Luis and Joshua Tolentono

On Monday, April 29, deputies from the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to a burglary in progress at 251 Oak Street, which is in Timberbrook Mobile Home Park near Bristol. (Ironically, on that day this paper had completed work on the article printed on page 7, urging public awareness and vigilance regarding break-ins and burglaries in the Bristol area.)

When officers arrived at the scene, they found that entry had been gained into a residence through an enclosed structure attached to the home. Their investigation led them to the home of the suspects, where they arrested three individuals. They lived at 418 West Hawthorn, also in Timberbook Mobile Home Park (entrance on CR 19, several miles west of Bristol).

Arrested were Joshua Tolentino (age 20) and Luis Tolentino (age 23), who were charged with “burglary :forcible entry” (a felony) and incarcerated at the Elkhart County Correctional Facility.

The two adults were also charged with “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” (a misdemeanor), because a 16-year-old juvenile male was also implicated in the crime. He was taken to the Elkhart County Juvenile Detention Center. (State law forbids the release of the names or photos of arrested juveniles.)

It’s easy to see the love and care that goes into every plant, flower and hanging basket available at Millers Farm Market and Greenhouse. Judy is pictured above.

The days leading up to Mother’s Day (which falls on May 12 this year) are always busy for Lloyd and Judy Miller, who own and operate Millers Farm Market and Greenhouse (MFMG), located at 58538 CR 19, just north of the Indiana Toll Road. The greenhouse is filled with a wide assortment of plants, flowers, and hanging baskets.

Flower prices remain at last year’s level. Flower pots, ranging in size from l0” to 28” in diameter, are priced from $11.99 to $39.99. Hanging flower baskets range in price from $10.00 to $49.99. Call 848-4715 for more information or to place special orders. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Even though spring arrived later this year, sudden changes and cool temperatures can still be harmful to plants grown indoors from seedlings. Plenty of tomato plants, in hanging containers and patio pots, are blooming, bearing, and waiting for warmer weather to be moved outdoors.

This year the Millers plan to participate in the Elkhart Community Farmers Market, located at 224 S. Main Street, in the former Garbers building. They plan to sell flowers there now and various vegetables as they become available later on.

Lloyd starts planting sweet corn in early spring, and continues to plant as the season progresses. After the first crop comes in (usually by the second week in July), fresh homegrown corn will be available until autumn. Throughout the summer the Millers will also sell many different kinds of vegetables in season, some grown in their own gardens, some brought in from area farms.

Lloyd (above) take great pride in offering these and many other quality home and garden items at their CR 19 location. (Photos by BBN staff photographer Amber Raeder)

The Millers also stock many other products to enhance the porch, yard, or garden. Shoppers will see decorative items from Concrete Creations, many brightly painted by Judy. The selection includes lighthouses, angels, boots, birds, worms, dog-paw stepping stones, hanging beetles, and more.

Ceramic products from Zanesville, Ohio (the “ceramic capital” of the region) include birdbaths in various colors and crocks in different sizes. Metal decorations from Wooden Steel in South Dakota range from birdbaths and rain gauges to solar lamps. Food products, such as salsas, jams, and apple butter, are made by Dutch Kettle in Bremen, Indiana.

John Sherck operates a “one-man” enterprise on his eight-acre farm in the Bristol Fruit Hills, which will surprise first-time visitors with the hundreds of varieties of plants offered for sale. Even summer shoppers at John’s produce stand might find something new by stopping in May to look over the diversity of garden plants on display.

Sherck’s Heirloom Vegetables and Plants is located at 56549 SR 15, about three miles south of Bristol and ¾ mile north of US 20, on the west side of the highway. John’s main greenhouse is easily visible to passing motorists. The phone number is 848-4625, but John is rarely inside to answer it.

However, since Sherck’s is a self-serve operation, John is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week. Products are clearly marked and prices are posted. Cash or checks are accepted, but not credit cards or debit cards. (John does not sell online or by mail order.)

Above, John holds a Chinese Yam that produces an edible tuber and is one of the unique varieties of perennials he grows at his farm located on the west side of SR 15 South. (Photos by BBN staff photographer Amber Raeder)

The month of May is an ideal time to look for new ideas for a vegetable garden. Many items in John’s inventory are perennial plants, which extend far beyond familiar perennials, such as rhubarb and asparagus. Loose-leaf binders provide detailed information on all plants, many of which originated in foreign countries. Sherck’s website (perennialproduce.com) also can be consulted for the history and description of the many varieties available.

John says that about 95% of his plant varieties can be classified as “heirlooms,” which means that they date back to at least the 1940s. They are all open-pollinated (no hybrids), so they can be consistently reproduced.

While John proudly says that he uses “strictly organic methods,” he prefers different terminology, since he is not a “certified” organic grower. He calls his methods “sufficiency growing” or “sustainable growing.”

