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Veni’s Sweet Shop in Nappanee, Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Veni's Sweet Shop: Nappanee, Indiana

Nappanee, Indiana is thrilled about the new kid in town, Veni’s Sweet Shop!

Yes, Veni’s Sweet Shop is as good as it sounds.

Veni’s Chocolate Shop in Nappanee, Indiana

Nice and bright, this shop is so welcoming. Rows and rows of chocolates in all shapes, sizes, and flavors beg to be bought and eaten behind the shining glass.

I would be lying if I said I came out of Veni’s Sweet Shop empty-handed!

But it’s research, right? I mean, I don’t really even have a choice in the matter. I owe it to all of you to tell it like it is.

Indiana Sweet Shop

Veni's Sweet Shop: Nappanee, Indiana

After an agonizingly difficult decision, I ended up with Orange Creme, Vanilla Creme, and Mint Creme. My favorite flavors right here in little Indiana! Awesome.

Smooth and delicious–there’s no additives, wax, or preservatives in these chocolatey bites of Heaven. You can definitely taste the difference. Fresh and fantastic.

At this Indiana candy store, the Orange Creme was my favorite!

Personally, I would love to do more research on Veni’s Sweet Shop. Seriously. Name the day!

More Than a Chocolate Shop

Veni's Sweet Shop: Nappanee, Indiana

This Elkhart County shop isn’t only for those who need a Chocolate fix (though it certainly does the trick!).

There’s a selection of nuts, candy, and even drinks–like an ice cream float or Hot Chocolate.

But more than that? I see Veni’s Sweet Shop as one more reason to bypass the big box shops and to support local business. Oh, how sweet it is!

Go There

A sweet shop is just what Nappanee needed! I can’t think of a better fit for this bustling Indiana town.

Find Veni’s Sweet Shop images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Veni’s Sweet Shop
101 West Market Street
Nappanee, Indiana 46550
574.773.4242

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Nappanee, Indiana Welcome Center Images

Jessica Nunemaker — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:00:33 +0000

This isn’t your typical welcome center. Don’t let them fool you with the “Embrace the Pace” logo. In Nappanee, Indiana–they do it right!

Welcome to The Welcome Center

A very grand building serves to welcome new visitors. Museum, info, free beverages and WI-Fi, plus area brochures, well, what more do you need?

You’ll get a better sense of what the Nappanee Welcome Center has to offer based on the slew of images below! It’s a “must stop” when you first arrive at this little pocket of peacefulness.

Nappanee, Indiana Welcome Center Images

Nappanee Indiana Welcome Center Exterior

Nappanee Indiana Welcome Center Hartman House

Nappanee Indiana Welcome Center Foo Truck

Nappanee Indiana Welcome Center Bust

Nappanee Indiana Welcome Center Cards

See more Nappanee, Indiana images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Nappanee Welcome Center
302 West Market Street
Nappanee, Indiana 46550
574.773.7812

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Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Images

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:00:20 +0000

If you saw my last article about The Round Barn Theater at Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana, you probably remember how impressed I was by it. I’ve got a few more photos here so you get a better idea of why!

Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana

This 100 year old round barn is simply remarkable. It makes for a very intimate and unique theater. I can’t imagine there are many others of its kind!

Nappanee, Indiana is very lucky to possess such a treasure. If you haven’t been over to this part of the state, I highly suggest you do! This is Amish Country.

Round Barn Theater Images

Nappanee Indiana Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Left

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Light Deck

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Seal

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Lobby

Find more Nappanee, Indiana images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Amish Acres Historic
Farm & Heritage Resort
1600 West Market Street
Nappanee, Indiana 46550
800.800.4942
574.773.4188

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Thanks again to Elkhart County and Amish Acres for the free tickets to Ring of Fire at Amish Acres. Opinions, as always, are mine and mine alone.

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Nappanee, Indiana Welcome Center: Your Starting Point

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:00:02 +0000

When you first arrive in quaint little Nappanee, Indiana, this is the place to get your bearings. This is where you can figure out your next move, your “must do,” your plan of attack.

Nappanee Welcome Center

Nappanee, Indiana Welcome Center

There’s a slew of brochures just inside the front door. You’ll need them!

