I recently was able to attend an event held by The Outcenter, their PrideFest. It was well…read moreorganized and everyone from the working people and the attendees were very welcoming. Rainbows were everywhere and everyone was enjoying themselves. Their Pridefest was twice as long as it was last year, allowing for more time to explore the park and all the vendors. My husband picked up a piece of caramel cake, which we shared and was delicious. We also got to spin prize wheels and received some free items while we were there. Some nearby businesses also had decor out and prize wheels available to get discounts on their merchandise, which made for a very fun day. If you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community or are an ally looking to get involved in the community, The Outcenter is a great place to learn about events and meet likeminded people. I am looking forward to attending future events through The Outcenter.

The SWMI OutCenter always does great things. Recently (11-25-23) we went to the Holiday Bazaar of…read morewhich they were a sponsor. We met great artists, bought a few things and enjoyed the vibes, music, and mimosas. TY OutCenter for all you do.

I love the different programs available here. I've always enjoyed the pool and basic work out…read morearea. I've taken classes here since I was a kid. The stench of chlorine is a little intense but I understand the need for it. I like that there are large windowed areas to see the pool and different rooms so you can watch. The sitting area is nice to sit and watch your kids.

Don't trust your children with this YMCA childcare, they are NOT safe. They are left with one to…read moretwo adults when they have over 20 children. Your children cannot be adequately monitored and are at risk of injury or worse. The director and managers refuse to staff the childcare properly and have no care about your children other than securing their paychecks.

Tucked in off a street in Bristol, IN, is a place for serenity and a short walk through beautiful…read moregardens. The stone path leads to one of the 26 area heritage trail quilt gardens. Along the pathway, you will be shaded. These gardens include a huge ornamental lifelike mushroom with short sidekicks. Another photo worthy decoration is a wood carved cardinal next to a blue life sized Dutch windmill. The little park contains flowing water, a koi pond, scented roses, and multiple flora, as it winds up and down stairs on a stone pathway. Many artistic metal structures adorn the pathway. Definitely a place to visit!!!! I wish I lived closer.

For those who are fairly new in my world, you likely don't know about my long history as an…read moreactivist in the area of violence prevention with a strong emphasis on child abuse and sexual violence prevention. Since 1989, I've traveled over 6,000 miles in my wheelchair and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a wide variety of organizations. I spend a lot of my wheeling time in Indiana - my home state and lifelong home. Among my favorite places to go in Indiana is Elkhart County, a Northeastern Indiana jewel filled with magnificent trails, a strong Amish community, a number of historic peace churches, and a vibe that just really clicks with me. My favorite trail in Indiana is the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail that winds its way through four Elkhart County communities and runs a bit over a marathon in terms of length. You get to visit a variety of cool small towns and will likely see some Amish folks on their bicycles. Quite honestly, it's awesome. If you stop in Middlebury, and I always do as I have multiple friends there, you can take a break along the trail here at the Krider World's Fair Gardens. For once, this is not small town braggadocio. Krider World's Fair Garden started out its life as a 1934 World's Fair exhibit and has been meticulously maintained ever since. I won't say it's "the" pride of Middlebury, but it's certainly one of the things of which the community is most proud. This is a botanical garden that weaves together gentle walking paths, a quilt garden exhibit, iconic structures, and facilities that include waterfalls, picnic tables, viewing benches, a gazebo, and a swing arbor. The park itself is really only about 2.4 acres. It's not a huge place, but it's a beautiful place. It can be rented for special events, weddings, and photography needs. If you're on the Pumpkinvine, then you'll run into this area as a perfect place to stop and rest and enjoy a beautiful part of Middlebury. The biggest city in Elkhart County is, in fact, Elkhart itself. But, a visit to Elkhart County isn't complete without visiting places like Goshen, Middlebury, and Shipshewana. Yes, I'll admit that it can get a bit touristy but it's a friendly community and a place I absolutely love to visit. This part of the state has about 2 dozen quilt gardens. A "quilt garden" means that they lay the quilts out in a pattern that changes each season. You can also see "Garden With a Cause" here, a garden devoted to charities and local organizations improving the lives of the people of Middlebury. They have a replica of the "Sunrise Bench," a bench that was included in the World's Fair Exhibit and there's a Statue of Hebe and a Water Wheel House among other attractions. If you're in Elkhart County, a stop at Krider World's Fair Garden just really needs to happen. I have some photos, but I'm still trying to find them from past tours. When I do, I'll post my own photos but you can definitely capture the garden's vibe in the available photos here.