1 00:00:00,001 --> 00:00:07,000 You're listening to the Dudes and Dads Podcast, a show dedicated to helping men be better 2 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:12,000 dudes and dads by building community through meaningful conversation and storytelling. 3 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:17,000 And now, here are your hosts, Joel DeMott and Andy Lehman. 4 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:18,000 Joel, we're at the fair. 5 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:19,000 We're at the fair. 6 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:20,000 At the fair. 7 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:21,000 Live at the fair. 8 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:22,000 Fantastic. 9 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:28,000 Right across from the illustrious goat and we have sheep across us, right Andy? 10 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:29,000 Is that right? 11 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:30,000 The goat and the sheep. 12 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:31,000 The goat and the sheep. 13 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:36,120 But more importantly, Andy, under the Everence Financial tent, our dear friends and partners 14 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:37,120 that have made this day possible. 15 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:39,120 So we want to say thank you, Everence. 16 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:40,120 Yes. 17 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:42,260 Appreciate you. 18 00:00:42,260 --> 00:00:46,420 As always, here's what Everence brings to this fair. 19 00:00:46,420 --> 00:00:47,800 They bring sunglasses. 20 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:51,240 If you have not gotten your Everence sunglasses yet, I'm just going to be honest with you, 21 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:56,200 I've got about 15 pairs in my car right now because my kids love them. 22 00:00:56,200 --> 00:01:01,160 But Everence Financial is so grateful to be here as they have invited us to just have 23 00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:07,200 a conversation about the 4-H Fair, what it means to us, talk to our guests here about 24 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:12,000 the leadership of the fair, the vision of the fair, and why it matters to our community. 25 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:13,360 So we want to welcome Shelly Stury with us. 26 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:15,960 You are the president of the fair this year. 27 00:01:15,960 --> 00:01:16,960 So welcome. 28 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:17,960 You have a busy job. 29 00:01:17,960 --> 00:01:19,880 It is a busy job. 30 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:25,200 Beyond my role as the fair board president, I'm also the general manager of the fairgrounds. 31 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:27,560 So I'm here year round. 32 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:31,280 Year round resident. 33 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:33,600 If I were you, I would just set up a camper year round. 34 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:34,920 My camper is here actually. 35 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:40,720 It came in a week early too, and I think we're going to keep it here a week after the fair. 36 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:47,500 So Shelly, Andy and I and our families, longtime 4-H participants love the fair, love what 37 00:01:47,500 --> 00:01:49,240 it means. 38 00:01:49,240 --> 00:01:54,320 This year celebrating 151 years here, which I think is an amazing milestone. 39 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:59,520 The one statistic I do want to get correct is there's a long discussion around this fair 40 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:04,920 and where it ranks in size nationally because we need to know where we stack up. 41 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:09,900 So what are the appropriate words to use for the size of our fairs? 42 00:02:09,900 --> 00:02:15,880 So I don't know that exact statistic, but I will tell you a little bit about it. 43 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:21,280 So our fair is definitely one of the largest 4-H fairs. 44 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:26,120 That's the distinction in what people talk about. 45 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:32,280 So when we're labeling it, we can say nationally, one of the largest 4-H fairs in the United 46 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:33,280 States. 47 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:38,400 So some other fairs have 4-H, but they don't have 4-H in their name. 48 00:02:38,400 --> 00:02:45,520 And so the other thing that I do know is that the Elkhart County Fair is the third largest 49 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,920 ticketed event in the state of Indiana. 50 00:02:48,920 --> 00:02:53,760 So we are right behind the Indianapolis 500 and the Indiana State Fair. 51 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:54,760 Yeah, yeah. 52 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:59,040 Two heavy hitters in our state and good old Goshen, Indiana, we feel we're stacking up 53 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:00,040 pretty well. 54 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:01,040 Yeah. 55 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:03,200 So we have over 200,000 people through our gates most of the time. 56 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:04,200 Yes. 57 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:05,200 Wonderful. 58 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:06,200 Let's talk a little bit about 4-H. 59 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:07,400 So it's important for families. 60 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:11,280 Can you tell us about why that's important for families? 