette is unique in that she was found with some 13 feet of skin on her tail.

The project also includes moving the South Bend Chocolate Museum to the dino museum site at U.S. 20 and the Bypass, and the opening of a new South Bend Public House restaurant.

https://www.wndu.com/2023/12/27/mishawaka-man-found-alive-after-crashing-truck-i-94-being-trapped-6-days/

A local Mishawaka man survives a car wreck after being trapped under a bridge for 6 days.

27 year old Matthew Reum of Mishawaka is now being treated at South Bend’s Memorial Hospital after being found by fishermen.Matt shares that he was pinned inside the vehicle and had to maintain a clear head and hope that someone would find him.

The way the vehicle crashed, it was hidden from sight under a bridge.

Matt is currently recovering from his injuries and shares how grateful he is to be alive.

Matt Reum’s GoFundMe Page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/matt-reum-with-medical-bills-recovery

Join in on this beautiful Saturday for Some Good News!

Show Notes

https://wsbt.com/community/hometown-living/the-fire-ice-festival-returns-to-downtown-goshen

For First Fridays in Goshen, the community brings back the fire and ice festival.

This coming Friday, join in from 5 to 8 pm in Downtown Goshen the celebration for bonfires and ice cravings.

This year, Miller Poultry has sponsored the ice throne for photo ops. Other ice carvings include figurines and a full-sized ice sleigh.

Local businesses are open and available including some of my favorites: Biebs & Ash Smashburger, Jojo’s Pretzels, The Electric Brew, Goshen Brewing Company, and more!

In connection to our story coverage from yesterday on Faith Mission, we also had a chance to catch up with Jovan Carson, Food Services Director at Faith Mission. Check it out.

Join us on this journey every day as we discover inspiring stories inside our great community together 

Show Notes

https://www.wndu.com/video/2023/11/23/faith-mission-serves-thanksgiving-meals-hungry-elkhart/

Every single day throughout the year, Faith Mission in Elkhart serves around 100 people through their meal offerings. On Thanksgiving and Christmas, they step up to include delivered meals serving around 500 on each of those days.Back on Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to talk with one of the volunteers, Bart Matos. During our conversation, it became clear he loves giving back to Faith Mission because not too long ago in a former life, he was a resident there.

https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/news/local/2023/12/21/north-pole-for-families-of-sick-children-at-beacons-hospitals-ronald-mcdonald-house/71979121007/

https://retailwire.com/portland-international-airport-welcomes-therapy-llamas/

Welcome to Some Good News Michiana!

Join me on this journey as we uncover uplifting stories about our local community right here in Michiana.

Tune in daily for our morning show on positive news stories, lessons in life, and what makes people great as we discover this resilient community in Michiana together.

Want to contribute an article or story?

Drop me an email at: [email protected]

Thanks for being a part of this inspiring journey!

- Jordan Cox