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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Nappanee, IN

Home Care Nappanee, IN

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Nappanee Power from the Past gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Nappanee, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Nappanee, IN

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick to help out patients in need and staff is very polite and professional.”

Jill W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all you do! You all are Awesome & thank you for the honors of being part of the team also acknowledging myself for Employee of the Month of March! You all are appreciated”

Sowana H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love the open door policy. Michelle is my favorite schedule she does an amazing job with communication.”

Angelnique T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere heart I love working with this agency..”

Deniva J.
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“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and schedulers, especially Michele, are helpful in finding compatibility for your clients, they’re also flexible in scheduling hours. Great company, great staff.”

Alexis E.
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TESTIMONIALS

“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the most I would like Stephanie Kramer for supporting me and helping me get through my work schedules and feel comfortable at my place of employment. I am sad to see that she left Scheduling , but she still tries her best to help everyone even with her new position. Her dedication means everything I would like to Tasha as well for communicating with me so much I also cannot forget Patricia and Michelle as well. You ladies help me so much with my client. I greatly appreciate you ladies. I appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that you ladies have with meeting me halfway when it comes to our job it definitely makes everything much easier. Keep up the great work as well as the rest of the staff thank you ladies for everything that you do and congratulations Monique on your new position.”

Doninique W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in GA and MI, when I worked in healthcare; and I have to say that Always Best Care is one of the best home health care agencies that I have found since the early 90's !!! I have been a client with Always Best Care since February 2022 and I have been extremely pleased with the help I have received both from my caregivers and the office staff. All the staff work hard and the quality of care is exceptional!!! The few occasions that I didn't like a caregiver because of either poor work ethic or personality, Always Best Care always took care of finding another caregiver to better meet my needs ASAP!! When I first started with Always Best Care I did get a few caregivers that weren't a good fit. But, within a very short period of time my scheduler learned my specific needs and personality and she found caregivers for me that were a wonderful match!! As in every area of healthcare, the high turnover of employees is to be expected!!! But, Always Best Care has always made sure that I have a new caregiver that matches my needs and expectations!! I have and would, highly recommend Always Best Care for your home health daily care!!”

Candace
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TESTIMONIALS

“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”

Amy L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”

Amy L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving family. Thank you for the opportunity of serving for your company thank you to Michelle, who is always looking out for me and making sure that I have the hours that I need.”

Jazzmine .
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“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or time of need. The care and dedication to their staff is incredible and I throughly enjoy my time working along side them!”

Kaitlyn S.
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“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”

Falon S.
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“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”

Stephanie S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best care is amazing!”

Patti V.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care for their clients, but they go above and beyond for their staff as well.”

Monique B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the care was excellent. I have referred Always Best Care to several people.”

Michelle P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2 years now and it's a great atmosphere I like coming in to work meeting new people. It's a place that's kind friendly and it makes you feel at home it makes you feel that you're working with people that understand you know you're different needs your different hours and if something come up they are there to help you with anything that you need help with it's a great company I'm so glad I signed up with the company I signed up a little bit after the pandemic and I just needed somewhere that I could really consider myself at home or I find a home and I have I'm amazed at how the people are so nice when you talk to them on the phone how nice they are friendly you can tell this saying it with a smile I enjoy working there I tell people ask me where I work at always best care they like what yeah always best care yes it's a nice company sign up with it you won't regret it I'm glad I do it I'm really glad I did”

Linda M.
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“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for me to take care of my father. I most definitely recommend them!”

Stacy F.
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“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best company. From the office staff to the caregivers, they are doing what they love and it shows.”

Wendy O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”

JerelCDBErep C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from big recognition like a monthly caregiver award and random drawings, to small recognition such as any time you visit the office you are free to grab snacks, beverages, gear and more often than not there is some type of food they have ordered that is available. They really don’t hold back in this area! There has been quite a bit of changes made in office positions within the last year. Response time, outside of the scheduling department, can be improved upon.”

Natalie C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They really help people when they need it”

Caroline
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TESTIMONIALS

“I've had caregivers for about 5 years now. Only having been disappointed and frustrated. Since Always Best Care came into my life, my worries have ended. I never knew if previous caregivers were going to show up, or do what I needed. Everytime they would complete a task, they would sit down and be on their phone. Kari and Jamisha finish a task and right to the next. No problems. My mind has been put at ease. They are very professional yet so so friendly. They ask, what else they can do for me. I also have my ABC emergency call button. Now I have peace of mind if an emergency should arise. My case coordinator Stephanie Stevens. Stays right on top of my case. Thank you so much for making my life easier. I have recommended your company to others that may need assistance in the future.”