61 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:19,000 So the Purdue Extension Office actually runs the 4-H program here on the fairgrounds and 62 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:21,640 then the fair board kind of runs the fair. 63 00:03:21,640 --> 00:03:26,940 The easiest way, I explained this earlier today, it's kind of like going to Martin's 64 00:03:26,940 --> 00:03:29,140 and there's a Starbucks in there. 65 00:03:29,140 --> 00:03:35,040 So the fair is kind of Martin's and 4-H is kind of Starbucks. 66 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:36,360 And we work together. 67 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:43,240 We have a commitment to work together, a partnership to provide a showcase area for the 4-H'ers 68 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:45,320 on our fairgrounds. 69 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:49,000 And we couldn't do it without them and they couldn't do it without us. 70 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:53,880 And we agreed to that and put on the best nine days of summer here. 71 00:03:53,880 --> 00:03:54,880 I agree. 72 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:57,880 It's like a whole holiday for the Alcarve County. 73 00:03:57,880 --> 00:03:58,880 It shuts down. 74 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:01,480 I like to refer to it as our local national holiday. 75 00:04:01,480 --> 00:04:02,480 Yes, I would agree to that. 76 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:06,520 Yeah, lots of people taking vacation this week and staying the week out here with us. 77 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:12,440 Traffic patterns have changed and thankfully I've been able to, we have railroad work going 78 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:14,200 on in town right now too. 79 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:15,200 So that's been fun. 80 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:18,800 Yeah, I give daily emails about that actually. 81 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:19,800 I'm sure. 82 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:20,800 Yes, I do. 83 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:22,280 How can I get from here to there? 84 00:04:22,280 --> 00:04:24,760 We're not sure on any given day. 85 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:32,520 Shelly, talk to us about, Andy and I, the Dudes and Dads podcast is all about conversation 86 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:34,320 with families, developing community. 87 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:39,040 But really we talk so frequently about investing in our kids. 88 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:45,680 Meaningful experiences, meaningful both educational and family based experiences that really set 89 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:47,600 our kids for a course of success. 90 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:52,320 And I know just being part of 4-H, that is what the 4-H Fair and what 4-H is all about. 91 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:54,240 What does it mean to you specifically? 92 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:58,520 When you think about the youth that are involved in programming here, what your hope and your 93 00:04:58,520 --> 00:04:59,520 dream for them is? 94 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:06,400 Well, the one thing, spending this time on the fairgrounds is as I go in and out of the 95 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:12,080 4-H barns is you don't see the phones, you don't see the technology as much. 96 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:16,680 And you see them interacting with other people face to face. 97 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:22,120 I think the kids, I know my daughter, I'll say, "Why aren't you seeing your friends tonight?" 98 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:25,560 Oh, well, we text message or whatever. 99 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:32,800 And so when they're here, they're really engaging and be more present in what's going on around 100 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:33,800 them. 101 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:38,240 So that's really been my favorite thing to really experience with the kids this year. 102 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:43,380 I have to just, I know that's true for definitely for Andy's kids and for mine as well. 103 00:05:43,380 --> 00:05:48,540 There is a different, it's almost like a retreat here, so to speak. 104 00:05:48,540 --> 00:05:55,560 There's a different interaction with kids and I just think so much in terms of, Andy and 105 00:05:55,560 --> 00:06:02,020 I talk about all the time about national statistics of mental health well-being amongst our youth. 106 00:06:02,020 --> 00:06:06,320 And the biggest thing is the sense of loneliness and disconnection, right? 107 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:09,240 And yet it seems that here something else is going on. 108 00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:10,240 Absolutely. 109 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:14,240 So I say all along, this is where the community gathers. 110 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,500 The whole entire Elkhart County, outside of Elkhart County. 111 00:06:17,500 --> 00:06:23,000 We have people driving from Michigan and Ohio just to come to the Elkhart Fair. 112 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:28,840 And that's exactly what you need is just that human interaction with each other. 113 00:06:28,840 --> 00:06:30,480 And you just, you see it everywhere. 114 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:35,540 We're sitting here, we're watching all these people go by and their families walking by 115 00:06:35,540 --> 00:06:36,540 this booth. 116 00:06:36,540 --> 00:06:37,540 Yes. 117 00:06:37,540 --> 00:06:38,540 Yes. 118 00:06:38,540 --> 00:06:44,480 And I think too, 4-H helps build endurance and stick to it, and some life skills that 119 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:45,960 kids are going to need forever. 