Search events & info

The RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart IN is open daily with seasonal hours. See the exact summer and winter schedule, plus the phone number if you want to confirm before you arrive. RV Hall of Fame Hours The RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart IN is open daily in both summer and winter, with slightly shorter hours during the colder months. The hours posted on their front entrance match the schedule listed on their updated website. When I visited the RV Hall of Fame on November 15th, I photographed the hours posted on the entrance door. These hours match what’s listed on their new website, so this is the most reliable version to use right now. Summer hours (April 1 – October 31): • Monday–Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM • Sunday: 10 AM – 3 PM Winter hours (November 1 – March 31): • Monday–Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM • Wednesday: Closed • Sunday: 10 AM – 3 PM If you’re driving in from out of town and want to double-check that they’re open, the front desk really does pick up. While I was there, the attendant answered several calls from people asking if they were busy or how to find the entrance, and he was consistently helpful. Phone number: (574) 293-2344 Address: 21565 Executive Pkwy, Elkhart IN 46514 When is the RV Hall of Fame busy? According to the staff member at the front desk, it’s almost never crowded. They sometimes get school groups or small tours, but the museum is usually calm enough that you can walk through the exhibits without feeling rushed or packed in. If you prefer quiet museums, this one stays reliably peaceful. Corky Lorenz November 16, 2025

Geode tie dye is made by wrapping sinew tightly around fabric to form rings and lines that look like a sliced geode. Works well with ice-dye or the cold mist method. What is geode tie dye? It’s a style of tie dye that ends up resembling a sliced agate or geode. Artificial sinew is wrapped around fabric and pulled tight to resist dye and create lines. I first saw this style of tie dye from a creator who was dyeing fabric to sew reusable pads and cloth diapers. She was tying multiple concentric lines with sinew on bamboo sherpa fabric, and I thought it was really beautiful and wanted to try it myself. At first, it’s difficult to get a feel for how tight the ties need to be if you want the lines to stay crisp without blotchiness between them. The tied item ends up looking like an octopus with a bunch of tentacles poking out everywhere. It’s a time consuming method, but a lot of people enjoy the results and the ways the colors will split when it’s ice dyed or when someone uses the cold mist method. I usually ice dye geodes, and I get the best results when I apply ice and dye to one side, let it melt, then flip it over and apply more ice and dye to the other side. The results end up being more even across the whole item, especially if it’s a shirt. The parts of the shirt that face up and get the most contact with the ice and dye usually look the best, so doing two applications helps even that out. There’s also a lot of benefit to the cold mist method in how fast you can flip the item and apply dye from different directions. Corky Lorenz October 8, 2025

How to connect power to a ducted RV air conditioner. Includes wiring details, terminal block reference, and safety steps for secure installation. How to connect power to a ducted RV air conditioner Connect the RV air conditioner to a dedicated circuit that meets local wiring codes. Locate the power cord inside the RV and securely connect the active, neutral, and ground wires to prevent shorts or overheating. Electrical Connections (Ducted Systems) In a ducted RV air conditioner system, the unit must be connected to a dedicated power circuit that can be shut off and meets all local wiring standards. From inside the RV, locate the air conditioner’s power cord as shown in the diagram. Connect the external power lines to the unit, making sure to match the active, neutral, and ground wires correctly. For most models, a 3-pole terminal block is used for these connections. Tighten all screws firmly to remove any chance of loose wiring. Improper or unsecured connections can cause overheating, short circuits, or fire. If your system is a non-ducted model, follow the non-ducted installation guide instead. Corky Lorenz November 6, 2025

Connect the control cable, secure the plenum with screws, and reinstall the air filters. Adjust the louvers to finish your RV air conditioner installation. How do you install the plenum assembly for an RV air conditioner? Connect the control cable between the rooftop unit and the plenum assembly, matching the wire colors. Then attach the plenum to its mounting bracket, secure it with the provided screws, and reinstall the return air filters to finish the installation. Connecting the Control Cable Start by connecting the control cable between the rooftop unit and the plenum assembly. Make sure the wire colors match on both connectors before locking them together. Attaching the Plenum Assembly Press the plenum assembly onto the mounting bracket until you hear four clicks. That sound confirms the plenum is fully engaged. Securing the Assembly Use the four provided pan head tapping screws to secure the plenum assembly to the bracket. Remove the return air filters and use four countersunk head tapping screws to fasten the plenum assembly to the ceiling. Reinstall the filters into their slots once the assembly is secure. Final Adjustments The installation is now complete. Adjust the louvers by tilting the blades to direct airflow where needed. Both sides move together, ensuring even air distribution throughout the RV. Corky Lorenz November 6, 2025

