Evansville Living September/October 2024

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his stunning, new construction property offers ample living space with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and over 2,000 square feet. The open floor plan invites a seamless transition between common areas. The living room, showcasing a gas fireplace and built-in bookcase, creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The kitchen, with its large island and bar seating, seamlessly connects to the living area. Stainless Whirlpool appliances and a walk-in pantry further enhance the functionality of the space. The dining area adjacent to the kitchen provides a convenient layout for meals and entertaining. The built-in mudroom outside the laundry room offers convenience while the laundry boasts counter space and storage cabinets. The spacious owner suite with an en suite bath offers convenience and privacy. The twin sink vanity, tiled shower, and walk-in closet enhance the comfort of the space. The remaining bedrooms, located on the opposite side of the home, share a full hall bath. The open deck area outside offers a wonderful space for outdoor dining or simply basking in the beautiful surroundings. Don’t miss the opportunity to own this brand new, never been lived in home!

3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths • 2,017

Uncork the perfect blend of tradition and taste with the Western Kentucky Wine Trail! Explore homegrown flavors across six scenic counties, enjoying premium wines, private tastings, and lively events. Come join our wine-loving family and feel at home with every visit.

Features

42

COVER STORY Best of the City

We asked, you answered, and 49 winners are walking away with the top prize for being the best at what they do. From shopping and dining to experiences and more, the Best of Evansville awards highlight this year’s shining stars as selected by voters and our editors.

HOME OF THE ISSUE Factory-Built Home

In what looked like a deteriorating former plastics factory, Tom and Becky Hartman saw inspiration for a custom residence. Through plenty of sweat and ingenuity, they molded the property into the home of their dreams.

32

COMING SOON Fall Arts Preview

After a summer break, ‘tis the season for stage productions, festivals, art markets, and more. Keep track with this handy guide of highlights.

ON THE COVER Let’s do brunch! Margot Roehrborn, Grace Stevens, Natalie Ogle, and Ashton Weil took us up on the invitation to celebrate Comfort by the Cross-Eyed Cricket’s win for Best Brunch with a jovial gathering Aug. 19. New this summer is a weekend brunch buffet from The Collective, Comfort’s partner restaurant upstairs where this quartet of friends is pictured. Photo by Zach Straw. Food prep by Chef Anthony Tong. Evansville Living September/October 2024 Volume 25, Issue 6

PHOTO

GOOD LIVING

Entertainment Center LawMan Tactical takes aim at gun culture stereotypes

Community Partners The Hope Gallery creates a haven for disabled adults 21 Trending Now

Pick your favorite seasonal activities at these corn mazes and pumpkin patches

22 Health Matters

Ahead of the Evansville Half Marathon, Team 13 builds fitness and community

In the Spotlight What to know before you go to the West Side Nut Club’s Fall Festival

CULTURE

Out and About

a jump on planning

celebrates 90 years of music

26 Screening Room

Christopher and Sarah Bailey’s superhero mini-series scores a deal with Amazon Prime

27 Art Talk St. James Court Art Show shines in Historic Old Louisville

27 Shelf Life 28 The Guide

DEPARTMENT

36 Travel Journal

Discover Hokies and more in Blacksburg, Virginia

HOME & STYLE

57 Curb Appeal

Tudor-tinged arched windows and end pillars captured Ed and Lesle Pietraniec’s hearts

58 Artful Living

Make no bones about it — these quirky decorations are attention grabbing

58 On the Market

An expansive Winterwood Drive estate packs a punch

59 Get Inspired

Two native gardeners share their path to attracting pollinators

FOOD & DRINK

67 Local Foodie Sila Donaldson brings authentic Thai cuisine home

68 Worth the Drive Sip your way through Southern Illinois’ Shawnee Hills Wine Trail

69 What We’re Trying Now Granola options add crunch to Sixth and Zero

69 Now That’s Sweet Apple butter spreads well in autumn

70 In the Kitchen Book N’ Cook turns kitchens into virtual classrooms

72 Dining Directory

Peruse the cuisine of Tri-State restaurants

73 Fresh Takes

FINAL DETAIL

184 Benjamin Bosse High School graduates share memories of their 100-year-old alma mater

Special Advertising Sections

Evansville’s Authority 81

The area’s experts on health care, design, and more share why they should be your first call

Junior League of Evansville 151

Meet the civic organization’s Top 20 Women Leaders of 2024

Drive 168

Find the latest in automotive trends and services

WNIN 176

Explore WNIN’s upcoming program highlights, guide listings, and station-wide happenings for October and November

Coming in the NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Holiday Gift Guide

Find everything you need for each person on your shopping list with this guide of local products and services

Doctor Profiles and Excellence in Nursing

Discover the Tri-State medical professionals who make health care their top priority

EDITOR & PUBLISHER

Kristen K. Tucker

PRESIDENT, TUCKER PUBLISHING GROUP

Todd A. Tucker

EDITORIAL

Jodi Keen

Managing Editor

John Martin

Senior Writer

Maggie Valenti Staff Writer

DESIGN

Laura Mathis

Creative Director

Chanda Ramsey

Art Director

Hadley Mitchell

Digital Marketing Coordinator

ADVERTISING

Jessica Hoffman

Senior Account Executive

Jennifer Rhoades

Senior Account Executive

Logen Sitzman

Sales and Marketing Coordinator

CIRCULATION

Gregg Martin

Distribution and Circulation Manager

CONTRIBUTORS

Debbra Dunning Brouillette

Gordon Engelhardt

Katie Henrichs

Lucy Himstedt

Adin Parks

Natalie Reidford

Nick Shelton

Audra Straw

Zach Straw

Timothy Weir

TUCKER PUBLISHING GROUP

Todd A. Tucker President

Kristen K. Tucker Vice President

MISSION STATEMENT

The staff of Evansville Living strives to inform, instruct, amuse, and entertain our readers, helping them get the most out of living in Evansville and the surrounding area. With each issue, we provide a targeted audience of active, well-educated consumers for our advertisers. We look to positively chronicle the many unique aspects of living in Evansville and the TriState to benefit our community.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions are $18 for one year; $24 for two years; or $30 for three years. To start a new subscription, renew an existing subscription, or to change your address, visit evansvilleliving.com/subscribe; call 812-641-5919 or 818-286-3122 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or send an email to elbcs@magserv.com.

CALENDAR ITEMS, COMMUNITY UPDATES, DINING GUIDE

Please email events@evansvilleliving.com information NO LATER than eight weeks prior to the magazine cover date. Details may be edited or deleted for space.

ADVERTISING

Take advantage of Evansville Living’s prime advertising space. Call us at 812-426-2115 or visit our website.

“I

CONNECT WITH US

Follow our updates on social media: Facebook, facebook.com/evansvilleliving X, twitter.com/evansville Linkedin, linkedin.com/ company/tucker-publishing-group Instagram, @evansvilleliving

IT’S ABOUT TIME

No one has had more fun than The Pits did on the cover of an issue of Evansville Living. Since you’re now reading this issue, the rock ‘n’ roll quartet’s cover reign on the newsstand has ended but surely not the fun. The Pits’ lead crooner, Gene Baker, quickly jumped on the opportunity to play to the 1972 Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show song, “The Cover of Rolling Stone.”

“Wanna see my picture on the cover, wanna buy five copies for my mother, wanna see my smiling face, on the cover of the Evansville Livin.’”

The band announced an autograph opportunity at a gig at the Bokeh Lounge in July; we were more than happy to drop off copies of the magazine for the show.

On social media, a fan of The Pits noted, “It’s about time!” when the band shared the news of their appearance on the cover of Evansville Living. They had a point. Certainly, during our nearly 25 years of publishing this magazine, the thought of putting the city’s most tenured party, dance, and rock band on the cover had occurred to us. When it came time to produce the summer music issue, we called up members of The Pits to organize a photo shoot. And they sure did have fun with it!

Perhaps you are thinking, 25 years! Yep, almost. In fact, on LinkedIn, I established my “hire date” at Tucker Publishing Group, Inc., as Sept. 12, 1999. I soon will receive “congratulations on your anniversary” messages and I won’t be shocked that it’s been 25 years.

Of course, we will celebrate this milestone with readers. We are planning the details of the March/April 2025 25th anniversary issue now, along with a celebration. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The annual Best of Evansville Awards have been around almost since the start. Welcome to the 23rd Best of Evansville –also called Best of the City – issue. Readers will note that again this year their

voices were heard on standard, expected categories – we wouldn’t dare skip Best Burger or Best Pizza. To keep it fresh, our editorial team adds new categories annually and gives others a rest. Then, we also exercise the magazine’s authority and select a few editors’ picks. If you drive to Indianapolis or other northern parts of the state frequently, we bet you will agree with our pick on page 51. And can you guess what we named Best Glow-Up? (Go to page 50 to see if you are correct!)

I hope you enjoy the issue! As always, I look forward to hearing from you.

JON HYNEMAN, CREATIVE DIRECTOR LAURA MATHIS, GENE BAKER, RAY PRITCHETT, AND GEORGE BARNETT AT BOKEH LOUNGE

Rising Stars: Yearbook students at North Posey Junior High School learned about the magazine production process during

Have a Ball!: Baseball fans like Senior Writer

John Martin have a friend in Atlanta Braves play-by-play announcer Brandon Gaudin. The William Henry Harrison High School graduate was gifted a July/August 2024 issue of Evansville Living during John’s July 2024 visit to Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia.

Party Tip: No party is complete without Evansville Living! The July/ August 2024 issue tagged along as North High School alums René Royalty Contino, Julie Brooks, and Lori Heiger Kurtz reunited in July 2024 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to celebrate their milestone birthdays.

Trekking Along: May/June 2024 Evansville Living made the trek to the Grand Canyon in June with Ben Barnes, Deidre Barnes, Adelyn Barnes, Brendan Barnes, Drew Barnes, Carolyn Messmer, Lennon Mattingly, Todd Mattingly, Cruz Mattingly, and Cara Mattingly.

Diana Haytko: While on an “epic road trip” immediately following her retirement, Diana Haytko of Greenville, North Carolina, stopped in Evansville to visit her former Keller-Crescent Co. coworker, Kristen Tucker, publisher and editor of Evansville Living. Diana had not visited Evansville since she moved away in 1991.

a May 8 visit to Tucker Publishing Group.

JAMMING OUT TO “SOUNDS OF THE CITY” (JULY/AUGUST 2024)

The thrill we’ve never been given is the thrill that will get you when you get your picture on the cover of Evansville Living!

The Pits via Facebook

Thank you Evansville Living and Zach Evans for the brewtiful write-up (“Rollicking Punk Rockers,” July/ August 2024).

The Chugs via Facebook

Thanks to Evansville Living for the cool photos (“All About That Funk,” July/ August 2024)!

Georgia Funkadelic via Facebook

Thank you to Evansville Living and Jodi Keen for the write-up in the most recent issue (“Putting Poetry to Music,” July/ August 2024)!

Hannah Evelyn Music via Facebook HISTORY IN ACTION

On behalf of all of us here at the Indiana Military Museum, we want to thank you most sincerely for the time given in preparation and presentation of the wonderful article (“A Mighty Museum,” July/August 2024). … We’ve had several visitors acknowledge the fact that they saw the article, and visited the museum based on that.

Jim Osborne, Vincennes, Indiana

WILD FOR KENTUCKY

Great article in Evansville Living’s special “Explore Your Own Southern Charm” Guide to Henderson (July/ August 2024).

Thomason’s Barbecue via Facebook

NEW NEIGHBORS

This home is a crown jewel of the Newburgh riverfront (“Room with a View,” July/August 2024). It is just as jaw-dropping in person as in photos.

Ryan Mitchell via Facebook

HEAVY METAL HOME

Being part of the custom ironwork projects both inside and outside of this home was such an exciting experience (“Room with a View,” July/August 2024).

Parker’s Custom Ironworks via Facebook

ONE WILD GUY

Our Wildlife Curator and Educator, Elaine Kung, and our smallest raptor ambassador, Artemis, were featured in a recent article (“‘Fierce Hunter, Small Package,’” July/August 2024) by our friends at Evansville Living!

Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve via Facebook

FRESH LOOK

A huge thank you to Evansville Living for featuring our products (“More Than Skin Deep,” July/August 2024)!

Black Cauldron Soap Co. via Facebook

FLOWERED WITH PRAISE

Literally such an honor. Thank you Evansville Living for writing a story on my new business (“Dreams in Bloom,” July/August 2024).

Jesse Diekhoff via Facebook

HOOSIER PRIDE

If you had told 15-year-old me that he’d have a story in the culture section of Evansville Living, he’d probably say: “So, can I put down my shovel and leave this cow pasture?” Thank you for finding and sharing stories about such a great Indiana community (“Melodic Memoir,” July/ August 2024)!

Matt Hay via Facebook

ON THE PITCH

The University of Evansville will celebrate 50 years of Aces men’s soccer when the team kicks off its season this fall. Check out this article from Evansville Living highlighting the special anniversary (“50 Years of Kicks,” July/August 2024).

University of Evansville Alumni Association via Facebook

Plan a road trip, improve your home, or upgrade your vehicle with our

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Contributors

CHANDA RAMSEY

“I have always enjoyed magazine and niche publication design work throughout my career. I really enjoy the whole process, from ad design to multiple page spreads. I like to organize and improve existing designs and starting from scratch. And what better publication than your hometown magazine to design for?”

Art Director Chanda Ramsey is a lifelong resident of Evansville. Prior to joining Tucker Publishing Group in August, the North High School, University of Southern Indiana, and Ivy Tech Community College alumna served as senior director of communications for seven years at Evansville Regional Economic Partnership and creative service supervisor for nearly 20 years at the Evansville Courier & Press.

DEBBRA DUNNING BROUILLETTE

“‘Life is too short to drink bad wine.’ This quote fits well with my trip to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. After visiting several Southern Illinois wineries, I have gained a new appreciation for the high quality of Shawnee Hills wines — one of the most established wine regions in the Midwest.”

Debbra Dunning Brouillette is an Evansville-based freelance writer and photographer. Although her travels have taken her to more than 60 islands and tropical destinations around the world, she is gaining a new appreciation for exploring places closer to home. Her article on Southern Illinois’ Shawnee Hills Wine Trail is on page 68. Follow Debbra’s travels at tropicaltravelgirl.com.

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LIFE’S BETTER OUTDOORS

Anderson Falls

PIPE BY PIPE

St. Benedict Cathedral welcomes a towering new organ BY JOHN MARTIN

St. Benedict Cathedral’s organ has hummed the same tune since the 1940s. Soon, singing parishioners will be joined by a new set of pipes.

Upon arriving as the Catholic Diocese of Evansville’s director of music nearly 20 years ago, Jeremy Korba realized the church’s organ was long past its prime.

“As the liturgies got bigger, we found the organ wasn’t supporting everything we wanted and needed it to do,” Korba says.

Fundraising was jump-started in 2019 with a nearly $3 million donation from church Deacon David Cook – who died July 24 at age 84 – and his wife, Virginia. Renovations of the Lombard-Basilica cathedral also were completed that year, as profiled in March/April 2020 Evansville Living

Years of research led Korba and St. Benedict to Parsons Pipe Organ Builders of Canandaigua, New York.

The onset of COVID-19 in spring 2020 delayed the process of bringing the refurbished cathedral its new organ. But the wait is nearly over. The instrument – which consists of a nave and a gallery – is being installed pipe by pipe, around 4,300 in all.

St. Benedict intends to have the instrument fully assembled and ready to play by the end of October. The Cathedral is beginning to use its resources as they are available.

For parishioners hearing the organ, “it should be thrilling,” says Korba, who adds that he’s honored to be the organist. “They will be able to feel some of the big pipes. It can be loud, but part of the magic of the tonal design is in the depth of color available to the organ. It will have beautiful, soft strings to powerful reeds and everything in between. The organ will be equally at home supporting the Cathedral liturgies as well as concertizing.”

Good Living

ABILITY OVER DISABILITY

SAFETY AND RESPECT

ENTERTAINMENT CENTER

With a cafe, gym, and lounge, LawMan Tactical goes beyond the shooting range

Owners Bryan and Amanda Bishop say the Second Amendment is a foundation of LawMan Tactical, but their business is about more than powder and steel.

Bryan Bishop credits his 20 years in law enforcement – primarily spent investigating violent crimes with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and in the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force – for shaping his vision.

“I felt that there is a lack of professional training in our area as far as teaching people how to protect themselves, their families, their homes,” Bryan says.

“… I had a lot of opportunity during my career to attend really good training by people who were much better than me. So, I didn’t want to just lose all that information, not be able to pass it on.”

LawMan Tactical sells firearms of different varieties, and trained staff instruct law-abiding citizens on how to safely own and use them. The shooting range also is open to gun owners who want to hone and test their skills.

In addition to firearms safety, LawMan Tactical offers classes in self-defense and personal fitness in its gymnasium and studio, some specifically for women or children.

And then there’s the 10-8 Cafe Bar & Grill, a full-service restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a golf simulator, and TV screens.

As with nearly everything at LawMan Tactical, the menu honors law enforcement work. Appetizers include the 2nd Alarm Nacho 

PHOTOS BY ZACH STRAW
BRYAN AND AMANDA BISHOP
10-8 CAFE BAR & GRILL
SHOOTING RANGE

Supreme and Blazing Bullets Wings, and a top-selling “burgler” is the Hawaii 5-0 with shredded mozzarella, pineapple, bacon, and bourbon glaze. Pizzas are known here as “Live Rounds.”

There’s live music on Friday and Saturday nights, cornhole boards, and an outdoor playground. Certain levels of membership grant access to the Founders Lounge, an intimate, speakeasy-type spot where small and large groups can enjoy food and drinks in higher comfort.

L awMan Tactical opened in 2022, and the Bishops call out what they say are misconceptions about the business. They say police officers are a small percentage of people who come through the doors, and the business has much to offer on and off the firing range.

Bryan says he believes some in the public perceive LawMan Tactical as a place for “crazy gun people,” and “that’s the farthest from the truth. Do I like guns? Do I believe in the Second Amendment? Absolutely. But I also believe in people being trained properly and being responsible.”

Above all else, he says LawMan Tactical strives to promote “common respect for each other … I was raised on, yes sir, yes ma’am, please, thank you, God bless you, Merry Christmas. Those kinds of things were important to me. I wanted to create a facility where we still hold those things true.”

4209 U.S. 41

Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday

Support System

The Hope Gallery creates opportunities for adults with disabilities

ANDY AND JENNIFER PARKER

had no plans to open a second gallery in Newburgh, Indiana, after they moved from Indianapolis in 2021, but once they saw a need, it was hard to ignore.

The Hope Gallery first opened in Bargersville, Indiana, in 2018, after the Parkers struggled to find vocational training opportunities for their autistic son, Alex, upon his graduation from high school. They opened the gallery so Alex, who was 21 at the time, and his friend had a safe working environment. Team members with developmental disabilities have a safe space to find purpose, learn job skills, and engage with the community.

“Every single team member wants to work,” Jennifer says. “They want the community to see what they can do.”

At The Hope Gallery in Newburgh, Indiana, team members create arts and crafts – jewelry, mosaics, bracelets, keychains, and more – to sell, perform customer service, manage inventory, and write grant applications.

Upon moving to Evansville in 2021, when Andy became a physician advisor with Deaconess Health System, Alex again needed a job, and Jennifer suspected there were others in the TriState in the same situation. She posted on social media to find individuals interested in working on a tile mosaic for their new home. After their 13-yearold daughter, Hope – the gallery’s namesake – passed away unexpectedly in 2020, Jennifer had not considered starting another gallery. But when 10 people answered her call, she realized there was a larger need in the community than just her home could provide.

Since 2021, The Hope Gallery has served more than 90 people in the Tri-State. Jennifer says opening the second gallery has been “a balm for my soul.”

Tess Grimm, Jennifer’s mother, regularly helps in the gallery after retiring from the Reitz Home

Museum in 2011. An annual gala – the next is scheduled for Nov. 8 at Evansville Country Club – supports the gallery and the nonprofit organization behind it, The Alex and Ali Foundation. “We focus on ability over disability. The team members know we believe in them,” Jennifer says. “The community has been very supportive of us.”

JENNIFER PARKER AND SON ALEX
GROUP MOSAIC PROJECT
DANIEL JONES
PERSONAL FITNESS GYM

FUN ON THE FARM

Pumpkin patches and corn mazes headline autumn-themed attractions

Don your flannel, breathe in the crisp autumn air, and head to these farms for fall fun.

MAYSE FARM MARKET

6400 N. St. Joseph Ave. mobile.maysefarmmarket.com

This 84-year-old farm’s Fall Family Fun weekends typically attract 15,000 to 20,000 each year. From Sept. 21 to Oct. 27, take a wagon ride to pick thousands of pumpkins on a 10-acre patch or amble through the 5.5-acre corn maze. The latter gets an annual refresh; this year’s maze design features the farm’s donkeys, Mabel, Abel, and Rufus.

EVANSVILLE COUNTRYSIDE ORCHARD

16800 Old Petersburg Road countrysideorchard.com

You likely know Tim and Kristi Schulz’s orchard for its delectable produce and self-pick fruit days. But don’t sleep on its family-friendly pumpkin patch — an acre and a half “discovery patch” with different types of pumpkins planted together — available in October. Sip an apple cider slushie or pick fruits while you browse.

T.J.’S ORCHARD & PUMPKIN PATCH

4805 Orchard Road • 812-963-6858

Tom Moers’ two acres produce a few thousand pumpkins each year, and he says there’s no shortage of buyers. Public

pumpkin picking starts in late September and runs through Halloween. Customers can also partake in the orchard’s apple cider earlier in the season – Moers says the farm typically sells 17,000 gallons in eight weeks.

YOUR FARMS

10011 Telephone Road, Newburgh, Indiana • yourfarmsllc.com

Your Farms’ corn maze has upped the ante in its second year. Created last fall by Craig Bohannon as a fun attraction for area schoolchildren’s field trips, the first design spelled out the farm’s name. This season, Bohannon wanted to get patriotic — the 5.5 acres of corn spells out “God Bless America” complete with stars and a Bald Eagle head. Guests can either walk through the maze — which becomes haunted on select evenings — or take a tractor ride.

GOEBEL FARMS

4745 W. Boonville-New Harmony Road goebelfarms.com

How does Goebel create corn mazes in the shape of Indiana Jones and Prince Harry? It calls in reinforcements. Using GPS to pinpoint a predetermined path, a John Deere planter then sows seeds to replicate a computer-generated image. Families can run through the pop culture likenesses on their way to purchase a gourd or take a hayride to pick the perfect pumpkin(s).

CATES FARM CORN MAZE

AND PRODUCE

8132 Pruitt Agnew Road, Henderson, Kentucky • Cates Farm Corn Maze and Produce on Facebook

From mid-September through October, Cates offers a pumpkin patch and corn maze featuring a new path annually. Last year’s maze stretched 15 acres.

TRUNNELL’S FARM MARKET

9255 U.S. 431, Utica, Kentucky trunnellsfarmmarket.com

About an hour’s drive from Evansville, Trunnell’s has become a popular seasonal day-trip destination for its Fall Farm Experience. Guests can explore a four-acre corn maze, ride the fall harvest wagon, and pick pumpkins.

RACHAEL AND TYLER BLOCKER
YOUR FARMS
GOEBEL FARMS

BEYOND THE FINISH LINE

Team 13 trains for the Evansville Half Marathon

Cardiovascular exercise has all kinds of benefits, from improving heart health to increasing lung capacity, but one benefit not often touted is a sense of community. Yet, for the 382 members of Team 13, that’s exactly what they have found.

The 13-week program helps participants prepare for the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana’s Evansville Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and other distance events, with training sessions each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from July through September. With the motto “every step counts” displayed proudly on the team’s neon-colored shirts, the program –which costs participants $30 – aims to build confidence and endurance, and provides the opportunity to create lasting bonds.

Stephanie Rhodes of Evansville, who has been participating in the program for 10 years, says that when she started in 2014, she had never run more than a 5K (3.1 miles). Now, not only is Rhodes running on a weekly basis while helping facilitate the team’s training sessions, she also is participating in this year’s Chicago Marathon (26.2 miles) on Oct. 13.

Exercise certainly is a plus, but Rhodes notes that is the least of what Team 13 has provided for her.

“The running community in Evansville is seriously everything,” Rhodes says.

Newburgh, Indiana, resident Beth Katz, who has taken part in Team 13 for seven years, has had a similar experience.

“I started running when I was younger, but not to the point where I joined a group

like Team 13, and ever since I’ve been with them, this has become my friend base now,” Katz says.

Katz says many participants “don’t stop with just 13 weeks,” continuing instead to run with a group called Run Walk 812.

Another team member and resident of Evansville, Shari Kirkpatrick, started the group – now run by Rhodes – to provide Evansville residents a way to stay active after finishing the half marathon.

In the 21 years of the half marathon, more than 30,000 people have laced up their shoes and hit the flat, fast course through Evansville. Three months of triweekly training sessions may sound like more than enough, but for many of Team 13’s members, running has become a year-round affair.

Pam Weinzapfel, a prior Evansville resident, is a first-year participant on Team 13. Weinzapfel, who recently moved back to town, is hoping to use Team 13 as a “way to get back into the community and back into running.”

She completed Evansville’s half marathon several years ago but not as a member of Team 13.

“I’m hoping to get better consistency with my running and hopefully join the running community and get to know some new folks,” Weinzapfel says.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Fall Festival Fever Things to consider

before you go

COAST THROUGH the crowds at the 103rd West Side Nut Club Fall Festival with these pro tips.

Bring Cash

Although the Nut Club accepts debit and credit cards for half-pot ticket purchases, most food booths are cash-only.

Dress

the Part

Typical early-October temperatures here hover between 72 during the day and 51 after dark, so we recommend wearing layers you can pile on or peel off. Slip on good shoes, too; it takes a lot of walking to visit all 130-plus food booths!

Visit During Non-Peak Times

What to avoid crowds? Head over from 1 to 4 p.m., between the mealtime crush.

Opt for Paid Parking

Free street parking is catch-it-whereyou-can and, often, blocks away. Instead, spend a few dollars on prime parking in neighboring business lots. Why pay? Volunteers guide you straight to an open spot, and the money goes to booster clubs, churches, and nonprofits.

Look Up

Food vendors and carnival rides on the street level are the major attractions, but there’s a surprise if you glance up: Batman and friends have been known to appear atop a West Franklin Street roof after dark.

BETH KATZ
STEPHANIE RHODES PHOTOS

Culture

SOUND OF THE CITY FOR 90 YEARS P.26 AN ARTSY NEIGHBORHOOD P.27

CALENDAR OF EVENTS P.28

OUT AND ABOUT

AUTUMN IN STORE As cooler temperatures arrive, the region has a bevy of indoor and outdoor activities ready. Enjoy a charity concert featuring The Spinners. (Who remembers “The Rubberband Man?”) Throw down at WWE Raw. Have a few sips at the Fall Wine Walk. Visit Angel Mounds for the state historic site’s annual field day. Scare up a thrill at haunted events. Stroll through Newburgh, Indiana’s

Halloween Illuminations, pictured here. Whatever your interests, there’s an event to fall for. Flip to page 28 for more.

A Dream Fulfilled

Evansville Philharmonic celebrates its granite jubilee

EVANSVILLE PHILHARMONIC

ORCHESTRA fulfilled a dream held by many when it was established in 1934. All the pieces were in place, from musicians and a theater for concerts, to supportive local leaders who shared a passion for music.

Today, these elements continue to drive the greater philharmonic family as it opens its 90th anniversary season.

“Our longevity primarily is due to the exceptional artistry of our orchestra,” Evansville Philharmonic Music Director Roger Kalia says, “plus, the dedicated support of our administrative team, board of directors, patrons, and audience.”

The philharmonic plans to celebrate its anniversary all season, says Executive Director Kim Bredemeier, starting with a reception at

its Opening Night concert Sept. 21. The first work on the program, Franz Schubert’s Overture to “Rosamunde,” launched the philharmonic’s inaugural concert on Dec. 9, 1934.

Conducting will be Kalia, whose dynamic presence and innovative programming have energized the orchestra since he succeeded Alfred Savia as the philharmonic’s sixth music director in 2020. The orchestra has moved outside the walls of traditional home Victory Theatre to inspire community engagement through new informal concert series.

