Some Good News Michiana

Monday | Jan 15th

It’s the start of the week, we are through the negative temps, sort of! Let’s kick this week off! https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/business/market-basket/2024/01/12/up-mall-in-mishawaka-has-new-food-and-shopping-options-on-the-way/72178979007/ [https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/business/market-basket/2024/01/12/up-mall-in-mishawaka-has-new-food-and-shopping-options-on-the-way/72178979007/] In Mishawaka, The removal of holiday decorations at University Park Mall marks the annual retail shift into Valentine’s Day, Easter and warmer weather to come with most stores already offering discounts on winter attire, even though the area was expected to get its first real winter blast this weekend.  But as merchandise is shifting for the season, mall personnel have been busy working to bring in new tenants to the regional shopping destination.  Miniso, a Chinese-based retailer that describes itself as “a value retailer offering a variety of trendy lifestyle products,” should be opening soon at the far end of the mall’s Food Court, across from Forever 21.  The chain opened its 100th store in the United States last year and operates more than 6,000 worldwide. The local store, which will occupy 4,285 square feet, is expected to open before the end of the month.  Meanwhile, Lovesac plans to move into a permanent 1,500-square-foot storefront adjacent to Vo’s Coffees after operating a kiosk at the mall the past couple of years. Christian Carlson, the mall’s director of marketing and business development, says the store should be ready to open in March.  Lovesac designs, manufactures and sells furniture that’s designed to evolve with the lives of its customers. The space at UP Mall apparently has been one of the company’s top performing kiosks since it opened.  https://www.abc57.com/news/new-housing-developments-coming-to-the-city-of-south-bend [https://www.abc57.com/news/new-housing-developments-coming-to-the-city-of-south-bend?fbclid=IwAR21P-2o2e3P2W2cOxXO-5vlH_zKPGDq3eG73OoOzfM2g_H7uMznv2NJYys_aem_AT1x30_n63gPJK8iL1uLar6qQRQmqxhmnPmxe_GzMfy6PDd_KV66KlBOS5iZaub17r4] Reported by ABC57 in South Bend - Three new developments are set to transform the area near Four Winds Field in the City of South Bend. First, the Diamond View Apartments will offer 60 affordable housing units, catering to tenants with incomes at 80% or less of the average median income. Ryan McMonagle, Chief Financial Officer at Real America, hopes that these projects will revitalize the downtown area. "The residents that we're targeting, some with the LITECH, side we have community integration, 12 of the units will be set aside for residents with intellectual disabilities,” said McMonagle. Real America is partnering with the Logan Center to offer community resources for the Diamond View Apartments. Additionally, the area will feature two buildings known as the Stadium Flats, each comprising 45 units at market price. “On the market rate side, we're looking to get the family that is looking to move downtown and get involved in the city downtown,” said McMonagle. Erik Glavich, Director of Growth and Opportunity for the city, says the administration is focused on bringing more affordable housing to the area. “It's really exciting to have a dense project like this and really provide needed housing for residents particularly in downtown,” said Glavich. This project has been in the works since 2021. The city says the project took a while to get underway because Real America wasn't granted the tax credits for affordable housing until January of 2022. The project is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

Sunday | Jan 14th

Hope you’re staying warm in this below zero weather–let’s talk about some great things happening here in Michiana. https://www.facebook.com/groups/437273369791339/?multi_permalinks=2457619961089993&ref=share [https://www.facebook.com/groups/437273369791339/?multi_permalinks=2457619961089993&ref=share] The Miss America competition continues tonight!Local Maya Schuhnect of Buchanan represents the entire state of Michigan in this competition. As shared on Facebook by Tee Ray: “Tonight is the Crowning of a New Miss America.  Michiana is being represented by; Miss Michigan Maya Schuhknect of Buchanan! The graduate of Michigan State University and now former Miss Spirit of the State was crowned Miss Michigan 2023 on June 17, 2023, at the Frauenthal Theatre in Muskegon. Her winning talent was speed-painting a portrait of the late Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginesburg. She will represent the state of Michigan at Miss America tonight January 14, 2024. Let’s wish her Well and Good Luck!” The finals night for Miss America is Sunday, January 14 at 7 p.m. You can watch the competition for free here: https://watchmissamerica.com/programs/finals24 [https://watchmissamerica.com/programs/finals24] https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=336544205943581&set=a.102252279372776 [https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=336544205943581&set=a.102252279372776] Local football players plunge out into the cold to dig out their neighbors, friends, and family. In Middlebury, Northridge High School Football players  Shared on Facebook by Hoosier Prep Gridiron: “Northridge football players were out clearing driveways and sidewalks in the community today as winter weather passes thru the community”