Gary M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Carole is an excellent caring professional. She has been extremely helpful in advising us and in scheduling care. With respect to the caregivers, we have no complaints. We want to give a special thank you to Rhona for her time and effort in creating a special bond with our mother.”

Melissa E.
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“They were my mother's caretakers up until we moved away to seek life saving treatment. It was hard for them at times, because sometimes the homecare aides sometimes called off last minute. One time something came up missing, and the owner personally delivered a replacement. They're not perfect but they try their best.”

LaVon T.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Nappanee, IN?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Nappanee, IN

Types of Elderly Care in Nappanee, IN

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Nappanee, IN
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Nappanee, IN
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting South Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Nappanee, IN
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ruhe 152 or visit The Barns at Nappanee, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Nappanee, IN

Benefits of Home Care in Nappanee, IN

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Nappanee, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Nappanee, IN

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IN's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Nappanee, IN

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Nappanee, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Nappanee, IN

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Nappanee, IN

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Heritage House Senior Living
  • Elder-Haus Senior Center
  • Visiting Angels
Home Care Nappanee, IN

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Nappanee, IN

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Nappanee, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Nappanee, IN

Latest News in Nappanee, IN

The Barns Restaurants in Nappanee rolls out three new in-house concepts

Market BasketThis story was originally published January 13, 2021 in the South Bend Tribune.The owners of The Barns at Nappanee, formerly known as Amish Acres, plan to open three in-house restaurant concepts this year.Owner Marlin Stutzman, one of three owners who purchased the historic Nappanee touri...

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This story was originally published January 13, 2021 in the South Bend Tribune.

The owners of The Barns at Nappanee, formerly known as Amish Acres, plan to open three in-house restaurant concepts this year.

Owner Marlin Stutzman, one of three owners who purchased the historic Nappanee tourism attraction in February 2020, said the past year had been tough and the group was looking at ways to stay nimble while also offering options that would bring diners in.

“After a rough 2020 and, hopefully we are not going to have one of those in 2021, we decided to bring all of our food service inside the company,” Stutzman said. “With the theater and arts and crafts, we felt like we could streamline and bring it all in house.”

The operating group initially tapped South Bend-based LaSalle Hospitality Group to handle food services and LaSalle Farm and Table promptly opened in May 2020. However, the two businesses never had a formal contract, with only a “handshake agreement” LaSalle owner Mark McDonnell said. McDonnell also said coordinating operations was causing some logistical headaches and the decision to split was mutual.

“We were doing some decent sales given the type of year it was and we thought people responded well to it,” McDonnell said. “It sounds like he is going to go back to how Amish Acres was. … I’m not disappointed that we’re out.”

Now dubbed under the umbrella The Barns Restaurants, three newer concepts will be rolled out.

One will feature The Barns FarmTable, where customers can expect traditional Amish country-style cooking. It will be located in the main dining room and will offer the occasional buffet and family style meal options that diners have come to expect from Amish Acres.

A second will be The Barns Steakhouse, which will have a more fine-dining ambiance with meat options from local butcher shop Stutzman Brothers Meats, based out of Sturgis, Mich., which Stutzman operates with his brother Matt.

The third will be The Barns Bakery and Cafe, which will serve coffee, baked goods such as pies and bread and also offer quick meal options for lunch or snacks.

"We feel that we can offer two different options and do the traditional Amish cooking like Amish Acres did but also provide a local option in our steakhouse, as well," Stutzman said. "We felt like we could be more diverse than what just Farm and Table would."

The majority of the ideas came from hearing feedback from customers, Stutzman said, with many vocal about wanting a bakery and the family-style meals once again.

“We really listened to people and what they were looking for,” he said. “That made us comfortable to bring it back under our operations.”

Although opening procedures are dependent upon any COVID-19 related restrictions and changes, an inaugural ticketed Wine and Wagyu event will be held Feb. 12 at The Barns Steakhouse with reservations for a Valentine’s Day dinner and theater event Feb. 13 also scheduled to be available. Stutzman said he plans for all three concepts to be open by March 25 in time for the first Round Barn Theatre production.

Farm supply and outdoor department store Stock + Field, formerly known as Big R, announced it will close all remaining stores.

The Minnesota-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sunday, and in a Monday night news release, CEO Matthew Whebbe stated that "there have been many challenges in 2020, and Stock+Field was not immune to them."

An exact store closure date was not specified in the release, with Whebbe stating only that stores will begin selling items at "massive discounts in the coming weeks" and "this won't last long."

The Journal Review in Crawfordsville reports its local store will close at the end of March. An Elkhart store manager would not confirm or deny the closure date.