The philharmonic also makes its concerts free for students, a donor-subsidized investment in the future.

“Looking ahead, the philharmonic is focused even more on accessibility and building new relationships,” Kalia says. “There is a

SCREENING ROOM

great sense of pride within our organization and people feel recognized and appreciated, which is a beautiful thing to be a part of.”

EVANSVILLE PHILHARMONIC evansvillephilharmonic.org

OPPORTUNITY CAME KNOCKING

Christopher and Sarah Bailey’s dedication pays off with ‘Incognita’s Infamous Adventures’

Christopher Bailey was raised in Evansville, but it was only the first of many stops for the North High School graduate, who reflects that “when one door closes, another one opens.”

The most recent door was one his wife, Sarah, first knocked on 14 years ago. The idea came to her in 2010 for a song called “Gutsy Girl in Tights,” which evolved into the theme of the duo’s independently produced web miniseries, “Incognita’s Infamous Adventures.”

A.J. Pazeski (played by Sarah) is a superhero struggling to make it big, working an office job where she meets and falls in love with Adam (played by Christopher). Adam, though, lives a double life as a supervillain known as Baddio. Under a score of 13 original pop songs, A.J. is forced to reclaim her own alternate identity as

the crime-fighting superhero Incognita. The Baileys wrote, cast, produced, and acted in the miniseries.

The couple – who are music instructors at Nashville, Tennessee’s Lipscomb University – debuted their creation at the 2021 Orlando Film Festival and collected the award for Best Web Series.

Amazon’s Prime Video picked up the project in 2022. Soon, the first season also will stream on the platforms of film production company Zombie Orpheus Entertainment, as pre-production begins for Season 2.

“When I think about how much work, how many hours, and how many years go into the possibility of this occurring and then being given the opportunity to share it with people – it’s really quite special,” Christopher says.

PHOTO BY DANIEL KNIGHT/STUDIO B PHOTOGRAPHY
CHRISTOPHER AND SARAH BAILEY

LOUISVILLE’S BESTATTENDED EVENT

Hint: It’s Not About Horses

“St. James is a one-of-a-kind experience,” says Owensboro, Kentucky, artist K.O. Lewis.

From its humble start rescuing a crumbling historic fountain in 1957, Louisville’s bustling St. James Court Art Show is one of the nation’s top juried fine art shows. Come October, it is the place to be, attracting more visitors than the Kentucky Derby thoroughbred horserace each May.

Now in its 68th year, the show runs in a four-block area of Historic Old Louisville, a leafy residential neighborhood in the heart of the city. The money raised is reinvested in the community.

“Today, this neighborhood has the largest number of Victorian-era mansions in the country,” says Howard Rosenberg, St. James Court’s executive director.

“This setting is a major part of the experience,” says Lauren Hendricks of Cambium Marketing, the show’s marketing manager. “Those beautiful homes, the adjacent Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Park, St. James Court Fountain, and 650 top artists add up to an unforgettable experience.”

The show has something for everyone, exhibiting 17 artistic media, from painting and textiles to pottery and jewelry.

Each year, it draws more than 250,000 visitors and contributes $5.5 million to the

local economy. Consider, too, that Louisville schools close during two public events. One features horses; the other is artists.

A jurying process keeps quality high.

“We focus on the artists and creating a great experience for them,” Rosenberg says. “And our amenities encourage visitors to stay and browse.”

“St. James is like attending a family reunion,” says Lewis, vice principal at Owensboro’s Newton Parrish Elementary School. He paints in his spare time and produced the show’s poster in 2018.

“I have customers attend the show just to visit my booth,” Lewis says. “They’ll give me a hug and ask about my family. They’re like extended family and drive me to keep my art progressing.”

Admission to the show and parking on neighboring streets is free. Local schools and churches offer parking to raise money.

“Get here early on Friday before the show opens so you have time to browse,” Hendricks says. “Sample our nightlife, restaurants, and cool neighborhoods,” she adds. “Make it a Louisville weekend.”

ST. JAMES COURT ART SHOW

Oct. 4-6, 2024, rain or shine 1402 St. James Court, Louisville, Kentucky stjamescourtartshow.com

Black Ball in Evansville: Diamonds in the Shadows 1900 to 1960s Kevin Wirthwein 2024, M.T. Publishing Company Inc.

“As early as 1868, when white teams had organized and presented rules and bylaws around their play, small indications surfaced that Black teams in the city were doing the same.” – page 13

Sportswriter Kevin Wirthwin takes his love of Evansville baseball lore deeper with this look at Black ballplayers who hailed from the River City. This timely release follows Major League Baseball’s news in May 2024 that it will integrate Negro League players’ statistics into its own records.

51 Places 51 Faces: Thumbnail Sketches of the 50 States and D.C. Nancy Winternheimer 2024, Aubrey Lane Books

“There is a town in southern Indiana called Santa Claus. Children send many letters there each year at Christmastime. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus is considered to be the first theme park in the world, opening nine years before Disneyland in California.” – page 35

Inspired by her late friend’s bucket list, Evansville’s Nancy Winternheimer arranged a short inventory of “what’s beautiful about America the beautiful.” Broken into regions, she shares a grab bag of highlights that make each state distinctive to visitors.

The Talented Farter: A Cheeky Sound Book with Funny Farts! Michael Rosenbaum 2024, Lake Press

“Little Michael loved Halloween – but nothing frightened his friends more than when Michael would stink up a good scare!” – page 9

The Newburgh, Indiana, native takes his storytelling talents from acting, directing, and podcasting to writing. His children’s book about an eponymous character’s, er, musical talents come with built-in sound effects to get the whole family laughing.

K.O. LEWIS (RIGHT) WITH A CUSTOMER

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER 19

Water for People

This year’s global water fundraiser features The Spinners, the vocal group behind Motown hits like “The Rubberband Man” and “Then Came You.” Joining this night of rhythm, blues, and groove is Evansville’s Dekar Justus and the Bodyguards.

7 p.m. Sept. 19, Victory Theatre, 600 Main St., victorytheatre.com

SEPTEMBER 20

Block Party

Tour the campus, snag apparel and swag, bounce through inflatables, and shop from one-of-a-kind art by area youth. Proceeds benefit United Methodist Youth Home.

4-7 p.m. Sept. 20, United Methodist Youth Home Campus, 2521 N. Burkhardt Road, umyh.org/block-party

SEPTEMBER 21

Seton Harvest

Twilight Dinners

This West Side cooperative hosts farm-to-table dinners with live music and meals from Smalbert’s Comfort

Food Catering, dessert from EVSC’s Culinary Arts Department, and beverages from Working Distributors.

6 p.m. Sept. 21 and Oct. 19, Seton Harvest, 9400 New Harmony Road, setonharvest.org

SEPTEMBER 21

Dog Day Downtown

You and your pup will think you have gone to heaven, with a bone bar, pup cup and cuddle stations, free grooming, photo opportunities, and local rescues and organizations at this fan-favorite annual event.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 21, Main Street from Second to Sixth Streets, downtownevansville.com

Editor’s Note: Event dates were accurate as of press time. Before attending, check with the organization or venue for the latest event news. Find a full calendar of events at evansvilleliving.com/events.

SEPTEMBER 21

Field Day at the Mounds

Try your hand at archery, ring the stick, and more games on the site of this Mississippian civilization and learn how these activities played a role in Native American life.

10 a.m.-noon Sept. 21, Angel Mounds State Historic Site, 8215 Pollack Ave., indianamuseum.org

SEPTEMBER 21

British Car Day on the River

Austin Healeys, Jaguars, Mini Coopers, and more take over the Newburgh riverfront for this 29th annual event. Cast your ballot in the popular vote awards, and try not to drool on the hoods. Funds raised will benefit the nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 21, Old Lock & Dam Park, 525 East Highway 662, Newburgh, Indiana, sirbrit.com/2024-sirbrit-car-show

SEPTEMBER 21-22

Flotsam River Circus

This troupe of musical performers travels on a ramshackle raft and gives free performances at each stop.

5 p.m. Sept. 21-22, Dress Plaza, N.W. Riverside Drive; 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23, Henderson Boat Ramp, 101 Second St., Henderson, Kentucky, rivercircus.com

SEPTEMBER 26

Easterseals Style Show

At this charity event, models take a turn showing the latest fall fashion trends with clothing by Grace + Co. of Fort Branch, Indiana.

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 26, Bally’s Evansville, 421 N.W. Riverside Drive, easterseals.com/in-sw

SEPTEMBER 28-29

Warbird Weekend

Step into a B-25 Mitchell Bomber Plane and Grumman TBM Avenger at this annual vintage warplanes fly-in.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 28-29, Evansville Wartime Museum, 7503 Petersburg Road, evansvillewartime museum.org

SEPTEMBER

28

Party in Paradise

Enjoy this annual outdoor festival and fundraiser for Warrick County’s parks and trails. Expect food trucks, beverage vendors, live music, and more.

5-10 p.m. Sept. 28, Friedman Park, 2700 Park Blvd., Newburgh, Indiana, warrickparksfoundation.org

SEPTEMBER 30

WWE Raw World Wrestling Entertainment stars like “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins go headto-head in this match-up.

6:30 p.m. Sept. 30, Ford Center, One S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., fordcenter.com

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 4

Fall Wine Walk

Counter spooky season by sipping spirits from Bloomington, Indiana’s Oliver Winery and mingling with Downtown merchants at this popular seasonal event.

5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 4, Main Street, downtownevansville.com

OCTOBER 4-6

Evansville Community Pickleball Association’s Fall Festival

Men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles play single-elimination and round-robin-style matchups on the city’s new 16 outdoor courts.

Oct. 4-6, Wesselman Park, 551 N. Boeke Road, pickleballbrackets.com

OCTOBER 5

River City Wiffle Ball Classic

It’s the third annual competition with 48 teams of five players in double elimination majors and minors brackets. Team registration requires crowdfunding $500 to benefit Aurora, a non-profit helping homeless populations in Evansville.

8 a.m. Oct. 5, Bosse Field, 23 Don Mattingly Way, rivercitywiffleball.org

OCTOBER 6

Great Pumpkin Metric

Explore some of Southwestern Indiana’s most scenic routes by bike during this tour covering Vanderburgh and Posey counties. Riders can choose from three routes at 15, 32, or 66 miles.

8-10 a.m. Oct. 6, Vanderburgh 4-H Center, 201 E. Boonville-New Harmony Road, evansvillebicycleclub.org/gpm

OCTOBER 6

21st Annual International Food Festival

Sample global cuisine, sit for a henna tattoo, shop the arts and goods bazaar, tour the Islamic Center, and more at this growing multicultural gathering.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 6, Islamic Society of Evansville, 4200 Grimm Road, Newburgh, Indiana, isevv.org

OCTOBER 6-12

West Side Nut Club Fall Festival

With live entertainment, carnival games and rides, a parade, and more than 130 food booths, it’s easy to see why thousands of visitors flock to this West Side staple that also serves as a primary fundraiser for the Nut Club and participating organizations.

Oct. 6-12, West Franklin Street, nutclubfallfestival.com

SPOOKY SEASON starts early at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s Happy Halloween Weekends, which includes 12 acres of corn mazes and hayrides plus trick or treating Sept. 21-Oct. 27 in Santa Claus, Indiana. This year, the Old Courthouse Catacombs haunted house moves underneath the House of Lecter on Main Street; both are open Sept. 27-Nov. 2.

HALLOWEEN

Historic Newburgh, Indiana, kicks off its weekend festivities with Halloween Illuminations on the Gene Aurand Trailhead Oct. 10-13 and Oct. 17-20, and adds Ghostly Hayrides Oct. 11-13 starting from the Newburgh Visitors Center Trailhead and Ghost Walks launching Oct. 18-20 at Preservation Hall. Haunted Historic Evansville Ghost Walks takes attendees by the Riverside Historic District’s haunted homes Oct. 11-12. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden hosts Boo at the Zoo Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 25-27, with a sensory-sensitive option Oct. 28. Will Willard Public Library’s famous ghostly resident make an appearance for the Grey Lady Ghost Tours Oct. 24-26? Don’t miss Downtown Evansville’s Halloween Stroll and Trunk or Treat Car Show Oct. 26 on Main Street.

For more, see holidayworld.com, oldcatacombs.com, willardlib.org, historicnewburgh.org, hauntedevansville.com, meskerparkzoo.com, downtownevansville.com

OCTOBER 18

Evansville Thunderbolts Opening Night

The city’s Southern Professional Hockey League team returns to the ice with its slap-stick brand of family entertainment. First up: the Ice Bears of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Oct. 18, Ford Center, One S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., evansvillethunderbolts.com

OCTOBER 19

SWIMGA Garden Symposium

Join other horticultural enthusiasts for a day of garden entertainment, vendors, a luncheon, and guest speakers like P. Allen Smith, garden designer, conservationist, and TV host, and J Schwanke, a true “flower celebrity,” TV host and producer, author, and presenter. Tickets cost $75.

8 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 19, Old National Events Plaza, 715 Locust St., swimga.org

HAUNTED HISTORIC EVANSVILLE GHOST WALKS

June

June

VANDERBURGH

URBAN HIKE FOR NATIONAL TRAILS DAY
1, Ohio Street Bridge ReAnne May, McKenzie May, Ron Unfried, and Salette Coutinho
WINE DOWN TO THE WEEKEND
6, Reitz Home Museum Maddie Mattingly and Natalie Singer
BEAT THE HEAT TRIVIA NIGHT June 15, The Pavilion at Deaconess Gateway Hospital Dennis Kuhlenhoelter, Megan Farr, Elizabeth Farr, Jean Pace, Becca Heckert, Drew Heckert, Dave Anderson, and Amber Anderson
FATHER’S DAY DINNER June 16, Outback Steakhouse Frank Patton Jr. and Jeremiah Patton
COUNTY
EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS
BLOCK PARTY June 18, Lucas Place Lexi Vaughn
POSEY COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING’S SUMMER FUN DAY June 21, Mount Vernon, Indiana Carla Webb and Diane Masterson
BY
BOWLING FOR RHINOS CONSERVATION FUNDRAISER June 21, River City Recreation
Front Row: Rachel Hardwick, Taylor Kitchell, Randi Conrad-Bogard, Amy Augustine, and Jill Ohlsen. Back Row: Trevor Lawson, Loretta Manning, Dee Davidson, Katrina Schirmer, Heide Mason, Shannon Irmscher, Tristan Baughn, and Clare Willett
COOLING OFF AT A SPRAY PARK June 22, Audubon Mill Park, Henderson, Kentucky Lawson Gogel and Adele Straw

TREE AND MARKER DEDICATION FOR MARY PARKE MCFERSON

FOSTER June 22, Oak Hill Cemetery & Arboretum Erica Boyd, Vannetta McDowell, Miranda Kolley, Lisa Sims, Buffy Keely, Ann Marie Drieman, Teresa Bransons, Danny Risinger, Shirley

KIDS COMIC CON

July 20, Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville Brooklyn King, Melissa Goembel, Serenity Ricketts, Zach Stinson, Kit Geary, Darian Layne, Parker Hughes, Erica Schmidt, Haley Armstead, and Hunter Mayberry

COUNTY FAIR

July 25, Vanderburgh County 4-H Center Guerdine Linda Tiemann, Mike Tiemann, Tom David, Rich Hockensmith, Dona

VANDERBURGH
Bone, and Mike Rasche
OMEGA PSI PHI FAREWELL DINNER FOR OUTGOING UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA PRESIDENT RON ROCHON July 5, Keith Patterson’s home Back row: Derrick Garrett, Les Butler, Ron Rochon, Toshio Roach, and Keith Patterson. Front row: Jim Whitlock and David White
LITTLE LAMBS IN CHIC CLOTHING FASHION SHOW July 25, First Presbyterian Church Clayton Thomas, Ashley Thomas, and Jackson Thomas
FIRST HARVEST FROM THREE SISTERS GARDEN July 26, Angel Mounds State Historic Site Donna Brucken, Betsy Brubeck, Janice Edmund, Linda Reinert, Denise Lynch, and Roger Lynch
Risinger, Nancy Collins, and Alisha Aman
SCREENING AND PRESENTATION OF “TUSKEGEE AIRMEN IN INDIANA” July 19, Preservation Hall, Newburgh, Indiana Photo 1: Stephen Witte, Ivy Clark, and Randy Wheeler Photo 2: John Strange, Alonzo Moore, and Jim Miller

AUTUMN FOR THE ARTS

Highlights from this fall’s lineup of performances BY

School is back in session and the mellow vibe of warm, summer days is behind the art world. Here we round up theater, live music, arts festivals, and dance performances in autumn.

THEATER

Community thespians offer a diverse array of stage productions this season. Evansville Civic Theatre continues to stage its productions primarily at Benjamin Bosse High School while a full-time home is sought. This season, the troupe takes on the Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann musical satire “Urinetown” Sept. 13-15 and Sept. 20-22. Newburgh, Indiana’s Community Theater turns Shakespeare on its head with “Much Ado About Murder” at this season’s dinner theater Sept. 20-21 and Sept. 27-28. STAGEtwo Productions performs Tom Stoppard’s acclaimed dichotomy of chaos versus order, “Arcadia,” Sept. 27-29 and hosts a community-led production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 1-2.

C ollegiate theater programs have an exciting fall semester planned. The University of Southern Indiana opens the season Sept. 26-28 with Jack Heifner’s comedy “Vanities,” directed by USI student Madalyn Cottrell, a senior from McCordsville, Indiana. The award-winning Theatre Department at the University of Evansville puts a pop-music spin on Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” in Kimberly Belflower’s “John Proctor is the Villain” Nov. 21-24.

UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE
STAGETWO PRODUCTIONS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA

Broadway-style shows take the stage at Old National Events Plaza closer to the holidays. Decidedly un-Broadway-like is an interactive screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Oct. 13. Jukebox musical “TINA” about late singer Tina Turner appropriately rolls up the Ohio River on Nov. 4, and “A Magical Cirque Christmas” stages holiday-themed acrobatics Dec. 19. In Kentucky, the Henderson Area Arts Alliance welcomes a production of “Always, Patsy Cline.”

LIVE MUSIC

The sounds of summer are in the rear-view mirror, but the tunes are going strong. Launched in 2019, Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana’s intimate On the Roof concerts provide paid gigs to more than

100 local musicians and free performances for thousands in Downtown Evansville. Another relaxed live music setting is the eighth annual Lincolnshire Front Porch Festival on Oct. 6 in a historic East Side neighborhood. Early October’s Dulcimer Chautauqua on the Wabash in New Harmony, Indiana, offers free lessons, workshops, and performances.

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers joins the Evansville Philharmonic for its opening night Sept. 21. In between the philharmonic’s alternating classics and pops concerts are plenty of touring acts at the Victory Theatre, Ford Center, and Old National Events Plaza. Christian musician Steven Curtis Chapman, Celtic punk rockers Flogging Molly, funk-rock outfit Here Come the Mummies, and ‘90s R&B

artist Ginuwine demonstrate the variety of musical tastes that area listeners enjoy. The Nov. 2 Victory Theatre performance of The 5th Dimension is sweeter since the 1960s singing group recently added 1994 Reitz Memorial High School graduate Shane Lawrence to its ranks. Mattingly Charities’ annual benefit concert Nov. 21 scores big with a special appearance by chart-topping country star Trace Adkins

ARTS FESTIVALS

After a summer focused on live music, autumn festivals tend to focus on visual arts and crafts. Start with Kunstfest, New Harmony’s signature arts and German heritage festival. Sept. 21-22, visitors can sample authentic German food; listen to live polka, bluegrass, and folk music;

EVANSVILLE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
KUNSTFEST
LINCOLNSHIRE FRONT PORCH FESTIVAL
FUNK IN THE CITY

Louisville Orchestra with special guest Ben Sollee

September 26, 2024 - 7:30pm Free! Reserve seats at haaa.org. Voctave

October 17, 2024 - 7:30pm Always...Patsy Cline

November 9, 2024 - 7:30pm

Roger Kalia, Conductor Anne Akiko Meyers, Violin

SCHUBERT Overture to Rosamunde

SCHOENBERG

Orchard in Fog Violin Concerto

TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4

Photo by Ayako Sano

and get an up-close look at blacksmithing, pottery, weaving, and more historical crafts demonstrations.

Artists, musicians, and other creatives set up shop Sept. 28 in Haynie’s Corner Arts District for the Fall Funk in the City, a tradition since 2002. The same weekend, browse hundreds of handmade and homegrown goods at the 51st annual Vanderburgh County Extension Homemakers Fine Arts & Craft Show at the county’s 4-H Center.

Several groups take advantage of the cooler weather to set up open-air artwork festivals. The last block party-style First Friday of the season – with food trucks joining the regular lineup of artists and musicians – takes place Oct. 4 in Haynie’s Corner Arts District. Pick up more original pieces by regional artists at Fall YART and New Harmony’s Harvest Craft Fair on Oct. 5. The same weekend,

Henderson is abuzz with handmade goods at the annual Henderson Lions Club Arts & Crafts Festival, as well as fine art depicting natural scenes at the Biennial Kentucky National Wildlife Art Exhibit at Henderson Community College’s Preston Arts Center.

DANCE

Auditions already are underway for the season’s annual “Nutcracker” performances. Ballet Indiana is accompanied by the Ballet Indiana Symphony Orchestra for two December performances at the Victory Theatre. The Children’s Center for Dance Education takes its production of “Nutcracker” on the road, performing in Madisonville and Henderson, Kentucky, and New Harmony and Vincennes, Indiana, as well as

Evansville. Last year, the Center expanded its repertoire with a sensory-friendly performance at Old National Events Plaza.

CULTURAL EVENTS

Hispanic Heritage Month runs Sept. 15Oct. 15. Join the Latin American community at Wesselman Park on Oct. 13 for the 10th anniversary of Fiesta Evansville, a musical, culinary, and community celebration. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) events have been growing in popularity, among them an annual celebration Nov. 2 in Henderson Central Park and the same day at Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library’s West Branch. Don’t miss special activities at Angel Mounds during Native American Heritage Month in November.

BALLET INDIANA
FIESTA EVANSVILLE
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA

BLACKSBURG BEAUTY

Experience agritourism, culture, and Tech life in Virginia

Iwas a teenager when I first heard the lore and legend of Blacksburg, Virginia. My husband’s cousin Rick was a civil engineering graduate of Virginia Tech University, which calls Blacksburg home, and to me, “Tech” was a mysterious place. I envisioned Blacksburg as a tiny college town set in a mountain valley; the male students all would wear beards (like Cousin Rick), have nicknames (Rick’s is “Buck,” acquired at the VT Sigma Nu fraternity house), and be outdoorsy types, dressing in flannel shirts and boots.

Last fall, I finally had the chance to visit Montgomery County, Virginia, home to Blacksburg and Virginia Tech, and its small-town neighbor, Christiansburg. My perception was not exactly accurate, though I did see plenty of students wearing beards, flannel, and boots. During my stay, Tech’s football team was on the road at ACC rival University of Louisville, so I did not witness the spectacle that turns the entire town into a tailgate.

O ur group did see another type of spectacle when we witnessed the Hokies’ offensive line loading up on ribs and

“game day mac and cheese” at Bull & Bones Brew Haus & Grill on Main Street Thursday night before they departed for Louisville.

Blacksburg, Virginia, may be a college town, but I immediately sense it’s much more than just a temporary students’ home. If you’re looking for a weekend of outdoor excursions, Blacksburg is the ideal retreat. Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains, set along the banks of the New River, Blacksburg is near various points on the Appalachian Trail, including the famed McAfee Knob, as well as a variety of walking, hiking, and biking trails.

Here are the spots you won’t want to miss in Montgomery County.

ACCOMMODATIONS

When I visit a college town, I like to stay in the “union,” if such accommodations are offered. At Virginia Tech, that would be The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, the only hotel offered on the VT campus and the only full-service hotel in Blacksburg. Plan your trip around

football games and Tech family weekends, when rooms fill up fast. If you find that’s the case, there are name-brand hotels within eyesight of the union, just off campus.

WINE AND DINE

The Blacksburg Wine Lab was borne from owners John Boyer’s and Katie Pritchard’s vision for an educational enjoyment component in wine tasting. Drawing from Boyer’s tenure as a Virginia Tech geography professor – where he devised an extremely popular course, Geography of Wine – the Blacksburg Wine Lab focuses on demystifying wine and wine consumption and using it as a learning tool. Today, the course is offered online, and each spring, it has more than 1,500 students. At the Wine Lab, the owners seek to shine a light on lesser-known wines. Flights focusing on geography also are offered. I sampled my way through New Zealand whites and reds. Taking a cue from restaurants throughout Italy and Spain, the Blacksburg Wine Lab offers tinned seafood. It’s a trend that is reaching our shores, with “seacuterie” plates

HISTORICAL MARKER AT VIRGINIA TECH
THE INN AT VIRGINIA TECH AND SKELTON CONFERENCE CENTER

showing up on East Coast menus. Visitors to the Blacksburg Wine Lab are greeted with a beautiful wall display of tinned fish and chocolates for purchase.

For dinner, dine at The Blacksburg Tavern, a historic gem tucked into Main Street in the town’s oldest house, circa 1892. Proprietor Daniel Riley writes on the eatery’s website, “When this home was built, Main Street was a dirt road where horses pulled wagons and picket fences kept milk cows from roaming.” Virginia Tech then was known as Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College with a total student enrollment of 135. Our group was served a traditional farmer’s feast family style with classic choices of country ham, beef brisket, meatloaf, fluffy biscuits, macaroni and cheese, and vegetables.

At Beliveau Farm & Winery Yvan, a retired Virginia Tech architecture professor, and Joyce Beliveau, a VT graduate with a master’s degree in counseling who held several leadership roles in Blacksburg during her career, purchased 165 acres of land and the 1900s farmhouse-turned-barn that sat upon it in 2001. By 2009, the first grapes were planted, and the winery opened in 2012. A brewery was added in 2019 to produce gluten-free beers, currently Virginia’s only gluten-free suds. According to Joyce, the secret to their award-winning wine is they are committed to making Virginia wine and not trying to be California. Accommodations are offered at Beliveau Farm at The Manor House bed-and-breakfast.

Rising Silo Brewery & Farm is a farmbased brewery using exclusively organic malts and water from the farm’s well. I tried a flight consisting of Beet Drop Saison, Ginger Hare Carrot beer, Rising Silo Festbier, and an Apple Atcha cider. The crew also runs Farm & Forage Kitchen with a seasonally directed menu that rotates weekly. The pizza oven is fired up virtually every evening.

Iron Tree Brewing, in Christiansburg, was started by three friends (and here the story repeats – they all are Tech graduates) with a passion for tasty beer. After much practice at home brewing, the trio acquired the site of a former furniture store in Downtown Christiansburg, retrofitted it as a brewery, and hosted its grand opening in May 2021.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

So great are the opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, that it is impossible to list them all here. Some hikes require a degree of technical proficiency and scrambling. Come prepared! Set within the Jefferson National Forest is Pandapas Pond and parts of the Poverty Creek Trail system, which spans 17 miles across the New River Valley. A popular spot for walkers, birders, and photographers is the one-mile loop trail encircling the eight-acre Pandapas Pond and wetlands over boardwalks and bridges. Stiles Falls at Alta Mons is a stunning 40-foot waterfall at the apex of an easy three-mile round-trip hike. The trail features multiple crossings over Purgatory Creek before reaching Stiles Falls, with occasional steep inclines and rock hopping.

PANDAPAS POND PHOTO PROVIDED BY VIRGINIA TOURISM CORPORATION.
PHOTOS BY KRISTEN K. TUCKER.
IRON TREE BREWING
RISING SILO BREWERY & FARM
BELIVEAU FARM & WINERY
BLACKSBURG WINE LAB
PANDAPAS POND

ATTRACTIONS

At the Moss Arts Center, the heart of Virginia Tech’s artistic community, performance and visual arts converge under a single roof. Located at the crossroads of VT and Downtown Blacksburg, the center operates as both a presenting organization and a 147,000-squarefoot, top-caliber arts center.

Explore nearly six acres of teaching and display garden on the campus of Virginia Tech at the Hahn Horticultural Garden and the Peggy Lee Hahn Pavilion. Located adjacent to Tech’s baseball stadium, English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park, and across the street from the football arena, Lane Stadium, the gardens are open from

dawn to dusk every day. Director Scott Douglas reports several spots within the gardens are popular places of respite for students and professors grading papers.