Saturday | Jan 13th

It’s the weekend! Let’s hit it and have some fun! Looking for a fun way to enjoy the snow before it freezes out? There’s a few places to go sledding in your local area with some fun hills waiting to be found! Two Favorites within Elkhart County Parks near Elkhart, Goshen, and Middlebury are Ox Bow Park and Bonneyville Mill. Both are known for multiple sledding hills. George Wilson Park in Mishawaka features 54.3 acres of rolling hills, lush tall trees, a playground and scenic views of Mishawaka and South Bend.  The park has a disc golf course and excellent snow tubing hills in the winter months.  Cost is $4 per person and you can rent snow tubes for $3 a piece. Lastly, Baugo Creek County Park has snow tubing hills as well. Admission is the parking gate fee plus $5 per person which includes the snow tube. Learn about George Wilson Park here: https://mishawaka.in.gov/things-to-do/parks-and-recreation/parks/ [https://mishawaka.in.gov/things-to-do/parks-and-recreation/parks/] For other sledding or tubing opportunities within St Joseph County Parks, check out: https://www.sjcparks.org/556/Public-Innertubing Or follow St. Joe County Parks on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjcparks/ [https://www.facebook.com/sjcparks/] https://www.facebook.com/middleburyin/posts/pfbid0DYr5vzBtkwSggtvdTQBhKBVQ98xXHv1acD4heHUKKioChSo7UBW6p3ZzSfVRjJuql [https://www.facebook.com/middleburyin/posts/pfbid0DYr5vzBtkwSggtvdTQBhKBVQ98xXHv1acD4heHUKKioChSo7UBW6p3ZzSfVRjJuql] The town of Middlebury took a chance to highlight their dedicated team on social media as they overcame obstacles to keep their town’s snow plows on the road. Share by the Town of Middlebury on Facebook: “Middlebury, we are so fortunate to have a great team of dedicated employees in our Public Works Department!!  Earlier this week during the snow storm, our large 2005 snow plow truck had mechanical issues. Middlebury has 3 large plow trucks, and it makes things more challenging when one truck is out of operation.  Our crew made several calls and got the needed parts ordered and the parts came in at noon today. A couple of the guys worked hard and got the truck back on the road this evening. While many of us are in our warm homes, the Public Works Department is out in the cold getting our streets cleared. Our team will be working until around 9pm tonight, and then head home to get some rest.  They will be back at it again around 2:00-3:00am tomorrow morning. They are a great team and take pride in keeping our streets cleared. If you get the opportunity, please say ‘Thank you!’ to them.”

