SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. — The Shipshewana Lion’s Club and the Shipshewana Retail Merchants Association have named the Citizen of the Year and grand marshals, respectively, for MayFest, which starts Friday night.
Grand marshals Levi and Joanna King and top citizen Jay Dee Hostetler will ride along in the event’s parade in recognition of their awards.
Citizen of the Year
“I was surprised. It’s sort of an honor,” Hostetler said of receiving the 2008 Citizen of the Year award.
Hostetler, who grew up on a farm just east of town, graduated from Shipshewana High School in 1955. After moving to Topeka for a few years, he returned in 1965 and started a development and construction business.
In the 43 years since, his company has built more than 500 buildings, including homes in the Valley Hills Estates, Stonehedge East and Stonehedge West developments, which he started, as well as a bank, a church expansion and other commercial work.
“I think he’s deserving (of the award),” Hostetler’s wife, Karlyn, said. “It’s really something that they’d think of us.”
Jay Dee and Karlyn will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary June 1. The couple have two sons, Thomas and Timothy.
The couple will ride in the parade, stopping in the town square for an introduction. Hostetler will also receive a plaque in honor of the award.
Hostetler also served on the town council from 1972 to 1976 and spent 28 years as a LaGrange County councilman, representing the northwest corner of the county, which includes Shipshewana.
“MayFest brings a lot of people in and involves a lot of local people. They bring in kids from school to perform, there’s a cooking contest and local businesses can show their product and can be in the parade,” he said.
Grand Marshals
“Shipshewana has a great culture. These are honest, hardworking people with moral values, and that means something to me,” Levi King said.
King and his wife, Joanna, were named grand marshals of MayFest about a month ago.
“MayFest gets people from all ages,” Joanna said. “(Retailers’ business season) goes from May to December, so we’re trying to put our best foot forward. It’s like our big kickoff.”
The couple’s main business is JoJo’s Pretzels, located in Davis Mercantile. They also own Kitchen Cupboard, Sarah Davis Ltd. and Village Boutique, also located in the mercantile, as well as The Cinnamon Stick in Middlebury.
“I love this area,” Levi said. “It’s a great destination for travel. It’s a great placed to raise your kids. It’s a great place to live.”
Levi is originally from Lancaster, Pa., Joanna from Middlebury. They have four children: Josh, 16, Heather, 14, Mariah, 9 and Jameson, 8.
“They like to help, even Mariah,” Joanna said. “She loves cleaning tables and collecting trays. They don’t always like to help though, especially on Saturdays.”
The couple believe part of the strength of the town lies in how well its businesses work together, especially through the SRMA.
According to the Kings, there are approximately 120 shops in the town, working together for the good of the whole destination. This process, they said, helps in building a strong destination brand.
They have been active in the SRMA, with Levi serving as its president for a year.
They have also been involved with the Haiti Benefit Auction, Economic Development, the Elkhart County CVB and their church, Maple City Chapel, where they are on the hospitality team.
“We feel very blessed. We are thankful to God for his blessings and like to defer to him as the source of our success,” Levi said.
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