Like most college towns, Blacksburg offers plenty of shopping opportunities –mostly small, locally owned boutiques and specialty shops. For all things Hokie and

a cold, sugary treat, visit Sugar Magnolia Here, hand-dipped ice cream is served up inside a charming boutique offering plenty of “burnt orange and Chicago maroon” – VT’s colors selected way back in 1896 because no other college was using that combination at the time.

Eight miles south of Blacksburg lies Christiansburg, the quieter part of the county. Here, we visited the Montgomery County Museum and Sinkland Farms

As the region’s steward of art and history located in a historic bank building, the Montgomery County Museum takes pride

in inspiring and educating through cultural programming. Agriculture, coal mining, rail service, and the establishment of Virginia Tech were important factors in the county’s growth since its inception in 1776, and all are presented in the museum.

Train service again will impact Christiansburg in 2025 when an Amtrak stop is added there as part of the Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative.

Agritourism is a mainstay in western Virginia, and Sinkland Farms demonstrates that in a big way. Set on 125 acres of rolling hills, verdant meadow, and gardens reminiscent of the French ProvenÇal countryside, Sinkland Farms is a renowned wedding venue and home to many events including a sunflower festival and the annual Pumpkin Festival held over six weeks each fall. We visited the last weekend of the Pumpkin Festival.

Now that a trip to Blacksburg, Virginia, is in your travel plans, what is a Hokie? For that, we turn to public art. In summer 2006, Blacksburg was adorned with creatively decorated Hokie Bird statues as part of the Gobble de Art initiative, aimed at fostering community engagement and appreciation for the visual arts. Although the originally painted statues have found their forever homes, the legacy of Gobble de Art endures with approximately two dozen sculptures on public display, alongside a continuous offering of related merchandise.

gotomontva.com

innatvirginiatech.com

beliveauwinery.com

theblacksburgtavern.com

BLACKSBURG WINE LAB winelab.com

BULL & BONES bullandbones.com/blacksburg

irontreebrewing.com

RISING SILO BREWERY & FARM risingsilobrewery.com SUGAR MAGNOLIA sugarmagnoliashops.com/ experience-blacksburg VISIT

ALTA MONS altamons.org

hahngarden.vt.edu

montgomerymuseum.org

MOSS ARTS CENTER artscenter.vt.edu

POVERTY CREEK TRAILS COALITION povertycreektrails.org SINKLAND FARMS sinklandfarms.com

HOKIE BIRD AT VIRGINIA TECH
SUGAR MAGNOLIA

The Shawnee National Forest offers hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and some of the best fishing around. You won’t want to miss the Garden of the Gods — rock formations more than 300 million years old — sculpted patiently over time by wind and rain. Follow the popular Observation Trail at Garden of the Gods where breathtaking views can be found.

Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour offers a three-hour adventure through the trees with eight zip lines and two suspension bridges.

Breathtaking natural beauty and great opportunities for outdoor recreation, a trip to Giant City State Park near Makanda is sure to delight. Check out the 82-foot, 100,000-gallon water tower with a 50-foot observation deck that provides memorable panoramic views. Visit Giant City Stables to

arrange a guided horseback trek or a pony ride for the kids.

An old railway converted into the bike path, The Tunnel Hill State Trail is a 48-mile trail winding through farmland, thick woods, lush wetlands, and a tunnel for which it was named.

Enjoy the rolling southern Illinois countryside where you can sip your way along and discover truly surprising and authentic wine culture on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.

Bed and breakfasts dot the region and are great launching pads for wine tasting, hiking, or biking enthusiasts. Cabins in the area offer a secluded getaway, some that are pet friendly and some with hot tubs.

Toast to this Year’s 49 WINNERS Best of the City

Evansville Living asked, “Who’s the best?” and readers answered. Across 46 categories, top contenders were named for shopping, dining, style, and more. Meet the winners of the 2024 Best of Evansville awards, plus a few picks from our editors.

Margot Roehrborn, Grace Stevens Natalie Ogle, and Ashton Weil enjoy the best brunch at Comfort by the Cross-Eyed Cricket.

Best Automotive Dealership D-PATRICK

Winning a Best of Evansville nod for the fifth time, D-Patrick has a legacy of supplying Evansville residents with wheels since 1934. With seven dealerships, drivers are never far from finding their ideal car, truck, or SUV. And with three body shops, dings, dents, and worse get top-notch mechanical repair and maintenance.

Seven locations in Evansville and Boonville, Indiana • dpat.com

Best Asian Restaurant

DOMO JAPANESE HIBACHI GRILL, SUSHI, AND RAMEN

Its full name says it all: Domo is a onestop shop for delicious hibachi, ramen noodles, and more. Weekday diners pick up a lunch hour bento box with sushi, salmon, teriyaki chicken, teriyaki beef, sushi, or sashimi. Hungry patrons get fired up over numerous hibachi choices, succulent noodle bowls, and the Sake Bar’s wide selection of beer, wine, and spirits.

215 N. Green River Road facebook.com/domosushiandramen

Best Brunch COMFORT BY THE CROSS-EYED CRICKET

Since opening in 2017, this restaurant has become a go-to spot for – what else? – comfort food. Brunch diners like to pair rum sauce-laden bread pudding French toast with a sweet mimosa or crispy white meat chicken and a Belgian waffle with a classic Bloody Mary. New since June is a special weekend brunch buffet at The Collective upstairs, which dishes eggs benedict, build-your-own breakfast tacos, and more straight from Chef Anthony Tong’s kitchen.

230 Main St. • comfortevv.com

Best Garden Center COLONIAL CLASSICS GARDEN CENTER & LANDSCAPING

This family-owned retailer has been an oasis for plant lovers since the late 1950s. Owners Julie and J.T. McCarty have enhanced the shopping experience with planters, tools, and garden accessories. Don’t know where to start? Colonial’s expert team can craft a show-stopping landscape with you. It’s no wonder Evansville Living readers have named Colonial Classics to the Best of Evansville list for the fourth year in a row.

3633 Epworth Road, Newburgh, Indiana • colonialnewburgh.com

Best Musician MONTE SKELTON

It seems only right that Monte Skelton – a multi-talented musician who can play 30 different instruments – has earned the Best Musician award multiple times. In fact, try pinpointing a time that he hasn’t been hard at work producing new albums, performing around Evansville, and teaching a new generation of musicians at Evansville Music Academy. Whether building beats with drummer Dekar Justus or headlining his own show, Skelton’s performances always attract fans.

teamskelton.com

[ EDITOR ’S PICK ]

Best

Forgotten Treasure in a Closet SEATED WOMAN WITH RED HAT, BY PABLO PICASSO

Many a curious artifact has been found in the recesses of a dark storage space. But imagine discovering a piece of art by world-renowned Spanish painter Pablo Picasso. You, too, would need to take a seat, just like Marie-Therese Walter in this intricate glass mosaic. Gifted to former Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science director Siegfried Weng in 1963 and rediscovered in 2012 in the museum’s archives, Madam Walter waited a decade for her grand debut. In June, the public finally came face-to-face with “Femme Assise Au Chapeau Rouge,” and the museum intends to display the 36-by-28-inch mosaic indefinitely.

411 S.E. Riverside Dr. emuseum.org

Best Community Leader

MAYOR STEPHANIE TERRY

She’s less than 12 months into her first term as mayor, but Stephanie Terry’s community work has been years in the making. The 1994 Benjamin Bosse High School alumna grew up singing in her father’s churches and connected with philanthropy through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Being deputy director at Carver Community Organization broadened her reach and introduced a passion for helping children, later leading her to the Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville. As mayor, she’s made volunteering, kindness, and connection paramount to her administration. evansvillegov.org

Best Barbershop

JENNINGS STREET SOCIAL BARBERSHOP & LOUNGE

Old-school social barbershops aren’t going out of style any time soon, if Carlos Hernandez has anything to say about it. The owner of Jennings

Street Social Barbershop treats clients to more than just a great haircut. Frequently praised for its inviting atmosphere, Jennings Street customers describe a flawless experience with skilled stylists who keep clients looking fresh.

14 W. Jennings St., Newburgh, Indiana vagaro.com/jenningsstreetsocial

Best Burger BRU BURGER BAR

The former Greyhound station is an iconic image, but it’s the thick patties that draw diners today. Traditionalists can down the Double Bacon and Mushroom & Swiss, while dairy fanatics sink their teeth into the Garlic ThreeCheese. Burger alternatives include the Black & Bleu Bison, Black Bean Burger, and Viking Farms Lamb.

222 Sycamore St. bruburgerbar.com

Best Ranch Dressing HACIENDA MEXICAN RESTAURANTS

As Midwesterners, we have many thoughts on ranch and double down on our expectations. This Northern Indiana-based Mexican food chain knows its audience and plays to our tastes – literally! – by offering an irresistible ranch dressing alongside its signature wet burrito and lineup of margaritas. How you enjoy it depends on your imagination, but we often prefer it as a dip with salty tortilla chips and sometimes even mix it with red salsa. Don’t just take our word for it –snatch an extra order to take home for yourself!

Four locations in Evansville haciendafiesta.com

[ EDITOR ’S PICK ]

Best Shopping Experience Off the Vine

BUD’S FARM MARKET

Customers of Leo “Bud” Vogt’s farm stand have had the inside track on their produce since the ‘90s. Operating under an unassuming tent, Bud’s Farm Market bursts with garden gains like vine-ripened heirloom tomatoes, plumb bell peppers, and juicy watermelon. More respected than the produce is the grower himself, who has sustained the family business while partnering with Purdue University on organic food production. A longtime customer commented that Vogt has “a bumper crop on life.” We couldn’t agree more. 3501 S. Weinbach Ave. facebook.com/ budsfarmmarket

Best Food Truck PIZZA REVOLUTION

If you see a bright red double-decker London bus in these parts, follow it! You’ve found an unmistakable sign that Pizza Revolution is cooking up delicious pies. One of the city’s earliest and most popular meals-on-wheels enterprises, Pizza Rev’s wood-fired pies are devoured at events like First Fridays, Farm 57’s weekly summer markets, Franklin Street Bazaar, and more. The owners also hit the road, peddling pizzas at events such as Louisville, Kentucky’s Bourbon & Beyond. But the revolution started in River City a dozen years ago, and hungry Evansville Living readers are still lining up for varieties such as the Fig N Pig. facebook.com/thepizzarevolution/

Best Catfish

KNOB HILL TAVERN

They take catfish seriously here — the Newburgh restaurant’s “hot fiddler” sign is nearly as iconic as its hot, deep-fried, flaky fish. Diners have devoured the cornmeal-crusted fiddlers since 1943, pairing them with corn sticks and coleslaw, with a fishbowl of beer alongside. Catfish fiddlers have “always been the hook for this place,” co-owner Dan Kollker told Evansville Living in 2018. We’d laugh at the pun, but we’re stuffed to the gills. 1016 Hwy. 662 W., Newburgh, Indiana • knobhilltavern.com

Vanderburgh Humane Society

Best Jewelry Store BRINKER’S JEWELERS

It’s no surprise to find Brinker’s back on this list – it has earned the “Best Jewelry Store” honor for more than a decade. The 52-year-old family business’ reputation for high-class timepieces and fine jewelry, plus service and repairs, keep shoppers coming back for shiny pieces wrapped in that tell-tale little green box.

111 S. Green River Road brinkersjewelers.com

[ EDITOR ’S PICK ]

Best Way to Get on Your Feet WESSELMAN PARK PICKLEBALL COURTS

It was inevitable that pickleball would find legions of fans in Evansville, just as it seemingly has everywhere else. Now, enthusiasts of the fast-growing sport have top-notch amenities – spectator patios, timer-controlled LED lighting, and a spacious grandstand – for competitions across 16 sharp-looking courts at city-owned Wesselman Park. Players, no matter their age or ability, are free to pick up a paddle and start a volley.

602 N. Boeke Road • evansvillegov.org

Best Nonprofit (tie) VANDERBURGH HUMANE SOCIETY AND EVANSVILLE RESCUE MISSION

For decades, these nonprofits have given a leg up to the area’s forgotten men, women, and animals. In 2022, VHS rehomed 3,103 animals in addition to offering spay and neuter services and a low-cost clinic. ERM showcases community love by helping people overcome addiction, poverty, and homelessness. A new shelter for women and children is in the works.

VHS, 400 Millner Industrial Drive • vhslifesaver.org

ERM, 500 E. Walnut St. • evansvillerescuemission.org

Evansville Rescue Mission

Best Community Event WEST SIDE NUT CLUB FALL FESTIVAL

This autumn classic needs no introduction. The Fall Festival, presented the first full week of October, is one of the country’s largest street festivals. With a backdrop of carnival rides and more than 130 flavorful food booths offering an assortment of fried delicacies – all in the name of charity – we would say you can’t miss it, but who are we kidding? You’ll be there.

West Franklin Street • nutclubfallfestival.com

Best Latin American Restaurant LA CAMPIRANA

La Campirana’s success story started nine years ago at Washington Square Mall and continues to impress with its “delicioso” Mexican cuisine. Everything is prepared fresh, including housemade salsas and guacamole, sopes, tacos, gorditas,

burritos, and quesadillas. The Evansville area is chock full of savory Mexican fare, but for authentic south-of-the-border tastes and atmosphere, it’s hard to top La Campirana.

724 N. Burkhardt Road • la-campirana.com

Best Draft Beer Selection GERST HAUS

The German restaurant offers a whopping 34 rotating and seasonal choices in addition to 16 year-round drafts. Pilsners, sours, IPAs, and stouts from villages across Germany and all over the world are poured at Gerst. A longtime Evansville favorite for its ivy-covered patio and friendly waitstaff, downing Gerst’s frosty fishbowls – paired with authentic cuisine like schnitzel, goulash, and sauerbraten – feels like visiting a Bavarian beer hall from the comfort of the city’s West Side.

2100 W. Franklin St. gersthausevansville.com

Best Place to Go for a Run PIGEON CREEK GREENWAY PASSAGE

When going for a run, nothing compares to putting shoe to pavement in the Great Outdoors. That was the idea behind the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage, a 6.75 mile-long stretch of paved trails winding through the heart of the city. Along the way, runners pass flora, historic landmarks, and Instagram-worthy scenery to end up in Downtown Evansville along the Ohio riverfront.

evansvillegov.org

[ EDITOR ’S PICK ]

Best Mic Drops ZANE CLODFELTER AND TOMMY MASON

Sports calling is a side gig for Zane Clodfelter and Tommy Mason. Clodfelter began calling Evansville Otters games while attending the University of Southern Indiana and has risen through the Otters’ ranks to Communications Manager. He crosses the city’s collegiate sports scene, lending his voice to USI men’s basketball and baseball games, plus University of Evansville soccer and baseball and the NCAA Division II men’s Elite Eight tour nament. Mason’s day job as a morning news anchor at Channel 44 WEVV-TV also translates well to sports calling. His voice is familiar to fans watch ing home games at the Ford Center. For nearly a decade, he has given voice to the play-by-play action of the UE men’s basketball team, and he’s added the Evansville Thunderbolts pro hockey team to his portfolio.

Zane Clodfelter
Tommy Mason
FALL FESTIVAL PHOTO BY ZACH STRAW. LA CAMPIRANA PHOTO BY HADLEY MITCHELL. GERST HAUS, PIGEON CREEK GREENWAY PASSAGE,

Best Women’s Boutique SCHÖN BOUTIQUE

The idea is that you enter a shop and leave with something new – a pair of earrings, perhaps, or a new dress – but at Schön Boutique, you also come away feeling like a friend. The retailer’s sunny yellow exterior brightens the former Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity house and warms each shopping excursion, and its mix of polished, upscale casual wear, shoes, and accessories has legions of fans. Indeed, Schön lives up to its name; the moniker means “beautiful” in German.

316 N. Wabash Ave. facebook.com/Schonboutique1

Best Sushi

This East Side spot is the place to get on a roll. The Sun Kiss packs some zing with spicy crab, spicy mayo, and citrus soy sauce. Another zesty option is the Chuck Norris, a tempura shrimpbased option with tuna, cream cheese, avocado, and eel sauce. Other Kanpai sushi delicacies are shout-outs to other locales (California, Philadelphia, and Boston), and there are a half-dozen deep-fried rolls to try, from the sriracha-drizzled Godzilla to the maki-style King Kong. 4593 Washington Ave. • mykanpai.com

Best Place for Trivia CHASER’S BAR & GRILL

Self-dubbed “the largest country-themed sports bar in the ‘Ville,” Chaser’s provides way more than what’s served on the menu. Offerings include live music and sports watch parties, but Evansville Living readers sharp en their pencils for trivia. Everything from summer blockbusters, “Harry Potter,” Taylor Swift, and true crime has been on the line up. In August, it was an Olympics-themed academic decathlon. What’s next? Grab your friends and find out.

2131 W. Franklin St. • chasersbargrill.com

[ EDITOR ’S PICK ]

650 Hebron Ave. • evansvillecork.com

Best Evansville Brand Ambassador HEATHER VAUGHT

The city’s identity is stamped with Heather Vaught’s energy. River City Coffee + Goods, her gift and regionally made goods shop, helped rejuvenate Main Street when many Downtown storefronts sat vacant. Seeing a need for a safe, accessible recreation spot for skaters, she led the charge that developed Sunset Skatepark – the state’s largest – on the Ohio riverfront last December. Vaught, a graphic designer, channels her love for her hometown into quirky postcards – sold at River City and its sister stationary shop, Memo – T-shirts, and other Evansville-centric merch – all beaming with pride for her hometown.

223 Main St. • rivercityevv.com

KANPAI
HEATHER VAUGHT PHOTO BY ZACH STRAW.
OTHER PHOTOS BY LAURA MATHIS

Best Group Exercise YMCA OF SOUTHWESTERN INDIANA

At Evansville’s YMCA, group exercise goes well beyond the traditional classes. Members of all ages can attend basketball camps, self-defense workshops, youth swimming lessons, and aerial meditation in the Y’s two state-of-the-art facilities. The Y also takes group fitness on the road with running programs like Team 13 in preparation for the Evansville Half Marathon. 516 Court St. and 6846 Oak Grove Road ymcaswin.org

Best Place to Go Fishing BLUE GRASS FISH & WILDLIFE AREA

What once was a strip mining site just over the Warrick County line now is a popular destination for fishers, hunters, and wildlife enthusiasts. Covering more than 2,500 acres, Blue Grass provides an excellent space to angle for one of the area’s many fish species, like largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie. Be on the lookout for raccoons that might swipe a snack from your stash. 11699 New Harmony Road Elberfeld, Indiana • in.gov/dnr

[ EDITOR ’S PICK ]

Best Comeback DIRECT FLIGHTS TO CHICAGO FROM EVANSVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT

It became a running joke: To fly north, travelers out of Evansville Regional Airport first had to jet south. It also was a frequent complaint as more than two years passed without a direct route north; United Airlines already had pulled its Chicago route from EVV two months before American Airlines suspended its service in March 2022 due to decreased demand from the COVID-19 pandemic. So, many were excited to see American restore its direct-flight access to Chicago O’Hare in September. It had been a long 30 months without daily service to the Windy City, or any other northern destination. But those days are past, and the future looks bright, indeed.

7801 Bussing Dr. • flyevv.com

Best New Restaurant NOCHE CANTINA & COCINA

Noche said “Hola!” in January, and its reputation quickly spread as a trendy spot known for its modern atmosphere and Mexican cuisine. Whether sitting indoors, at a sidewalk table, or on the second-floor balcony, feast on any of 14 tacos or a burrito, rice bowl, or quesadilla made your way. Don’t miss the cantina’s beer, wine, and seltzer menu, plus craft cocktails featuring premium tequila, smooth rum, and bold flavors.

2215 W. Franklin St. • nocheevv.com

Best Coffee Shop HONEY MOON COFFEE CO.

The honeymoon is far from over for Evansville Living readers’ favorite coffee brand. Zac and Jessica Parsons founded their first shop in 2016; now, patrons can sip at four locations. Try signature drinks like the lavender-infused Purple Ace and cinnamon-topped Beekeeper lattes. Rotating beverages are introduced seasonally, like a honey rose confection celebrating spring that is sprinkled with edible petals, and a “Sweater Weather” fall blend of espresso, honey, and peanut butter flavoring topped with marshmallow whipped cream.

Four locations in Evansville and Newburgh honeymooncoffeeco.com

Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining SMITTY’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE

Smitty’s Italian Steakhouse holds its own on Evansville’s food scene with a massive menu of choice steaks, pastas, salads, seafood, burgers, and sandwiches. Evansville Living readers like to enjoy their meals on Smitty’s patio overlooking the colorful West Franklin Street corridor. 2109 W. Franklin St. • smittysevansville.com

Best Place to Watch Sports on TV (tie) BUFFALO WILD WINGS AND DOC’S SPORTS BAR

National powerhouse Buffalo Wild Wings, consistently praised for its uniformly energized sports day atmosphere, offers a range of filling appetizers to complement its famous wings. Local favorite Doc’s has been a sports-centric watering hole since the former doctor’s office combined with Alibi Lounge transformed into “Evansville’s gameday palace” in 2002.

[

EDITOR ’S PICK ] Best-Kept Secret

EVANSVILLE VANDERBURGH PUBLIC LIBRARY’S LIBRARY OF THINGS

Have you ever wished you had a cake pan in the shape of Darth Vader’s helmet? You can, with a quick trip to the library to browse the Library of Things, a collection of everyday items as varied as it is vast. From a leaf blower, to an Oster fondue pot, to a rechargeable camping lantern, to a croquet set, to scores of musical instruments, the Library of Things keeps boredom (and one-time-use purchases) at bay. Everything is free to check out with a library card. evpl.org/libraryofthings

Best Milkshake LIC’S DELI & ICE CREAM

Buffalo Wild Wings

715 N. Green River Road 5405 Pearl Drive buffalowild wings.com

Doc’s Sports Bar 1305 Stringtown Road facebook.com/ drinkatdocs

Locally owned and operated Lic’s has served this creamy, delicious treat since 1950. More than 20 ice cream flavors can be whipped into a rich, old-fashioned shake. For those who prefer a spoon over a straw, Lic’s offers an extra thick malt variety. Among specialty shakes to check out on your next Lic’s run are the Dream Shake, an orange-flavored blast of cold ice cream.

Five locations in Evansville and Newburgh • licsdeliandicecream.com

Best Public Golf Course HELFRICH HILLS GOLF COURSE

Renowned golf course architect Tom Bendelow is credited with around 600 courses, including this 101-year-old West Side landmark. A year ago, this sprawling, 6,000-plus-yard course was essentially in an unplayable condition. Freshly restored in 2023, Helfrich again welcomes golfers to its crisp 18-hole, par-71 grounds.

1550 Mesker Park Drive • helfrichgc.teesnap.net

Doc’s Sports Bar
Buffalo Wild Wings

Best Pizza TURONI’S PIZZERY & BREWERY

Evansville Living readers long have loved Turoni’s, where recipes are held close to the vest, decor is Italian eatery-meets-River City sports history, and the pizza crust is cracker thin. Turoni’s added its own brews of beer in 1996, attracting new fans. In a city with many outstanding pizza choices, Turnoi’s is still going strong after six decades. We’ll have a house special and Thunderbolt Red Ale, please. Three locations in Evansville and Newburgh • turonis.com

Best Home Decor Store TRACY’S

If you need a touch-up at home, call Tracy and Jennifer Watson. The mother-daughter duo has helped Tri-State shoppers refresh their home and office spaces since 2014. One of their favorite parts of interior design is learning their customers’ tastes, and each interaction involves a personal touch, from overhauling a room’s aesthetic with new home furnishings, to polishing off the overall look with chic wall decor and accents.

2233 W. Franklin St. facebook.com/tracyshomefurnishings

Best Sports Coach WES CARROLL

Wes Caroll has lifted University of Evansville baseball to new heights during his 16-year tenure as head coach. A two-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year, the UE alum led his 2024 squad to Evansville’s first-ever NCAA Regional Championship and earned accolades for its Cinderella post-season. Producing major league prospects like Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland, Carroll also has spearheaded impressive renovations to the team’s practice facility, locker room, and stadium.

gopurpleaces.com/sports/baseball

[ EDITOR ’S PICK ]

Best Glow-Up CITY OF EVANSVILLE’S 2023 CHRISTMAS TREE

Evansville’s holiday tree made a big impression last winter — just not the one anyone wanted. The city’s annual tree-lighting ceremony revealed a 30-foot spruce laden with haphazardly strung red and green lights. The tree was widely, even viciously, mocked online. Faced with a brewing public Scrooge, city officials quietly called in a professional — Wilde Horticulture — to clean up the display. Within a week, Christmas Tree 2.0 was expertly draped in cascades of soft white lights and lit without fanfare. This Christmas, we’re wishing for a pretty tree — and fewer Grinches.

Best Bowling Alley FRANKLIN LANES

Whether you’re looking for competitive league play or just have some time to spare, follow locals’ lead to Franklin Lanes. This West Side recreation staple since 1942 is praised by fans for its well-kept lanes and affordable pricing. Between frames, head to the fully equipped arcade or 11th Frame Bar and Grill, offering 40-plus food items like Bosco sticks and breaded mushrooms.

1801 W. Franklin St. • franklinlanes.net

Best Workout Gym BFIT GYM

With back-to-back Best of Evansville wins and more than 30 years in the fitness business, this local gym franchise has become a household name. Fitness enthusiasts are impressed by BFit’s range of exercise options, from free weights and basketball courts to swimming pools. Members can work one-on-one with a personal trainer and relax with BFit’s saunas and massage services. And the former Bob’s Gym keeps growing, with its latest state-of-the-art location opening on the East Side in late December 2022. Four locations in Evansville and Newburgh • b.fit

Best Place for Karaoke

LEROY’S TAVERN

Come for the food, stay for the tunes. Known for tavern-style square-cut pizza, this West Side bar’s neon red and yellow signage illuminates the spot for fun that often extends into the early morning. Celebrating its 54th anniversary, Leroy’s welcomes aspiring warblers for its songbird karaoke nights. Down your beer and join in!

2659 Mount Vernon Ave. facebook.com/p/ Leroys-Tavern

(Write-in Category) Best Thrift Shop

EVANSVILLE RESCUE MISSION

Evansville Living readers love shopping at Evansville Rescue Mission’s Thrift Store. Housed in Washington Square Mall, The Thrift Store stocks an impressive inventory of donated and gently used home furnishings, appliances, and other household items, plus stylish home decor, apparel, shoes, accessories, media, and more. Fuel up first with a steaming cup of joe from The Thrift Store’s popular Mission Grounds Coffee Shop. 1107 Washington Square • evansvillerescuemission.org

Best Chicken Wings MISTER B’S PIZZA & WINGS

Since 2019, Evansville residents have learned what Henderson, Kentucky, residents have long known — Mister B’s is the place for great wings. A repeat Best of Evansville winner, the chain scores big for its mild-to-wild flavors on bone-in or boneless wings. There’s teriyaki, hurricane, beer mustard, honey barbecue, sweet habanero, garlic parmesan, and more.

1340 Hirschland Road misterbspizza.com

[ EDITOR ’S PICK ] Best Reason to Hit the Road THE COMPLETION OF I-69

Has an eight-mile stretch of road ever vexed Hoosier drivers so much? It felt like a public holiday Aug. 6 when the “finish line” portion of Interstate 69 opened, treating drivers to unobstructed lanes from Martinsville to the I-465 interchange in Indianapolis. The 142-mile interstate extension north took 16 years to realize, and the last stretch has been tantalizingly close to completion for ages. The orange barrels are finally gone, a less-thanpleasant memory in the rear-view mirror. Now, about that Ohio River crossing …

Founded in 2016 by Zac & Jessica Parsons

Home & St yle

BRICK BEAUTY

Craftsman and Tudor elements make this Lombard Avenue home stand out

Ed and Lesle Pietraniec love their Lombard Avenue home as much today as when they moved in back in 1990.

The charming Tudor bungalow dates to 1927, which shows in its spacious, Craftsman-style porch, where the Pietraniecs relax on a swing or chairs on a crisp autumn day.

“Now that we are retired, we use it a lot more than we were working,” says Lesle, who was a medical technologist for Deaconess Health System. Ed was a product development director at Berry Global.