Friday | Jan 12th

Welcome to Friday! Here’s Some Good News to help push you through today: https://www.elkharttruth.com/features/goshen-college-announces-plans-for-mlk-celebration/article_cc24d8f1-873e-5690-8bc5-4a0909ebbd95.html [https://www.elkharttruth.com/features/goshen-college-announces-plans-for-mlk-celebration/article_cc24d8f1-873e-5690-8bc5-4a0909ebbd95.html] Reported by the Elkhart Truth — Goshen College is set to host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Jan. 13-15. This year’s theme, “Black Housing and Unsung Sheroes, Champions of Change in Elkhart County,” will focus on key issues surrounding housing and honor individuals making a difference in the local community. The keynote speaker for the event is Cyneatha Millsaps, executive director of the Center for Community Engagement at Goshen College. Millsaps, a seasoned leader with a diverse background, will shed light on the values and ideals that characterized King’s work. The three-day celebration on campus will include a series of public events, starting with a poetry reading by Allison Joseph at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, in Umble Center. Joseph is a poet who directs the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. Sunday, Jan. 14, will feature a sermon delivered by Millsaps at 9:30 a.m. at College Mennonite Church during the worship service. On Monday, Jan. 15, the celebration will continue with a convocation featuring a message by Millsaps at 10 a.m. in the Church-Chapel, followed by a reception. The afternoon will include a 2:15 p.m. documentary film screening of “What Happened at Benham West: African American Stories of Community, Displacement and Hope,” in Umble Center with a question-and-answer and reception to follow. The documentary collects elders’ stories of Elkhart’s predominantly African American Benham West neighborhood and documents the process of the city’s eventual clearing of the neighborhood. More information: goshen.edu/mlk https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2024/01/08/oscar-mayer-wienermobile-job-opening-driver/72119869007/ [https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2024/01/08/oscar-mayer-wienermobile-job-opening-driver/72119869007/] Think you're a hot dog driver? Here's a potential job opening for you: driving the Wienermobile. Oscar Mayer wants to hire a dozen "Hotdoggers," for year-long full-time jobs driving its iconic 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels. If you relish the chance, you can apply through Jan. 31 on the Oscar Meyer website to be part of what will be the 37th class of Hotdoggers who drive the Wienermobile, which first hit the road in 1936. Drivers travel and maintain one of the six Wienermobiles, traveling an average of 20,000 miles, visiting more than 20 states and handing out 250,000 Wiener Whistles during the year, the company says. They also create content for the brand’s social media channels. “The title of a Hotdogger is a rare and coveted position unique to those seeking adventure and a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Ed Roland, ‘Top Dog’ and senior manager of brand communications for Oscar Mayer at Kraft Heinz, in a statement. “Statistically speaking, more people have visited space than driven the Wienermobile! We take pride in welcoming the next class who will continue to uphold the tradition of sparking smiles and bringing buns of fun to fans across the U.S.” Here's some of the recommended qualifications for the job of Wienermobile brand ambassador: Strong communications skills and social media savvy. A bachelor's degree, preferably in public relations, communications, journalism or marketing. A love of hot dog puns is a helpful condiment. Applicants can expect a base salary of $35,600, according to the job listing. Other benefits include a weekly allowance of $150 (or $7,200 for the year) for meals and personal travel, 18 days of paid time off, a full health benefits package, and 100% of hotel expenses covered.

Thursday | Jan 11th

Happy Thursday! Hope you’re kicking BUTT this week! https://www.facebook.com/elkhartcounty4hfair/posts/pfbid0APGDhMvLooYEbeZiajpNPKdH3aNndzuozfmJpAjQhUHyQzwNrs7hHE2xGWHU7Ub6l [https://www.facebook.com/elkhartcounty4hfair/posts/pfbid0APGDhMvLooYEbeZiajpNPKdH3aNndzuozfmJpAjQhUHyQzwNrs7hHE2xGWHU7Ub6l] Posted today by the Elkhart County 4H Fair in Goshen, IN they shared on Facebook:“At our first ever Holiday Lights Drive Thru event, we created an opportunity for Elkhart County 4-H Clubs to participate in a friendly competition.  Each of the participating clubs created and designed one of a kind light displays to represent their club. We left the voting to the public, and let you all pick our 2023 winner.  Our Light Committee was happy to present the Electric Clovers 4-H Club as the winner at our board meeting last night. Congratulations to the Electric Clovers 4-H Club, thank you to all of the clubs that participated, and thank you to all of you for voting!” https://abc57.com/news/buchanan-native-wins-preliminary-talent-award-at-miss-america [https://abc57.com/news/buchanan-native-wins-preliminary-talent-award-at-miss-america] Shared by ABC57 -- Last night, Buchanan's own Miss Michigan was awarded a preliminary talent award for her speed painting at the Miss America competition. Maya Schuhknecht, Miss Michigan 2023, is a Buchanan native and graduate of Buchanan High School. During the preliminary talent competition, Schuhknecht was awarded one of three talent awards out of 51 competitors. This award comes with a $3,000 scholarship. The finals night for Miss America is Sunday, January 14 at 7 p.m. You can watch the competition for free here: https://watchmissamerica.com/programs/finals24 [https://watchmissamerica.com/programs/finals24]