Here is where you will find maps to the country shops (that you really need to go to), area attractions like Amish Acres, and other nearby can’t-miss destinations, like the Wakarusa Dimestore.

Not only can you figure out your game plan, but you can browse through a little bit of Indiana history before you leave!

Get Your Indiana History Here

The Nappanee Welcome Center has all sorts of Indiana history here. This town boasts a lot of neat artifacts from its early days–and from the people in the town.

There’s info about the Air Force One pilot from Nappanee, the famed cartoonist Bill Homan of “Smokey Stover” fame (and quite a few others), as well as a really unusual attraction: Hartman House.

Hartman House

Nappanee, Indiana: Welcome Center Jessica Nunemaker

Was little Indiana and hubby expecting to find an actual house inside and part of the Nappanee Welcome Center? Not at all! What an unexpected and very interesting feature!

You literally walk through the rooms of the furnished home to get a feel for how life would have looked in the olden days. One word? Charming!

I would have loved to see the kitchen in its original form but that room is reserved for staff.

What they did include was the front porch. You know how we Hoosiers like a good front porch!

Nappanee History

Nappanee, Indiana Welcome Center: Fire Truck

There is a lot of military items on display here. They actually have books of old letters from different people in this Indiana town, like military members. Isn’t that a neat idea?

As you can see, I checked out the old jail. Our kids would have loved to have seen that one!

All in all, we were impressed! We weren’t expecting such a large welcome center and museum all rolled into one.

Nappanee, Indiana is certainly putting its best foot forward when new visitors come to town.

See more Nappanee, Indiana images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Nappanee Welcome Center
302 West Market Street
Nappanee, Indiana 46550
574.773.7812

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater

Amish Acres in Nappanee, Indiana holds a very awesome attraction: The Round Barn Theater.

Built of wood in 1911, it’s probably one of the most unusual theaters I have ever been in (and I’ve been everywhere, man, I’ve been everywhere)!

Round Barn Theater in Nappanee, Indiana

After the barn was purchased from an Amish farm a few short decades ago, 100 Amish carpenters in Nappanee and beyond were hired to take apart the old round barn.

Each piece was numbered, moved to its new home at Amish Acres, and reassembled in order to house a permanent memorial to Joseph Stein and a theatrical hub in the small Indiana town of Nappanee.

Inside The Round Barn Theater

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater

Walking in to the Round Barn Theater you can’t help but gasp in awe! I wasn’t expecting the inside of the theater to literally be circular.

That might sound silly, but you have all been there before–places with names that reflect what they were aren’t always accurate as to how they look today.

But the Round Barn Theater at Amish Acres? Is incredible.

The Ring of Fire at The Round Barn Theater

Thanks to Elkhart County and Amish Acres, little Indiana and hubby saw a musical, a Johnny Cash tribute, Ring of Fire. Am I someone who would call themselves a Johnny Cash fan? Not so much. However–I really enjoyed this show!

The cast worked so well together with quite a few memorable voices. I’d like to hear more from some of them! Each Ring of Fire cast member trades off playing the part of Johnny Cash and/or other Cash family members. It puts a fun spin on the (many) Johnny Cash songs performed.

I’ve been singing, “How high is the water, Papa?” off and on since we saw the show. Very catchy. Kid #1 has been playing along and singing the response line back to me.

One of the perks of being little Indiana? I walk the line. Actually, they kindly let me take pics inside The Round Barn Theater the next day so all of you could see it too!

Yes, that neat image above is inside the theater looking up. Simply awesome.

Plain and Fancy

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Acres Round Barn Theater Marquee

Though I haven’t seen it yet, I did find out that The Round Barn Theater is the National Home for the musical Plain and Fancy.

Written by Joseph Stein, the same guy who wrote Fiddler on The Roof, I think I can add it to the list as something that I should probably see someday. It’s a story of two couples, one of which is Pennsylvania Amish and the other? New Yorkers.

Don’t Cry! Cry! Cry! that you haven’t been there yet–head over to Amish Acres and see it all for yourself! They have a couple of shows playing at any given time.

Find more Nappanee, Indiana images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Amish Acres Historic
Farm & Heritage Resort
1600 West Market Street
Nappanee, Indiana 46550
800.800.4942
574.773.4188

View Larger Map

Thanks again to Elkhart County and Amish Acres for the free tickets to Ring of Fire at Amish Acres. Opinions, as always, are mine and mine alone.