The porch’s look is distinct for its stone and angular patterned brick above the entrance. “It’s just a nice decorative feature,” Lesle says. “The diamond-shaped pattern

on all of the brick is a very interesting architectural feature that you rarely see on other homes from that era.”

The Pietraniecs raised their three sons in this house, which stands a bit detached from the East Side’s other clutches of Tudors.

The property’s curbside look hasn’t changed much over the family’s nearly 35 years there — except when a severe storm about five years ago toppled a pair of 70-foot oak trees out front. The Pietraniecs seized the opportunity to repave the sidewalk and driveway.

E d and Lesle enjoy their sunroom, noticeable because of its arched windows.

The second floor’s dormer windows and timbered trim add to the distinct look.

Red tile caps along each ridge of the roof are original, Lesle says, “and we decided to have them reinstalled when the roof was replaced. They add a majestic look to the home, and we wanted to keep that appearance.”

Not every decorative element is on the house. A hexagonal aluminum gas lamppost stands sentry at the sidewalk, poking out from a clutch of panicled hydrangeas, Russian sage, and coral garden roses.

The Pietraniecs’ favorite exterior features? “The arches in the windows and on the porch,” Lesle says, “and the style — the end pillars of the house.”

Ed loves “the classic architectural design and great neighborhood,” he adds.

CURB APPEAL

Home & Style

SKELETON CREW

A bony couple brings laughs at Halloween and

all

year long BY

Spooky season is upon us, and last year, Cameron Meadows decided to get into the spirit by erecting a 10-foot-tall plastic skeleton peeping over a fence at her home in Eastland Estates, off Covert Avenue.

Mr. Bones, as Meadows aptly named it, became a sensation – so much so that she decided to keep it up beyond Halloween.

“I had people stop and knock on the door and tell me how wonderful it was, so I just went with it,” Meadows says.

She gussied up Mr. Bones for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and April’s total solar eclipse. Some May high school graduates donned their cap and gown and posed with Bones (who wore a mortarboard, of course).

Meadows decided it was time for Mr. Bones to have a partner. In early June, a

ON THE MARKET

Stylish Tradition

This residence in The Oaks offers luxury in a woodsy setting

BUILT IN 1989 and with significant updates and upgrades over the years, this traditional home has a long life ahead and a list of amenities befitting its seven-figure asking price.

With f our bedrooms – all ensuites – and two other bathrooms, the property offers luxury living in The Oaks subdivision.

“Typically, you do not get the rolling hills, trees, and seclusion in the Evansville area,” says Janice Miller, associate real estate broker with ERA First Advantage Realty.

second, 12-foot-tall skeleton arrived, named Evan (short for Evansville), and the 10-footer became Elvira.

Their first joint pose was as (what else?) husband and wife. They later were decked out for Pride month in June, the Fourth of July, the Summer Olympics, and the start of school. Fans have responded by tossing a few gift cards over her fence to supplement the couple’s next adventure. Meadows says she never was a huge exterior decorator, but as an empty nester, bringing a skeleton and then two skeletons into her life “gave me something to do. I’ve always been into crafting and making stuff, and this kind of fell into place.”

Evan and Elvira aren’t going anywhere, Meadows says, encouraging fans to follow Evansville Bones’ Facebook page to see what they’re up to next.

There’s a large family room with a vaulted ceiling and skylights, an office with built-in bookcases, and a basement with a fireplace, kitchenette, recreation room, and gymnasium.

Adjacent to the walkout basement is an in-ground pool.

Although it clocks in at more than 6,000 square feet, the attention to detail both inside and outside “is phenomenal,” Miller says. “It’s kind of traditional, but it has a lot of features that bring it into today’s times.”

620 WINTERWOOD DRIVE
Listing Price: $1.25 million
Listing Agent: Janice Miller, ERA First Advantage Realty, Inc.
EVAN AND ELVIRA BONES

CHANGE STARTS IN THE YARD

Two residents offer advice for planting your own native garden

Native gardens are on the rise.

Local wildlife, especially bugs and birds, benefits from native gardens, which provide a habitat that complements their natural environment. These gardens also need less water and fertilizer since the plants are familiar with and adapt to their native environment.

Evansville resident Amy Tank’s native garden journey began seven years ago in the East Side backyard she shares with her husband, Bob.

She took Master Naturalist classes at Wesselman Woods, learned from the Southwestern Indiana Master Gardeners Association, and read “everything I could get my hands on,” she says. She also relies on the Indiana Native Plant Society Southwest Chapter, local Purdue Extension office, Goldfinch Native Plant Nursery, and New Harmony Native Trees and Shrubs.

Her backyard features purple coneflower, wild geranium, deciduous holly, elderberry, bald cypress, dogwood, aster, black-eyed

Susan, serviceberry, and six types of oak trees. These plants attract local and migratory birds like cardinals, blue jays, and robins, plus the occasional woodpeckers, Carolina wrens, titmouses, and chickadees. Pollinators also include bees, moths, and butterflies.

“There are things I’ve let grow that people consider weeds,” Tank says. “I don’t care about having a perfect lawn.”

Elizabeth Gaddis, an operations engineer at SABIC, relies on an Excel spreadsheet to help her East Side native garden bloom from April through October.

“I mapped it out before I started planting,” Gaddis says. “Every season, I have different flowers pop up.”

She enlisted the help of INPS Southwest and Ancient Roots Native Nursery in Poseyville, Indiana, to sort out her front flower bed’s original “mish-mash.” Gaddis and Tank agree that it’s difficult to purchase native plants locally as there are not a lot of local nurseries that sell natives.

Gaddis highlights the “great community” as a major benefit of native gardening.

Gaddi s has 20 native plant species in her garden, such as sand coreopsis, blue vervain, turtle head, blazing stars, compass plant, and swamp mallow. Her milkweed plants attract Monarch butterflies in summer, and her garden sees goldfinches, hummingbirds, caterpillars, moths, bees, and wasps.

“If you take care of the little animals, it takes care of the big ones,” she says.

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW? Native plant fans Amy Tank and Elizabeth Gaddis have carefully converted green space in their respective East Side gardens into a pollinator’s paradise of plant species native to Southwestern Indiana.

AMY TANK

BLACK BEAUTY Becky and Tom Hartman had their work cut out for them when they decided to renovate the old Kenway Plastics factory on Oak Hill Road into a home. With design input from friends and plenty of elbow grease, they molded the rundown building into a sleek residence appointed with modern fixtures, contrasting colors, and chic accents.

The House the Hartmans Built

Ingenuity transformed a former plastics factory into a stylish residence

Throughout their adult lives, Tom and Becky Hartman primarily have lived in what most would consider traditionally designed homes. That is, until a most unusual property caught their eye. It was vacant, run down, and full of machines. It wasn’t even for sale when Tom initially spotted it.

That place was the vacant Kenway Industries factory on Oak Grove Road, just over the Warrick County line in Newburgh, Indiana.

“The first time we saw it was 2014 or so. We thought it was for sale because there was an auction sign by the road, and we assumed it was for the entire property,” Becky says. The Hartmans were particularly interested in a building situated behind a house along the road. When Tom contacted the auction company, he discovered that only the house was up for sale.

More years of vacancy went by. The couple had talked about buying land and building, but everything they saw was too far away from the city, more than they wanted to spend, or – in Tom’s words – “just didn’t feel right.”

Then one day in 2020, Tom noticed online that the property they had kept their eye on was for sale. They quickly made an offer, and it was theirs.

CENTRAL It isn’t hard to relax at the Hartmans’ home. From basking in sunlight on the window-lined enclosed porch to unwinding in a circular freestanding tub, the custom-designed residence contains plenty of creature comforts. There is room, too, for personal pursuits, such as Tom’s putting green and recreational vehicles.

Becky said when they walked inside, “It was like a time capsule. It was almost like they had walked off the job yesterday.”

The plastics injection molding company closed its factory, leaving everything inside including two huge pieces of machinery weighing 40,000 pounds each in what now is the Hartmans’ living space. What looked like an abandoned business to most people seemed like a dream to Becky and Tom. Their goal was to create a space under one roof that met all their needs – a residence, a big garage for Tom’s automotive “toys,” and a studio for Becky.

Tom previously owned Big 4 Cycle in Evansville and co-owned Newburgh Power Sports, selling everything from motorcycles to ATVs to boats. He has an affection for these “toys,” and the Hartmans needed room for

R&R

the vehicles he still owns, including a very large camper. Becky loves making artwork and jewelry, and therefore needed her own studio space. Also big on her wish list –a fabulous closet.

Couldn’t they have more easily just built something new?

“Easier, yes,” Tom says. “Cheaper or same price, no.”

The home offers 5,400 square feet of space that easily would have cost $200 per square foot to build new. With his own sweat equity and hired help, Tom demolished the whole thing and built exactly what he and his wife wanted for much less. They now have four acres in a location they love and were able to sell a house on the property to help defray costs in addition to hauling 90 tons of scrap steel to Fligeltaub Recycling on Evansville’s West Side.

After purchasing the property in late June 2020, it took six months of hard, hot work for Tom and his crew to dismantle the machinery, demolish what needed to be removed (including a dilapidated two-story chicken coop), and haul away the debris.

WORK FROM HOME The Hartmans’ home checks several items on Becky’s wish list. There is a section dedicated to operating her salon, comfortable space for her artwork and jewelry making, and a roomy walk-in closet complete with a seated vanity.

“One minute I thought it was so cool. The next minute I thought, ‘We’ve lost our minds!’” Now that it’s all done? “Wow, it’s hard to believe. It’s simple, but so pretty.”— Homeowner Becky Hartman
- Jenny Payne

Tom’s recent cancer treatment made the process even more challenging. He sold some items, gave others away, discarded what he couldn’t use, and kept a few unique pieces for the couple’s renovation project.

Among the things they saved were a large Toledo scale that currently sits in Becky’s studio, a wooden overhead door repurposed into shutters near Tom’s office, and a bag full of plastic crucifixes originally manufactured by Kenway Industries for rosaries. In fact, the Hartmans still find crucifixes on the property more than a year and a half after moving in, assuming they were one of the last product lines Kenway produced. Becky recently had a bit of fun by posting on her Facebook page, “If you find crucifixes on your property, does that mean you’re on holy ground?” She got some interesting responses.

Although the vision was uniquely theirs, the Hartmans had help bringing it to reality. Tom relied on his own years of experience in flipping properties and modifying commercial spaces to pull together a team, all “people we had worked with and we trust. All local, small businesses.”

The Hartmans’ friend Troy Wells, who has renovated numerous Newburgh-area properties, lent his expertise.

“Troy can immediately see how things need to be configured,” Becky says, “He just walks into a space and sees it.” In Tom’s words, Troy helped them “dial it in.”

Becky’s colleagues at Stella’s in Newburgh provided invaluable feedback on decorating the living space, and Lamar Architecture and Design (LA+D) came on board as demolition was winding down. Head’s Construction helped with general construction and roofing, and Evansville Garage Doors installed three doors for Tom’s automotive “toys.”

Tom says he usually doesn’t draft a formal plan for projects, but this was something bigger. “It became important that we had something down on paper in terms of measurements,” he explains. The Hartmans also needed expertise to ensure electricity and plumbing were done properly.

As far as they’ve come, both Tom and Becky consider their home a work in progress. Still ahead — additional grounds work with Steckler Landscaping, an overhang to protect their front entrance without blocking natural light, and an outdoor kitchen. They’re also planning to wrap a shipping container with the same material as the current building to create a potting shed and storage for yard equipment.

B ecky acknowledges she felt a little overwhelmed at times during the process. “One minute I thought it was so cool. The next minute I thought, ‘We’ve lost our minds!’” she laughs. Now that it’s all done? “Wow, it’s hard to believe. It’s simple, but so pretty,” she says.

Tom loves a project and a challenge, saying he appreciates having everything under one roof, just as they envisioned. “It’s a good space for me. I felt that ‘wow’ every day.”

That “wow” is a testament to the power of vision, perseverance, and collaboration in transforming a long-neglected property into a now-cherished home.

CONQUERING A TIME CAPSULE Tom and Becky had to start from scratch when transforming the machinery-laden former Kenway Plastics factory into a private residence. Out went old equipment and 90 tons of scrap steel. Traces of the Hartman home’s origins are visible in its exterior shape – and the occasional plastic crucifix the couple find.

Food & Drink

A TASTE OF THAILAND

Chef Sila Donaldson brings her homeland’s cuisine to the table

What makes Thai cuisine genuine? Many things, says Sila Donaldson, whose business – Thai Taste Homemade – is all about sharing her love for her home country’s signature dishes.

Donaldson was working for a local Thai restaurant two years ago when she decided to strike out on her own as a personal chef. In addition to the more family-friendly schedule, she says the move gave her the freedom to prepare food her way.

“I wanted to be able to cook what I feel (Thai food) should be and look like,” the native of Thailand says, and by the end of 2022, her enterprise had taken off.

Donaldson creates homecooked, customized Thai meals for her clients. They include one appetizer, two entrées, and a dessert, using vegetables and herbs from her home’s garden in northern Vanderburgh County.

She prepares five varieties of curry – yellow, green, massamun, panang chicken, and red – all of which she says are true to authentic Thai cooking.

Entrées include stir fry such as pad kra pao and garlic and black pepper, both of which come with a choice of meat; a sweet and sour chicken stir fry with pineapple; or a chicken and cashew blend.

Some of Donaldson’s recipes also incorporate larb, a flavorful Thai meat salad prepared with fresh herbs. Larb “is so good, very refreshing, and easy to make … and people just love it,” she says.

Donaldson can prepare a specified meal for as many as 15 people; for larger dinner parties, it becomes buffet-style.

The other part of her business – about 30 percent, she says – is personalized cooking classes. She says she’ll work with students on whatever they would like to learn from her menu.

Donaldson says classes are always eager to soak up her knowledge, and students usually prefer instruction to be hands-on, “from chopping vegetables to the finished dish.”

The success of Thai Taste Homemade has Donaldson pondering some other ideas, such as her own small café in the McCutchanville area, where she and her husband, Nick, live with their two children, aged 13 and 5.

Donaldson says she loves bringing the tastes of Thailand to Southwest Indiana, and she notes that visuals matter, too — her dishes are pretty as well as delicious.

“Authentic Thai is about the ingredients, and the way you’re cooking them,” she says, “and the flavor, and how it looks.”

LOCAL FOODIE
CHEF SILA DONALDSON
SWEET MANGO WITH STICKY RICE
BEEF PAD KRA PAO

Food & Drink

WINE A WHILE

Regional grape varietals reign in the hills of the Shawnee National Forest

One of the Midwest’s most established wine regions is a short drive from Evansville. The 11-county Shawnee Hills American Viticultural Area in Southern Illinois includes a 40-mile vineyard tour that launched as the state’s inaugural wine trail in 1995. Six wineries have joined the original five; the closest is 105 miles from Evansville.

Touring the trail on a hot July week, our first stop was the family owned and operated winery Wichmann Vineyard, established in 2020 about six miles south of Makanda and the trail’s newest addition. Ted Wichmann planted vines from Niagara and Norton grapes in 1980 and was instrumental in Shawnee Hills’ designation as the first AVA in Illinois in 2006. In 2021, more than 1,100 new vines were planted with Chambourcin, Traminette, and Chardonel grapes. Ted’s daughter, Hanna, is the vineyard’s winemaker and owner/operator, along with her husband, Don Moberly.

We deviated from wine-tasting at Owl Creek Vineyards, about five miles to the east in Cobden. In 2005, the Genung family purchased Owl Creek from founding shareholders. Three years later, they launched Apple Knocker Hard Ciders, with dry and sweet options. Cafe offerings run the gamut from a vineyard picnic plate to paninis, salads, and soups, and weekend visitors frequently are treated to live music.

Blue Sky Vineyard and Winery opened 10 miles east in Makanda in 2005 and includes 13 acres of vineyards planted with eight varieties of grapes. Designed with Tuscan-inspired decor, its tagline – “The Romance of Italy in the Hills of Southern Illinois” – is fitting. Stroll the grounds overlooking a pond while sipping an award-winning wine of your choice — the 2022 Chambourcin Reserve earned Best of Show in this year’s Illinois State Fair Wine Competition in June. Two luxury suites above the tasting room are available for overnight stays.

Back in Cobden, Brett and Regina Morrison relocated from Pennsylvania and in August 2013 purchased StarView Vineyards, which dates to 1980 and was the eventual Shawnee Hills AVA’s first commercial winegrape vineyard. They offer 18 wines using three grape

varieties – Vignoles, Norton, and Chambourcin – grown on three acres. Visitors can enjoy wine, appetizers, sandwiches, and salads inside, with lake views – and live music some evenings – from a second level deck or in the yard under its signature giant oak tree. An Event Barn – used for wedding receptions, and parties – hosted our tasting. Lodging is available for up to eight guests in a home on the property.

Our day ended at Feather Hills Vineyard and Winery, about five miles north of Cobden. Randy and Renee Feather purchased the property in 2017 and reopened it the following year. Glasses of Pink Bubbles, a sparkling Brut Rosé wine, welcomed us before we sat down to a five-course dinner paired with Feather Hills wines.

The onsite restaurant offers a farm-to-table menu. Feather Hills has 15 wines on its product list, and its vineyards grow Chambourcin, Vignoles, Vidal Blanc, and Cabernet Franc. Like all the wineries we visited, weekend entertainment adds to the ambiance. Cabins are available to rent for overnight stays.

ACCOMMODATIONS

An ideal base for exploring the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail is Anna, Illinois, a small town off Interstate 57 in the hilly countryside of the Shawnee National Forest. Its most unique lodging is the Davie School Inn, a former elementary school, which has operated as a bed-and-breakfast since 2004. I stayed in the Purple Suite, formerly the kindergarten room.

GETTING THERE … AND GETTING AROUND

Plan on a two- to three-hour drive to reach the Shawnee Hills region from Evansville and surrounding communities. Leave navigation and alcohol consumption worries behind by booking a tour and shuttle service.

FEATHER HILLS VINEYARD AND WINERY
BLUE SKY VINEYARD AND WINERY

Trail Mix Twist

Monthly snack mixes highlight Sixth and Zero’s Bulk Food Refillery

SINCE SIXTH AND ZERO opened its Main Street storefront in 2020, owner Mary Allen has offered a variety of sustainable products. One service has flown under the radar, so Allen decided to get creative with its promotion.

The shop offers refills on shampoos, soaps, conditioners, and creams. Since May, Sixth and Zero’s most varied product line, The Refillery’s Bulk Foods & Dry Goods, has let customers

bring in their own containers to restock on dry goods like oats, spices, and coffee beans.

In July, Allen introduced a snack mix that she created using an assortment of ingredients from her own bulk selection to generate more buzz for The Refillery.

“I think there’s still a lack of awareness of what we carry in bulk here, so we wanted to do a fun monthly snack feature and create our own snack mix from the various ingredients in our dry foods section,” Allen says.

July’s mashup, dubbed “Mary’s Munchies,” featured a base of dark chocolate and cashew granola, complemented with dried coconut, pumpkin seeds, and chocolate chips.

August’s blend, nicknamed “Kris’ Krunch” after Sixth and Zero’s manager Kris Evans, showcased the store’s cranberry granola topped off with chocolate and banana chips, cashews, and pecans.

Moving forward, Allen says she will look to create monthly trail mixes inspired by each of her employees.

“It’s an evolving idea,” Allen says.

BELIEVE IT’S NOT BUTTER

Evansville Countryside Orchard creates a fall-flavored spread

WHAT EXACTLY IS APPLE BUTTER? Medieval Europeans produced it to preserve their harvest, and it spread — pun intended! — across Southern meals after the American Revolution.

Evansville Countryside Orchard owners Kristi and Tim Schulz have sold their apple butter for seven years in halfpint glass containers. Any apple can be used to create apple butter, but Kristi includes Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, and Gold Rush in what starts as applesauce. That already is sweet enough for Kristi, but some recipes call for additional brown or white sugar.

“It’s naturally sweet on its own. You don’t have to add a lot of sugar,” she says.

Next, it’s all about the spices. The Schulzes use a variety of flavors, and this year have CinnaSpice and two unique blends: Salted Caramel and Chai Spice.

“ We test and play with different recipes to find distinctive flavor profiles,” Kristi says.

Onc e mixed, the applesauce goes into the oven for four hours or more, cooking off moisture and turning the sauce into a dark brown “butter,” or, more accurately, a spread. A sealed jar can last up to 18 months; once opened, it must be refrigerated and used within two months.

Half-pint jars sell for $7 at the orchard and via online marketplace Local Source. Kristi says the butter pairs well with typical breakfast foods like toast, biscuits, waffles, pancakes, and English muffins. For a charcuterie option, Kristi recommends serving apple butter with cream cheese. Her favorite combo is salted caramel apple butter on a waffle.

SPREAD THE WORD

Evansville Countryside Orchard

16800 Old Petersburg Road countrysideorchard.com evansville.localfoodmarketplace.com

SIXTH AND ZERO 425 Main St. sixthandzero.com
PHOTOS BY HADLEY MITCHELL
NOW THAT’S SWEET

Food & Drink IN THE KITCHEN

HANDS-ON LEARNING

Young chefs roll up their sleeves with Book N’ Cook

Class is in session – in the kitchen – at the cross-town homes of Daniel and Mallory Latini and Sally and Kevin Lager.

As many as 30 families are tuned in to Book N’ Cook, a monthly series of Saturday morning cooking classes for children taught via a live-streamed video feed. Urban Seeds Executive Director Maria Marton often serves as the instructor for this partnership with Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library and Legacy Taste of the Garden.

On a stormy July morning, the Latinis’ two oldest kids, Lucinda, 9, and Aviva, 7, each don aprons in anticipation of crafting spring rolls and peanut sauce inspired by Grace Lin’s “Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods.” Meanwhile, neither 10-year-old Ian Lager nor his parents have made spring rolls, so the whole family is learning together.

Mallory says the exercises show children that cooking meals isn’t “magical” – there’s time and effort involved.

“We look for life skills,” she says. “This is a good way for them to be in the kitchen, and I don’t have to facilitate it necessarily. I can be the assistant.”

Recipes are based on books – provided by EVPL – that run the gamut of global cuisines and cultures. Ingredients and tools are furnished by Urban Seeds, at no cost to participants.

This is hands-on learning. At the Lagers’ home, Ian sometimes starts prepping vegetables before the instructor’s prompt. His parents let him move at his own pace but guide him back if the demo jumps ahead of him.

B ook N’ Cook started in 2021, and instructors often see familiar faces. The intent is to encourage healthy eating, bring awareness to gardening especially within cities, and show children that they can grow their own food.

“We have families who consistently come every month and every year,” says

Erika Barnett, EVPL’s programming manager, and a helper with the classes. “You get to see kids grow up.”

The Latinis and Lagers homeschool their kids, and both sets of parents welcome opportunities such as Book N’ Cook.

“I do a lot of teaching, so I’m always finding new ways for them to learn from someone else,” Mallory says.

EDUCATIONAL EATING evpl.org/initiatives/book-n-cook-24

COMMUNITY COOKING Families like the Lagers and Latinis enjoy trying their hand at making global cuisine — like spring rolls, in this July lesson — through Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library’s Book N’ Cook partnership with Urban Seeds and Legacy Taste of the Garden.
SALLY, KEVIN, AND IAN LAGER
LUCINDA AND MALLORY LATINI

Dining Directory

FINE DINING

CAVANAUGH’S: 421 N.W. Riverside Drive (inside Bally’s Evansville), 812433-4333. Steaks, fresh seafood, overlooking the Ohio River, and entertainment in the piano bar.

 RED GERANIUM: 520 North St., New Harmony, IN, 812-682-6171. Contemporary American fare.

UPSCALE DINING

BAR LOUIE: 7700 Eagle Crest Blvd., 812-476-7069. Full bar, expansive menu with a variety of appetizers, a large hamburger selection, and signature martinis. Catering available.

BIAGGI’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO: 6401 E. Lloyd Expressway Ste. 3, 812421-0800. Italian cuisine from scratch including monthly chef features, authentic pastas, chicken parmesan, and bruschetta, plus gluten-free options. Catering available.

BONEFISH GRILL: 6401 E. Lloyd Expressway, 812-401-3474. Wood-burning grill, fish, steaks, soups, salads, and its famous Bang Bang Shrimp. Catering available.

 BRU BURGER BAR: (Best Restaurant for a Burger) 222 Sycamore St. in the former Greyhound bus terminal, 812-302-3005. Signature chef burgers, classic sandwiches, salads, appetizers, desserts, and an extensive drink menu.

CAMBRIDGE GRILL: 1034 Beacon Hill (at Cambridge Golf Course), 812868-4653. Salads, sandwiches, pizzas, entrées, and an expanded wine menu.

THE COLLECTIVE: 230 Main St. (above COMFORT by the Cross-Eyed Cricket), 812-909-3742. Fresh specialty appetizers and entrées with an extensive beverage list.

 COMFORT BY THE CROSS-EYED CRICKET: (Best Restaurant for Brunch) 230 Main St., 812-909-3742. Full breakfast menu, home-style favorites, sandwiches, steaks, and salads.

COPPER HOUSE: 1430 W. Franklin St., 812-909-8089. Unique cuisine meets comfort food including shrimp and grits, burgers, apricot salmon, goat cheese bites, and signature cocktails. Event space available.

 CORK ‘N CLEAVER: (Best Restaurant for a Celebratory Dinner) 650 S. Hebron Ave., 812-479-6974. Steak, prime rib, chicken, seafood, salad bar, soup, and sandwich lunches.

COSMOS BISTRO: 101 S.E. First St., 812-437-5281. A local chef-inspired rotating menu of duck, lobster agnolotti, venison tartare, oysters on the half shell, and more.

ENTWINED WINE AND COCKTAIL BAR: 303 Main St., 812-550-1393. A robust list of wine, beer, and cocktails, plus appetizing plates of starters and shareables.

 FARMER & FRENCHMAN: 12522 U.S. 41 S., Robards, KY, 270-748-1856. Café featuring cheese and charcuterie trays, salads, Neapolitan pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, desserts, beer, and Farmer & Frenchman house and European wines. Catering available.

 HAUB STEAK HOUSE: 101 E. Haub St., Haubstadt, IN, 812-768-6462. A la carte menu. Steak, prime rib, seafood, chicken, pork, vegetable side dishes, and desserts.

HOUSE OF COMO: 2700 S. Kentucky Ave., 812-422-0572. Baked chicken dishes, lamb chops, fish entrées, and oversized steaks with Lebanese and Middle Eastern influence. Catering available.

 R’Z CAFÉ AND CATERING: 104 N. Main St., Fort Branch, IN, 812-615-0039. Classic comfort food to modern cuisine, including breakfast and lunch combinations as well as daily specials.

SAMUEL’S: 113 S.E. Fourth St., 812-777-0047. A wide range of shareable bites for the table, specialty entrées, and sandwiches rotating seasonally for those 21-plus only. Open for lunch and dinner.

Listing Key

 2024 “Best of Evansville” winner

 Regional Restaurant outside of Evansville and Newburgh, Indiana

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, restaurants are accessible to people with disabilities and accept major credit cards. City and county ordinances prohibit smoking in many facilities. We suggest calling ahead to check which venues are exempt. Evansville Living has made every attempt to present an accurate guide. Please notify us of significant changes in a restaurant’s management, location, or menu. This directory is compiled by editorial staff and not based on advertising.

RESTAURANTS THAT DEFINE OUR CITY

SCHYMIK’S KITCHEN: 1112 Parrett St., 812-401-3333. Globally influenced restaurant with a full bar with brunch available on Sundays.

PRIVATE CLUBS

EVANSVILLE COUNTRY CLUB: 3810 Stringtown Road, 812-425-2243. Executive chef on staff. Diverse menu selection including prime steaks and fresh seafood. Member-only dining.

OAK MEADOW COUNTRY CLUB (THE MEMBERS GRILL): 11505 Browning Road, 812-867-1900. Chef-created menu in full-service dining room and diverse options ranging from traditional to cutting edge. Breakfast served on weekends. Member-only dining.

ROLLING HILLS COUNTRY CLUB: 1666 Old Plank Road, Newburgh, IN, 812925-3336. Executive chef on staff. New and classic dishes including chicken, steak, seafood specials, and pastas. Member-only dining.

