It may seem like only yesterday that the trees finally sprouted leaves again and we got the mower out for the first time, but we’re already past the Elkhart County Fair and the calendar just flipped over to August.
    Summer is flying by alright, and this issue of Elkhart County Living features one article to help you enjoy what’s left of this summer and another to help you get ready for a rapidly approaching autumn.
    What better place to enjoy summer weather than in a park, and “Places in the Park” will be a regular feature in Elkhart County Living starting with this issue. In it, Elkhart County parks staff will highlight their favorite spots in county parks. The first article focuses on the Defree’s Garden, which features a colorful calendar garden.
    Of course, August means back to school. Laura Gladfelter is a recent Goshen High School graduate and thrift-store aficionado who will attend Manchester College in the fall. She has searched out the coolest outfits for back to school at local thrift shops and you can read all about her techniques and her tips for finding great outfits on a limited budget in her article beginning on page 16.
    But that’s not all you’ll find in this issue of Elkhart County Living.
    Two former NorthWood High School students who graduated within a few years of each other both went on to pursue law careers and are now local judges. Gretchen Lund is Goshen City Court judge and Timi Sloat is Nappanee City Court judge. Both are young mothers and the two even get mistaken for each other on occasion.
    An Elkhart family is remodeling an old church camp into their dream home using all the greenest techniques available, from salvaged wood to solar and wind power. The Seegers are featured in this issue’s “Living Green” column written by staff of the Elkhart Environmental Center.
    “Dining Out’s” Angela Gingerich lists her favorite places to lunch in Elkhart County in the restaurant review and Pam Fileccia hangs out at the free family Sunday at the Ruthmere Museum in Elkhart for “The Scene.”
    Enjoy, and as always, let us know what you think of our magazine.
   
    ~ Jim Kroemer, publisher