Garage Sales

One weekend each year, the city of Nappanee waives the need for residents to obtain a permit for their garage/yard sales, and this Thursday through Saturday is that special weekend.  This means bargains will be plentiful, according to Larry Andrews, executive director of the Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce. Andrews said more than 100 families typically take part in this weekend’s garage sales, and he anticipates at least that many again as residents are thinking of creative ways to make extra money.
Vintage base ball
Returning to this year's festivities, there will be a Vintage Base Ball game between the Bonneyville Millers and the Nappanee Embracers. The game will take place at the vacant lot in the 500 block of South Main Street. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., but Embracers team member Arden Graber warns spectators not to get too upset if things don’t follow a strict schedule.
“This is a fun-filled evening that takes you back in time when people didn’t take life too seriously,’’ Graber said. “It’s a lot of fun, and everyone enjoys themselves.”
Evidene, Arden’s wife, invites spectators to bring lawns chairs and blankets to enjoy the evening.
More information on Vintage Base Ball is available at www.vbba.org. To learn more about the visiting Bonneyville Millers, visit www.elkhartcountyparks.org/bonneyvillemillers.
Memorial bike ride
The Nappanee Memorial Bicycle Ride is slated for Saturday morning. The Nappanee Bike to Work Safely Committee (formerly the Nappanee Bicycle Safety Committee) is hosting this event in memory of the eight Michiana cyclists who have been fatally injured since May, 2007. Participation is free, and no pre-registration is required. The cyclists being remembered include three Nappanee residents: Eric Helmuth, Lester Newswanger and Kenneth Miller.
Two distances will be available: A 30-mile ride beginning at 7 a.m. (sign in 6: 30 to 6:55 a.m.) and a 6-mile ride, which takes off at 9:30 a.m. (sign-in from 8:30 to 9:25 a.m.).
Water will be available to cyclists prior to each event, and following each ride, participants will be treated to water, Gatorade, fruit and cookies. Both rides begin and end at Stauffer Park.
Committee members agree that in each fatality involving both motorized vehicles and bicyclists, simple precautions could have prevented the collision, like orange caution triangles, orange vests, reflectors, lights, etc. The ride will stress bicycle safety awareness as one of its goals.
Fish fry, concert
Saturday night, the community is invited to relax and enjoy dinner and a concert. The annual “All-You-Care-To-Eat” Firemen’s Fish Fry will take place at the Nappanee Fire Department from 4 to 8 p.m. From 5 to 8 p.m., guests can enjoy homemade ice cream and the music of two local groups on the City Hall lawn. “Drop the Dawg” will entertain with a variety of acoustic, oldies, folk and rock music. Then, “Jabberwock” takes the stage with pop-jazz music.
And more
The Nappanee Area Chamber of Commerce Retail Division invites everyone to embrace the pace beyond this designated weekend with a visit the quilt gardens at Amish Acres and McCormick Creek Golf Course and the four murals just south of the town square. A weekly farmer’s market is also part of Saturdays in the summer in Nappanee from 8 a.m. to noon at St. John’s Lutheran Church (644 South Main St.).