DELIS

BOWLIFY SUPERFOODS: 250 N. Burkhardt Road, 812-303-2874; 8390 High Pointe Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-518-1364; 900 Main St. (inside Main Street Food & Beverage). Acai bowls, smoothies, rice protein bowls, and avocado toasts. Catering available.

CHICKEN SALAD CHICK: 1414 Hirschland Road, 812-594-9820. More than 12 flavors of chicken salad, soups, sides, and desserts. Catering available.

CRISP & GREEN: 6436 E. Florida St. Ste. 104, 812-602-1772. Salads, bowls, wraps, smoothies, and more.

THE DELI: 421 N.W. Riverside Drive (inside Bally’s Evansville), 812-4334000. Deli sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, and pizza.

THE DELI AT ONB: One Main St. (inside Old National Bank), 812-4245801. Fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, paninis, desserts, and daily specials. Catering available.

FIREHOUSE SUBS: 1031 N. Green River Road, 812-909-4445. Hot and cold sandwiches with toppings such as smoked turkey, sliced chicken, and veggies. Kids eat free on Wednesdays and Sundays. Catering available.

THE GRANOLA JAR CAFÉ & BAKERY: 1033 Mount Pleasant Road, 812-4371899; 333 State St., Newburgh, IN, 812-490-0060; 5600 E. Virginia St., 812-401-8111. Specializes in house-made granola along with sandwiches and deli salads plus vegetarian and vegan options. Catering available.

HONEYBAKED HAM: 1446 N. Green River Road, 812-471-2940. Boxed lunches, sandwiches, salads, as well as whole, half, or slices of ham. Variety of desserts and side items. Catering available.

JASON’S DELI: 943 N. Green River Road, 812-471-9905. Sandwiches, salads, and other healthy meals with fresh ingredients and no artificial trans fats, MSG, or high fructose corn syrup, plus a 22-foot-long salad bar and free ice cream with every order. Catering available.

JIMMY JOHN’S: 701 N. Burkhardt Road, 812-401-5400; 130 N. St. Joseph Ave., 812-402-9944; 330 Main St., 812-402-5653; 2320 N. Green River Road, 812-402-5747; 8680 High Pointe Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812490-7111. Deli-style sandwiches, fresh-baked bread, vegetables prepared daily, and cold-cut meats. Catering available.

KWENCH JUICE CAFE: 1211 Tutor Lane, Ste. A, 812-550-1125. Vegan smoothies, juice shots, and acai and pitaya bowls.

MCALISTER’S DELI: 2220 N. Green River Road, 812-618-2050; 5301 Pearl Drive, Ste. 100, 812-228-4222; 3788 Libbert Road, Newburgh, IN, 812-490-3354. Deli sandwiches, salads, spuds, soups, and sweet tea.

OLD TYME DELI & MEAT SHOP: 307 N. First Ave., 812-401-1030. A traditional deli and meat shop offering plate lunches.

PANERA BREAD: 220 N. Burkhardt Road, 812-476-7477; 5201 Pearl Drive, 812-250-7088; 4015 Gateway Blvd., Newburgh, IN, (inside Deaconess Orthopedic Neuroscience Hospital) 812-706-6386. Breads, sandwiches, paninis, soups, salads, and specialty coffee drinks. Catering available at Burkhardt and Pearl locations.

PENN STATION EAST COAST SUBS: 137 N. Burkhardt Road, 812-4797366; 4827 Davis Lant Drive, 812-402-7366; 5310 Pearl Drive, 812-434-7366; 8887 High Pointe Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812- 4017366; 1111 Barrett Blvd., Henderson, KY, 270-826-7361. Grilled, made fresh-to-order sub sandwiches, homemade hand-cut fries, fresh baked cookies, and fresh-squeezed lemonade. Catering available.

WHICH WICH: 6401 N. Green River Road, 812-867-0826. An extensive menu of customizable sandwiches and sides. Catering available.

BAKERIES, COFFEEHOUSES, AND ICE CREAM

 2ND STREET BISTRO & BAKERY: 111 S. Second St., Boonville, IN, 812573-8887. Sandwiches and freshly baked breads, desserts, cookies, cakes, pies, and more.

 3 CHICKS FUDGERY: 305 Main St., Mount Vernon, IN, 812-307-3454. Fresh fudge, gourmet coffee, hand-dipped ice cream from JB’s Barnyard, and unique gifts. Catering and food truck available.

BASKIN-ROBBINS: 3960 N. First Ave., 812-550-1500. Premium ice cream, plus bakery treats and custom ice cream cakes and pies.

BE HAPPY PIE COMPANY: 2818 Mount Vernon Ave. Ste. B, 812-449-7718. 6225 E. Virginia St. Ste. C, 812-916-9454. Made-from-scratch bakery specializing in sweet and savory pies, sweet rolls, brownies, cookies, scones, petite cheesecakes, coffee cakes, and cookie pies.

BEA SWEET TREATS: 4111 Merchant Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-454-7728. Custom cakes and cookies, macarons, cinnamon rolls, and other baked goods.

BEANS & BARISTAS: 800 N. Green River Road (inside Eastland Mall), 812-475-8566. Full coffee bar, gourmet coffees and teas, Italian sodas, and various pastry treats. Retail gourmet coffee beans, teas, and unique gifts.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BALLY’S EVANSVILLE
SEARED HALIBUT SERVED WITH CHARRED CORN HEIRLOOM GRITS FROM CAVANAUGH’S

 BLACK LODGE COFFEE ROASTERS: 610 Church St., New Harmony, IN, 812-682-2449. Pour-overs, cold brew, iced coffee, espresso, and more.

BOBACCINOS CAFÉ: 3848 N. First Ave., 812-773-3333. Extensive coffee, boba tea, and blended tea menu, plus pastries, sandwiches, smash burgers, and breakfast items including biscuits and gravy.

BUBBLE PANDA: 1524 N. Green River Road, 812-760-2728. Bubble tea shop offering milk and ice teas, slushies, smoothies, and lattes.

BUBBLE TEATALK: 619 N. Burkhardt Road, Ste. G, 812-598-5235. Bubble and milk teas, smoothies, slushies, and more.

CLEO’S BAKERY & BROWN BAG LUNCHES: 9 W. Jennings St., Newburgh, IN, 812-853-0500. Full bakery with cookies, scones, muffins, cupcakes, coffee, and lunches including signature sandwiches paired with a choice of chips, pickles, and homemade soup. Catering available.

COOKIES AND CUPCAKE BY DESIGN: 419 Metro Ave., 812-426-1599. Cookie bouquets, custom-decorated cookies, cupcakes, cookie cakes, and other baked goods. Local delivery is available.

CRUMBL COOKIES: 939 N. Burkhardt Road Ste. B, 812-965-4133; 5435 Pearl Drive, Ste. 2, 930-212-0677. Delivery and carry-out homemade, gourmet cookies. Catering available.

D-ICE: 800 N. Green River Road (in Eastland Mall food court), 812-3199071. Thai-fried ice cream rolls and bubble tea.

DONUT BANK BAKERY AND COFFEE SHOP: 210 N. St. Joseph Ave., 812-426-1011; 2128 N. First Ave., 812-426-2311; 1031 E. Diamond Ave., 812-426-0011; 5 N. Green River Road, 812-479-0511; 1950 Washington Ave., 812477-2711; 3988 State Highway 261, Newburgh, IN, 812-858-9911; 1200 Lincoln Ave., 812-402-4111; 4800 W. Lloyd Expressway, 812-401-2211; 1303 W. Broadway St., Princeton, IN, 812-385-3711; 2630A U.S. 41, Henderson, KY, 270-212-0181. Donuts, coffee, cookies, other baked goods, and smoothies.

DUNKIN’: 3960 N. First Ave., 812-550-1500; 850 N. Green River Road, 812-303-5797; 848 S. Green River Road, 731-259-4112; 3955 Orchard Lane, Newburgh, IN; 2222 U.S. 41, Henderson, KY, 270-297-0299. Donuts, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and a variety of coffees.

 ELBIE’S ICE CREAM: 70 S.E. Front St., Elberfeld, IN, 812-403-3778. Seasonal ice cream stand with specialty dishes, ice cream nachos, unicorn sundaes, and more.

FARM 57: 3443 Kansas Road, 812-677-5757. House-made pastries plus coffee, ice cream, and drinks. Seasonal live music and food trucks on Wednesdays.

 FIRE & ICE: 606 Main St., Ste. B, New Harmony, IN. Serving ice cream, milkshakes, honey-glazed hot ham, chili, and more.

GAYLACAKE: 320 N. Main St., 812-454-9791. Specializes in order-only cupcakes, cookies, special occasion cakes, and other baked goods.

GREAT HARVEST BREAD COMPANY: 423 Metro Ave., 812-476-4999. Freshbaked bread, breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, homemade soups for lunch, and specialty sweets. Catering available.

HOMETOWN NUTRITION: 300 Main St., Ste. 1A, 812-401-0058. Smoothies, boosted teas, protein shakes, and more.

 HONEY MOON COFFEE CO.: (Best Coffee Shop) 612 S. Weinbach Ave., 812-602-3123; 1211 Tutor Lane, 812-893-2945; 2903 Mount Vernon Ave., 812-470-3205; 20 W. Water St., Newburgh, IN. 812-746-8168. Curated coffee and drinks, Hong Kong-style bubble waffles, all-day breakfast items, and Graeter’s ice cream.

INSOMNIA COOKIES: 318 Main St., Ste. 100, 930-500-4814. Late-night bakery specializing in delivery and carry-out warm cookies.

JOE BREWSKI COFFEE: 10 N.W. Sixth St. Specialty cold brews and lemonades.

 LIC’S DELI AND ICE CREAM: (Best Milkshake) 800 E. Diamond Ave., 812-424-4862; 4501 Lincoln Ave., 812-477-3131; 2001 Washington Ave., 812-473-0569; 11 N.W. Fifth St., 812-422-2618; 8700 Ruffian Lane, Newburgh, IN, 812-858-0022. Deli-style soups, salads, sandwiches, locally made ice cream, choco-cremes, and sorbets.

MAYSE FARM MARKET: 6400 St. Joseph Ave., 812-963-3175. Homegrown fruits and vegetables including tomatoes, strawberries, sweet corn, and pumpkins, plus a bakery with pies, cakes, rolls, fruit breads, and more.

MILK & SUGAR SCOOP SHOPPE: 2027 W. Franklin St., 812-602-1423; 10931 IN 66, 812-625-1087. Premium ice cream shop.

MISSION GROUNDS: 1107 Washington Square, 812-421-3808. Specialty coffee, tea, lemonade, whole beans for sale, and pastries.

MR. BUBBLE TEA: 503 N. Green River Road, 812-550-3166. Smoothies, Asian beverages, and bubble tea in different flavors.

MULBERRY JEAN’S ACCENTS: 600 State St., Newburgh, IN, 812-4905835. High tea served with sandwiches, desserts, an extensive collection of premium coffee beans, and a variety of looseleaf tea.

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES: 6436 E. Florida St., Ste. 100, 812-758-7856. Serving full-size and miniature specialty cakes for any occasion.

ORANGE LEAF FROZEN YOGURT: 701 N. Burkhardt Road, 812-401-5215. Up to 70 flavors of frozen yogurt.

PANADERÍA SAN MIGUEL: 2004 Washington Ave., 812-814-8037. Traditional Mexican bakery with cakes, pastries, and bread.

PARLOR DOUGHNUTS: 204 Main St., 812-303-4487; 301 N. Green River Road, 812-303-5906. Specialty doughnuts and coffee from Proper Coffee Roasters. Green River Road location also serves breakfast items and milkshakes.

PENNY LANE COFFEEHOUSE: 600 S.E. Second St., 812-421-8741. Fair trade organic espresso and espresso drinks, gourmet coffees, Italian sodas, fresh-baked pastries, and vegetarian soups.

PIECE OF CAKE: 210 Main St., 812-424-2253. Customized cakes, cookies, coffee, sodas, breakfast items, and more.

REVIVE ENERGY AND NUTRITION: 1211 Tutor Lane. Boosted smoothies and teas, protein shakes, and more.

RIVER CITY COFFEE + GOODS: 223 Main St., 812-550-1695. Espresso bar, brewed coffees, pour-overs, and teas.

RIVER KITTY CAT CAFE: 226 Main St., 812-550-1553. Coffee, tea, croissants, cookies, biscotti, and savory pastries.

RIVERTOWN ICE CREAM AND GRILL: 521 State St., Newburgh, IN. Seasonal walk-up eatery offering soft serve ice cream, floats, sundaes, dipped cones, and more, plus corn dogs, burgers, and chicken tenders.

SCOOTER’S COFFEE: 535 E. Diamond Ave., 812-916-9487. A coffee shop with hot, iced, and blended drinks, smoothies, teas, and baked goods.

 SMALLEY COFFEE: 2955 Newton St., Jasper, IN. Handcrafted drinks including tea, coffee, and frozen drinks.

STARBUCKS: 624 S. Green River Road (inside Barnes & Noble), 812475-1054; 504 N. Green River Road, 812-476-7385; 6401 E. Lloyd Expressway, Ste. 16, 812-401-1771; 4700 W. Lloyd Expressway, 812-549-4053; 4650 First Ave., 812-421-0461; 601 Walnut St., 812423-5002; 9919 Pointe View Drive, Newburgh, IN, 930-203-0463; 7755 IN 66, Newburgh, IN, 812-858-0234. Specialty coffees, teas, and baked goods.

 TF ICE CREAM: 1002 E. Walnut St., Boonville, IN, 812-715-3367. Ice cream, sherbet, barbecue, chili dogs, and more.

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE: 2101 N. Green River Road, 812-2979727. Smoothies, flatbreads, wraps, salads, and sandwiches. Catering available.

DINERS, CAFÉS, AND FAMILY RESTAURANTS

10-8 CAFÉ: 4209 U.S. 41 N., 812-413-0129 and 812-413-9355. A cafe with breakfast, appetizers, pizza, sandwiches, burgers, and specialty coffee from the makers of White Swan Coffee Lab.

BIG-TOP DRIVE IN: 1213 W. Maryland St., 812-424-7442. Burgers, sandwiches, chicken strips, and ice cream.

BURGER BANK: 1617 S. Weinbach Ave., 812-475-2265. Mini-burgers, cheeseburgers, fries, and more.

THE CAROUSEL: 5115 Monroe Ave., 812-479-6388. Classic American cuisine.

 CARRIAGE INN: 103 Gibson St., Haubstadt, IN, 812-768-6131. Plate lunches, sandwiches, soups, salads, steaks, and assorted dinner entrées.

CATFISH WILLY’S SEAFOOD & COMFORT CUISINE: 5720 E. Virginia St., 812-401-2233. Seafood favorites like crab, lobster, shrimp, gator, and Southern comfort food. Patrons can order Hoosier Burger Co. items.

CLEAVERS: 5501 E. Indiana St., 812-473-0001. Sandwiches including pulled pork, Chicago-style Italian beef, pork loin, and steak.

 COMMANDER’S GRILL: 118 W. Locust St., Boonville, IN, 812-7150055. A sandwich shop with fried chicken, salads, steaks, and pork chops.

CROSS-EYED CRICKET FAMILY RESTAURANT: 2101 W. Lloyd Expressway, 812-422-6464. Sandwiches, fish dishes, breakfast items, country-style dinners, and more.

 THE DAIRIETTE: 711 Atkinson St., Henderson, KY, 270-826-2401. Hamburgers, tenderloins, fries, milkshakes, and soft-serve sundaes.

 DADE PARK GRILL AT ELLIS PARK: 3300 U.S. 41 N., Henderson, KY, 812-425-1456 or 800-333-8110. Clubhouse dining.

THE DINER BY MELE’S: 550 N. Green River Road, 812-402-1272. Regional specialties, Mexican-inspired dishes, and all-day breakfast.

NOW OPEN

FRESH TAKES

Tater Temptations now operates out of Kitchen 812, 122 N. Weinbach Ave., on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, serving barbecue chicken, Grippo carnivore taters, and more. Crisp & Green, 6436 E. Florida St. Ste. 104, offers salads, bowls, wraps, smoothies, and more. Shah’s Halal Food, 222 S. Red Bank Road Ste. L, serves the West Side gyros, sandwiches, falafel, kebabs, baklava, and more. Kung Fu Chicken Restaurant, 325 S. Green River Road, cooks up wings, sandwiches, fried rice, lo mein, and more. Cotton Shed Donuts food truck serves fresh mini sugar donuts. New food truck Hul Lotta Lumpia offers Filipino favorites like Shanghai pork Lumpia, jackfruit and banana turon, pancit, and meat skewers.

NIBBLES

St. Joe Inn, 9515 St. Wendel Road, has started Sunday brunch service serving omelets, French toast, biscuits and gravy, onion rings, homestyle burgers, and more. NOMOD, 900 Main St. at Main Street Food & Beverage, has changed ownership to Cory Wildy and its name to Chef Lo on the Go, serving smash burgers, catfish sandwiches, shrimp po’boys, and more. Turn Table, LLC has started serving Thai chicken sliders, crispy potato balls, and papaya salad out of Arcademie, 22 N.W. Sixth St., on Thursdays-Saturdays. Bad Randy’s Hot Chicken & BBQ Lounge now offers a brunch menu with quesadillas, chicken biscuits, brisket hash, hog benedict, and more.

DEARLY DEPARTED

Sam’s Southern Eatery, 420 S. Green River Road, has shut its doors. Biscuit Belly, 945 N. Burkhardt Road, abruptly closed in early August. The New Corner Bar & Grill, 2668 Mount Vernon Ave., quietly ended operations in early July. Waylon’s Diner on Main, 606 N. Main St., wrapped up business on July 6. K’s Pizza, 315 E. Diamond Ave., shuttered July 27. Tanuki Mart, 5614 E. Virginia St., closed July 30. Pie Pan Restaurant & Bakery, 905 N. Park Drive, open since 1978, ceased business Sept. 1.

Dining Directory

DISHES BY DANI: 421 Read St., 812-470-2615. Serves salads, fruit bowls, parfaits, warm-up meals like taco bowls and stir fry, and sweets like cakes, pies, and brownies. Catering available.

DOWNTOWN GRILL: 900 Main St. (inside Main Street Food & Beverage). Serving sandwiches including Philly Cheesesteaks, Cubans, Italians, Subs, and hotdogs.

 FEED MILL RESTAURANT & BAR: 3541 State Highway 60-E., Morganfield, KY, 270-389-0047. Seafood and barbecue.

FRANKIE’S RESTAURANT: 6840 Logan Drive, 812-490-3172. A wide range of American fare across dedicated menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

FRIENDSHIP DINER: 834 Tutor Lane, 812-402-0201. Breakfast, sandwiches, pasta, and home-style favorites.

G.D. RITZY’S: 4810 University Drive, 812-425-8700; 4320 N. First Ave., 812-421-1300; 601 N. Green River Road, 812-474-6259. Hamburgers, grilled chicken, chicken strips, hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, ultra-thin shoestring-style French fries, old-fashioned ice cream, and milkshakes.

 GASTHOF AMISH VILLAGE: 6747 E. Gasthof Village Road, Montgomery, IN, 812-486-4900. Amish- style buffet with bakery. Catering available.

 HOMETOWN ROOTS: 136 Second St., Henderson, KY, 270-212-3653. Southern comfort food like mac and cheese, pulled pork, and fried chicken. Catering available.

THE HORNET’S NEST: 11845 Petersburg Road, 812-867-2386. Soups, sandwiches, salads, daily lunch specials, steaks, seafood, and chicken, plus brunch.

JOURNEY FISH AND CHICKEN: 825 S. Green River Road, 812-303-2420. Sandwiches, gyros, fried fish, and fried chicken.

JUICY SEAFOOD: 865 N. Green River Road, 812-303-6869. Seafood boils, fried seafood, and appetizers.

KITE & KEY CAFÉ: 2301 W. Franklin St., 812-401-0275. Breakfast and lunch options and desserts, with an in-house coffee shop serving coffee, espresso drinks, tea, hot chocolate, smoothies, frappes, and pastries.

 THE KORNER INN: 15 W. Main St., Elberfeld, IN, 812-983-4200. Daily lunch specials, sandwiches, burgers, and dinners.

LIBBY AND MOM’S: 2 Richardt Ave., 812-437-3040. Home-cooked meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 LOG INN: 12491 County Road 200 E., Haubstadt, IN, 812-867-3216. Fried chicken, ham, roast beef, and fiddlers.

MAIN STREET FOOD & BEVERAGE: 900 Main St. Food hall with patio offering Latina American and Venezuelan fare alongside sandwich shops and acai bowls.

MAJOR MUNCH: 101 N.W. First St., 812-306-7317. Cheeseburgers, chili, grilled chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, and catfish.

MERRY-GO-ROUND RESTAURANT: 2101 Fares Ave., 812-423-6388. Traditional American cuisine.

 MISTER B’S: (Best Restaurant for Wings) 1340 Hirschland Road, 812402-2090; 2611 U.S. 41, Henderson, KY, 270-826-1111. Pizza, wings, sandwiches, soup, salad, and pasta. Catering available.

 MR. D’S: 1435 S. Green St., Henderson, KY, 270-826-2505. Drive-in classic American cuisine mushrooms, chicken strips, fried chicken, chicken liver, chicken sandwiches, and more all hand-breaded with Colonel Jim’s Breading. Breakfast and charcuterie board catering are available.

NELLIE’S NORTH: 6600 N. First Ave., 812-437-5215. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner including dishes like omelets, skillets, crepes, steak burgers, sandwiches, and catfish. Catering available.

NELLIE’S RESTAURANT: 8566 Ruffian Lane, Newburgh, IN, 812-629-2142. Breakfast and lunch items, such as omelets, pancakes, waffles, sandwiches, burgers, and salads.

THE NEW FRONTIER RESTAURANT AND BAR: 12945 IN 57, 812-867-6786. Bloody Mary bar, appetizers, sandwiches, soups, salads, steak, fried chicken, and pork chops.

THE NEW OLD MILL: 5031 New Harmony Road, 812-963-6000. Steaks, chicken, catch of the day, sandwiches, soups, and salads.

CHEF LO ON THE GO: 900 Main St. (inside Main Street Food & Beverage). Serving sandwiches like smash burgers, catfish sandwiches, and shrimp po’boys.

 OLEA BAR & GRILL: 108 2nd St., Henderson, Kentucky, 270-577-6055. Burgers, wings, tacos, sandwiches, and salads are offered plus a menu of cocktails, beers, ciders, house wines, and more.

PATTIE’S SAND TRAP AT FENDRICH GOLF COURSE: 1900 E. Diamond Ave., 812435-6028. Burgers, sandwiches, chicken, salads, and a variety of snacks.

PIER 17 CAJUN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT AND BAR: 600 N. Green River Road., 812-303-6338. Cajun classic appetizers like fried calamari and seafood from shrimp and oysters to catfish served in combo specials, fried baskets, and boils.

 THE RED WAGON: 6950 Frontage Road, Poseyville, IN, 812-874-2221. Catfish, oysters, and grilled salmon.

ROCKIN CHICKEN INDI: 2519 N. First Ave. South American-influenced ribs, chicken, seasoned potatoes, plus burgers and more.

ROOSTER’S DEN: 3988 Haley Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-706-3555. Family recipes and homestyle cooking.

 SAY’S RESTAURANT: 500 Church St., New Harmony, IN, 812-270-4183. Comfort food made with seasonal local ingredients.

 SIDEWALK CAFE: 228 Second St., Henderson, KY, 270-831-2233. Gourmet chicken salad, Italian beef, tomato basil turkey wrap, loaded potato soup, and strawberry cake. Catering available.

 SILVER BELL RESTAURANT: 4424 St. Wendel Road, Wadesville, IN, 812963-0944. Sandwiches, fiddlers, pizza, and vegetable side dishes. Family-style fried chicken dinner specials.

THE TIN FISH: 707 State St., Newburgh, IN, 812-490-7000. Fresh fish flown in daily, clam chowder, salads, and sandwiches.

VFW 1114: 110 N. Wabash Ave. of Flags, 812-422-5831. Friday buffet, prime rib on Saturday, and brunch on Sunday.

 YESTERDAZE BAR & GRILL: 101 S. Second St., Boonville, IN, 812897-0858. Daily lunch and dinner specials; sandwiches, wraps, salads, sides, and entrées.

 ZACK’S DINER: 202 E. Locust St., Fort Branch, IN, 812-753-1230. Family restaurant serving breakfast all day and standard diner fare.

ZESTO: 102 W. Franklin St., 812-424-1416; 920 E. Riverside Drive, 812423-5961. Hamburgers, fish and chicken sandwiches, tenderloins, soups, and ice cream.

 THE ZONE BY MARYSCOTTS: 433 Plaza Drive (in Southwind Plaza), Mount Vernon, IN, 812-643-5024. Chef-driven fresh scratch cuisine in a family-friendly restaurant with a sports theme.

AMERICAN FARE NATIONAL CHAINS

APPLEBEE’S: 5100 E. Morgan Ave., 812-471-0942; 5727 Pearl Drive, 812426-2006; 1950 U.S. 41 N., Henderson, KY, 270-826-9427. Soups, sandwiches, salads, and various dinner entrées.

BJ’S RESTAURANT AND BREWHOUSE: 1000 N. Green River Road, 812-5509320. Soups, salads, pizza, pasta, burgers and sandwiches, and other entrées. Catering available.

BOB EVANS: 1125 N. Green River Road, 812-473-9022. “Homestyle” American menu.

BUBBA’S 33: 1 N. Burkhardt Road, 812-901-6409. Fresh burgers, pizza, sandwiches, entrées, classic pub-style appetizers and sides, and a full bar.

CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN: 2100 N. Green River Road, 812-491-9976. Garden-fresh salads, homemade soups, and varied entrée selections including pasta, lemon pepper chicken, and tilapia.

CRACKER BARREL: 8215 Eagle Lake Drive, 812-479-8788; 2130 U.S. 60 E., Henderson, KY, 270-826-5482. Classic American cuisine.

CULVER’S: 1734 Hirschland Road, 812-437-3333; 4850 W. Lloyd Expressway, 812-492-8000. Butter burgers, frozen custard, cheese curds, and more.

DRAKE’S: 1222 Hirschland Road, 812-401-2920. Craft beer, burgers, and sushi.

FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES: 5402 E. Indiana St., 812-401-1773. Burgers, hot dogs, and Cajun fries.

FREDDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD & STEAKBURGERS: 2848 N. Green River Road, 812-909-4395; 5501 Pearl Drive, 812-303-6137. Steakburgers, sandwiches, and frozen custard.

GOLDEN CORRAL BUFFET & GRILL: 130 N. Cross Pointe Blvd., 812-473-1095; 1320 N. Green St., Henderson, KY, 270-869-9310. Large buffet selections, steaks, shrimp, and chicken. Weekend dinner menu begins at noon.

JAKE’S WAYBACK BURGERS: 115 Cross Pointe Blvd., 812-475-9272; 624 E. Diamond Ave., 812-422-4999. Burgers, hot dogs, and hand-dipped thick milkshakes.

JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS: 939 N. Burkhardt Road, Ste. A, 812-618-3939; 8850 High Pointe Drive Ste. A, Newburgh, IN, 812-758-4208. Serving cold and hot subs including BLTs, club sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks, and more. Catering available.

LOGAN’S ROADHOUSE: 5645 Pearl Drive, 812-421-0908. American fare including hand-cut steaks, baby-back ribs, mesquite-grilled chicken, appetizers, salads, and seafood.

LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE: 320 N. Green River Road, 812-473-2400. Steak, chicken, ribs, seafood, sandwiches, and burgers.

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE: 7201 E. Indiana St., 812-474-0005. Specialty steaks, chicken, seafood entrées, salads, and vegetable side dishes.

PANDA EXPRESS: 2445 Menards Drive, 812-479-8889. Chinese fast food like orange chicken, sesame chicken, and fried rice.

RAFFERTY’S: 1400 N. Green River Road, 812-471-0024. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and dinner entrées.

RED LOBSTER: 4605 Bellemeade Ave., 812-477-9227. Soups, salads, sandwiches, seafood entrées, fresh-catch, and daily specials.

RED ROBIN: 6636 E. Lloyd Expressway, 812-473-4100. A variety of hamburgers including the “Banzai Burger,” the “Royal Red Robin Burger,” and the “Whiskey River BBQ Burger.” Full bar menu. Catering available.