120 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:52,260 I've seen, I've got a tenure member this year and to see him go from beginner 4-H to tenure 121 00:06:52,260 --> 00:06:53,400 has been amazing. 122 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:54,740 So somebody put it best. 123 00:06:54,740 --> 00:07:04,740 So earlier this week I got to present, I got to shake hands with 150 4-H'ers that had completed 124 00:07:04,740 --> 00:07:05,740 the 4-H program. 125 00:07:05,740 --> 00:07:08,280 They were 10 year commitment. 126 00:07:08,280 --> 00:07:10,920 And somebody said, "Have you ever thought about it? 127 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:12,340 They're 20 years old. 128 00:07:12,340 --> 00:07:15,680 Half of their life has been committed to the 4-H program." 129 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:17,400 And that was like, that really like hit me. 130 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:21,760 I was like, wow, that's, I've been on the fair board for 10 years and I feel like it's 131 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:24,720 been a long time and I'm older than 20 years old. 132 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:25,720 I can tell you that. 133 00:07:25,720 --> 00:07:26,720 So by a year, maybe. 134 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:28,720 Yeah, just a couple of years. 135 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:30,920 But it was like that. 136 00:07:30,920 --> 00:07:35,800 I mean, and I told the kids, I said, that's, that's a big commitment to commit to something 137 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:36,800 for 10 years. 138 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:41,800 But when you think of it in terms is it's literally half of their life already. 139 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:42,800 That's incredible. 140 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:43,800 Yeah. 141 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:51,200 And we just really want to, for those of our listening audience, if you're not connected 142 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:55,440 with a 4-H program, we have a lot of local listeners here in this community and all across 143 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:57,440 our region and even the country. 144 00:07:57,440 --> 00:08:02,100 And there's, I mean, there are 4-H programs all over this country. 145 00:08:02,100 --> 00:08:06,040 There's 4-H programs that can be engaged in. 146 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:08,440 And really, I think Andy said it best. 147 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:16,440 There is this sense of following through with the projects and right now we've been club 148 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:17,440 people. 149 00:08:17,440 --> 00:08:21,120 I have a child right now that is hitting me heavy for animals. 150 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:25,560 And I've said, let's consider what's involved in that. 151 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:29,320 Mostly because I've seen what Andy and the Lehman family does. 152 00:08:29,320 --> 00:08:32,480 We have dairy feeder steers. 153 00:08:32,480 --> 00:08:38,240 And I'm not exactly set up for dairy feeder steers at my home, but maybe something smaller. 154 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:39,240 We'll see. 155 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:45,520 But what I think is really, really cool is even my kid's interest in even presenting 156 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:50,400 an animal and doing some of the clubs was really fostered by our friendships with other 157 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:51,400 4-H families. 158 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:55,000 And our kids see what that experience is like. 159 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:56,000 Absolutely. 160 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:57,000 And it's attractive to them. 161 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:58,000 Yeah. 162 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:02,440 And I think it's almost counterintuitive now where you mentioned kids overly engaged in 163 00:09:02,440 --> 00:09:05,100 whether it's social media, technology, things like that. 164 00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:10,760 The idea that this is something that is different, that is meaningful and is attractive to them, 165 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:12,220 I think might surprise some families. 166 00:09:12,220 --> 00:09:14,960 I think maybe some families haven't considered that their kid would be interested. 167 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:22,160 Well, I think here at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, our livestock clubs have a huge presence. 168 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:28,380 And sitting right behind us is a humongous 4-H exhibit building. 169 00:09:28,380 --> 00:09:34,640 And so here, as soon as fair is over, we're going to do a remodel project on this facility. 170 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:40,340 And so the Fair Board has committed to pouring into these fairgrounds and providing this 171 00:09:40,340 --> 00:09:43,380 space for the kids to do those projects. 172 00:09:43,380 --> 00:09:48,900 But I think, don't hold me to it, I think there are 70 different clubs that the kids 173 00:09:48,900 --> 00:09:50,300 can join. 174 00:09:50,300 --> 00:09:53,240 And so there is something for everybody. 175 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:58,040 And I'm sure our guests would say, "Oh, the beef club or the swine club or the dairy feeder 176 00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:00,400 calves, that's your biggest club." 177 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:04,440 And we have ATV club, we have cake decorating. 178 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:09,920 There's, I can't, I mean, the list goes on and on about what, I am sure that whatever 179 00:10:09,920 --> 00:10:13,760 your kids' interests are, there is a club. 180 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:15,840 There is a clown club. 181 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:17,760 You can learn how to be a clown. 