There currently are 25 locations across the Midwest, with area locations in Elkhart, Michigan City, Rochester, Wabash and Warsaw.

In Oct. 2019, a company spokeswoman confirmed plans to open a new Stock+Field store in the former Menards location in Erskine Plaza on the south side of South Bend, with a tentative opening date of spring 2020. It is now unclear what may fill the vacant space.

Hispanic grocery store and restaurant Flamingos has been renamed to Michoaca?n Supermarket. The store is under new management and offers grocery items from Mexico, Central and South America. The restaurant also offers tacos, burritos and more. … Chompion, a website that was jumpstarted last year to connect local restaurant to-go services with customers, has been taken down. The website developers Kevin Lawler and Matt Knapper shut down the website in October and Lawler has since moved to Austin, Texas. … Vanilla Bean Creamery owners announced plans to open in its new Toscana Park location in Granger by early February.

STATE OF THE CITY: Nappanee looking toward sesquicentennial

NAPPANEE — Nappanee Mayor Phil Jenkins took a look back at the history of Nappanee in his State of the City address Monday night before looking forward as Nappanee will be celebrating 150 years in 2024.He thanked those who braved the “treacherous weather” to attend as he said, “2024 marks the 150th year since the beginning of the new railroad and the founding of our community. Looking back, I am grateful for the roots that were established, allowing Nappanee to not only survive, but to thrive. Many individuals ...

NAPPANEE — Nappanee Mayor Phil Jenkins took a look back at the history of Nappanee in his State of the City address Monday night before looking forward as Nappanee will be celebrating 150 years in 2024.

He thanked those who braved the “treacherous weather” to attend as he said, “2024 marks the 150th year since the beginning of the new railroad and the founding of our community. Looking back, I am grateful for the roots that were established, allowing Nappanee to not only survive, but to thrive. Many individuals and families took the opportunity provided to them and built successful businesses, provided necessary services and established a strong and willing spirit to work hard and care for one another.

“Looking forward, I am excited to see what we can accomplish together over the next 50 years,” he continued. “What will future generations say about us? Will we have the same entrepreneurial spirit and continue to improve the quality of life for all residents of Nappanee?

“As I begin my third term as your mayor, I would like to point back to all of the previous mayors and leaders that have laid the solid foundation for a promising today and a brighter tomorrow,” he said and also thanked the residents, businesses and churches in the community. “I am humbled and honored to lead this great city for another four years and look forward, with excitement, to what we are yet to accomplish.”

“The State of the City allows us to celebrate our collective successes, identify challenges and opportunities for improvement, and set a course for a better future,” he said as he thanked the elected officials, city employees, board and commission members as well as partners across the region and the state “that share in the vision of a stronger, safer, and more prosperous environment to start a business, raise a family and share in the joys and challenges of life.”

“Thanks to our Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Knight, his staff and the city council, we are pleased to report that we continue to be in a strong financial position. Through a history of balanced budgets, healthy cash reserves and conscientious spending, we are able to complete larger capital projects and provide necessary services to continue to enhance our quality of life,” he said.

The mayor added that “2023 was another successful year in Nappanee as we continue to improve our city through enhanced services, improved infrastructure and new growth.”

He said the largest project was the reconstruction of Woodview Drive and said once the weather warms up, they’ll hold a ribbon cutting. He pointed out the crowd-funding campaign the parks department completed that will bring pickleball to the community in the spring and said, “This is an example of residents identifying a need and us, collectively, implementing a way to make it a reality.”

Mayor Jenkins mentioned partnerships that brought about projects like the development of Wellfield subdivision and the Wellfield soccer complex. “Thanks to the cost-sharing between the city of Nappanee and the schools, the soccer complex is one of the best venues in northern Indiana.”

He spoke about the change to curbside recycling and the grant the city just secured to help with the costs. He also spoke of regional partnerships, like the one between the city and Elkhart County Regional Sewer District to eliminate septic systems in unincorporated areas.

“While 2023 did not see the number of permits and buildings increase as in years past, we continue to see modest growth and activity,” he said. “All sectors, including industrial, commercial and residential saw significant growth.

“2023 saw the retirement of longtime Utilities Superintendent and community volunteer Gale Gerber. Every community needs a Gale Gerber,” Jenkins said and wished him all the best in his retirement.

“As we moved from a contracted redevelopment director/chamber director the city of Nappanee hired Mark Collins as our new director of Development. Mark works with the planning department and oversees the redevelopment commission,” he said, adding that they look forward to his contributions working with new and existing businesses to locate or expand in Nappanee. He added that he looked forward to collaborating with new chamber director Bill Dutkowski and local business partners.

What will this year and beyond look like?