Some of his principles include the following: 1) use a variety of methods (raised beds, trellising, cold frames); 2) grow soil, not just crops; 3) no hybrids or GMOs; 4) “say no” to synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides; 5) learn to save your own seed, “so you can share with the rest of us.”

Tomatoes of all kinds constitute a large portion of Sherck’s business. John sells 80 different varieties of tomato plants in the spring, and later in the year displays about 40 of those varieties on his produce stand. Various kinds of peppers and greens are also popular in season.

John Sherck has many loyal customers in the area, since he has been growing and selling vegetables and plants for 20 years. Gardeners looking for something new and different should consider stopping in soon at Sherck’s Heirloom Vegetables and Plants.

Marshal Michael Swallow of the Bristol Police Department (BPD) urges citizens to follow the advice “if you see something, say something.” Members of the public who see persons, vehicles, or activities that seem out of place or suspicious should call 911 (or 848-4464 for Bristol residents).

The marshal thanks those members of the public who helped the BPD put an end to a rash of recent burglaries in town. Reports from citizens and increased police patrols apparently scared off the perpetrators, even though no arrests were made.

Swallow also wants Bristol residents to check out the BPD website (bristolpolice.org) for a new feature called “Homeowner Crime Prevention Tips.” For instance, if a stranger comes to the door asking for directions or selling a product, get a description of his vehicle and license plate, and ask for identification.

The marshal also noted that the town of Bristol has an ordinance requiring a permit from the marshal or the town clerk to engage in solicitations in the town limits. Homeowners should ask to see the permit, if confronted with individuals going from door to door.

Town residents are not the only persons affected by recent burglaries. Bristol business owner and resident Ryan Rentfrow knows of several customers and friends who live in rural areas around Bristol who have been victims of burglaries in recent months. Guns and jewelry seem to be popular targets of those involved in the break-ins recently reported.

Ryan would like to see the public made aware of these crimes, so that they can “be more proactive” in preventing them, and in taking steps to secure their homes and possessions.

As if to underscore Ryan’s concern, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, in its daily public report, noted two instances in the Bristol area of “Burglary – forcible entry” on Sunday, April 28. One of those took place in Timberbrook Mobile Home Park, and the other on County Road 8, north of the St. Joseph River.

The department’s website (elkhartcountysheriff.com) contains a link where members of the public can report suspicious activity occurring in unincorporated areas of the county.

All readers of The Bristol Bugle are encouraged to be alert and aware about activities in their neighborhoods, and to watch out for their friends and neighbors. As Marshal Swallow is fond of saying, “Together We Can Make a Better Community.”

J & J Lawn and Garden Equipment, located at 19976 CR 6, next door to Kruse Farm Supply, is undergoing some changes. Steve Dolby, president and general manager, is in the process of purchasing the business from Dick Jenks, who will “stay on for a year during the transition process.”

Dolby has recently retired from the Elkhart Community School system, after 32 years of service. At the time of his retirement, Steve was the head mechanic in the transportation department, which manages a fleet of 154 school buses.

With the exception of expanding their line of snow plows in 2013, Steve and Dick do not plan any changes in the fine service customers have experienced at J & J. They are planning to hire additional employees, including mechanics.

Steve Dolby (left) is in the process of purchasing J & J Lawn and Garden Equipment from Dick Jenks (right).

Special spring financing is available on all mowers. Most zero-turn riding mowers include the option of zero per cent down, with zero per cent interest for 54 months. This offer includes models by Country Clipper, Scag, and Walker. Excellent terms are also available on walk-behind mowers by Snapper, World Lawn, and Worx.

The motto at J & J Lawn and Garden Equipment is “We sell the best, and service the rest.” Ed Bloss, parts manager, and Lee Forbush, service manager, supervise the busy service department, which repairs and maintains all brands of equipment. Pick-up and delivery is available within a 25 mile radius.

The extensive rental department continues to be a popular option for many customers. The equipment available for rent includes rollers, aerators, bed openers, rototillers, sod cutters, stump grinders, and log splitters. For a complete list of pieces and prices, consult J & J’s website at http://jjlawnequipment.com.

Visitors to the website will see a picture of the Argo, a six or eight wheeled amphibious vehicle that can function as an all-terrain vehicle or as a boat. J & J is the only authorized dealer and service center in the Michiana area for the Argo, which has models starting at $8,995.

The large showroom contains an extensive array of Echo small equipment, including chain saws, string trimmers, vacuums, and blowers (both backpack and hand-held styles). The Bearcat brand features chippers, trimmers, and edgers. The huge inventory of replacement parts will be useful to many customers.

Chain saw owners will be interested in J & J’s precision machine that can sharpen the chains from all brands of chain saws. This unique machine can extend the life of a chain saw by bringing the chain back to factory specs.

Hours at J & J Lawn and Garden Equipment are 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. For more information call 848-9700, or toll-free at 877-848-9702.