182 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:18,760 Even bicycles. 183 00:10:18,760 --> 00:10:23,920 I mean, I've seen the kids out here on lawnmowers learning how to drive lawnmowers. 184 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:28,480 I mean, it is just amazing the opportunities they have out here. 185 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:29,480 Yeah. 186 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:33,860 Shelly, if you could just talk to us for a second of, obviously you are part of a Fair 187 00:10:33,860 --> 00:10:40,120 Board team that invests so much time and energy and intentionality into the fair every single 188 00:10:40,120 --> 00:10:41,120 year. 189 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:46,640 And again, it's not just this particular fair, but all the other things that these fairgrounds 190 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:47,640 are involved in. 191 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:54,920 Talk to me about the dynamic importance of teamwork and collaboration and being together. 192 00:10:54,920 --> 00:10:58,880 Because the people that are on your team, I know in this community are so involved and 193 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:00,720 so passionate about it. 194 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:05,180 What has been the secret, you would say, to just how you all work so well together? 195 00:11:05,180 --> 00:11:10,000 Because I think we see it here as it plays out. 196 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:18,600 I think, I know in the office and the Fair Board I can speak for, we are a family. 197 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:21,740 And we function as a family, good and bad. 198 00:11:21,740 --> 00:11:24,220 I mean that in the best way, you know what I mean? 199 00:11:24,220 --> 00:11:25,220 Absolutely. 200 00:11:25,220 --> 00:11:26,220 By when I say that. 201 00:11:26,220 --> 00:11:32,880 We just, we love each other and we work from our hearts at all times. 202 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:35,680 And sometimes that is good and bad. 203 00:11:35,680 --> 00:11:40,780 You get a little excited and really intent on something. 204 00:11:40,780 --> 00:11:42,980 It's kind of like brothers and sisters, you know? 205 00:11:42,980 --> 00:11:45,180 And that's how we function. 206 00:11:45,180 --> 00:11:48,320 And we work every day. 207 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:53,060 I get text messages or phone calls every day of the week and we're just always trying to 208 00:11:53,060 --> 00:11:55,560 pour into this place. 209 00:11:55,560 --> 00:12:00,540 We absolutely do want to say thank you to the whole team. 210 00:12:00,540 --> 00:12:04,760 New addition to the team, our friend Nick Kiefer as well. 211 00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:10,520 As you mentioned, a lot of Northridge graduates, of which I am one as well, we will hold it 212 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:11,520 against Nick. 213 00:12:11,520 --> 00:12:18,000 And I will tell you also, our Fair Queen this year is actually a Northridge grad too. 214 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:21,000 So I'm like, we are representing for sure. 215 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:22,000 Good representation. 216 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:23,000 Good representation. 217 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:24,480 But such a great Fair Board. 218 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:28,120 We just want to say, we want to say obviously thank you to them and the great work that 219 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:29,120 they've done. 220 00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:35,560 Jason, Randy, yourself, Shelley and Nick, thank you for the investment that you guys 221 00:12:35,560 --> 00:12:38,800 are making in this event and our kids. 222 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,720 And just, we can't say enough about it. 223 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:43,480 Well, we certainly don't do it alone. 224 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:49,840 You know, Everence plays a big part in what we do and we have tremendous community involvement 225 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:50,840 with this fair. 226 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:52,640 It's everywhere you look. 227 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:55,760 You can see the Everence stamp behind us. 228 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:59,200 We've got banners and like you mentioned, sunglasses. 229 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:02,480 And there are lots of Everence sunglasses, that's for sure. 230 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:05,220 I think that is brilliant. 231 00:13:05,220 --> 00:13:09,040 We all know when we see somebody walk in that they've been by the Everence tent. 232 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:10,040 That's right. 233 00:13:10,040 --> 00:13:11,040 That's right. 234 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:12,800 Well, Shelley, we appreciate your time. 235 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:16,280 We know you've got to get going here, but thank you so much for coming out and chatting 236 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:17,280 with us. 237 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:18,280 Thank you for having me. 238 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:19,280 Yeah. 239 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:22,800 We appreciate you making your rounds and all the other duties that you do. 240 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:27,160 And yeah, what a great time here at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. 241 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:30,800 Shelley, congratulations on your role and what you've accomplished. 