An Open Letter of Thanks/Don’t Delay Checkup for Cracked Ribs

     I wanted to publicly thank my family, the Van Horne Jewelers’ staff, and our customers for their great support during my recent ten-day hospital stay.

     It all started Thanksgiving morning when I went mountain biking with my son Ben and Van Horne Jewelers’ goldsmith Kevin Smith at Rum Village. The ride started with great excitement. Ben was in the lead, I followed, and Kevin picked up the pieces. We had not made it down the trail for more than five minutes when I had my first wipe-out after sliding on wet leaves while turning a corner.

12-8-12 - Post Hospital

     Despite such an early wipe-out and less than ideal conditions, we went on to circle the whole five mile loop twice. Ben navigated the entire course without a single wipe-out. Kevin had three wipe-outs, one of which sent him flying over the handlebars. I faired even worse with seven wipe-outs, including one in which I thought I may have cracked my ribs.

     After that I was in some pain, but not so much that I felt the need to go to the hospital. I had some pain killers from prior surgeries and figured that I could wait it out (huge mistake). After two days, the pain had not gone away and it was getting to the point that the pain killers didn’t totally handle the pain, so I finally decided that I should get it checked out.

     I went to Med-Point and after the doctor examined me he quickly surmised that I needed to head to the hospital. I checked into the ER at Memorial Medical Center. There, they found that I had a collapsed lung and three cracked ribs. They drained the lung and I started to recover, but then the lung started to fill again. Because I had delayed in coming in and due to the unusual result of my accident, their diagnosis had been thrown off. Their further inspection found a cut in a minor artery and a ruptured diaphragm, and they immediately got me into surgery to make repairs.

     I spent the next eight days recovering and unfortunately had to miss our open house sale. Thanks to the great staff at Van Horne and our customers, though, we were still able to have a record open house, and a great start to December.

     I wish to thank Dr. Mark Thompson, Dr. Charles Lamb and Dr. Gerard Duprat for keeping me around for my family and my extended family at Van Horne Jewelers.  Thanks also to our almighty God for sparing me once again.

Madison Knight

Cyber Monday Sale & Holiday Open House

Cyber week is here! Merchandise on the Van Horne website will be offered at a 20% discount "for online sales only" on Friday Nov. 23rd thru Thurs Nov. 29th. The only exclusions to this discount are products from Ritani, Simon G, Scott Kay, RADO, and Notre Dame jewelry. Browse through the Van Horne's "Our Jewelry" now and make your selections. Then purchase on anytime between Nov 23rd and Nov 29th. Use coupon code "cyber" at checkout.

Also coming up, Van Horne Jewelers will celebrate its 86th anniversary in 2012 by hosting its annual Open House on Friday, November 30, from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm and on Saturday, December 1, from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. In addition to Van Horne's own extensive inventory, four designers will display their own collections for you. Prices in the store will be reduced 25% during the open house, except for items from Simon G, Ritani, Scott Kay, Rado, and Collegiate Jewelry.

Every hour a $100.00 gift card will be awarded and delicious refreshments will be served. Come join our celebration while you shop the finest jewelry in Michiana.

ESTATE JEWELRY EVENT

One Day Only

Thursday, September 13, 2012 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM

 

Van Horne Jewelry's 2012 Estate Sale is coming soon. The sale will feature over 600 pieces of vintage engagement rings, pearls, cameos, antique cut diamonds, bold gold, exotic colored gems, platinum and filigree designs gathered from estates worldwide. The collection includes previously owned pieces from celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, Bette Midler, Cher, Bob Hope, Tony, Curtis, Mia Farrow, Mary Pickford, and more! There will be signed pieces from designers and from Tiffany & Cartier Jewelers. Mark your calendar and make plans now to view these rare pieces of exquisite jewelry from the past. Don't miss this exciting One Day Only Opportunity. Van Horne Jewelers looks forward to seeing you as our guest at this extraordinary event.

Van Horne's New Laser Welder

Fifteen years ago, Van Horne Jewelers became the first jeweler in Michiana to adopt laser technology. Van Horne Jewelers purchased its first laser welder from Crafford Industries. The factory technician sent out to train Van Horne Jewelers on our new laser welder informed us that we were one of their first sales to a retail jewelry store; most of their sales had been to jewelry manufacturers.

Now, Van Horne Jewelers is Michana's first jeweler to have two laser welders for its goldsmith shop. Van Horne Jewelers purchased its second laser welder to accommodate its four fulltime goldsmiths. Dan Leonhardt, who helped pick our first welder, spent two days at the 2011 Las Vegas Jewelry Show to determine which machine was the best. Dan did an excellent job and we have now used our new laser welder for over a month. We are amazed with the progress in efficiencies of our new laser welder.

Huge Chicago Jewelry Show Coming Soon

The SMART Jewelry Show is coming April 21 - 23, 2012 to Chicago's historic Navy Pier.  Naturally Van Horne Jewelers will be there to ensure that Van Horne continues to have the extensive collection of the latest styles that you expect from Michiana's finest jeweler.  Van Horne will continue its commitment to traditional fine jewelry.

The SMART Show will have over 550 great exhibitors.  All the top manufacturers will be represented to fulfill any one's jewelry dreams.  If there is a particular piece of jewelry that has excited you or you have seen a unique item, but can't find it in any store -- visit Van Horne Jewelers and identify it.  Representatives of Van Horne Jewelers will do their best to find it for you at the SMART Show.

Van Horne Ski Trip

On March 18th and 19th Van Horne Jewelers sponsored a ski trip to Boyne Highlands. Van Horne Jewelers rented two condos that could accommodate up to 20 people. We had seven staff members and their families take advantage of our company sponsored trip.  June, Chingiz and Mitch had never skied before, took a ski lesson, and all three made at least partially down the hill.  Mitch did the best, including making it down a strong blue at Boyne Mountain on our second day.

The trip was a summertime snow ski experience.  Daytime temperatures were close to 80 degrees. Madison, Ben, and Kevin chose shorts and t-shirts to fly down the hills; Bill, being slightly smarter, chose sweats and a t-shirt as race gear to edge Madison out in the speed contest. Please note Madison wants a rematch next year.

Please stop by our store and view our 400 pictures plus sideshow and ask for ski stories.  Also, Madison has a photo album with trip highlights from this trip and other Van Horne Jewelers adventures.