Jenkins said, “The city continues to work on several capital projects and looks forward to completing some master planning that will shape our future. Preliminary design and pricing on the new fire station is progressing as we hire additional full-time staff. We intend to have more details to share this spring and be able to secure funding to be able to start construction this fall or early next spring.”

He shared that roads and streets are looking at a few short- and long-term projects, including adding the center lane at U.S. 6 near the airport this spring/summer, prioritizing extending Jackson Street to C.R. 1350 as they look at potential financing and continuing to work with the Federal Railroad Association and CSX to improve railroad crossings.

He shared that the Redevelopment Commission has hired a consultant and is working on a master plan for downtown, which he said, “Continues to be a focus for my administration. Downtown is the heartbeat of our community, and we want to see that success continue for many generations,” and invited downtown businesses and community members to get involved.

Jenkins said that the city has also hired a consultant to assist the planning, streets and park departments conduct a feasibility study for “adding sidewalks and paths that will connect neighborhoods in a more efficient way. Our goal is that this process will move forward into a phased construction plan for creating better access to amenities and destinations around Nappanee and enabling greater physical fitness opportunities and a healthier lifestyle. We will also continue to partner with Wakarusa and Connect in Elkhart County to establish a trail between our two communities and tie into the network of other trails within the county.”

He said as the city continues to look at overall long-term growth, the Planning Department will work with Michiana Area Council of Governments for assistance with the overall master plan, looking at land use, zoning, utilities and transportation.

“While we focus on Nappanee, we recognize the various partners that share in our collective goal of embracing the place,” he said, mentioning the various organizations within the city, county, region, state and country that he said were “key to our success.”

The mayor said feedback and suggestions from residents and others in the community are valuable. “We continue to look for opportunities to engage and share information with our residents and businesses.”

Two time capsules will be opened this fall. One is from 2000 and the other is from the centennial in 1974.

Jenkins said they are finalizing the planning of opening those and other events to “celebrate and commemorate this great milestone for our community.”

He asked the community to stay tuned for more information. As he concluded his speech he said, “I am so grateful and honored to be your mayor and look forward to the next four years with you as we shape our next 50 years. The success we have seen in these last eight years has inspired me to reach for bigger and better things in the years to come. I believe in Nappanee and offer you my best, to work with you, as together we ‘Build a Better Nappanee!’ May God continue to bless Nappanee!”

• Approved an amendment to resolution 774-24, transfer of funds due to two items with numbers that were transposed and two items that were missed.

• Approved 2024 appointments adding new council member Austin Yoder as liaison to water department and planning department and adding him to the finance committee. There are still a few openings on the Board of Zoning Appeals, Business Improvement District committee and Historic Preservation Commission.

• Approved resolution 776-24 setting the mileage reimbursement rate at 67 cents per mile, as according to the Internal Revenue Service rate.

Denise Fedorow is a columnist and correspondent for the Goshen News. Readers may contact her at [email protected]. Follow Denise on Twitter @DeniseFedorow

Nappanee area public pleads to keep BMV

NAPPANEE — About 35 people from Nappanee and the surrounding communities showed up at a public hearing Tuesday to plead with Bureau of Motor Vehicles officials to keep their license branch open.BMV Commissioner Joe Hoage began the hearing by telling the attendees the closing is “only a proposal at this point” and that there are steps to go through before a decision is made, one of which is for the commissioner to come to the community and listen to their views of what impact the closing would have on the community....

NAPPANEE — About 35 people from Nappanee and the surrounding communities showed up at a public hearing Tuesday to plead with Bureau of Motor Vehicles officials to keep their license branch open.

BMV Commissioner Joe Hoage began the hearing by telling the attendees the closing is “only a proposal at this point” and that there are steps to go through before a decision is made, one of which is for the commissioner to come to the community and listen to their views of what impact the closing would have on the community.

Hoage acknowledged that Mayor Phil Jenkins “made an excellent point in the article I read in The Goshen News” about not being notified. He went through the notification process saying they based it on the Open Door law but went beyond that by giving 10 calendar days’ notice and said, “It was a valid piece of criticism. We should have taken the additional step to notify city officials and we will include that in our process moving forward.”

Before opening the floor for comments Hoage explained, “We evaluate a number of branches on a continuing basis to make sure we’re being fiscally responsible” and went on to explain the process of determining whether a branch closes. He said they looked back at the data since 2016 and the number of daily transactions and two key components stood out. He said Nappanee had the lowest number of transactions in the region on a daily basis. He shared what really surprised them was only half of the residents from Nappanee’s 46550 zip code was doing business there. He said 25% were doing business online and the rest at a different branch or by mail.