242 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:33,080 And just hope you have a great rest of the week. 243 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:34,080 All right. 244 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:35,080 Thank you. 245 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:36,080 You too. 246 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:37,080 Thanks. 247 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:38,080 All right, Joel. 248 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:39,080 And next up we have Allison. 249 00:13:39,080 --> 00:13:40,080 Allison is going to be chatting with us. 250 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:41,080 Allison is from the Everence marketing team. 251 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:45,040 I'm going to give her a second to step in here as we change this out here. 252 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:46,040 But Allison, welcome. 253 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:47,040 Allison. 254 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:48,040 Welcome to the show. 255 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:49,040 Welcome. 256 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:50,040 Welcome. 257 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:54,360 So we wanted to talk with you a little bit about, well, first off, we wanted to thank 258 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:57,480 you guys for sponsoring this episode and letting us come out here to the show. 259 00:13:57,480 --> 00:13:58,480 So good. 260 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:01,480 And they gave us the best weather day, in my opinion, the slight overcast. 261 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:04,000 There's a wonderful breeze right now. 262 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:05,000 When do we get this? 263 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:06,000 Never. 264 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:07,000 Never. 265 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:08,000 Never. 266 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:10,600 So now that I've said it, something, okay, I shouldn't have mentioned it. 267 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:11,600 It is Wednesday. 268 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:12,600 It's going to storm. 269 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:13,600 Joel did it though. 270 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:15,360 For the record, Joel did it. 271 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:17,040 What a great day to be out here. 272 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:22,280 And yeah, as Andy said, just our partnership with Everence from the bottom of our heart. 273 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:27,160 We have to say, we tell people all the time, Andy and I, when we started this podcast six 274 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:32,040 seasons ago, over five years ago, our goal was, and really our wives' goal for us was 275 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:34,200 that we would have a free hobby. 276 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:38,720 And Everence has made that possible with your guys' financial support and just offering 277 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:39,760 opportunities like this. 278 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:43,040 So yeah, just a big, big time. 279 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:44,040 Big, big thank you. 280 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:45,880 We cannot say it enough. 281 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:49,240 Just glad to be a part of an organization that is engaged in these events and events 282 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:51,480 throughout our Michiana community. 283 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:52,480 It means a lot. 284 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:53,480 So thanks. 285 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:54,480 Yeah. 286 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:55,480 We love supporting you guys. 287 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:56,480 It's been great. 288 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:59,320 Andy obviously is on the Everence team and then we work with you through some of our 289 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:00,320 business services too. 290 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:04,040 So it's just a great collaboration and dude, it's great to see you guys grow and expand 291 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:06,040 and do some of this new stuff too. 292 00:15:06,040 --> 00:15:07,040 Like be here. 293 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:08,040 That's right. 294 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:11,880 All these, you know, we've been told that there's tens of thousands of fairgoers here. 295 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:15,800 So Andy, I think we, our listenership picks up by at least 10,000 by the end of this week. 296 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:16,800 Absolutely. 297 00:15:16,800 --> 00:15:17,800 That's my goal. 298 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:18,800 Let's get you there. 299 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:19,800 Let's try it. 300 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:20,800 Let's do it. 301 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:25,760 Well, Alison, you, you sat down with us and talked about earlier in this year and we, 302 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:29,960 when we discussed this episode and you were telling us about some of the cool things that 303 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:30,960 you guys are doing this year. 304 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:33,760 Can you talk about, especially the hydration station? 305 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:34,760 Let's start there. 306 00:15:34,760 --> 00:15:35,760 Oh yes. 307 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:36,760 Yes. 308 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:37,760 Hydration stations. 