Lydia Gard                                                                                                                                                     Grace College journalism student

SILVER LAKE — The town of Silver Lake is the southernmost point of Kosciusko County. It became a town in 1859, and celebrated its 150^th anniversary in 2009. Many business owners have been successful in this rural community.

John B. Whetstone discovered his passion for crafting woodenware, such as spoons and bowls, and opened Whetstone Woodenware in 1984. Located at 108 E. Main St., the company sells products in local retail stores, through catalogs, online and in stores throughout the United States, including Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

Metzger & Son Trucking, based in Silver Lake, was launched in 1945 by Ernie Metzger, who realized the need for a more effective way to transport goods. After the purchase of his first truck, Metzger’s business grew steadily. Ernie’s son, Mike, began working with his father as soon as he was old enough, so Ernie changed the name of the trucking company to Metzger & Son Trucking Co. Ernie passed away in 1986, and Mike took over as president of the company. Metzger & Son Trucking currently employs 45 people and can ship almost any type of freight anywhere in the continental United States and Alaska. The company is located at 208 S. Jefferson St.

Wabash Valley Manufacturing, located at 505 E. Main St., produces a variety of products, including tables, chairs, litter receptacles, park benches and more. Wabash Valley Manufacturing contains three divisions: Wabash Valley, which specializes in plastisol-coated outdoor furniture, Urbanscape, whose main product is high-end style powder-coated furniture designed for urban or retail environments and Green Valley, the newest division of the company, which offers environmentally friendly products constructed with Poly Tuf, made from recycled post-consumer plastics. Wabash Valley Manufacturing offers a variety of products for diverse environments and customers.

Marilyn and Trent McDonald are the owners of The Igloo, an ice cream shop located close to the Subway shop in Silver Lake. This walk-up ice cream shop offers 20-24 flavors. The shop is named for McDonald’s grandparents’ ice cream shop, which operated on the north side of town during the 1950s. The Igloo is located on 108 W. Main St. in Silver Lake.

More than a drive-through village on SR 15 south, Silver Lake is making a large impact with the products and services flowing from this lovely little town at the southern tip of Kosciusko County.