Hoage said it costs $72,000 a year to have the Nappanee branch with $32,000 going to rent and the rest to utilities and other hard costs.

He said they received about 40 comments via email so far and he said they all had a common theme and most were concerned about the hardship to the Amish community. He invited Chief Operating Officer Kevin Garvey to explain the different ways people can do business with the BMV.

Both men acknowledged Nappanee was a unique community and one reason was the Amish community. Garvey pointed out that the BMV does not handle horse-drawn vehicle licensing. He said that is done through the counties. He also said people are not required to do business in the county they live in.

He said mail is still an option as well as the telephone, online and kiosks.

“Our goal in everything is to make sure people have choices,” he said.

Larry Burkholder, owner of Burkholder Country Store, spoke for the Amish community. He said many have cargo trailers and boat trailers that they need to get plates for and they almost all get personal ID’s. He said if they have to go out of town they’d have to hire a taxi and invariably when they get to the license branch, they don’t have everything they need so they’d have to go back several times.

“The BMV branch is very vital,” he said. “On behalf of the Amish we really appreciate it and utilize it a lot.”

Troy Kennedy of Milford spoke and said, as did many others, that it is not only people in the 46550 zip code that use the Nappanee branch.

“Most of us come here to this branch,” he said. “We need this facility to take care of us. It’s not a feasible idea to close this community asset.”

Kennedy later shared his 90-year-old relative recently renewed her license at the Nappanee branch and said she had a great time. “It was like a party in there!”

Elizabeth and Dean Anglemyer of Wakarusa both spoke, pointing out it’s not just people in Nappanee who use the branch. They said it used to be open five days a week. “Now we don’t know when it’s open,” Elizabeth said.

Dean said, “It’s only open a couple of days a week is a big reason why you don’t have the percentage of business even from Nappanee. If it’s not open you have to go somewhere else. It’s a very good asset to have the BMV here.”

Mayor Jenkins spoke and addressed some of the BMV’s numbers pointing out that the branch was only open 43% of the time, was closed completely for a time and it used to be three days a week and now it’s two days.

“The irregularity and availability is going to impact your numbers,” he said, adding that a distance of 27 miles is “a hardship to this community.”

“If a decision is made to close it, I hope we can at least get a kiosk but I hope we can keep it.”

The mayor added that sometimes in a community it’s not just about money. “We operate a public pool and we don’t make any money on it but we have it because it adds quality of life. The BMV is a quality of life issue. If it’s a matter of rent or location, we’d like to work with the BMV to see if we can make it more affordable.”

Sheila Losee said when they were deciding between closing Walkerton or Nappanee they chose Nappanee. She said she doesn’t do business on computers and it would be better if the branch was open later one evening.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Knight said, “Stats can mean anything you want. Our numbers are down because it’s only open two days a week, so of course the other branches numbers are going to be up. The mayor’s just shown that you’ve done this to the community. I, along with everyone else in this room, believe in the viability for having the BMV in town. It’s a critical function for not just us but the surrounding communities.”

Brian Hoffer spoke saying he was born and raised in Nappanee and has a law practice there. “The BMV means a lot to this community,” he said.

He pointed out that Hoage said he didn’t expect Nappanee to do the same as larger communities, but all seven branches mentioned are all larger and are all open full time.

“No disrespect, but I don’t think those are fair comparisons,” Hoffer said.

He said he appreciated the fact sheet, but would’ve preferred to have that in advance. He reiterated that it has been difficult to judge when the branch is open forcing some to go elsewhere.

“I don’t think Nappanee should be held responsible for that,” he said.

Hoffer brought up the Nappanee post office saying it was a very busy office, but not as busy as Goshen. “But it’s important for the same reason the BMV is important,” he said. “I agree with the mayor. It’s important that you do fiscal reviews but that shouldn’t be the only factor. Sometimes the fact that they have someplace to go is very helpful to a large geographical area.”

Minerva Martin from Wakarusa said Nappanee branch employees always get things right and are kind and helpful.

Two former Nappanee BMV employees spoke and both said the branch should be open more. Tina Fuller said she worked there for five years and it should be open five days a week. Betty Slagle used to manage the BMV when it was in the basement of another building and suggested a different, smaller location might help save money.

Wayne Parish said he didn’t do business online and only knew of the meeting because his daughter told him about it. He said he’s never gone to a public meeting but felt he had to come to this one. He said he wants to see a person face to face and is able to conduct business quickly in Nappanee.

Many also mentioned that COVID played a part in the statistics being down.

Vicky Hunsberger said $72,000 was “a lot of money to me but not to the BMV’s budget. It’s our quality of life.”