The Northern Indiana Event Center in Elkhart hosts gun shows, trading card events, wedding receptions, conventions, and large round-table gatherings, with event parking located on the right side of the building. What events are held at the Northern Indiana Event Center? The Northern Indiana Event Center hosts gun shows, trading card shows, wedding receptions, conventions, and large round-table events, as of Nov 2025. Gun Show info here. When I visited the Northern Indiana Event Center, there was a trading card show happening, and someone outside directing traffic to the event side parking area. That section of the lot is on the right if you’re facing the main entrance. If you’re trying to go to the RV Hall of Fame instead, you drive left around the building and park on the museum side. The event center hosts more than RV industry events. They regularly book gun shows, trading card shows, wedding receptions, conventions, and big round-table banquets for different industries. They have the space for it, and the layout supports multiple groups using the building at the same time. A short version of the list includes: Gun shows Trading card and collectible events Wedding receptions and private banquets Industry conventions and large round-table meetings The building is designed for high-capacity events, with the largest parking area sitting to the right of the main entrance and the “Northern Indiana Event Center” signage visible from the front. Corky Lorenz November 16, 2025

Meet BLN Reptiles, a hognose snake breeder based in Indiana. Seen at the Goshen Reptile Expo, they specialize in unique morphs and shared expert feeding tips for baby hognoses. Hognose Snakes by BLN Reptiles at the Goshen Reptile Expo BLN Reptiles is a small-scale breeder specializing in western hognose snakes with unique color morphs and healthy genetics. They were at the Goshen Reptile Expo showing a range of juvenile snakes with striking patterns and calm temperaments. About BLN Reptiles I met the owner of BLN Reptiles, Brandon Niemantsverdriet, at the Goshen Reptile Expo. Most of his hognose snakes were juveniles, and each display showed careful attention to genetics and coloration. His table had a mix of morphs including Super Arctic, Sable, and Yeti, arranged neatly in labeled containers. Feeding advice We talked for a while about feeding behavior in baby hognose snakes. Brandon shared a few methods for encouraging picky feeders to eat. One suggestion that stood out was using a small amount of salmon scent to make pinkies or chicken hearts more appealing. He explained that while it might smell terrible to humans, hognoses respond strongly to certain scents, which can make all the difference when you’re raising young snakes. How to contact Although BLN Reptiles doesn’t currently have a website or social media presence, they are active in the Midwest reptile community and can often be found at local expos. If you’re interested in learning more about their available snakes or breeding projects, you can reach Brandon directly by email at blnreptiles@mail.com Corky Lorenz November 8, 2025

Learn what hognose snakes eat from hatchling to adult. Includes feeding tips for new owners, starting with chicken hearts and pinkies as they grow. What do hognose snakes eat? When they are first hatched, and are very small, they can eat cut chicken hearts. As they get bigger, they transition to eating pinkies. Feed a hognose like most other pet snakes. Hognose snake diet In the wild, hognose snakes can eat toads and amphibians. As pets, hognose snakes are not unique in what they eat. Hognose snakes are unique in the way that they evolved alongside their poisonous meals so that they're not affected the way other snakes might be. As a pet, feed them like you would feed any other common snake. Pinkie mice: newborn mice (usually frozen/thawed). This is the standard feeder for most pet hognoses once they’re big enough. Fuzzy mice: slightly older/larger mice, used as the snake grows; they’re the next step up from pinkies. Chicken hearts or pieces: often used for newly hatched or picky eaters before they transition to rodents. Feeder size The challenge when they are first hatched, is that they are quite small. You can cut up chicken hearts to give them appropriately sized food. They also might be timid without good skills for hunting their meal with confidence. Over time, baby snakes seem to get the hang of your feeding pattern. When they notice the signs of what usually happens before you feed them, they'll start ramping up behaviors that indicate they're ready for a meal. Chicken hearts as feeders You can get chicken hearts from the meat section in grocery stores. This is convenient in a pinch if you run out of frozen feeders. It's also helpful for picky eaters, since they can be more attracted to the scent. Common frozen feeder As they get bigger, you can store frozen pinkies and thaw them when you need to feed your hungry little hisser. You can often find these feeder mice at reptile expose, in person, so that you can actually see the size of them to get a feel for what your snake might be capable of eating. Consider interacting with your hognose with and without food, so they don't just associate your company exclusively with food. They might confuse you for a snack. Young and shy eaters If you have a very young hognose snake, who is shy about eating, it's possible that they might do better if their food is offered to them under hide or in a part of the enclosure where they feel safe. This five month old hognose snake was not aggressive, like the rest of its siblings and took a while to warm up to the idea of eating. But the pinky was left outside the opening of the black hide and after smelling it for about 20 seconds it then ate the meal. Corky Lorenz October 11, 2025

Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $7 for children at Fernwood Botanical Garden. Members visit free all year. Includes membership and event pricing info. What is the cost of admission at Fernwood Botanical Garden? Tickets to Fernwood Botanical Garden cost $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $7 for children. Kids under 4 get in free. Members visit free all year, and some events or photography sessions may have extra fees. Fernwood memberships are available for individuals, couples, and families. A membership includes free daily admission and reciprocal access to many other gardens across the country. Locally, that includes Wellfield Botanic Gardens and Potawatomi Conservatories, both excellent companion destinations if you enjoy plants, trails, and calm spaces. Special events like LIGHTS at Fernwood may have separate admission pricing. For the latest discounts and details, visit Fernwood’s official website . Corky Lorenz November 3, 2025

Vendor Rambows and Friends shared that her female tarantulas can live up to ten years, while males live a few years less. Her display at the Goshen Reptile Expo featured young slings beside their mature male tarantula with orange legs. How long do tarantulas live? Vendor Rambows and Friends shared that her female tarantulas can live up to ten years, while males usually live a few years less. After reaching maturity, most males live for only about two years. At the Goshen Reptile Expo , several people were gathered around the Rambows and Friends booth, asking questions and admiring the reptiles. The vendor was friendly and open, answering everyone’s questions about the animals she had brought. I was looking at the small containers that held baby tarantulas, also called slings. Next to them was a display showing the father of those babies, a mature male that had recently passed away at the end of his life cycle. His legs were covered in orange coloring, and he was strikingly beautiful even in stillness. When I asked how long tarantulas live, she explained that females can live close to ten years, while males only live a few years less, and around two years after maturity. It was fascinating to see the slings up close, with their tiny fuzzy legs, bits of soil, and small feeder crickets waiting to be eaten. The contrast between their size and the adult display really showed how much they grow over time. In addition to the tarantulas, this vendor also brought several colorful geckos, which she displayed in neatly organized enclosures. Rambows and Friends Accessories regularly attends large reptile expos in the Midwest, including Tinley Park and Goshen, and shares updates about where she’ll be vending next through her Instagram account @rambows_and_friends . Corky Lorenz November 9, 2025

Align the plenum bracket with the roof opening, insert the M8 bolts and clamping bars, then torque evenly to 7 N·m until the bracket is tight and fully seated. How do you install a plenum mounting bracket? To install the plenum mounting bracket, align the M8 bolts with washers and metal clamping bars through the four corner holes. Push the bracket upward into the square roof opening and tighten the bolts evenly until the bracket is secure and fully seated. Securing the Plenum Mounting Bracket Overlap the M8 bolts (#7) with washers (#9) and metal clamping bars (#8), inserting them through the four corner holes of the plenum mounting bracket. From inside the RV, push the bracket upward so it fits securely into the square roof opening. Start tightening the bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Use a torque wrench to tighten the M8 bolts evenly to 7 N·m, ensuring the plenum bracket connects firmly with the outdoor unit. Finally, verify that the bracket is fully seated and flush within the opening before proceeding. Corky Lorenz November 5, 2025