TERIYAKI MADNESS: 8833 High Pointe Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-490-0048. Japanese inspired, Seattle-style teriyaki customizable bowls of chicken, steak, tofu, veggies, noodles, white rice, and fried rice.

TEXAS ROADHOUSE: 7900 Eagle Crest Blvd., 812-477-7427. Ribs, steaks, side items, and fresh baked bread.

TGI FRIDAY’S: 800 N. Green River Road (in Eastland Mall food court), 812-491-8443. Specialty salads, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, chicken, pasta, and seafood entrées.

WINGSTOP: 499 N. Green River Road, Ste. B, 812-909-3445. Classic, boneless, and crispy wings in 11 flavors.

PHOTO BY ZACH STRAW
ICE CREAM TOPPED BROWNIE FROM SAY’S RESTAURANT

REAL MUSIC VARIETY

Dining Directory

PIZZERIAS

ARCHIE & CLYDE’S RESTAURANT & BAR: 8309 Bell Oaks Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-490-7778. Pizza, fried cheese ravioli, wraps, salads, soups, gyros, and barbecue.

AZZIP PIZZA: 5225 Pearl Drive, 812-401-3572; 8850 High Pointe Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-518-3810; 2121 N. Green River Road, 812-9010490; 4660 N. First Ave., 812-250-8947. All personal sized pizzas (8 or 11 inches) made with one meat and all the vegetable toppings included. Thin and crispy pizza as well as thick-crust and 7-inch pizzas. Warm cookies, salad, and beer available.

CASEY’S DUGOUT: 2900 Lincoln Ave. A baseball-themed eatery serving specialty pizzas like Graham Slam, sandwiches, cheese bread, and Just Rennie’s cookies.

DONATOS PIZZA: 710 S. Green River Road, Ste. 3, 812-618-3868. Pizza, oven-baked subs, salad, calzones, wings, and desserts. Catering available.

DONTAE’S HIGHLAND PIZZA PARLOR: 6669 Kratzville Road, 812-777-0016. Pizzas, strombolis, salads, and appetizers.

FARM 57: 3443 Kansas Road, 812-677-5757. Wood-fired, brick-oven pizza from The Pizza Revolution and weekly food truck events.

FAT BOY’S PIZZA: 10722 Highway 662 W., Newburgh, IN, 812-518-3061. Local una-style pizza serving take-out orders only.

 FETTA SPECIALTY PIZZA & SPRITS: 118 St. Ann St., Owensboro, Kentucky, 270-926-0005. Pizza with fresh ingredients on top of a thin crust with variations like buffalo chicken, chicken chorizo valentina, and chicken bacon ranch.

FRANKLIN STREET PIZZA FACTORY: 2033 W. Franklin St., 812-602-3028. Pizza, sandwiches, wings, appetizers, and salads.

GARDO’S ITALIAN OVEN: 13220 Darmstadt Road, 812-868-8071. Pizza, sandwiches, wings, appetizers, and salads.

GATTITOWN: 316 N. Green River Road, 812-473-3800. Buffet-style pizzas, pastas, salads, and desserts all in a kids’ festival-like arcade.

KIPPLEE’S STADIUM INN: 2350 E. Division St., 812-476-1936. Pizza, wings, and sandwiches.

THE LOBO LOUNGE: 1200 Edgar St., 812-550-1001. Pizza, adult beverages, and more.

LOMBARDI’S NEW YORK PIZZA AND WINGS: 3311 N. Green River Road, 812-602-5255. Authentic New York-style pizza sold by the slice or whole and buffalo wings.

LYLE’S SPORTSZONE PIZZA & PUB: 1404 E. Morgan Ave., 812-425-7729. Home of Lyle’s original loaded stromboli. Also serves pizza and sandwiches.

MOD PIZZA: 6401 E. Lloyd Expressway, Ste. C-102, 812-602-5525. Custom, artisan-style pizzas.

NATION’S PIZZA: 4120 N. First Ave., 812-437-4343; 2278 S. Green St., Henderson, KY, 270-212-3700. Pizza, subs, wings, and pasta. Late night delivery available.

NOBLE ROMAN’S: 222 S. Red Bank Road, 812-303-4010; 1216 Washington Square Mall, 812-473-4606. Pizzas, salads, breadsticks, garlic bread, hand-sauced chicken wings, pasta, and sandwiches.

PANGEA KITCHEN: 111 S. Green River Road, Ste. E., 812-401-2404. Offering authentic Neapolitan and Detroit-style pizzas, Thai cuisine, and Italian gelato.

PANGEA PIZZERIA: 401 N.W. Second St., 812-401-2500. Neo-Neapolitan pizza, scratch-made gelato from Pangea Kitchen, and Grande cookies.

PAPA JOHN’S: 303 N. Weinbach Ave., 812-477-7700; 4204 N. First Ave., 812-425-2345; 4814 W. Lloyd Expressway, 812-423-7272; 5436 E. Indiana St., 812-473-5200; 12414 Hwy. 41 N., 812-867-7272; 418 Center St., Henderson, Kentucky, 270-826-4444. Offering a variety of pizza and topping options plus bowls, papadias, bites, wings, sides, desserts, and more.

 PIZZA CHEF OF BOONVILLE: 423 W. Main St., Boonville, IN, 812-8971600. Pizza, sandwiches, and appetizers. Catering available.

PIZZA KING: (dine-in facilities) 220 N. St. Joseph Ave., 812-424-7976; 7777 State Highway 66, Newburgh, IN, 812-853-3368; 1021 S. Weinbach Ave., 812-476-4941. Pizza and baked stromboli-type sandwiches.

PIZZA OVEN: 5806 Stringtown Road, 812-425-1455. Pizza, strombolis, and Texas barbecue sandwiches.

ROCA BAR AND PIZZA: 4600 Washington Ave., 812-422-7782. Sandwiches, salads, pasta entrees, pizza, steaks, and chicken plus breakfast options. Live entertainment and patio dining.

ROUNDERS PIZZA: 510 W. Mill Road, 812-424-4960. Specialty pizzas including the Nameless Special, a pie with the tomato sauce on top, and the Bavarian, a pie served with mustard.

ROUNDERS PIZZA TOO: 12731 N. Green River Road, 812-867-7172. Specialty pizzas including the Nameless Special and the Bavarian.

SAM’S PIZZERIA: 2011 W. Delaware St., 812-423-3160. Pizza, sandwiches, calzones, pasta, strombolis, wings, and breadsticks.

 SANDY’S PIZZA: 609 S. Main St., Fort Branch, IN, 812-753-3972. Pizza, strombolis, sandwiches, and spaghetti.

THE SLICE: 2011 Lincoln Ave., 812-454-0983. Pizza by the slice or pie. Non-traditional varieties.

SPANKEY’S UNA CAFE: 15 Jefferson St. Ste. 101, 812-303-2810. Gourmet pizza, salads, sandwiches, dessert, and a full bar.

SPANKEY’S UNA PIZZA: 4404 W. Lloyd Expressway, 812-402-6776. A pizza joint with a variety of specialty pizzas such as The Westsider with an assortment of meat toppings, and strombolis.

STEVE’S UNA PIZZA: 1005 S. St. James Blvd., 812-477-5411. Dinner-only takeout, thin-crust pizzas, and extras.

 TURONI’S FORGET-ME-NOT-INN: (Best Pizza) 4 N. Weinbach Ave., 812-477-7500. Pizza, salads, sandwiches, and fresh-brewed beers.

 TURONI’S PIZZERY AND BREWERY: (Best Pizza) 408 N. Main St., 812424-9871. Pizza, salads, sandwiches, and fresh-brewed beers.

 TURONI’S PIZZERY AND BREWERY NEWBURGH: (Best Pizza) 8011 Bell Oaks Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-490-5555. Pizza, salads, sandwiches, and fresh-brewed beers.

BARBECUE

BAD RANDY’S HOT CHICKEN & BBQ LOUNGE: 1418 W. Franklin St., 812-401-2332. Chicken is offered in varying degrees of spicy heat alongside French onion soup, tacos, steak frites, pasta a Maggio, and more.

BANDANA’S BAR-B-Q: 6636 Logan Drive, 812-401-9922. Pork, beef, chicken, and ribs specially prepared over a pit of select hardwoods for a signature smoked flavor.

 CHEFWHAT BBQ & MORE: 422 Seventh St., Henderson, KY, 270212-0742. Fresh barbecue lunch specials are made to order daily including barbeque burritos, quesadillas, and breakfast on Saturdays. Catering available.

 HAWG N’ SAUCE: 6580 Leonard Road, Mount Vernon, IN, 812-8385339. Barbecue entrées and home-style side dishes. Catering available.

HICKORY PIT STOP: 1521 N. Main St., 812-422-6919. Barbecue chicken, turkey, pork, mutton, brisket, ribs, and a variety of side dishes.

 HOMER’S BARBECUE: 128 Second St., Henderson, KY, 270-869-2214. Local barbecue with smoked meats, craft sides, cold beer, and cocktails. Catering and food truck available.

 J&B BAR-B-CUE AND CATERING: 48 S. Holloway St., Henderson, KY, 270-830-0033. Chicken, ribs, brisket, and pork with a variety of salads and sides. Catering available.

LONESTAR BAR-B-QUE AND SOUL FOOD: 2403 Washington Ave., 812303-3351. Barbecued brisket, tacos, pulled pork, ribs, and more Southern specialties.

MISSION BBQ: 1530 N. Green River Road, 812-213-0200. Barbecue, made-from-scratch sides, and sandwiches.

 MOONLITE BAR-B-Q INN: 2840 W. Parrish Ave., Owensboro, KY, 270-684-8143. Daily lunch and dinner buffets, as well as a menu. An abundance of barbecue and other meats, plus country-style vegetables, corn muffins, a salad bar, and desserts.

 TAYLOR’S GRILL ON WHEELS: 130 N. Water St., Henderson, KY, 270-854-4302. Classic Memphis-style smoked meats, barbecue favorites, loaded mac & cheese, and desserts. Take-out only. Catering available.

 THOMASON’S BARBECUE: 701 Atkinson St., Henderson, KY, 270826-0654. Barbecue varieties of pork, mutton, ribs, chicken, ham, beef, or turkey, with sides like potato salad, slaw, and barbecue beans. Catering available.

ETHNIC

ASIAN

2ND LANGUAGE: 401 N.W. Second St., 812-401-2500. Authentic Asian cuisine, ramen, and desserts. Open for lunch and dinner service.

BIG BANG MONGOLIAN GRILL: 2013 N. Green River Road, 812-602-1400. Open-bar Mongolian grill stir fry, lunch and dinner options, and appetizers.

CANTON INN: 947 North Park Drive, 812-428-6611. Cantonese- and American-style appetizers, soups, poultry, beef, pork, and seafood dishes.

CHINA GARDEN: 501 N. Main St., 812-422-6699. Traditional Chinese fare like egg drop soup, hunan chicken, and moo goo gai pan.

JALAPEÑO FRITTERS FROM HOMER’S

CHINA KING: 590 E. Diamond Ave., 812-423-1896. Traditional Chinese entrées like lo mein, Szechuan pork, and Egg Foo Young.

CHINA VILLAGE: 8423 Bell Oaks Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-858-8238. Soups, fried rice and noodles, specialties like hunan shrimp, and more.

CHOPSTICK HOUSE RESTAURANT: 5412 E. Indiana St., 812-473-5551. Buffet with traditional Chinese and American menu items.

CRAZY BUFFET: 701 N. Burkhardt Road, 812-437-8833. Chinese buffet with lunch specials and combination dinners.

 DOMO JAPANESE HIBACHI GRILL, SUSHI, AND RAMEN: (Best Asian Restaurant) 215 N. Green River Road, 812-491-0003. Authentic Japanese dishes, bento boxes, sushi, ramen, and hibachi.

FUJI YAMA: 915 North Park Drive, 812-962-4440. Soups, salads, noodles, rice, sushi, hand rolls, chicken, beef, and shrimp dishes.

GANGNAM KOREAN: 518 Main St., 812-550-1171. Korean cuisine, rice and noodle dishes, seafood, and sushi rolls.

GOLDEN BUDDHA: 3221 Taylor Ave., 812-473-4855; 5066 IN 261, Newburgh, IN, 812-853-2680. Traditional Chinese cuisine featuring lunch specials and family dinners.

GRACIE’S CHINESE CUISINE: 12500 U.S. 41 N., 812-868-8888. Soups, seafood, and chicken- and pork-centric dishes.

JAYA’S RESTAURANT: 119 S.E. Fourth St., 812-422-6667. Authentic Korean cuisine and sushi.

JIMMY GAO’S SZECHWAN CHINESE RESTAURANT: 669 N. Green River Road (in Eastland Place), 812-479-7600. Extensive Sichuan menu, including Szechuan dumplings, bok choy, and pho.

JUMAK: 5720 E. Virginia St., 812-303-1705. Traditional Korean dishes such as bibimbap, yachae twigim, and bulgogi.

 KANPAI: (Best Sushi) 4593 Washington Ave., 812-471-7076. International fare and Japanese sushi bar serving beer, wine, and sake.

KUNG FU CHICKEN: 325 S. Green River Road, 812-550-1145. Dig into wings, sandwiches, fried rice, lo mein, and more.

LIN’S ASIAN EXPRESS: 520 N. First Ave., 812-909-4210. Asian cuisine favorites including sushi, fried rice, and hibachi.

LINCOLN GARDEN: 2001 Lincoln Ave., 812-471-8881. Chinese appetizers, soups, lunch platters, and entrées including crab rangoon and General Tso’s chicken.

MA.T.888 CHINA BISTRO: 5636 Vogel Road, 812-475-2888. Specialties include lemongrass fish, Peking duck, and chicken lettuce wraps.

MAMA’S KITCHEN: 1624 N. Green River Road (inside Aihua International Market), 812-479-7168. Stir-fried dishes and soups.

OSAKA JAPANESE HIBACHI AND SUSHI: 5435 Pearl Drive, 812-303-0359; 4222 Bell Road, Ste. 7, Newburgh, IN, 812-518-1371. Hibachi-style cuisine, sushi bar, and specialty dishes for dine-in and carry-out.

POKÉ PIRATE: 2013 N. Green River Road, 812-434-1725. Signature bowls and build-your-own poke.

POKÉ RIVER: 6240 E. Virginia St., 812-303-8003. Poke and sushi dishes, like poke bowls, sushi burritos, and poke salads.

ROPPONGI JAPANESE STEAK & SUSHI: 7221 E. Indiana St., 812-437-5824. Sushi, filet mignon, New York strip, and hibachi.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY HOMER’S BARBECUE
BARBECUE

Dining Directory

SAKURA: 4833 Highway 261, Newburgh, IN, 812-490-0553, Japanese cuisine like sushi, sashimi, fried rice, tempura, and hibachi dinners.

TASTE OF CHINA: 4579 University Drive, 812-422-1260. Traditional Chinese dishes such as Mei Fun, Chow Mein, and Egg Foo Young.

THAI BISTRO AND BAR: 5416 E. Indiana St., 812-303-3153. Authentic Thai cuisine, including Pad Thai, curry, papaya salad, crab rangoons, satay, and more.

 THAI CHOW ORIENTAL FOODS: 1007 S. McCreary St., Fort Branch, IN, 812-753-3878. Classic Thai food.

THAI ORCHIDS: 601 E. Boonville-New Harmony Road, Ste. 200, 812612-0465. Curry dishes, drunken noodles, Thai custard, and more.

TOKYO JAPAN RESTAURANT: 3000 N. Green River Road, 812-401-1020. Hibachi grill: chicken, beef, shrimp, and scallops.

VIETNAMESE CUISINE: 4602 Vogel Road, 812-479-8818. Vietnamese fare, including traditional noodle dishes.

WASABI EVANSVILLE: 1122 Hirschland Road, 812-602-3737. Sushi, hibachi meals, appetizers, soups, and salads.

YANG’S SHABU SHABU: 4700 Vogel Road, 812-471-8889. Chinese, vegetarian, seafood, Japanese, and more.

YEN CHING: 406 S. Green River Road, 812-474-0181. Chinese weekday lunch specials and evening menu items.

ZUKI JAPANESE HIBACHI GRILL & SUSHI LOUNGE: 1448 N. Green River Road, 812-477-9854; 222 Main St., 812-423-9854. Sushi and hibachi-grilled foods.

GERMAN

 GERST HAUS: (Best Draft Beer Selection) 2100 W. Franklin St., 812-424-1420. Traditional German cuisine, including soups, salads, sandwiches, and dinner entrées. Large imported beer list.

 SCHNITZELBANK RESTAURANT: 393 Third Ave., Jasper, IN, 812-4822640. Authentic German food, as well as American favorites.

INDIAN

ROYAL INDIAN CUISINE: 7799 Highway 66, Newburgh, IN, 812-518-4018. Authentic Indian cuisine like samosas, tandoori chicken, curry, and more.

TAJ MAHAL: 900 Tutor Lane, 812-476-5000. Tandoori chicken, paneer tikka, panjabi curry, kadai paneer, and more.

YAK & YETI: 815 S. Green River Road, 812-909-2022. Himalayan family recipes passed down from multiple generations, including Tandoori lamp chops, momo dumplings, and several kinds of curry.

IRISH

PATSY HARTIGAN’S IRISH PUB: 203 Main St., 812-746-8848. Serving traditional Irish pub fare like pastrami and corned beef, plus its own light and dark beers.

ITALIAN/MEDITERRANEAN ANEAN

ANGELO’S: 305 Main St., 812-428-6666. Pasta, chicken, seafood, veal, and pizzas.

CAFÉ ARAZU: 17 W. Jennings St., Newburgh, IN, 812-842-2200. Pitas, wraps, shish kebabs, and rotating specials and desserts.

KABOB XPRESS: 3305 N. Green River Road, 812-402-0244. Hummus, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, fresh salads, sandwiches, gyro plate, and many kabob plate options.

LITTLE ANGELO’S: 8000 Bell Oaks Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-853-8364. Italian cuisine featuring appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas, pasta, and chicken.

LITTLE ITALY: 4430 N. First Ave., 812-401-0588. Italian and Mediterranean pizzas, soups, salads, pasta, chicken, and sandwiches.

MANNA MEDITERRANEAN GRILL: 2913 Lincoln Ave., 812-473-7005. Stuffed grape leaves, gyros, shish kebabs, and more.

MILANO’S ITALIAN CUISINE: 500 Main St., 812-484-2222. Pizzas, pasta, baked sandwiches, and dinner entrées.

OLIVE GARDEN: 1100 N. Green River Road, 812-473-2903. Soups, salads, pasta, and luncheon entrées.

SAUCED: 1113 Parrett St., 812-402-2230. Pasta, steak, and seafood. Catering and event space available in The Ballroom.

SHAH’S HALAL FOOD: 222 S. Red Bank Road Ste. L, 812-602-1825. Middle Eastern fare plus gyros, sandwiches, falafel, kebabs, baklava, and more.

 SMITTY’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE: (Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining) 2109 W. Franklin St., 812-423-6280. Premium steak, pasta, pizza, and Italian favorites.

LATIN AMERICAN

 AGAVES MEXICAN GRILL: 2003 Stapp Drive, Henderson, KY, 270-9575028. Mexican fare like burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, chimichangas, and margheritas. Catering available.

BURRITO EXPRESS MEXICAN GRILL: 900 Main St. (inside Main St. Food & Beverage). Authentic Mexican cuisine and local specials. Catering available.

 CANCUN MEXICAN RESTAURANT: 341 S. Green St., Henderson, KY, 270-826-0067. Fajitas, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, seafood, Mexican-style steaks, and more, plus a yearlong outdoor patio. Catering available.

CARIBBEAN CUISINE: 1010 S. Kentucky Ave., 812-303-0631. Caribbean and Haitian dishes like red beans and rice, oxtail, and fish.

CASA FIESTA MEXICAN RESTAURANT: 1003 E. Diamond Ave., 81204375516. Traditional Mexican entrees, family specials, and 24-inch “monster” burritos.

CHAVA’S MEXICAN GRILL: 4202 N. First Ave., 812-401-1977. Authentic Mexican cuisine offering burritos, tacos, and more.

CHIPOTLE: 499 N. Green River Road, 812-471-4973; 2800 N. Green River Road, 812-916-4757; 4719 W. Lloyd Expressway, 812-435-10888; 1310 Hirschland Road, 812-916-4789. Tacos, burritos, salads, drinks, chips, and guacamole. Catering available.

DON JUAN AUTHENTIC MEXICAN GRILL: 4011 IN-261, Newburgh, IN, 812518-3171. Taco salad, quesabirrias, sopes, flautas, and more Mexican cuisine. Catering available.

EL CHARRO MEXICAN RESTAURANT: 720 N. Sonntag Ave., 812-421-1986. Occasional mariachi band performances. Specialties include paella and chimichangas. Catering available.

EL MARIACHI MEXICAN RESTAURANT: 1919 N. Green River Road, 812-7770111. Street tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, and other Mexican cuisine.

EL PAISANO MEXICAN RESTAURANT: 311 S. Green River Road, 812-437-5089. Street tacos, burritos, tortas, and more.

EL PATRON: 943 N. Park Drive. 812-402-6500. The owners of El Charro opened this restaurant on the North Side, offering authentic Mexican cuisine.

FIESTA ACAPULCO: 8480 High Pointe Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-858-7777. Authentic Mexican dishes, grilled steak dinners, and more.

GOLLITA PERUVIAN CUISINE: 4313 E. Morgan Ave., 812-303-5100. Authentic Peruvian cuisine like Peruvian minestrone, tamales, and papa a la huancaína.

 HACIENDA: (Best Ranch Dressing) 990 S. Green River Road, 812-474-1635; 711 N. First Ave., 812-423-6355; 5440 Pearl Drive, 812-422-2055; 600 E. Boonville New Harmony Road, 812-401-2180. American-influenced Tex-Mex menu. Catering available.

HOT HEAD BURRITOS: 5625 Pearl Drive, 812-437-5010. Burritos, salad bowls, tacos, nachos, quesadillas to order with meat options including chicken, steak, pork, barbacoa, and taco meat. Catering available.

JALISCO MEXICAN RESTAURANT: 4044 Professional Lane, Newburgh, IN, 812-490-2814. Authentic Mexican cuisine.

 LA CAMPIRANA: (Best Latin American Restaurant) 724 N. Burkhardt Road, 812-550-1585. 900 Main St. (Inside Main Street Food & Beverage). Fresh Mexican cuisine and fresh juice bar. Food truck available.

LA CATRINA MEXICAN RESTAURANT: 7799 SR-66, Newburgh, IN, 812-518-3334. Mexican-inspired burritos, enchiladas, tortas, and tacos, plus chicken wings, nachos, and seafood specials.

LA MEXICANA RESTAURANT: 920 Main St., 812-550-1165. A family-owned establishment serving burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, quesadillas, and seafood.

LAS AMERICAS STORE AND RESTAURANT, INC.: 1016 S. Weinbach Ave., 812475-3483. Offers Mexican ingredients for purchase and food made in house.

LOS BRAVOS: 3534 N. First Ave., 812-424-4101; 6226 Waterfront Blvd., 812-474-9078; 4630 W. Lloyd Expressway, 812-464-3163; 3311 Liberty Blvd., Boonville, IN, 812-897-3442. Traditional Mexican menu. Catering available.

LOS PORTALES MEXICAN GRILL: 3339 N. Green River Road, 812-475-0566. Authentic Mexican dishes, grilled steak dinners, and more.

 LOS TORIBIO: 1647 S. Green St., Henderson, KY, 270-831-2367. Traditional Mexican cuisine.

LOS TRES CAMINOS: 12100 U.S. 41 N., 812-868-8550. Authentic Mexican cuisine including chimichangas, burritos, Mexican pizza, and quesadillas.

MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL: 6401 E. Lloyd Expressway (inside The Evansville Pavilion), 812-491-6637. Fresh Mexican cuisine. Catering available.

NACHOS GRILL: 821 S. Green River Road, 812-909-0030. Authentic Mexican fare made from scratch with fresh ingredients.

 NOCHE CANTINA & COCINA: (Best New Restaurant) 2215 W. Franklin St., 812-277-3514. Serving fried truffle yuka fries, grilled elote salad, deep-fried tres leches, and more.

QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL: 922 N. Burkhardt Road, 812-401-0800; 5501 Pearl Drive. Mexican fare. Catering available.

RIVIERA MEXICAN GRILL: 10604 Highway 662, Newburgh, IN, 812-490-9936. Fajitas, quesadillas, nacho platters, taco salads, and more.

SALSARITA’S: 3910 E. Morgan Ave., 812-437-2572; 4077 State Route 261, Newburgh, IN, 812-490-5050. Mexican cuisine like burritos, tacos, taco salads, and its signature Quesorito. Food truck and catering available.

SUNRISE CAFÉ FAMILY RESTAURANT: 8401 N. Kentucky Avenue, 812-626-0050; 2121 N. Green River Road Ste. 8. A family restaurant with a mix of Mexican and American cuisine.

 TACOHOLICS KITCHEN: 122 First St., Henderson, KY, 270-957-5001. Enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, chimichangas, margheritas, Mexican street tacos, a full bar, and more. Catering available. Food truck called “Mini-Chimi” available.

TAQUERIA Y PUPUSERÍA MIRANDA: 2008 Washington Ave., 812-492-9992. Specializing in authentic Salvadorian Pupusas and street tacos with a variety of fillings.

SPORTS BARS

BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL AND BAR: (Best Place to Watch Sports on TV - tie) 715 N. Green River Road (in Eastland Place), 812-4719464; 5405 Pearl Drive, 812-423-9464. Chicken wings cooked with various seasonings, burgers, salads, and chicken.

BURGH HOUSE AT SHOWPLACE FEC: 8099 Bell Oaks Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-842-2563. Specialty burgers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and drinks.

PHOTO BY ZACH STRAW
SHRIMP AND SCALLOPS BELLA DONNA FROM ANGELO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

CHASER’S BAR AND GRILL: (Best Place for Trivia) 2131 W. Franklin St., 812-401-1699. Sandwiches, pizza, burgers, salads, and lunch specials. Catering available.

CORNER POCKET BAR & GRILL: 1819 N. Fulton Ave., 812-428-2255. Soups, salads, sandwiches, plate lunches, pizzas, stuffed baked potatoes, and appetizers.

THE DIVE BARGE: 1801 Waterworks Road. This seasonal riverside 21 and over bar offers burgers, shrimp, wings fries, hotdogs, and more.

DOC’S BAR: (Best Place to Watch Sports on TV - tie) 1305 Stringtown Road, 812-401-1201. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and desserts. Family room and kids’ menu available. Free Wi-Fi and full bar.

FRANKLIN STREET TAVERN: 2126 Franklin St., 812-401-1313. Drink specials and pizza.

 FROGGY’S RESTAURANT & SPORTS BAR: 7247 Main St., Wadesville, IN, 812-673-4996. Burgers, pizza, wraps, strombolis, sandwiches, the famous pork steak, and more. Catering available.

HOOTERS: 4620 Lincoln Ave., 812-475-0229. Appetizers, wings, soups, salads, and sandwiches.

 IRON HORSE BAR & GRILL: 203 N. McCreary St., Fort Branch, IN, 812753-9918. Bar food and drinks. Bikers are welcome.

J’S SPORTSBAR & GRILL: 1602 Vann Ave., 812-401-2266. A menu of chili, wings, burgers, sandwiches, and more.

KC’S MARINA POINTE: 1801 Waterworks Road, 812-550-1050. Seafood options and full bar.

MOJO’S BONEYARD SPORTS BAR & GRILLE: 4920 Bellemeade Ave., 812-4758593. Bar food including chicken wings, burgers, and strombolis.

NEIGHBORS: 4222 Bell Road, Ste. 1, Newburgh, IN, 812-269-7410. Classic bar food and favorites including sandwiches, smashburgers, and salads.

NEWBURGH TAVERN: 707 State St. Ste. E, Newburgh, IN, 812-518-1363. Serving beer and specialty cocktails.

O’BRIAN’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL: 1801 N. Green River Road, 812-401-4630. Irish tavern food, Reubens, burgers, soup, and salad.

PRIME SPORTS: 4944 Old State Route 261, Newburgh, IN, 812-518-3050. A greaseless kitchen serving pizza, wings, strombolis, and more.

 ROOKIES RESTAURANT: 117 S. Second St., Henderson, KY, 270-826-1106. Angus beef steaks, seafood, pasta, chicken, sandwiches, prime rib, and Arabian salad. Banquet room for events.