Hoage admitted it wasn’t a large amount in the bigger picture.

Denny Miler and Jeff Kitson spoke on behalf of the business community and both shared how they see people trying to go to the branch all the time but its closed.

“Before taking it away I hope you look at all the options,” Kitson said.

Hoage said a decision would be made within 30 days.

“I’m not surprised by your civility and your courteousness and that you all have the same viewpoint,” he said.

Hoage will review all the comments received and when a decision is made a press release would be sent out but he said he’d also contact the mayor’s office directly.

After the meeting Jenkins said, “I’m very pleased with the turnout and that residents are expressing their support for the local BMV. We can’t change the outcome but I think it’s good they were here in person. The license branch affects our quality of life and I hope we can do what we can to convince them to stay.”

Denise Fedorow is a columnist and correspondent for the Goshen News. Readers may contact her at [email protected]. Follow Denise on Twitter @DeniseFedorow

The 'Plain and Fancy' tradition continues at Amish Acres Round Barn Theatre

“Plain and Fancy” is just plain tradition at Amish Acres’ Round Barn Theatre.The 1955 musical by Joseph Stein and Will Glickman — which has been a staple at the repertory theater in Nappanee since 1986 — opened Wednesday and runs through October.“It’s really part of the whole Amish Acres experience,” director Ryan Schisler says. “… I would 100% say it is a rite of passage because everyone (here) knows the references for ‘Plain and Fancy,’ ev...

“Plain and Fancy” is just plain tradition at Amish Acres’ Round Barn Theatre.

The 1955 musical by Joseph Stein and Will Glickman — which has been a staple at the repertory theater in Nappanee since 1986 — opened Wednesday and runs through October.

“It’s really part of the whole Amish Acres experience,” director Ryan Schisler says. “… I would 100% say it is a rite of passage because everyone (here) knows the references for ‘Plain and Fancy,’ everyone knows the jokes. For people who have been here for a really long time, those references pop up in everyday conversation.”

Set in Lancaster, Pa., the musical follows New Yorkers Dan King and Ruth Winters as they travel to the Amish Country to sell a piece of land. Jacob Yoder — often referred to as Papa Yoder — plans to buy the land as a wedding gift for his daughter Katie and her fiance?, Ezra.

The director describes the show as “Amish ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’”

“There are a lot of parallels between the shows,” he says. “There are people from the different communities involved (with each other), and some of the love triangles and the stories are even kind of similar in their telling.”

Although the theater world as a whole is more familiar with “Fiddler on the Roof” — also written by Stein, for whom the Round Barn’s stage is named — at Amish Acres, “Plain and Fancy” is a rite of passage.

“A lot of the actors experience ‘Plain and Fancy’ for the first time when they get here,” the director says. “People know pieces from ‘Plain and Fancy,’ but overall, I don’t think that people know the whole story,”

In fact, Schisler himself didn’t know the full story until he experienced the musical for the first time when he came to the company as an actor several years ago.

“It is a lot about acceptance and not judging a book by its cover,” he says. “It’s also about accepting other cultures and being open to a different way of thinking.”

The director thinks that even though the show was introduced in the ’50s, it still holds some messages that are relevant today.

“Speaking politically, I think we’re so polarized right now and there is this polarization in ‘Plain and Fancy’ where you bring in New Yorkers who are part of the city life and then you have the Amish who are simple people,” Schisler says. “So you bring these two communities together that are so polar opposites, and in the end, they come together and work as a group.”

Travis Bird has played Papa Yoder for the past five years.

“There’s a reason why it’s been running 33 years,” he says. “It’s a stellar piece of theater. It’s a step back into the golden age of musicals that I think people still love. It’s funny. You go on a roller coaster of emotions in this show, and you get a nice little wrap-up at the very end.”

Because ‘Plain and Fancy” is performed into October, by the end of the season, the actors usually end up having a number of inside jokes related to the musical.

“We like to refer to the show as a record,” Bird says. “It sounds a certain way, and you get that dialogue ingrained on your head, so when something goes awry, it’s like nails on a chalkboard. … A lot of the running jokes are like little hiccups that have happened, like a record skipping.”

Bird says that actors in “Plain and Fancy”— even if they are performing in one of the company’s other summer show’s at the same time — kind of feel like they are going home during each performance.

“It’s the core company,” he says. “It’s the humans that no matter what’s going on outside, no matter what’s going on in the other show or rehearsal, it’s like home base. It’s like, ‘Oh, we know this. We’re fine here. We’re comfortable here.’”

Despite bringing the same musical to the stage each season, the show does change from year to year.

