Local Stories From Local People

Eager to start our day full of exploring, we stepped outside the hotel and let the fresh Northern Indiana air wake us up. Our step-on tour guide, Vickie Estep from Great Life Tours, welcomed us aboard the bus, excited about what she had in store for us. With over 10 years of experience, she could …

This blog was originally posted December 21, 2015, revised October 26, 2018 by Jordan Mazzoni. You probably won’t find decorated trees, hanging wreaths, or wrapped presents in an Amish home during the holidays, but you will find the spirit of Christmas alive and well. As I was out and about these last few weeks visiting …

You see evidence of this every day, more and more people are spending more time on their phones and less talking to an actual human. And in many vacation destinations, adding more digital technology can make trip experiences less personable and more about being quick. Shipshewana is one of the few exceptions to that trend, …

Many people skip right over the motor coach tour option when planning a vacation, and you’re thinking, “so what, can’t I see the same things on my own?” Which may be partially true, but it’s not nearly the same experience. For the first time, I was able to join a guided bus tour and view …

If you’ve been to Shipshewana in the past few years you may have seen the Blue Gate bus cruising around town. What’s it used for though? The Blue Gate recently started offering back-road Amish tours, which have been a huge hit! I finally had the opportunity to take one for myself and see what all …

This post originally appeared on shipshewanatradingplace.com By Anna Camburn   You know you’re a history buff when you love to know the story behind each destination you travel to. Shipshewana, Indiana has a rich Amish/Mennonite heritage that is so fun to learn about. You can bring Shipshewana’s past to life by visiting the following events and attractions.   …

LaGrange County and Shipshewana are home to the third largest Amish community in the nation. This community’s simple way of life is the reason many people visit our area—to observe, learn about, pay tribute to, and purchase items from the Amish. With the travel season upon us, here are a few things to remember as …

  by Karen Weiland, Advanced Master Gardener     While artificial Christmas trees can be dismantled and stored in a box until next year, a live Christmas tree will need to be disposed of somehow.  Don’t know what to do with that tree?  Recycle it!  If you have used a live tree this Christmas, take …

This post orginally appeared on shipshewanatradingplace.com By Loren Beachy Many people are fascinated by the Amish culture in our area. Visitors often are curious about the reasons behind the Amish lifestyle and traditions.   In this blog, Loren Beachy, a resident of Goshen, Indiana and member of the Old Order Amish Church, seeks to answer 10 …