TIKI ON MAIN: 524 Main St., 812-424-5020. Burgers, hot dogs, gyros, small pizzas, fish dinners, and cold drinks. Open seasonally.

WINGS ETC.: 628 E. Diamond Ave., 812-909-2945; 8833 High Pointe Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-490-0550; 401 Walker Drive, Henderson, KY, 270-205-4486. Chicken wings, burgers, wraps, salads, and wide beer selection.

TAVERN FOOD

 3RD STREET SALOON: 118 S. Third St., Boonville, IN. Traditional pub food with unique homemade twists made with local meats.

BOKEH LOUNGE: 1007 Parrett St., 812-909-0388. Open daily at 11 a.m. Offering a full menu including steaks, kabobs, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and vegetarian meals. Brunch on Sunday and weekly specials.

 THE BRASS RING: 231 S. Main, Haubstadt, IN, 812-632-8681. Serving smoked sausage dogs, bone-in wings, fish sandwiches, strombolis, and more. Also offers a pizza kitchen.

BUD’S ROCKIN’ COUNTRY BAR AND GRILL: 2124 W. Franklin St., 812-401-1730. Southern comfort food, daily plate lunch and beer specials, and gourmet flatbreads. Catering available.

CRICKETS: 518 W. Main St., Newburgh, IN, 812-858-2782. Offering wings by the pound, appetizers, thin crust pizza, sandwiches and hoagies, and more.

DARMSTADT INN: 13130 Darmstadt Road, 812-867-7300. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and plate lunches. Dinner entrées include steaks, fried chicken, and seafood.

DEERHEAD SIDEWALK CAFÉ AND BAR: 222 E. Columbia St., 812-4252515. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and double-decker pizzas.

ENIGMA BAR & GRILL: 4044 Professional Lane, Newburgh, IN, 812-490-0600. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and various entrées as well as a tequila menu.

HIGHLAND INN: 6620 N. First Ave., 812-909-1500. Appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and customer-favorite Bloody Marys.

THE HILLTOP INN: 1100 Harmony Way, 812-303-3732. Sandwiches including fried tenderloins, brain, fried bologna, fried fish, salad bar, steaks, chicken, and seafood entrées.

HORSTKETTER’S TAVERN: 5809 Stringtown Road, 812-423-0692. Traditional tavern serving cold beer and deli meats.

K.C.’S TIME OUT LOUNGE & GRILL: 1121 Washington Square, 812-4379920. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizza. Plate lunch specials available.

KNOB HILL TAVERN: (Best Catfish) 1016 Highway 662 W., Newburgh, IN, 812-853-9550. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and dinner entrées including shrimp, steak, chicken, fiddlers, and hand-tossed pizzas.

LAMASCO BAR & GRILL: 1331 W. Franklin St., 812-437-0171. Tavern menu including soups, salads, and sandwiches.

LEROY’S TAVERN: (Best Place for Karaoke) 2659 Mt Vernon Ave., 812-464-8300. Pizza, sandwiches, and Free Soup Saturdays during colder months serving goulash, chili, chicken noodle, vegetable soup, and potato among other soups.

 METZGER’S TAVERN: 1000 Powell St., Henderson, KY, 270-826-9461. Traditional tavern appetizers, soups, sandwiches, and breakfast.

 NISBET INN: 6701 Nisbet Station Road, Haubstadt, IN, 812-9639305. Homemade soups, desserts, and barbecue. Catering available.

PEEPHOLE BAR & GRILL: 201 Main St., 812-423-5171. Cheeseburgers, onion rings, fries, and the splitter (a fried hot dog).

PRIME TIME PUB & GRILL: 8177 Bell Oaks Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812490-0655; 12301 U.S. 41 N., 812-247-0093. Prime rib, burgers, half-pound burgers, salads, more than 30 bourbons, and more. Catering, food truck available, and doggy menu available.

THE ROOFTOP: 112 N.W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 812-550-1599. Breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, and pizza.

 ROUTE 65 TAVERN: 10801 Main St., Cynthiana, IN, 812-622-2025. A family restaurant in the front and a tavern in the back that serves sandwiches, burgers, chicken quesadillas, shrimp cocktails, and more.

 SNAPS BAR & GRILL: 1115 Main St., Jasper, IN, 812-848-7627. Sandwiches, burgers, salads, steaks, chicken, and pasta dishes.

THE SPORTSDEN BAR + GRILL: 701 N. Weinbach Ave., Ste. 110, 812-4798887. Strombolis, sandwiches, wings, and more.

SPORTSMAN’S BILLIARDS AND GRILLE: 2315 W. Franklin St., 812-422-0801. Cheeseburgers, tenderloins, cheese balls, and more.

ST. JOE INN: 9515 Saint Wendel Road, 812-963-9310. Soups, salads, sandwiches, plate lunch specials, fiddlers, steaks, and fried chicken dinners.

581 Silverdale Road

4 BEDS | 2.2 BATHS 2,785 SQFT.

On the outskirts of Rockport, this stunning home featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 full and 2 half baths, sits on 5 acres overlooking the lake in front. The eat in kitchen has Amish built cabinets, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances!

The living room has a stone double sided fireplace (also seen from the dining room) and doors that lead to the back porch. The main bedroom is very spacious, has 2 walk in closets, and en suite bathroom. Outside is your personal oasis, with a beautiful 20x40 inground pool complete with a diving board and small pool house! You will also find a pergola, grain bin shelter, and porch with concrete counters and a wine chiller and mini fridge!

$839,900

RACHEL LEWIS 812-499-5272

4 BEDS | 4 BATHS 2,955 SQFT.

Welcome to this beautiful, meticulously kept home located in Cambridge Golf Course Community and featured in the 2017 Parade of Homes. This one level ranch boasts open floor plan with 10’ ceilings throughout. The chef’s kitchen with large island, has a gas cooktop, built-in oven, quartz countertops, and large breakfast nook. The kitchen opens to the large living room, featuring a stone fireplace. All 4 bedrooms, 3 of which are ensuites, offer walk-in closets. The oversized 3.5 car garage has epoxy floors and plenty of

Dining Directory

 ST. PHILIP’S INN: 11200 Upper Mount Vernon Road, 812-985-5558. Soups, salads, sandwiches, and plate lunch specials. Dinner includes fried chicken, open roast beef, catfish, shrimp, and more.

STOCKWELL INN: 4001 E. Eichel Ave., 812-476-2384. Plate lunches, homemade soup, salads, sandwiches, steak, pork chops, and brain sandwiches. Catering available.

 YELLOW TAVERN: 521 Church St., New Harmony, IN, 812-682-3303. Must be 21 to enter, cash or check only. Traditional American food such as pizza, steak, and sandwiches.

ZAPS TAVERN: 3725 St. Philip Road, 812-985-2121. Tavern-style food including wings, burgers, and dinner entrées, plus ice cream from JB’s Barnyard. Catering available.

BREWERIES, WINERIES, AND CRAFT COCKTAILS

ARCADEMIE: 22 N.W. Sixth St. Craft cocktails and regional beer on tap. BARKER BREWHOUSE: 96 N. Barker Ave., 812-437-5079. Serving an extensive selection of beers, including craft and brewed on-site, plus wines and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as some pre-packaged food items. Food may also be brought in or ordered for delivery.

 BOUCHERIE VINEYARDS AND WINERY: 6523 Keyway Drive, Spottsville, KY, 270-826-6192. Wine tastings and winery tours.

 CAP & CORK: 104 N. Water St., Henderson, KY. Craft beer, buffalo fries, ribeye, jalapeno cheddar sausage, and more on the menu.

DAMSEL BREW PUB: 209 N. Wabash Avenue of Flags, 812-909-1956. A microbrewery and restaurant serving pub food.

 DUSTY BARN DISTILLERY: 6861 Carson School Road, Mount Vernon, IN, 812-454-0135. A distillery making bourbon, rye, and liqueurs with a tasting room open for sampling, cocktails, and bottle purchases.

HAYNIE’S CORNER BREWING CO.: 56 Adams Ave., 812-909-2668. Craft ale, beers, and wine. Beer can be taken to go.

 HENDERSON BREWING COMPANY: 737 Second St., Henderson, KY, 270-200-4314. IPAs, porters, farmhouse ales, and more.

HIGH SCORE SALOON: 309 Main St., 812-909-3229. Arcade bar with local and regional brews, full bar, tots, nachos, and sandwiches.

HUSH ON MAIN: 323 Main St., Ste. F. 1920s speakeasy offering custom cocktails, appetizers, a dinner menu including pasta dishes, and weekend brunch.

JENNINGS STREET PUBLIC HOUSE: 300 W. Jennings St., Newburgh, IN, 812-518-4007. Local craft beer, wine, domestics, scratch cocktails, and spirits, plus a small food menu.

MO’S HOUSE: 1114 Parrett St., 812-401-3800. Craft cocktails made from scratch, ample lounge seating, patio space, and snacks.

 MONKEY HOLLOW WINERY: 11534 E. County Road 1740 N., Saint Meinrad, IN, 812-357-2272. Local organic meats and cheeses, Saturday evening concerts in summer, and a tasting room.

MYRIAD BREWING COMPANY: 101 S.E. First St; 8245 High Pointe Drive, Newburgh, IN, 812-402-1515. House-brewed and guest beers, as well as wine and spirits. Carry-in food and food delivery are permitted, and food trucks often visit on weekends.

 PEPPER’S RIDGE WINERY: 4304 N. County Road 200 W., Rockport, IN, 812-649-9463. Free wine tastings, picnic areas, pizza delivery, local meats and cheeses, wine slushies, and weekend live music.

 RIVER CITY BREW WORKS: 405 Main St., Rockport, IN, 812-649-2739. Located in a historic building and offering regional craft beer, wines, and a food menu.

 WINZERWALD WINERY: 26300 N. Indian Lake Road, Bristow, IN, 812-357-7000. German-inspired wines, flatbreads, salads, Bavarian pretzels, charcuterie trays, and paired wine and food flights.

CATERING

ACROPOLIS CATERING/VENUE 812: 1401 N. Boeke Road, 812-758-4660. Greek-American cuisine, chicken, beef, lamb, salads, and desserts. Food truck available.

AGAPE GRAZE: 122 N. Weinbach Ave., 812-518-0008. Charcuterie catering and gift delivery services.

BAUERHAUS MOBILE CATERING: 13605 Darmstadt Road, 812-759-9000. Customized menus from simple party trays with gourmet hors d’oeuvres to elegant seven-course meals.

DILEGGE’S: 607 N. Main St., 812-428-3004 or 812-459-9864. Fine Italian-American cuisine available for catering or special and

private events, with food served in the in-house banquet room outdoor dining.

FIELD 2 FORK CATERING: 17425 Owensville Road, 812-899-1010. Providing produce, meat, and local alcohol selections from fresh, local ingredients.

JAYSON MUNOZ CATERS: 4593 Washington Ave., 812-471-7076. Favorite dishes from Chef Jayson Munoz like bourbon chicken, tacos, and carb rangoon.

JUST RENNIE’S CATERING: 100 S.E. Fourth St., 812-401-8098. Specializes in fine foods.

KOKIES FOOD SERVICE & BANQUET CENTERS: 11917 Highway 66, 812-423-8229. Offering a diverse menu, from tacos to lobster.

MARX BBQ: 3119 W. Maryland St., 812-425-1616. Barbecue chicken, pork, and ribs.

MILLER’S CATERING, BARBECUE, AND WEDDINGS: 10108 Schaeffer Road, 812-454-2744. Specializes in catering, barbecue, wedding packages, and fundraisers.

NORTH MAIN ANNEX GOURMET CATERING & DELI: 701 N. Main St., 812-250-4551. Gourmet catering from breakfast to dessert, and a daily, fresh-made menu of breakfast, salads, baked goods, and deli classics.

 THE NEW HARMONY INN & CONFERENCE CENTER: 504 North St., New Harmony, IN, 812-682-6150 or 812-682-6168. Caters within a 50mile radius of New Harmony, Indiana, and offers a variety of food from steaks to sandwiches.

PAPPA BEAR’S CATERING: 812-568-8890. Whole hog roasts, hand-sliced brisket, smoked pork chops, rib-eye steaks, pulled pork barbecue, pulled chicken, smoked chicken, side items such as twice-baked potato casserole, potato salad, and green beans, and desserts.

PIZZA REVOLUTION: (Best Food Truck) Downtown Evansville Farmers Market and various locations, 812-430-5945. Mobile wood-fired pizza and salads.

 SCHNITZELBANK CATERING: 409 Third Ave., Jasper, IN, 812-634-2584. Caters home-cooked favorites to elegant cuisine.

Do you have a problem to solve or a project to tackle, but need some guidance to complete it? Evansville’s authorities on everything from insurance, real estate, and banking to higher education, house painting, and health care are ready to advise you as you take the next steps forward. Don’t go it alone. Turn to Evansville’s Authority.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUDRA STRAW AND ZACH STRAW

ADVERTISING INDEX

• All-Weather Products, Inc. 106, 107

• American Eagle Tree Service LLC 146

• Baird ......................................82, 83

• Brass Bones Fabrication ............ 141

• Brinker’s Jewelers 88, 89

• Cabinets & Counters ................. 112

• Center for Pediatric Therapy............. 92, 93

• Colonial Classics, Inc.. ............... 116

• Commonwealth Pain & Spine .......................... 135

• Deaconess Health System 133

• Dèjá Vu Skin & Health Center ... 130

• Envive Healthcare 138

• ERA First Advantage Realty 86, 87

• Evansville Colorectal Surgery 134

• Evansville Hearing Aid Center ....111

• Evansville Regional Vein Center ............................ 131

• Evansville Surgical Associates ......................100, 101

• Explore Evansville ...................... 117

• Extend Group, The 102, 103

• F.C. Tucker Emge.................. 94, 95

• Fehrenbacher Cabinets, Inc. ................ 108, 109

• Garmong Construction Services ............................ 96, 97

• German American Bank 115

• Gill Wedding Orthodontics ....... 113

• Grable CPA & Company............ 142

• H.G. McCullough Designers, Inc. .................. 90, 91

• Liquor Locker .............................

• Turpen’s Painting Co. .................

• U-Vet Animal

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY PEST CONTROL

Charlie McMahon, President; Luke McMahon, Vice President; Jack McMahon, Founder

McMahon Exterminating, Inc. was established in 1971 by Jack McMahon and grew from a oneman shop to employing more than 30 wonderful people. We are all about family and celebrate five father and son teams, along with a husband and wife and their nephew. “The culture of Family First resonates loud and clear amongst our team members. It is indeed the backbone of our company,” says Charlie McMahon.

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How does your team work together to provide a high level of customer service?

Luke: Our team meets regularly for training. Our on-staff entomologist, along with my father and other senior staff members, conduct the training. Our safety and technical training programs are an integral part of how we continue to provide our customers with the highest level of customer service.

Are there any new services you are offering customers?

Luke: We offer canine scent detection as part of our bedbug service programs. We now also offer a monthly bedbug service program. Our monthly service program provides a guarantee that you will be bedbugfree year-round. We have three Black Labrador Retrievers on our staff: Raven, Sparrow, and Indy. Our canine team is also nationally certified through the National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Association (NESDCA). Shelby, who is our on-staff canine trainer and handler, has been instrumental in training our canines and getting them ready

for the rigors of NESDCA Certification. With these canines, we can accurately pinpoint exactly where the bedbugs are, right down to the smallest egg. Reports show that humans are 30 percent accurate in positively identifying bedbugs, while trained canines are 98 percent accurate. Canines can smell bedbug scent even when they are hiding inside an electrical outlet, behind a baseboard, deep inside a box spring, inside a book, or on the bottom side of a nightstand. They are the best option for successful eradication of the dreaded bedbug.

When you think about your business, what are you most proud of?

Charlie: My “pops,” hands down! I now understand the sacrifices my pops made 53 years ago. The drive and work ethic he instilled in me when I was 18, way back in 1981, still drives me today. The understanding that our customers are family, and we treat them as such, still lives on today amongst our team members at McMahon Exterminating, Inc. During our regular training sessions, we teach our team members that when in doubt ask yourself, what would Jack McMahon do?

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Baird Private Wealth Management

Everything we are, do, and hope to achieve at Baird is driven by a straightforward mission: To provide the best financial advice and service to our clients and be the best place to work for our associates. This means we strive to create great outcomes in your financial life while always keeping your interests first. It also means remaining committed to honesty, integrity, transparency, and teamwork, which are the ideals our team was founded on more than 100 years ago and continue to inspire us today.

Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, asset management, investment banking/capital markets, and private equity firm with offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia…and Evansville, Indiana!

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What core services do you provide to your clients?

Through ongoing and collaborative relationships, we can determine what you want your wealth to accomplish for yourself and the people closest to you. We help identify and address head-on the risks that could jeopardize your financial goals and map out planning strategies based on both our expertise and the specialized knowledge of inhouse experts in retirement, estate planning, and more. We take the same open, forward-thinking approach with the individuals, families, business owners, and organizations we serve throughout the area.

How does Baird help to support the community it lives and works in?

Baird has a long tradition of giving back to the communities where our associates live and work. Our associates also support annual firm level campaigns to raise funds for local and national charities. And

our Baird Foundation provides financial support for causes ranging from fighting homelessness and hunger to promoting education and the arts.

Each year we host a Baird Gives Back Week, an event encouraging associates to volunteer in a range of activities. Our Evansville Office chose to volunteer at both the Vanderburgh Humane Society and Teacher Locker for its 2024 Baird Gives Back Week.

What sets Baird apart from other wealth management companies?

Everything we do at Baird is focused on putting our clients first. That’s why we’ve evolved the traditional financial advisory relationship to offer comprehensive wealth management. Wealth management at Baird is about your big picture – identifying what’s most important to you and building a plan that includes investments carefully selected to help deliver on your priorities.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY MORTGAGE LENDING

Andy Miles, Regional VP of Mortgage Sales

Andy Miles, Regional Vice President of Mortgage Sales for Liberty Federal Credit Union, is a Mount Carmel, Illinois, native who joined the credit union 10 years ago after graduating from the University of Southern Indiana. In his leadership role, he oversees Liberty’s mortgage originators throughout Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky. “I have to give credit to the entire mortgage team. They all really go the extra mile for each applicant to make sure they have the best possible experience.”

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What are Liberty Federal Credit Union’s areas of expertise?

At Liberty Federal Credit Union, we specialize in helping borrowers find the best mortgage option for their specific needs. We have a great mortgage team, and that’s a big part of it. But it really starts with our product lineup. We’ve significantly enhanced our product lineup in recent years, and that has enabled our team to provide tangible, real-world benefits to people financing a home. So, whether you are a first-time home buyer, looking to refinance your current home, or wanting to build a new home, we have a loan program to fit your needs. We offer fixed-rate convention loans with 30, 20, 15, or 10-year terms, adjustable-rate loans, second mortgage loans, and government loans such as FHA, USDA, and VA, along with our popular one-time close construction loan program. We also have special physician loans and 100 percent financing loan programs.

What sets Liberty Federal Credit Union apart from other mortgage lenders?

Our team works hard to make the best possible borrowing experience from application to close. We’ve received a lot of really positive feedback on our mobile application experience. It makes the entire

process very easy and efficient. And, again, our product lineup is a key to our success, but I have to give credit to the entire mortgage team. They go the extra mile for each applicant to make sure they have the best possible experience.

How does Liberty Federal Credit Union support the local community?

I’m proud to represent an organization with a strong commitment to the community. With our roots in education, we support schools and educational initiatives, including efforts with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. Foundation, Teacher Locker, the Ted Hitch Scholarship Program (which awards ten $5,000 scholarships every year), and Hangers, the EVSC Clothing Resource Center. Of course, we also support many more community-minded non-profits, including Habitat for Humanity, Chemo Buddies, Youth First, Cops Connecting with Kids, and others. In total, Liberty Federal Credit Union returned more than $1 million to the communities we serve through sponsorships, scholarships, and donations. This commitment was noted by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions late last year when the organization awarded Liberty Federal Credit Union as its National Credit Union of the Year.

Shasta Ligon, Mortgage Loan Officer
Kevin Kirk, Mortgage Loan Officer, at a closing with Brianna Cundiff

Local Leader

Liberty Federal Credit Union

Through July, Liberty Federal Credit Union has helped more than 2,500 individuals and families realize the dream of homeownership and build generational wealth through real estate this year alone.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

BUYING & SELLING HOMES

ERA First Advantage Realty, Inc.

Locally owned and operated by Janice Miller, ERA First Advantage Realty stands as the Tri-State’s leading authority on housing since 1995. With eight offices in the area, they offer unparalleled expertise and a deep understanding of local markets. ERA’s seasoned team of real estate professionals brings decades of collective experience to every transaction, ensuring that you benefit from knowledgeable guidance and strategic insights. Their commitment to excellence and client satisfaction drives them to continually adapt and innovate, ensuring that you receive the highest level of service and support. ERA First Advantage Realty is not just about closing deals; they’re about building lasting relationships and fostering trust. When buying or selling a home, choose a company that knows experience matters!

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Why does experience matter, now more than ever, in the real estate market?

With recent changes to real estate law, ERA First Advantage’s educated and experienced professionals are better equipped to navigate these complexities. ERA’s real estate professionals have a deep understanding of local market dynamics, pricing strategies, and new legal forms. Not only do all new agents go through extensive training, but ERA First Advantage Realty offers consistent, continual one-on-one and group trainings to make sure their agents have the highest proficiency level when advising their clients through every real estate transaction. Their knowledge of industry standards and best practices provides clients with valuable insights and protects their interests amidst a landscape of shifting legal requirements.

Does ERA offer any programs that set them apart from their competitors?

Purchasing a home is one of the most important steps in your life. With the Military Real Estate Benefits by *Anywhere, active-duty military members, veterans, and extended families can receive $350 - $7,500 cash back when purchasing a home with ERA First Advantage Realty.

Your next home brings big benefits with ERA’s AARP Real Estate Benefits by *Anywhere. Earn $300 - $7,200 in cash back after you close on your home with ERA First Advantage Realty.

With *Anywhere, ERA First Advantage Realty helps its clients receive cash back at closing when qualifying for these programs. The amount of cash benefits received is dependent upon the purchase price of the home. Ask an ERA First Advantage Agent about these programs today!

nce Matters WWW.ERAFIRST.COM

Henderson Office 914 N. Elm Street | Henderson, KY 42420 (270) 577-8701

Boonville Office

Main Newburgh Office 8711 W. Highway 66

911 Julian Drive | Boonville, IN 47601 (812) 858-2400

Downtown Newburgh Office

Jasper Office

109 State Street |

617 Main Street | Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 482-6080

Evansville East Office

6200 E Columbia Street | Evansville, IN 47715 (812) 473-4663

Princeton Office 1002 E. Broadway Street | Princeton, IN 47670 (812) 386-7653

Office 617 Main Street | Jasper, IN 47546 (812) 482-6080

Evansville West Office

Main Newburgh Office

2221 W Franklin Street | Evansville, IN 47712 (812) 491-3721

8711 W. Highway 66 | Newburgh, IN 47630 (812) 858-2400

Downtown Newburgh Office 109 State Street | Newburgh, IN 47630 (812) 858-2400

N. Elm Street | Henderson, KY 42420 (270) 577-8701

IN 47670 (812) 386-7653

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

JEWELRY

Brinker’s Jewelers

BR INK ER’S JEWELERS

Why should customers choose Brinker’s over other jewelry stores?

For three generations, Brinker’s Jewelers has held themselves to the highest jewelry industry standards. Their foundation has been built on servicing the products they sell, developing personal relationships with their customers and establishing generational partnerships with their suppliers. Brinker’s Jewelers is a multi-location, luxury, jewelry retailer and manufacturer with their headquarters located in Evansville, Indiana, along with two locations in Scottsdale, Arizona. Even though Brinker’s Jewelers has grown over the years, meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of their customers and retail partners are still at the heart of their family business.

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What products and services do you offer?

Brinker’s Jewelers carries top jewelry designers and watch brands as well as original jewelry designed and manufactured in-house. Brinker’s Jewelers has the Tri-State’s largest jewelry repair and manufacturing facility. They offer jewelry repair, custom jewelry design, engraving, appraisals, diamond and gold buying, a trade-up program, and permanent jewelry. They are also the Tri-State’s only Official Rolex Plaque Service Center. Their state-of-the-art watch repair facility is equipped to handle a wide range of services, from routine quartz maintenance to complex mechanical movement repairs.

How does Brinker’s ensure customers get a personalized experience when shopping for jewelry?

Brinker’s Jewelers strives to create a relationship with each customer by focusing on their style, needs, and occasion. With a diverse inventory, their passionate and knowledgeable staff provide expert guidance in

selecting jewelry or timepieces tailored to each customer. This personalized approach fosters long-term relationships, keeping their customers returning for all their special moments.

How does Brinker’s Jewelers engage with the local Evansville community?

Brinker’s Jewelers is deeply committed to community engagement and providing charitable contributions. Whether it is monetary contributions or luxury jewelry items, it brings them the most joy to support local charities, because they can see the impact on the communities that they serve. Brinker’s Jewelers supports countless schools, churches, first responder organizations, children and adult medical causes, victim advocacy organizations, animal shelters, and many other non-profit 501(c)(3) charities. These organizations provide essential services and opportunities for those most in need.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY ARCHITECTURAL HOME DESIGN

H.G. McCullough Designers Inc.

Since 1946, H.G. McCullough Designers has been a family-owned and managed company dedicated to custom residential design. Its design team works with clients from conceptual layout and space planning to structural engineering and finish details required for sound construction and client satisfaction while working closely with the contractors. No job is too large or small, nor is location an obstacle. The team’s portfolios feature new and remodeled homes in the Tri-State and beyond. Over the years, its exceptional designs have been featured in the Robb Report, Architectural Digest, Midwest Living, Southern Living, and Habitat for Humanity.

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How do you start the process of designing a new home with a client?

Designing a new home is an intensive but rewarding process. “Our clientele is like family to us; when you’re working alongside someone, you really get to know them, and you have to, in order to understand their design needs and how they envision the finished product. It’s rewarding to us,” says Geralyn Ruminer, a co-owner of H.G. McCullough and daughter of company founder Harry G. McCullough.

First, a client meets with H.G. McCullough’s design team to establish their design objectives. A conceptual sketch of the proposed project follows. Once the client approves it, the

conceptual sketch can be used to meet with the contractor(s) to estimate construction costs. The final phase is construction drawings. From conceptual layout to space planning, structural engineering, and finishing details, Ruminer says, their experienced design team can map plans out correctly the first time, expediting the construction process and reducing the risk of costly errors.

What makes your design firm unique?

Our designers handle all phases of custom architectural design. Detailed planning eliminates guesswork by contractors in critical decisions, like bearing loads and other important structural details.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY PEDIATRICS

Center for Pediatric Therapy

Center for Pediatric Therapy started our outpatient clinic in 2005. Today, services include occupational, physical, speech, and developmental therapy along with social work and nutrition. CPT has been involved in the Indiana First Steps program – from birth to 3 years old – since the start of the clinic. Our office staff is highly skilled in insurance reimbursement, referral systems, and collaboration with all area physicians and local resources.

What are CPT’s core values?

How is working with a pediatric therapist beneficial to patients?

Working with highly trained pediatric therapists allows children to have exposure to a wide range of youth specific treatments. All our therapists receive pediatric centered continuing education in a wide variety of treatment areas. CPT has two physical therapists certified in serial casting. This allows families to stay local and not travel to larger cities for cast changes. Our speech therapists are advancing their skills in augmentative and alternative communication devices for non-verbal children. The occupational therapy staff is focusing on the latest feeding protocols and improving sensory integration and processing.

The core values of CPT are to involve all families in their child’s treatment and to provide a family-like atmosphere. CPT wants every child we treat to have a happy, fun lifestyle. We promote the child’s positive aspects to give them self-esteem for all their life challenges.

How does CPT help to support the community they live and work in?

Center for Pediatric Therapy continues to promote as many community events as possible. Our support has included the Lampion Center, YWCA Evansville, SMILE on Down Syndrome, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, local school events, toy drives at the holidays, and multiple other events.

Our staff of 44 continues to grow, learn, and strive to be an authority in pediatrics for Evansville and the Tri-State area.