“I always joke that I always play a different Papa Yoder every year,” Bird says. “I still bring my character … however, so much of acting is reacting to those around you on stage, so it is also such a fun challenge to get to know the new versions of the characters that come in every year.”

It’s not just the actors that change the show. The musical also makes changes to its sets and costumes, and some years, the company adds material written for the musical that didn’t make it into the Broadway production.

“Every year it’s a little bit different,” Bird says. “Every year there’s a different song added back in, every year brand-new humans take on these characters, and it’s always a new, beautiful version being pumped out.”

Even with the small changes, one constant is that once the show comes together, the actors and audience usually love it.

“I do think that ‘Plain and Fancy’ holds a special place in the hearts of all of our patrons, because it’s seen so many different iterations, Bird says. “… It’s always such a cool thing to watch the cast come together, and it does every year. It’s been going 33 years, and it still hasn’t petered out. It’s still good. Audiences still love it. It’s just a solid show.”

• What: "Plain and Fancy"

• Where: Amish Acres' Round Barn Theatre, 1600 W Market St., Nappanee

• When: through Oct. 12

• Cost: $32.95-$6.95

• For more information: Call 800-800-4942 or visit amishacres.com

NAPPANEE TORNADO: Residents recall devastation of 2007 twister

NAPPANEE — Amid memories of destruction and recovery, there’s a distinct memory about a group of golfers that sticks out in Larry Thompson’s mind.As he stood on U.S. 6 early in the morning of Oct. 19, 2007, Thompson, then-mayor of Nappanee, saw devastation all around him — the result of a fast-moving tornado that barreled through the city only a few hours before.“If I hadn’t known I was walking on the pavement of U.S. 6, I would not have known where I was. There was not much that was identifi...

NAPPANEE — Amid memories of destruction and recovery, there’s a distinct memory about a group of golfers that sticks out in Larry Thompson’s mind.

As he stood on U.S. 6 early in the morning of Oct. 19, 2007, Thompson, then-mayor of Nappanee, saw devastation all around him — the result of a fast-moving tornado that barreled through the city only a few hours before.

“If I hadn’t known I was walking on the pavement of U.S. 6, I would not have known where I was. There was not much that was identifiable as far as the buildings, at least in the middle of the night,” Thompson said during a recent interview as he reflected on the 10th anniversary of the Nappanee tornado.

But just two days later, as thousands of volunteers pitched in and the town’s recovery began, Thompson spotted a small group of golfers headed across the course.

“I did not recognize the golfers so they probably had no clue what was going on in Nappanee, Indiana. But there were a couple of guys playing golf and the grass was green, there was no sign of debris and I thought ‘We’re going to be OK.’ If at the end of this day, we can play golf here, it’s pretty amazing.

“Now, off where all the damage was, it was still another deal.”

ABOUT THE STORM

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado — an EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale — that hit Nappanee brought with it winds of approximately 136 to 165 mph. The tornado touched down just after 10 p.m. on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007, a few miles south of downtown Nappanee.

Video from then-Nappanee Patrolman Curtis Weldy’s squad car, parked at the intersection of Ind. 19 and 1350 North, recorded the tornado touching down at 10:18 p.m. on 10-18-07.

The tornado was on the ground for about 2 miles, extending to a maximum width of a half mile as it passed over the city. It lifted near the intersection of C.R. 46 and C.R. 17, a few miles southwest of downtown New Paris.

In the coming days, city officials estimated as many as 250 buildings were damaged, half of them severely. An estimated 4,000 NIPSCO customers were without power immediately after the storm and many were without a home to return to.

Among them was Jenni Heeter, who told The Goshen News at the time she was in her home at 71860 C.R. 9 with her two young daughters when the tornado struck.

“We only had seconds. We heard the sirens go, and we ran to the basement. Just like that, it hit. There was no place else to go,” she said. “When we were downstairs, we were all holding our hands over our ears, because the pain was so intense. Our ears were hurting and popping because of all the pressure. I’ve never felt anything like that before, and I never want to again.”

‘OVERWHELMING FOR EVERYBODY’

Within minutes of receiving the all-clear, emergency responders made their way from all corners of the city to survey the damage and assess injuries.

Parts of the city were damaged beyond recognition, Thompson said. Heavy damage was reported to the Dairy Queen and Taco Bell/KFC buildings and three recreation vehicle plants: Fairmont Homes Inc., Gulf Stream Coach and Franklin Coach.

A fleet of ambulances and emergency responders, many called in from neighboring communities, were assembled in preparation to care for the injured.

But as daylight came, the emergency medical staff were dismissed.

“We canvased the city and the damaged areas and initially it came back that we were not finding any injuries — or very few. A lot of chaos, but nobody hurt,” Thompson said.