309 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:41,960 So we came with the fair board the other, a few months ago, actually probably last year 310 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:44,840 after the fair was over and said, you know, Everence loves the fair. 311 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:45,880 We love being involved. 312 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:47,900 We also love supporting sustainability. 313 00:15:47,900 --> 00:15:48,900 That is huge for us. 314 00:15:48,900 --> 00:15:52,920 As you know, working with us, how can we help do that on the fairgrounds? 315 00:15:52,920 --> 00:15:56,580 And so through a bunch of brainstorming and looking at other fairs and other things that 316 00:15:56,580 --> 00:16:00,380 are the large outdoor venues were like, the thing that's really missing is some water 317 00:16:00,380 --> 00:16:01,380 bottle filling station. 318 00:16:01,380 --> 00:16:02,380 Oh yeah. 319 00:16:02,380 --> 00:16:03,380 It's missing. 320 00:16:03,380 --> 00:16:06,900 And you know, I'm out here every week, whether that be through dairy responsibilities or 321 00:16:06,900 --> 00:16:11,000 through working our booths and there's red face people walking around everywhere. 322 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:12,960 They're so hot and toasty. 323 00:16:12,960 --> 00:16:16,680 And so it's great to be able to offer the opportunity for somebody to come fill up their 324 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:19,020 water bottle at the new Everence hydration stations. 325 00:16:19,020 --> 00:16:20,800 There's three of them across campus. 326 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:25,040 And I think there's some plans to fill up some more between this year and next year. 327 00:16:25,040 --> 00:16:26,680 So it's just been a great ad. 328 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:30,520 People have really been in line playing in the midst, some of the kids and some of the 329 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:31,520 adults too. 330 00:16:31,520 --> 00:16:34,740 I would be one of them. 331 00:16:34,740 --> 00:16:36,360 So that's been, it's been a really great ad. 332 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:39,800 I'm glad that we were able to help be a small part of that and bringing that to the fair. 333 00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:40,960 Well, that's a great thing too. 334 00:16:40,960 --> 00:16:44,080 You know, there's always been a water bottle and the water's affordable here. 335 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:48,280 It's not super expensive, but it's nice if you have that or an empty container just to 336 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:51,040 be able to go back and fill that up and to have that. 337 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:53,120 So I know that I've heard lots of good things about that. 338 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:54,680 So thank you guys for doing that. 339 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:55,680 Absolutely. 340 00:16:55,680 --> 00:16:56,680 We're very excited. 341 00:16:56,680 --> 00:17:00,040 Like I said, to be part of that, kind of the ground level and getting going. 342 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:06,080 So Alison, as you mentioned, just with your guys's community engagement and what you're 343 00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:10,140 doing here at the fair, I just want to talk about some of the other things that Everence 344 00:17:10,140 --> 00:17:14,120 does out in the, I guess, out in the community, things that we want to make in terms of our 345 00:17:14,120 --> 00:17:18,060 families that are connecting with us, things that Everence is doing to invest in our local 346 00:17:18,060 --> 00:17:22,280 community opportunities for people to engage with the work that Everence is doing. 347 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:23,280 Sure. 348 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:26,840 So we do a lot throughout the year to try and stay invested in our communities. 349 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:29,880 While we do have two locations here in Goshen, we are a national company. 350 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:33,960 We have over 30 offices and that's always been a super important focus for us in all 351 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:37,960 of those places is to invest back into the communities that we're serving. 352 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:42,400 So a number of ways that we have coming up that's dealing with this is we are sponsoring 353 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:44,980 the global leadership summit, which maybe you're familiar with. 354 00:17:44,980 --> 00:17:45,980 I'll be there. 355 00:17:45,980 --> 00:17:46,980 I'm fantastic. 356 00:17:46,980 --> 00:17:47,980 I love that. 357 00:17:47,980 --> 00:17:51,560 It's based in Chicago and then they do simulcasts across the country and we're partnering with 358 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:55,360 Restore Church to host that, bring it back to Elkhart County where there hasn't been 359 00:17:55,360 --> 00:17:56,360 one in quite a while. 360 00:17:56,360 --> 00:17:58,340 So we're excited to bring that back to the area. 361 00:17:58,340 --> 00:18:02,780 You can learn more on our website at Everence.com/michiana. 362 00:18:02,780 --> 00:18:05,560 There's a lot more information there and if you want to register, we'd love to have you 363 00:18:05,560 --> 00:18:06,560 there. 364 00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:10,360 Our promo starts on Friday, so maybe wait to register until Friday. 365 00:18:10,360 --> 00:18:12,140 Special promo on Friday. 366 00:18:12,140 --> 00:18:14,880 Special promo price on Friday. 367 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:18,440 Also looking forward, we have coming up what we call our youth savings celebration. 368 00:18:18,440 --> 00:18:20,340 So this is a huge week for us. 369 00:18:20,340 --> 00:18:23,880 We invite kids to come in, we teach them some basic budgeting tools. 