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

New! Offering affordable online advertising for your small Indiana business! little Indiana Businesses is the online presence that you’ve been looking for.

Plain and Simple: Old Order Amish in Nappanee, Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:30:22 +0000

Early in the morning, our new friend pulled up to the Victorian Guest House Bed and Breakfast to pick us up for a personal tour of the Old Order Amish homes and businesses in Nappanee, Indiana.

Old Order Amish in Nappanee, Indiana

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish School

In Nappanee, Indiana and beyond, each Amish settlement is broken up into districts. The bishop in each district decides on the rules for the Amish people that live there.

For instance, the Amish in Nappanee, Indiana would have different rules to follow than the Amish communities in Ohio or Pennsylvania–even differing from the town right next door.

All Old Order Amish do have a few things in common: No cars, no posing for photos after you have been baptized, and no ornamentation or buttons.

Interestingly enough, the Bishop isn’t voted in. When a new Bishop is needed, after the death of the previous Bishop, eight Amish men will each choose one Bible. Whomever takes the one with a slip of paper inside of it is the new Bishop…for life!

Old Order Amish Schools

As you can see from the photo, the Amish here have their own schools. Much like their homes, Amish schools don’t even possess shutters, which is considered “too fancy.” You can see they do have playground equipment like swings, teeter-totters, and slides. I was kind of surprised by that.

The schools are usually run by two teachers. Amish students attend up to 8th grade but when they turn 16 their education is considered complete. Even if they want to, they are not allowed to continue on in their education. Old Order Amish do not believe in higher education.

Plain and Fancy

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Cemetery

Once upon a time, the Old Order Amish in Nappanee weren’t allowed to have rugs, pictures, or even curtains. But judging from the whisper of fabric peeking out of many windows, the current Bishop has allowed curtains. He will decide what color curtains are allowed.

Our guide let us in on the fact that the Bishop here had also allowed photos of the kids. While grandparents don’t have entire walls covered in them, they do have one or two images of their grandchildren.

Even Amish cemeteries stick to the “less is best” ideal. Located every few miles, no one headstone stands out over the rest. Names and dates are the only things on the tombstone. No flowers, wreaths, or anything of that sort. It is uniform and very, very tidy.

Old Order Amish and Church

Every other weekend, one Amish family will have church and furnish lunch for the members of the district (here, in Nappanee, there are 33 Amish families).

They sing a cappella, conduct the service in High German, and after the three hour service–they share lunch. No work is done on Sunday except for feeding the animals. All meal preparation for the Sunday church service is done the day before.

At the end of the lunch, whomever is going to host church the next time will take the white supply wagon back with them.

Amish Farms

All the farmers have giant workhorses. These massive animals have shaggy patches near their hooves and are quite tall. They work in groups of eight, making two trips up and down the field. Then that team will rest while the farmer switches them out for a fresh team.

You can imagine how long it would take to get a field completed without using a tractor!

Phone Home?

Nappanee, Indiana: Amish Horse and Buggy

When you toodle around Elkhart County, you may notice little buildings at the bottom of every driveway. These are actually phone booths! No, they aren’t for chatty Amish teens–the phone inside is used only in case of an emergency.

Bad things can happen to anyone and the Amish do take advantage of a few modern conveniences when it comes to protecting their own.

Amish Horse and Buggy

The Amish in this small Indiana town ride bikes everywhere–unless they are heading into town, in which case they hook up the horse and buggy.

Apparently, (so says my source) these Amish treat their buggy like many non-Amish men, or “English” as they call it, like to treat their cars: With pride! The insides might have plush velvet and are very comfortable (not to mention expensive).

It can be quite a culture shock the first time you see someone so plainly dressed. But even the Nappanee, Indiana Amish like to hit yard sales on Thursdays and Fridays, eat out at the local pizza joint, get groceries, and use the Laundromat! Sounds a lot like you and me, don’t you think?

See more Nappanee, Indiana images and other pictures in Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Nappanee, Indiana in Elkhart County

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

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Rules of The House: Your Guide to a Bed and Breakfast Stay

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:30:53 +0000

If you have never stayed in a bed and breakfast you are missing out! Hotels are so over-rated. Before you go, read these tips to ensure that everyone has a lovely time– and know what to expect!