In the days to follow, a few minor injuries were reported. But nothing major. And no fatalities.

“It was pretty overwhelming for everybody,” Thompson said, adding that the city had prepared for such an event. “We had a plan. I think we did the best to implement a recovery-type plan or emergency plan. I think we did a pretty good job of that and without that plan, I think there would have been a little more chaos in those first few hours.”

CLEANUP BEGINS

Two days later, the cleanup process began.

“Keep in mind we didn’t have much time, but we put together this big effort to clean up Nappanee on Sunday morning,” Thompson said. “We thought we would use three or four school buses to transport people. … I think we used about every school bus Wa-Nee had.”

Vehicles loaded with volunteers lined up for miles, hoping to reach NorthWood High School in time to board a bus and help with the cleanup. Officials estimated as many as 5,000 volunteers swarmed the area and others were turned away because of space constraints, said Wayne Scheumann, former superintendent of parks and recreation and streets for the city of Nappanee.

“We had people come from 100 miles away to help,” Scheumann said during a recent interview. “That’s what it’s all about.”

That cleanup project, thrown together in mere hours, was the beginning of how the residents of Nappanee would recover, former clerk-treasurer Kim Ingle explained.

“And from that meeting, and with Larry Thompson’s leadership, we started the NITRO group and that was our recovery group that was throughout the rest of the process,” Ingle said.

RECOVERY PLAN

The Northern Indiana Tornado Relief Organization, or NITRO, became the path to the future for many residents who lost their homes.

As department heads gathered data for Federal Emergency Management Agency funds that would never come, case workers began meeting with residents in hopes of finding a way to get them back on their feet.

Residents were asked to apply for help and case workers brought the NITRO board their request.

“And we would help them get their paperwork together and get their lives back together,” Ingle described.

Monetary donations to help residents of Nappanee also began to arrive.

“The Friday after the tornado on Thursday night I received the first $10 donation that came in to the city of Nappanee citizens,” Ingle said. “The mayor and I had talked about it and agreed that all of that money would be for the citizens. None of that would be used to take care of what the city’s losses were.”

In the end, the city received $695,000 in donations for residents of Nappanee.

“The big push was to get a home up and finished by Christmas,” Thompson said. And in many cases, they were successful. Within a year, visitors would have had to look close in order to tell a tornado had hit Nappanee.

As Ingle’s role as financial officer of NITRO came to an end in the fall of 2009, $4,500 remained. The remaining funding was donated to the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and designated for other disasters in the county, Ingle said.

In addition to the damage to residences and businesses, the storm caused damage to several city-owned buildings, fire trucks, lift stations and other equipment.

To help with the city’s losses — an estimated $1.25 million — officials tapped a state fund earmarked for such a disaster.

“And in the end, with insurance, they paid everything down to $600,000 and then the state gave us $198,000. So the city lost about $302,000 and ironically, we had money in our rainy day fund that paid those costs for us,” Ingle said.

PAYING IT FORWARD

Though the city’s response and recovery plan wasn’t flawless, it was “pretty darn good,” Thompson said.

“The plan is designed so anyone could sit in the chief’s chair and run this operation and for the most part that worked,” he said.

In fact, the plan became a road map for those who wanted to ensure they were ready if a tornado came their way, he added.

In the years after the tornado, Nappanee Utilities Manager Gale Gerber and other department heads traveled to other communities in Indiana to discuss disaster planning. For his part, Gerber discussed the importance of keeping the water towers full. Stockpiling supplies is also a must, he added.

“People took that information that we were able to give them and hopefully put it into their emergency plans,” Gerber said.

The experience also helped forge a countywide plan so department heads from neighboring cities and towns are aware of each department’s assets and emergency plan.

“Now, I can walk into Middlebury and know what they have for a treatment plant. Or Middlebury can to Nappanee and know what assets we have. … Same with Elkhart city, Goshen, the communities around us,” Gerber said. “… That’s a real positive thing that came out of this situation.”

10 YEARS LATER

Though a decade has passed, Gerber can close his eyes and visualize the starry sky in the early morning hours of Oct. 18, 2007.

“The one thing that really sticks out in my head was after the tornado hit, it was early in the morning … and all the lights were out in town. But to see the stars and how bright and shiny they were,” he said. “You don’t see that in the community with all the street lights on and house lights on.”

Like many residents, Gerber never imagined such destruction could occur in his own backyard.

“I remember having tears in my eyes. I still get tears in my eyes when we go back in and talk about it. That is something that will always be here in my heart. How bad we were hurt. But so darn proud of how we recovered.”

Julie Beer can be reached at [email protected] or 574-533-2151, ext. 312.

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