370 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:28,160 We have snacks, we have activities and we also have our high yield interest rate for 371 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:29,180 youth accounts. 372 00:18:29,180 --> 00:18:32,320 We have information about that here at the booths if you'd like to learn more as well 373 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:33,800 as some special incentives. 374 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:35,280 If you come see us before. 375 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:36,280 Yes. 376 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:39,600 So come get some extra $5 for all of your kids or your grandkids. 377 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:42,520 But Youth Savings Week is coming up July 7th through 9th. 378 00:18:42,520 --> 00:18:43,520 We're really excited. 379 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,480 We'll be open late in the evening on Thursday night to accommodate. 380 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:47,480 August 7th, right? 381 00:18:47,480 --> 00:18:48,480 Yes. 382 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:49,480 The month is important. 383 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:50,480 August 7th through 9th. 384 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,560 So coming up in just two weeks from tomorrow actually. 385 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:56,280 And we'll be out there and we'll be doing some stuff. 386 00:18:56,280 --> 00:18:57,280 We'll be talking. 387 00:18:57,280 --> 00:18:59,840 Andy and I will be fresh back from the Grand Tetons. 388 00:18:59,840 --> 00:19:05,640 We'll have all of our high elevation hikes in and then we're going to come back to the 389 00:19:05,640 --> 00:19:12,000 lowlands here and we're going to help our kids get financially squared away. 390 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:15,360 My kids have been talking about, I got one of them over there, been talking about getting 391 00:19:15,360 --> 00:19:19,120 themselves a bank account and then we're like, boy do we have the opportunity. 392 00:19:19,120 --> 00:19:20,800 Boy do I know the right place to take you. 393 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:21,800 August 7th through 9th. 394 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:22,800 Two weeks from today. 395 00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:23,800 August 7th through 9th. 396 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:24,800 Yes, yes. 397 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:25,800 Wonderful. 398 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:26,800 Looking forward to that. 399 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:27,800 Yeah. 400 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:33,940 And friends, I would just say, you know, we really value this partnership. 401 00:19:33,940 --> 00:19:34,940 We see it throughout the year. 402 00:19:34,940 --> 00:19:41,180 We value it because, uh, Everence values investments in families and we really know that financial 403 00:19:41,180 --> 00:19:45,260 health and financial literacy and beginning to have those kinds of conversations as a 404 00:19:45,260 --> 00:19:50,800 family and with our kids and just in terms of just what does financial health look like. 405 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:55,080 The sooner you can have that conversation with a young person, the better. 406 00:19:55,080 --> 00:19:58,580 And it's something that, you know, gosh, it's been a real light bulb for me in the recent 407 00:19:58,580 --> 00:20:03,300 past of, okay, we need to, we need to really be thinking about, so just some practical 408 00:20:03,300 --> 00:20:04,300 steps. 409 00:20:04,300 --> 00:20:06,960 And I just love how you guys provide that. 410 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:13,840 Just kind of a easy onboard, great resources for a family to know how to talk about money. 411 00:20:13,840 --> 00:20:17,840 Especially if you've been part of a family that didn't have those conversations. 412 00:20:17,840 --> 00:20:21,720 I know, I know I as an adult, I was always like, or as a kid, I was always like, yeah, 413 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:23,520 my mom and dad, they did things financially. 414 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:27,500 They seem to do just fine for themselves, but never really had the conversation with 415 00:20:27,500 --> 00:20:28,500 me. 416 00:20:28,500 --> 00:20:31,800 And so it's like, okay, what, what are smart steps to take? 417 00:20:31,800 --> 00:20:32,960 What are basic steps to take? 418 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:37,320 And that's obviously part of a conversation that we have ongoing on this show as we bring 419 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:42,240 in everyone's people occasionally with our, with our shows, but, but also youth savings 420 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:44,420 event is a really great onboarding opportunity. 421 00:20:44,420 --> 00:20:45,420 So looking forward to that. 422 00:20:45,420 --> 00:20:46,420 Yeah. 423 00:20:46,420 --> 00:20:51,140 I think a lot of us that grew up with boomer parents or people kind of around that generation, 424 00:20:51,140 --> 00:20:52,140 we didn't talk about money. 425 00:20:52,140 --> 00:20:54,780 That was, that was a hush hush topic that you didn't talk about. 426 00:20:54,780 --> 00:20:58,340 So now you know, those of us millennials and me around that age, we're trying to figure 427 00:20:58,340 --> 00:20:59,900 out how do we talk to our kids about that? 428 00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:01,880 And without that model, it gets to be difficult. 429 00:21:01,880 --> 00:21:05,120 So that's where everyone's likes to help come in and provide some talking points, help you 430 00:21:05,120 --> 00:21:10,060 get the conversation started so that you're talking and not just talking about safe, safe, 431 00:21:10,060 --> 00:21:11,460 safe, which is really important. 432 00:21:11,460 --> 00:21:13,020 But what else can you do with my money? 433 00:21:13,020 --> 00:21:16,940 How can I give back to causes and organizations I'm passionate about? 