An Amish Destination: The Blue Gate Marketplace

Growing up on a farm near Middlebury in the heart of Northern Indiana’s Amish region, Mel Riegsecker crafted six miniature horses hitched to a wagon based upon what he learned from his father, an Amish harness maker who had taught him all the skills needed for his trade. The miniature was de…

Northern Indiana's Amish Country, just two hours and another century away

On the road to Shipshewana, time seems to travel backwards, asphalt changing to dirt and scenes becoming more 1800s than 21st century. Young girls wearing bonnets and homemade cotton dresses maneuver horse and buggies and horse-pulled lorries loaded with colorful fall produce are my fellow r…

The Plain Truth: Amish romance writer Beverly Lewis relies upon her own experiences in creating authenticity in her novels

Hickory Hollow is a place that exists in many of our dreams — an Amish rural delight of white farmhouses with verdant green lawns bordered by roads on which horses and buggies take people to wherever they need to go. Unmarried girls wear home-made pastel colored cotton dresses, and bonnets t…

Merrillville still waiting for Amish marketplace to set up shop

MERRILLVILLE | The status of a proposed Amish marketplace on Broadway is uncertain.

Plan Commission in Merrillville OKs proposal for facade grant

MERRILLVILLE | The Plan Commission favors awarding a facade grant to a proposed Amish marketplace in Merrillville.

Amish market seeks facade grant

MERRILLVILLE | A proposed Amish marketplace has received multiple approvals from town officials, and it's hoping another request will be granted.

Town approves requests for two businesses

MERRILLVILLE | The Town Council has granted a 10-year tax abatement for Modern Drop Forge and approved two zoning requests for Riegsecker's Farmers Market.

Fire at vacant Merrillville property ruled arson

MERRILLVILLE | The Ross Township Fire Service determined a Thursday fire at a vacant commercial property in Merrillville had been intentionally set.

M'ville board recommends Amish market

MERRILLVILLE | The Board of Zoning Appeals thinks a proposed Amish marketplace would be beneficial to Merrillville.

Merrillville leaders believe commercial market marking a comeback

MERRILLVILLE | Town leaders are excited about current and proposed development in Merrillville and believe it signals a comeback in the commercial market.

2 companies may open locations in M'ville

MERRILLVILLE | An Amish marketplace and Modern Drop Forge are interested in opening facilities in Merrillville.

ONE-TANK TRIP: Belterra Casino Resort & Spa, in Florence, Ind., is a cornfield oasis destination

At the southern tip of Indiana, where the states of Ohio and Kentucky meet along the Ohio River, there's an oasis in the Hoosier heartland to keep the entire family entertained.

Study says Amish expanding westward

HARRISBURG, Pa. | The search by the booming North American population of Amish for affordable, fertile farmland has produced settlements in 28 states and Ontario -- and has even led parties to scout recently for suitable properties in Alaska and Mexico.