1. Get Comfortable But Not TOO Comfortable. Remember, this is somebody else’s home. Get relaxed, get cozy, just keep your feet off the antique coffee table and try to resist jumping on the puffy beds.

2. The Honor System. Some places charge for things like soft drinks and forgotten toiletry items like disposable razors or toothpaste (I don’t think I have ever remembered everything I have needed!). If there is a plate set out for that, pay up.

3. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Not only are there possibly other guests, but there could be other people in whatever rooms surround yours, so don‘t turn up the radio to full blast and try not to stomp around. Treat everyone and everything with respect and you can expect the same in return.

4. Take It Outside! Smoke? Just don’t do it inside. Amazing antiques and fragile laces just don’t mix well with cigarette smoke.

5. The Art of Conversation. The great thing about bed and breakfasts is that you have the chance to connect with other guests. Don’t force your opinion on others and try not to tick everyone off. Remember, everyone is there for one thing: relaxation!

6. Must Love Dogs. Not every bed and breakfast is going to embrace the thought of having dogs or cats in their rooms. Find out the pet policy for the place you are thinking of staying in so you can make other plans for Fido or Fluffy if need be. Ask the innkeeper. They may have an idea of a nice kennel in the area where your pooch will be safe and happy.

7. Alcohol. Bed and breakfasts have their own policies about alcoholic beverages, so make sure to know the rules of the house. Many, however, do offer sparkling juices as a fun replacement…for a price.

8. How about that flaky pastry! Bed and breakfasts are famous for putting out their own cookbooks. Pick up a copy and recreate a meal to remember at home! Otherwise it doesn’t hurt to ask if they wouldn’t mind sharing the recipe for your own private use.

9. The Real Deal. Many bed and breakfasts have special themed packages which can range from romantic weekend packages with sparkling cider and flowers to special deals at area attractions that all serve to make your stay more than memorable! Don’t be afraid to ask about current specials.

There you have it. Nine whole tips to keep in mind when venturing into the comfortable world of the B & B! Enjoy your stay!

Indiana Bed and Breakfast: The Victorian Guest House

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:30:47 +0000

From the instant I saw The Victorian Guest House in Nappanee, Indiana, I was giddy with excitement. I couldn’t wait to get inside and see it!

Nappanee, Indiana Bed and Breakfast

Nappanee, Indiana: Victorian Guest House Bed and Breakfast

Gabled and turreted, we somehow managed to drive right by this very large Indiana bed and breakfast. Oops. My navigating skills may leave something to be desired.

Anyway, from the outside, The Victorian Guest House was absolutely beautiful…and pink. Very, very pink.

Our Room at The Victorian Guest House

Lovely etched glass doors led into an entryway with fantastically gorgeous woodwork along an impressive staircase. Our room was at the top of the stairs: The Coppes Suite.

Why did we choose to stay in this room? I think the picture above easily explains it.

The tub was that huge. Original to the house and in excellent condition, it is capable of holding 65 gallons of water with plenty of room for two. I totally felt like a Princess.

Exploring the Inn

Nappanee, Indiana: The Victorian Guest House Dining Room

We made our way downstairs to check out what was offered in the dining room. What a room that was!

There was a massive amount of woodwork here as well as an incredible carved table and chairs. My photos just do NOT do it justice.

I picked through numerous teas while hubs ponied up for a cold pop (or soda as he says) from the mini-fridge.

Breakfast the next morning started with a pear comfit, an egg casserole that I’m pretty sure I have made myself at home, and a generous slice of Milk Chocolate Bundt Cake.

The Victorian Guest House is in a terrific location. Right in the quaint Indiana town of Nappanee, hubs and I could easily ditch the car, walk around, and make our way back without getting lost and confused about how to get back.

Victorian Beauty

It is a wonderful home and definitely worth checking out. They just don’t make them like they used to!

Find more pictures in Nappanee, Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Victorian Guest House
302 East Market Street
Nappanee, Indiana 46560
574.773.4383

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little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

New! Offering affordable online advertising for your small Indiana business! little Indiana Businesses is the online presence that you’ve been looking for.