434 00:21:16,940 --> 00:21:18,220 How do I plan for the future? 435 00:21:18,220 --> 00:21:22,580 Whether that's college, trade school, buying your first house, buying a car so you can 436 00:21:22,580 --> 00:21:24,920 get to all of those things to pay for other things. 437 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:28,280 So being able to have that holistic conversation is so important. 438 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:31,860 And that's really where our financial consultants and our credit union staff just get so excited. 439 00:21:31,860 --> 00:21:35,340 So excited of helping people start that talk with their kids. 440 00:21:35,340 --> 00:21:39,720 Every time we go in there, it really does feel like number one, we are members of a 441 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:44,000 bigger community family, always welcomed in there. 442 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:47,020 Because sometimes I think for families, if they're trying to figure that out, it can 443 00:21:47,020 --> 00:21:49,180 be an intimidating process. 444 00:21:49,180 --> 00:21:53,560 One thing I love about Everence is that when you step in there, there is such a warm welcome 445 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:58,980 and a such a, I would just say a helpful atmosphere, which is something I know you guys work at 446 00:21:58,980 --> 00:22:01,600 so hard to foster and maintain. 447 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:04,900 And that's why we love partnering because that is the sense that we get. 448 00:22:04,900 --> 00:22:10,180 So Alison, one more time, if people have questions, if they're wondering how they can connect 449 00:22:10,180 --> 00:22:15,220 both here this week and on the web and other places, let us know how they can do that. 450 00:22:15,220 --> 00:22:16,220 Yes. 451 00:22:16,220 --> 00:22:19,000 So if you're out at the fair this week and want to come talk to us, we are over at the 452 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:22,380 Everence Family Entertainment Center, which is located near the land barn. 453 00:22:22,380 --> 00:22:26,380 If you're familiar with the animal barns or near the ECCCC building. 454 00:22:26,380 --> 00:22:27,380 So many C's. 455 00:22:27,380 --> 00:22:28,380 All the C's. 456 00:22:28,380 --> 00:22:29,380 I think there's three of them. 457 00:22:29,380 --> 00:22:30,380 We're over by that area. 458 00:22:30,380 --> 00:22:31,380 Feel free to come over. 459 00:22:31,380 --> 00:22:34,580 We'd love to talk to you about anything related to Everence, any financial questions you may 460 00:22:34,580 --> 00:22:38,500 have, or we can connect you with the Dudes and Dads podcast people as well. 461 00:22:38,500 --> 00:22:42,360 We know where they hang out during the week. 462 00:22:42,360 --> 00:22:47,100 Or if you want to find out more online, Everence.com is the place for all kinds of information. 463 00:22:47,100 --> 00:22:52,520 Starting those financial conversations we started, we've talked about and also Everence.com/michiana 464 00:22:52,520 --> 00:22:56,180 has all the information you need about Youth Savings Week, Global Leadership Summit and 465 00:22:56,180 --> 00:22:58,940 other upcoming educational events and activities that we have. 466 00:22:58,940 --> 00:22:59,940 Wonderful. 467 00:22:59,940 --> 00:23:00,940 Wonderful. 468 00:23:00,940 --> 00:23:07,580 So we're going to say thanks right over our way to our friends over at 107.3 WRSW, who 469 00:23:07,580 --> 00:23:08,580 turned down their music. 470 00:23:08,580 --> 00:23:09,580 W, R, S, W. 471 00:23:09,580 --> 00:23:10,580 W, R, S, W. 472 00:23:10,580 --> 00:23:11,580 W, R, S, W. 473 00:23:11,580 --> 00:23:12,580 There you go. 474 00:23:12,580 --> 00:23:15,820 Got to read that correctly. 475 00:23:15,820 --> 00:23:19,060 Thanks our friends over at Classic Hits who turned down their music for a little bit for 476 00:23:19,060 --> 00:23:21,060 us so we could do this podcast. 477 00:23:21,060 --> 00:23:25,820 You never know what sounds are going to be emerging from between the barns, the interior 478 00:23:25,820 --> 00:23:28,140 trolley, other tents. 479 00:23:28,140 --> 00:23:29,460 So grateful for them. 480 00:23:29,460 --> 00:23:31,380 And man, what a great day. 481 00:23:31,380 --> 00:23:32,380 What a great experience. 482 00:23:32,380 --> 00:23:33,380 Allison, thanks again. 483 00:23:33,380 --> 00:23:34,380 Yes. 484 00:23:34,380 --> 00:23:37,820 Thank you for having me and thanks for being here and love working with you guys. 485 00:23:37,820 --> 00:23:40,980 I hope you have a great rest of the fair and you survive with your dairy feeders. 486 00:23:40,980 --> 00:23:41,980 I'm hoping so. 487 00:23:41,980 --> 00:23:42,980 The dairy feeders will survive. 488 00:23:42,980 --> 00:23:46,980 Well, yeah, the dairy feeders will survive a little while longer. 489 00:23:46,980 --> 00:23:49,380 We hope the family definitely survives. 490 00:23:49,380 --> 00:23:51,780 So that's a dark turn. 491 00:23:51,780 --> 00:23:52,780 I'm sorry, Andy. 492 00:23:52,780 --> 00:23:53,780 I apologize. 493 00:23:53,780 --> 00:23:58,780 But hey, friends, as always, we're so grateful for each and every listener. 494 00:23:58,780 --> 00:24:03,780 Just want to invite you to head over to Dudesanddads.com. 495 00:24:03,780 --> 00:24:06,780 If you got any questions about previous shows, you can check those out there. 496 00:24:06,780 --> 00:24:09,780 Get in touch with us. 497 00:24:09,780 --> 00:24:11,780 Listen to this episode again. 498 00:24:11,780 --> 00:24:13,780 We do our episodes every two weeks. 499 00:24:13,780 --> 00:24:14,780 Yeah. 500 00:24:14,780 --> 00:24:16,780 So you'll be out there. 501 00:24:16,780 --> 00:24:20,780 And as always, we want to say a big thanks. 502 00:24:20,780 --> 00:24:24,780 If you got any ideas for future shows, things you want to connect with us on, you can email 503 00:24:24,780 --> 00:24:27,780 us at Dudesanddadspodcast@gmail.com. 504 00:24:27,780 --> 00:24:28,780 I got that right. 505 00:24:28,780 --> 00:24:29,780 We ran out of time. 506 00:24:29,780 --> 00:24:30,780 Okay. 507 00:24:30,780 --> 00:24:31,780 We ran out of time. 508 00:24:31,780 --> 00:24:32,780 We ran out of music. 509 00:24:32,780 --> 00:24:33,780 I couldn't hear. 510 00:24:33,780 --> 00:24:34,780 Okay. 511 00:24:34,780 --> 00:24:35,780 Well, hey, until next time, everybody, we wish you grace.