GOSHEN —
Don Lechlitner has been farming his whole life. At 63 years old, he’s been through a lot of harvests.
The one he saw Friday was special.
Lechlitner lives along C.R. 27 north of Goshen. He was working on one of his semi trucks a couple of weeks ago getting ready for harvest. Lechlitner fell off a ladder and, in his recollection, “hit the ground pretty hard” — hard enough to break four ribs and his pelvis.
“I’m getting around with a walker, but I’m not able to get much accomplished in a day,” he said.
Enter the local farming community.
Fifteen to 20 farmers gathered Friday to harvest close to 250 acres of beans for Lechlitner. Jefferson Township farmer Dwayne Bontrager said 10 combines, nine trucks and around four grain carts would be part of the effort.
Leaning on his walker, Lechlitner watched as work progressed in a field southwest of the intersection at C.R.s 27 and 20. He chatted with friends and neighbors while others manned the machines harvesting the beans.
“It’s just awesome,” Lechlitner said earlier that day. “I’ve been on the other end of it a couple times, helping other people out. There comes a time when we have to accept help as well.”
“...It’s just very humbling,” he continued. “To think people would let their own work go to do your’s. That’s the way our farmers are. That’s the way our community is.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Injured farmer Don Lechlitner, left, chats with Wes Yoder Friday afternoon near the intersection of C.R.s 20 and 27 north of Goshen. A group of 15 to 20 farmers had gathered to help Lechlitner harvest around 250 acres of soybeans. Scott Weisser
Farmers pitch in to help injured neighbor with harvest
- Local News
-
-
Council won’t fund school sidewalks
GOSHEN — Goshen City Council members voted along party lines Tuesday to defeat a proposal by Goshen Community Schools for a 50-50 cost split between the city and the school corporation to pay for a $125,000 sidewalk expansion project.
-
'Experience Michiana' segments to be taped in Goshen
The crew with WNIT program “Experience Michiana” is set to tape segments in Goshen this week. The segments will be broadcast June 27 and 28.
-
State officials warn people to be alert at fairs, festivals
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and state police are reminding state residents to be alert for safety concerns when attending county fairs and other local festivals.
-
SLIDESHOW: Pets of the Week
Featured pets available for adoption at the Humane Society of Elkhart County.
-
Goshen officials donate former Hawks Building to LaCasa
An agreement between Goshen city government and LaCasa Inc. allowing for the donation of the former Hawks Building to the local non-profit was approved Monday.
-
LIBRARY NEWS: Reading programs underway
Summer reading programs for young people are underway at the Goshen library.
-
GROUNDS FOR INSANITY: In need of a support group — or several
It’s an idea whose time has come. Actually, the country’s been ripe for it since the oil crisis of the Carter administration, but I was young then and hadn’t twigged to it yet.
-
Rocket Science gains some national exposure
NAPPANEE — Things were buzzing at Rocket Science Ice Cream Shop on a recent Friday when camera crews from The Food Network and The Cooking Channel arrived at the shop inside Coppes Commons.
-
Fabric repurposed for medical uses at local nursing home
NAPPANEE - One person’s trash is another’s treasure, the old saying goes. For a group of women at a nursing home in Nappanee, that saying has never been more true.
-
Welcome back, Inn: Oakwood Reopens
SYRACUSE — After five years of uncertainty, the Oakwood Resort on Lake Wawasee checked in its first guests under new ownership last week.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama: 'Lives Have Been Saved' by NSA Programs
Obama: Friction in Afghan Talks No Surprise
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