Karen Shields, Cindy Lawrence, Ginger Whitler, Rachel Goebel, and Karen Lawson

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY REAL ESTATE

F.C. Tucker Emge

With nearly 200 full-time real estate professionals, including agents, management, and staff, F.C. Tucker Emge is Southwest Indiana’s leader in residential real estate. The professional expertise and excellent service of our entire team have helped us take our clients from listing to offers to the closing table with ease since 1910. Locally owned by second-generation real estate experts, you can trust that your real estate needs are in capable hands, whether you are searching for your primary residence or a vacation home.

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What sets F.C. Tucker Emge apart from other real estate firms?

As with many others, the real estate industry has certainly evolved over the last 20 years. The advancement of technology alone has made it tough for some companies to adapt to changing times. At F.C. Tucker Emge, we have embraced technology and pride ourselves on the best training and tools in real estate. Buying and selling a home can be a stressful experience, and our tools allow our agents to work with their clients to keep stress levels at a minimum.

In addition, our management team and highly qualified staff are second to none when it comes to supporting our agents. From accounting to transaction processing to marketing to information technology, we have implemented effective systems and processes with the best client service in mind.

What type of training do your realtors go through at F.C. Tucker Emge?

At F.C. Tucker Emge, we are often asked, “Why should I use a real estate agent to sell my home?” We like to ask, “Why wouldn’t you?” More specifically, why wouldn’t you use a real estate agent from F.C. Tucker Emge? After all, they’re the best-trained agents in our area. But you don’t have to take our word for it. The five-star reviews on our Facebook page from actual clients speak for themselves.

Our 8-week, intensive training program is second to none. The days of starting a new agent with only a desk and a phone book are long gone. Our training sessions focus on contracts, marketing, financing,

and most importantly, client relationships. In fact, by the time a new agent finishes the program, he or she is usually already working with a client. But the training and learning don’t stop there. With companywide sales meetings and training sessions, our agents continue to strive to learn the latest in their field.

What do you feel are the key characteristics of realtors at your firm?

We are often asked what it takes to be a real estate agent…what personality trait is required. It’s hard for us to provide a cut-and-dried answer because we have agents of various personality types. But… the most important characteristic that our agents have, that we feel is key, is the ability to establish and maintain relationships. For some real estate companies, the client relationship ends at the closing table. At F.C. Tucker Emge, we see many friendships form as our agents position themselves as the client’s “go-to” resource.

How do you support your local community?

Bud Tucker, the F.C. Tucker Company founder, believed in “paying your civic rent.” In other words, give back to the community in which you live. As a company, F.C. Tucker Emge is a large supporter of the United Way of Southwest Indiana, participating in their various activities and holding a successful fundraising campaign each year.

In addition, our agents have charitable causes of their own that are near and dear to them. Whether it’s the Deaconess Foundation, Evansville Parks Foundation, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, or the Lumiere D’Education Foundation, which supports free education for Haitian children, the REALTORS® at F.C. Tucker Emge certainly know the value of giving back, and do so wholeheartedly.

Front Row: Janet Greenwell, Gretchen Muchnick, Stephanie Morris, Robin Montgomery, Grant Waldroup, and Gretchen Ballard. Back Row: Ken Haynie, Bryan Speer, John Briscoe, Jason Eddy, and Steve Lukemeyer.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Garmong Construction

Founded in 1923, Garmong Construction has built a reputation as one of the leading Construction Management companies in Indiana. Garmong remains a family-owned (fourth generation) company that employs more than 200 professionals and trades workers covering the entire state with regional offices in Evansville, Terre Haute, Indianapolis, and Fort Wayne. As Garmong celebrated a century of construction experience in 2023, the Indiana Greenways Foundation bestowed the “Corporation of the Year” designation on Garmong, recognizing its work to support quality of place in the communities it serves.

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Why hire a construction manager?

Put simply, our clients get the best value and quality when an experienced professional firm like Garmong is leading a project. Eliminating change orders, knowing your guaranteed maximum exposure, and diverting any owner’s risk are the extraordinary benefits when hiring a construction management company. Garmong has the unique ability to serve as a construction manager, start preconstruction, and even work as a general contractor.

What makes Garmong an authority in construction management?

Garmong has successfully completed more than 100 public and private projects across Indiana, utilizing the construction management delivery method, Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) process, and traditional Design-Bid-Build process. In 2015, Purdue University, under the leadership of Mitch Daniels, chose Garmong Construction to write and deliver its manual on “Best Practices” for construction management, which is utilized today.

Our extensive experience is why Garmong is leading or a partner in large construction projects such as the $146 million Indiana University Health South Support Building in Indianapolis and the $39 million Black River Welcome Center in Poseyville.

What impact has Garmong made in the community?

Garmong is committed to supporting the communities in which our employees live and work, along with quality of life and place initiatives for the entire region. Whether it’s our continued work in local hospitals, successful completion of the Deaconess Aquatic Center, building the new terminal at Evansville Regional Airport or the new Toyota YMCA in Princeton, Garmong is community-minded and determined to produce high-quality projects. Garmong and our employees are also proud to support the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana, Evansville Aquatics Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Evansville, Evansville Fire and Police Departments’ Foundations, Evansville Trails Coalition, Warrick Parks Foundation, and many more.

Five locations • garmong.net

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

VETERINARY CARE

Dr. Chih-Ming “Jimmy” Yu, DVM, MPH, ECFVG, & Dr. Katherine Turpen, DVM, LSHS, FFE

Dr. Chih-Ming “Jimmy” Yu earned his master’s degree in Public Health from Tulane University and received additional training at Purdue University. After working for five years at an Evansville animal hospital, Dr. Yu established U-Vet Animal Clinic in 2010. Dr. Yu and his family live with their dogs Do-Do, Tim Tam, and Dolly Sue, rescue cats Bean, Rocky, and Almond, and 19 hens.

Dr. Katherine Turpen completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University. She pursued further avian and exotic pet medicine education at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She obtained both the low-stress handling silver certification and fear free elite certification. Dr. Turpen is the proud owner of three dogs, Mal, Book, and Zeus, two cats, Sebastian and Lu-Lu, and a green cheek conure, Deanie.

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What type of veterinary services does U-Vet Animal Clinic provide?

We offer a state-of-the-art CO2 surgical laser used in soft tissue surgical procedures for tumor biopsy or anal gland removal to decrease pain by sealing nerve endings. This decreases bleeding by sealing vessels and speeds recovery by reducing inflammation. We also provide customized behavior consultation, exceptional exotic pet care, allergic skin management, Photobiomodulation (PBM), international and domestic pet travel certification, an online pet health library, and our vet app for communicating with our clients.

Why should clients choose U-Vet Animal Clinic over other vets in the area?

Our modern facility does not smell and is rarely noisy when you visit because we do not offer grooming and boarding but only hospitalization. We are one of only three American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)-accredited veterinary practices in the Tri-State, and the only local family-owned. We will do our best to help you with your pet’s urgent needs during business hours.

How have advancements in technology helped the veterinary field?

The veterinary field has advanced in the last decades. Not only did veterinarians and veterinary nurses undergo extensive training at school, similar to physicians and nurses, but our licensing renewal process also requires continuing education hours. Our clinic is equipped with in-house blood/chemistry machines, an AI urine analyzer, a snap infectious disease tests reader, digital radiographs and dental radiographs, ultrasounds, a CO2 surgical laser, ECG and blood pressure machines, Phovia Fluorescent Light therapy, laser therapy, and CryoPen Cryosurgery.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY SURGERY

Evansville Surgical Associates

Evansville Surgical Associates (ESA) was founded in 1969 when three surgeons combined their practices to form one surgical group. Since then, the practice has expanded to include 23 surgeons with offices in 11 locations, making it the largest general surgery practice in the Tri-State area. Vascular Surgical Associates, our vascular affiliate, is also the largest vascular practice in the region. ESA surgeons are all certified by the American Board of Surgery, and many surgeons also have subspecialty training and certification in Vascular Surgery, Trauma/Critical Care, and Minimally Invasive Surgery.

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Evansville Surgical Associates has seen a lot of growth this year. What locations and specialties has the practice added?

ESA has seen and experienced the need for high-quality surgical care in and around Evansville. With that need, we have focused our reach into the neighboring states of both Kentucky and Illinois with emergency room calls, satellite clinics, and/or full-time surgeons in Henderson, Kentucky, Jasper, Indiana, and Mount Carmel and Eldorado, Illinois.

How does Evansville Surgical Associates attract top talent?

ESA is a unique healthcare organization, being 100% physician owned. We believe that through the leadership of our surgeons, we can bring a unique style of healthcare that you cannot get elsewhere. Prospective surgeons are intrigued by the opportunity to be a potential partner and make decisions with their surgical

colleagues to continue bringing high-quality care to the Tri-State. As we continue to meet the needs of our communities, we will always be on the lookout for the right surgeons to join our team.

Do patients have to have a referral to see a surgeon?

This is mostly dependent upon your specific health insurance requirements. We recommend calling your insurance before making an appointment to gather the necessary information.

What does the timeframe typically look like as far as seeing patients referred in?

We are fortunate to have strong relationships with both Ascension St. Vincent and Deaconess Health System. With 11 clinic locations across the Evansville area, there are many opportunities for patients to make an appointment. Once we receive a referral it takes 3-4 days to process the request. Call 812-424-8231 today, to speak with one of our team members!

Evansville Surgical Associates welcomes Dr. Matheson and Dr. Smith.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

CULTURE & LEADERSHIP

EXTEND GROUP

EXTEND GROUP is a full-service agency dedicated to transforming brands through a holistic approach centered on culture, communication, and community. Founded by Shawn Collins, a Certified Consultant of GiANT Worldwide, EXTEND GROUP leverages more than 17 years of experience to create thriving work environments and powerful brand identities. Our commitment to innovation and excellence ensures our clients achieve their goals and build environments where employees and leaders can excel together.

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How does EXTEND GROUP work with teams and individual professionals to transform company culture?

At EXTEND GROUP, we believe a strong culture is the foundation of any successful organization. Our approach begins with a comprehensive assessment of workplace challenges and opportunities, working directly with leadership, teams, and individual professionals. Using the proven GiANT Worldwide methodology, we introduce practical tools and strategies to foster self-awareness, effective communication, and unified leadership.

To create a truly healthy culture, it’s crucial to establish a common vocabulary expressed through visual tools that make complex concepts accessible to everyone. This objective – shared language – facilitates productive communication across all levels of the organization, building a culture that thrives even under pressure.

Studies from industry leaders like Google and Gallup consistently show that strong engagement, communication, and coaching – coupled with a common, objective approach – significantly affect the bottom line. At EXTEND GROUP, we leverage the GiANT Toolkit, 5 Voices,

5 Gears, 100X Leader, and the GiANT OS platform to provide the necessary language and learning rhythms to maximize team performance. In today’s fast-paced digital age, where teams are often geographically dispersed and working with new technologies, these tools become even more vital.

Our holistic approach improves day-to-day interactions and fosters an environment where every team member feels valued, engaged, and aligned with the company’s vision. Committing to this approach has enormous benefits – unlocking the potential of your people, your most valuable assets, and driving your organization toward lasting success.

What does it mean to be a certified consultant of GiANT Worldwide, and what are the benefits for your clients?

As a GiANT Worldwide Certified Guide, Shawn Collins brings clients a wealth of knowledge and certified expertise in leadership development. This certification allows him to leverage GiANT’s proven leadership language, workshops, tools, and frameworks to help individuals and teams unlock their full potential. Our clients benefit from a structured, holistic, long-term approach to leadership that enhances communication, builds trust, and drives sustained performance improvements.

Bali Hoag, Owner, ABIZ Roofing & Construction

Our company struggled with the challenge of being accidental rather than intentional in our actions, which led to inconsistent results. Shawn Collins and GiANT Worldwide helped us tackle this by first focusing on self-awareness— knowing myself and my leadership team better. This approach allowed us to place our team members in roles where they could truly excel. The training transformed how I manage myself and my team, making us more deliberate in our actions. This program isn’t just about business; it’s about becoming better leaders and communicators, and it’s been a game changer for us.

Daniela Vidal, Chancellor, Ivy Tech Community College Evansville

In 2022, Shawn Collins and the GiANT operating system facilitated a communication and leadership initiative for our 10-member Chancellor’s Cabinet. This training revealed the importance of understanding our unique “voices” and how they impact our leadership and interaction with others. We gained a deeper understanding of how each voice contributes to a balanced, high-performing team, particularly under stress. Building on this success, in Fall 2023, we expanded the GiANT training to include college directors and deans, with plans to extend further into the organization. This training is equipping us with a shared language and tools to solidify our culture and strengthen our team.

Greg Raben, Owner, Raben Tax & Accounting

Being a leader means more than just giving orders—it’s about listening, caring, and inspiring those around you. I wanted to enhance my leadership skills, so I invested in Altitude Training led by Shawn Collins. This program introduced me to the 5 Voices and 5 Gears, helping me improve my self-awareness and understand how others operate. As a Guardian/Connector, I learned to communicate more intentionally and place my team members in roles where they truly excel. The training not only enhanced my leadership skills, but also fostered personal growth, making me more self-aware and effective as a leader. I highly recommend this training for anyone looking to elevate their leadership and become more self-aware. It’s a transformative experience that helps you lead more effectively.

Nicole Burk, HR Manager, Polyram Compounds, LLC

Completing GiANT Altitude Sherpa Training twice—first in a small cohort at EXTEND and then with my leadership team—was invaluable. Working with Shawn and like-minded leaders helped align our goals, but the real transformation happened when we applied this new language and intentional communication within our team. This experience has brought tremendous personal and organizational improvements at Polyram Compounds, especially as we navigate significant growth. The empathy and understanding our management team now shares is remarkable and will drive continued development. I’m excited to see our upcoming leaders equipped with these powerful tools.

Nick Wallace, General Manager, Old National Events Plaza

Our team is passionate about hospitality and live events, but we faced a challenge: limited industry experience and leadership skills among many team members. Shawn’s team at EXTEND GROUP helped us overcome this by building our confidence in leadership and communication, both internally and with our clients. The result? A resounding success, as echoed in our client feedback. I highly recommend Shawn, EXTEND GROUP, and the GiANT Worldwide programs 5 Voices and 5 Gears for any team, especially those with emerging leaders.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Ryan Cain & Matt Deters, owners

Paragon Sight Sound Security was founded in January 2005 to provide Tri-State residents with top-of-theline integrated home technology and entertainment systems. Its showroom experience center features the quintessential Smart Home, with vignettes throughout to experience the sight, sound, and security options available for homes. At Paragon Sight Sound Security, premier products, top customer service, and unparalleled expertise are what set us apart.

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What services do you specialize in?

Paragon Sight Sound Security is a full-service custom electronics design and installation company. We specialize in commercial and residential home automation, lighting control, distributed audio/ video, home theater, networking, surveillance, security, and much more. Our team designs, engineers, installs, programs, and provides lifelong service for all of our clients.

How does Paragon Sight Sound Security ensure that its team stays up to date with the latest technologies and best practices in the industry?

Our entire team has a true passion for home technology and security. We have the same systems we offer to clients in our own homes and in our showroom, so everyone gets to experience smart home living every day and understand how it can enhance people’s lives. We stay up to date with continuous education through manufacturer training, industry conferences/expos, trade association memberships, reading industry publications, and social media groups.

What are some of the latest technological advancements that Paragon Sight Sound Security has implemented in its solutions?

We’ve been using touchscreens and apps as the primary means to control the home for more than ten years. Now, voice control is really starting to add to the simplicity of home automation. While we do not recommend using voice as the only means of control, it complements the touch and remote interfaces.

What are the emerging trends in technology and security that Paragon Sight Sound Security is keeping an eye on?

Simulators are really in high demand and have expanded from golf to bowling, baseball, and other sports. Think of the Nintendo Wii but much more realistic. Also, AI in camera systems is really starting to enhance image recognition and event notifications. Plus, with four- and eight-megapixel cameras, the image quality is outstanding at an affordable price point.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY OUTDOOR COMFORT SPACES

All-Weather Products, Inc.

All-Weather Products Inc. is a custom wholesale manufacturer in Evansville, Indiana. All-Weather Products has been in business for more than 40 years and is a leading supplier to the home improvements and home building industries. We pride ourselves on competitive pricing, offering free estimates and contractor support as well as delivery and installation options for your convenience.

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Are there any new trends in the outdoor  comfort spaces industry?

When it comes to either three or four season glass room enclosures, the floor to ceiling glass look seems to be very popular right now. This option provides an abundance of natural light and the best view of their outdoor space. People seem to be gravitating toward this option in increasingly high numbers. This option is not without its difficulties though. Any glass that is within 18 inches of the floor has to be safety glass, which can be costly. What we try and encourage customers to consider is separating the lower 18” glass from the upper glass area with a chair rail. This helps to keep their cost down and adds an extra layer of safety while also providing a more unencumbered view.

All-Weather Products has been in business for over 40 years. What is All-Weather Products’ history?

All-Weather Products Inc. has been in business since 1979. In 2019, our previous owner decided to retire and sold the business to his son. We are proud of our history and take seriously our tradition of being a trusted provider of exterior home improvement products in the Tri-State area. As a family run business, we strive to assist our community with products manufactured by quality individuals and

installed by quality applicators with years of experience. Many of our employees have been with us for 10 years or more with some being around since the company’s inception some 45 years ago. Times change and product lines evolve, but our commitment to excellence remains the same.

How can an outdoor comfort space enhance a home?

Other than positively influencing your home’s sale price, an outdoor comfort space will set your home apart from others when it comes to being “the place to be.” Whether that’s for your weekly book club meetings, or your Monday Night Football get-togethers, an outdoor comfort space adds usable square footage to a home without the hassle or cost of a room addition. Imagine being outside on a nice July evening watching the fireflies blink while you enjoy a glass of wine, free from the buzz and bite of our nighttime nemesis the mosquito. Enjoy the breeze from a ceiling fan overhead and the winds of nature passing through your glass room as you dine on that evening’s fine fare of grilled steak. A perfectly placed tree offering shade to your room enclosure or fresh landscaping sending the smell of flowers into your space creates a relaxing environment to shrug off the day’s stresses. A plethora of possibilities are available to you if only you begin to imagine what could be.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY CUSTOM CABINETRY

Fehrenbacher Cabinets, Inc.

Since 1957, Fehrenbacher Cabinets, Inc. has remained a family owned and operated business adhering to traditional craftsmanship values important in the art of custom cabinets. Our team of experienced designers, highly skilled craftsmen, and support staff use the best materials, construction methods, and the latest technology. We design, build, and finish the highest quality custom cabinetry you will find anywhere and offer top-of-the-line appliances from Sub-Zero, Wolf & Cove, and the best installation team around.

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What makes FCI an authority on custom cabinetry?

For more than 68 years, FCI has been a full-service custom cabinetry provider; we design, build, and finish our cabinetry here in Evansville. FCI can install your custom cabinetry and countertops on the SAME day. We work alongside like-minded contractors, interior decorators, and tradesmen who put the customer first and expect the same diligence that we believe every customer deserves. From a small powder bath to an entire home, every project is important to us.

In a world that seems like everything is mass-produced and the price is more important than the quality, FCI is thriving by continuing to improve everything we do. We are proud to say we are producing a better product today than ever before, and we will stand behind our work for a lifetime.

How have you grown over the last 68 years in business?

Starting from a two-car garage in 1957, and now in our newly expanded 60,000-square-foot facility with 50 employees, we are proud of the growth this family business has seen. We have recently expanded our out-of-town capabilities by adding a dealer in the Nashville, Tennessee, area. The booming housing market in Nashville saw a demand for custom cabinetry, and we are excited to be the supplier for some of these homes. Many are surprised to find that we have completed work across the U.S., from Montana, New York, Florida, and Oklahoma, to closer cities like Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Cincinnati. Many find that when relocating, or building a summer or lake home, they cannot find the custom capabilities and quality of Fehrenbacher.

Do you only do residential work?

While we are best known for residential cabinetry, many would be surprised to find out that a large portion of our work is in the commercial sector. Our commercial work commonly includes reception areas, conference rooms, law offices, and banks, as well as medical and dental facilities.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

INTERIOR DESIGN

Kendi Speakes, Director of Interior Design

With 45 years of experience, SugarBakers Home Fashions has become the Tri-State’s trusted source for home furnishings, interior design, and custom window coverings. We strive to create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also functional with the client’s needs and preferences in mind. The SugarBakers design team pays meticulous attention to detail in design execution, from furniture selection to finishing touches. Established by Ann Pate in 1979, her daughter, Kendi Speakes, continues her legacy.

What has contributed to SugarBakers’ success?

At SugarBakers, we focus on building lasting relationships with each client. Our business is built on relationships and continues to grow with our clients as their families mature over the years. Our success comes from our approach to exceptional client service, design expertise, business acumen, and adaptability. Our design team is available to both residential and commercial customers and offers a diverse style ranging from classic and traditional to modern and beyond.

What qualities set SugarBakers Home Fashions apart from other competition?

What sets us apart from our competitors is our creative approach and innovative design solutions that break away from conventional trends. We truly believe the best design aesthetic is one that reflects the style and personality of the homeowners and doesn’t conform to trends that come and go. Our design team demonstrates strong project management skills that include but are not limited to paint selection, tile and flooring selections, floor planning, time and budget management, and working closely with vendors, contractors, and the client to ensure projects are completed as planned. We effectively coordinate with all parties involved to ensure a seamless process with a beautifully executed design.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY HEARING AIDS

Brett Mattingly, front office manager/repair specialist, & Amanda Cates Bennett, owner, BC-HIS

Amanda is proud to follow in her father’s footsteps, owning and operating the oldest hearing aid business in Evansville. She worked closely with her father for several years and officially took over in 2016. She was state certified in 2014 and nationally certified in 2018 as a Hearing Instrument Specialist. Amanda also has earned many awards for her outstanding work.

Brett Mattingly was excited to join Evansville Hearing Aid Center in 2020. He worked as a superior welder/fabricator in many high-end shops for the past 22 years. Brett is a natural at problem solving and can repair almost anything. He takes pride in his prestigious work and loves helping others. He is continuing his education in the hearing instrument field and will soon be a state certified Hearing Instrument Specialist.

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What is a service offered that you would not typically find at other hearing aid offices?

At Evansville Hearing Aid Center, we work with all major hearing aid manufacturers. This allows us to repair almost all makes and models of hearing aids. We also can offer many different options when selecting a new pair of hearing aids as they are not “one size fits all,” allowing us to fit customers experiencing mild to profound hearing loss. We also offer many other custom products, such as a full line of hearing protection for hunters and industrial workers, sleep earplugs, swim earplugs, musician stage monitors, newscaster molds, and race car receivers.

How would your customers describe you?

Evansville Hearing Aid Center is known for its outstanding customer service. Many of our reviews state phrases such as “went above and beyond,” “goes out of their way,” “they are about helping people not money,” “rewarding and successful experience,” “honest,” “extremely helpful,” “explains options,” “very knowledgeable,” “great listeners,” and “great service.”

Do you have any new products and what are the latest advancements in hearing health?

Starkey Hearing Technologies’ new Genesis AI is a complete line of hearing aids, from the smallest to the most powerful. With artificial intelligence, Genesis AI can make up to 55 million adjustments an hour that deliver genuine sound quality in every listening environment without doing anything extra. Along with remarkable sound quality, Genesis AI introduces effortless connection with smartphones and features hearable technology to help track your health and wellness.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY COUNTERS

Justin & Ashley Kinsey

Justin began working at Cabinets & Counters in 1996 and has experience in every part of the business. Justin is extremely knowledgeable and has a talent and passion for fabricating countertops. Ashley, a former elementary school teacher, has a background in art and design. Justin and Ashley became owners when they purchased Cabinets & Counters in 2019. Together the pair work tirelessly with their seasoned team to ensure the business is running smoothly, and they are putting out a top-quality product.

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Why should a customer choose to work with Cabinets & Counters?

Cabinets & Counters is the most experienced stone countertop fabricator in the area. We are a family-owned small business, so you can rest assured you will receive the best quality product with friendly and helpful staff working with you along the way.

What services do you provide?

We have a showroom, slab, and remnant yard to assist customers with their countertop and design selections. We also template, fabricate, and install countertops.

What are your specialties?

We specialize in the fabrication of granite, quartzite, quartz, marble, dolomite, soapstone, and porcelain. We install countertops, wall splashes, furniture pieces, fireplace surrounds, and offer several different edging and custom design options.

How did Cabinets & Counters get its start?

Cabinets & Counters was originally founded in 1988 by Jim and Jackie Johnston. At that time, laminate countertops and cabinetry were offered. Since then, there have been many changes in the industry, so we no longer fabricate laminate countertops or cabinets. Our sole focus is the template, fabrication, and installation of stone countertops.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY ORTHODONTICS

Dr. James Gill & Dr. Logan Wedding

Twenty-eight years ago, Dr. James Gill took over the established orthodontic practice of Dr. Richard Bohm. Since that time, his location at 7244 E. Virginia St. in Evansville has become a landmark for Tri-State patients seeking orthodontic treatment. Along with a team of 13 employees, Dr. Gill welcomed Dr. Logan Wedding as an associate in August of 2023. Both Dr. Gill and Dr. Wedding are committed to their families, their employees, and most importantly their patients.

It is their goal to create an amazing orthodontic experience based on the years of experience of Dr. Gill and the most up-to-date technologies recently implemented by Dr. Wedding.

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Why should a patient choose Gill Wedding Orthodontics?

Gill Wedding Orthodontics specializes in the gentle and comfortable delivery of treatment, avoiding the extraction of permanent teeth and the use of headgear whenever possible. It is our goal to make orthodontic treatment affordable for everyone! We offer no-interest payment options as well as family discounts. Most insurance benefits are accepted in our office, which reduces the monthly payment. Because everyone’s time is valuable, we make every effort to stay on time so you can too!

How have advancements in technology helped with orthodontics?

We offer the leading edge in orthodontic treatment, including Damon Braces, Invisalign (clear aligners), and a digital indirect bonding system that helps the doctors provide precise bracket placement for each patient. These advancements provide a more comfortable experience

for our patients, as well as a shorter treatment time with fewer lengthy appointments. We are proud to offer iTero digital impressions. Unpleasant putty impressions are a thing of the past with the iTero system.

How should a patient who is interested in our services begin the process?

Choosing your orthodontic care provider is a big decision. Our indepth free consultation allows you to make a fully informed decision with confidence. When you call our office to schedule an exam our friendly receptionists will gather some information and schedule your appointment. At the new patient exam, we will review your dental and medical history, take diagnostic photos, x-rays, and digital models to better evaluate your teeth and bite, perform a detailed clinical exam, and review recommended treatment details and fees. You will leave the office with a detailed written consultation summary so you can review the information at home.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY LIQUOR & CRAFT BEER

Liquor Locker

Liquor Locker was formed in 2009 and has been growing ever since. By the end of 2010, we had four stores open. By the end of 2017, there were 10. We thank the Tri-State area for these 15 years of business and look forward to serving your favorite alcoholic beverages and tobacco for years to come.

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What does Liquor Locker specialize in?

Liquor Locker specializes in bourbons, imported cigars, and special products for our customers. We stay informed of national trends about new and existing products and are happy to track down new things customers try while traveling. Our employees are knowledgeable and friendly, and our hours of operation are convenient for every shopper of legal drinking age.

What sets your stores apart from others in the area?

Our stores are clean, well-lit, and safe to shop with varied and unique selections of products.

Do you offer any brands or products that are unique?

Some of our hand-selected bourbon barrels have been recognized by national blogs. Free tastings are available for some of these bourbons.

How does your delivery service work?

Call the delivery hotline at 812-479-7979 and choose from thousands of new and wellknown products. Once you place your order, alcohol will be delivered to your doorstep in the Evansville area! Don’t let the party stop – call us, and we will deliver!

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY BANKING

Jody Giles, John Lamb, Lindsay Botsch, & Tony Loudermilk

Customers have been the focus of German American Bank since we opened in 1910. Our team puts the needs of the individuals, families, and businesses we serve first. With a full range of financial services, including banking and wealth management, we’re committed to providing exceptional service and value to our customers and communities.

What are your areas of expertise?

Our expertise is in the talent and commitment of our people. We listen to learn before we offer financial solutions. This is where the German American Bank team excels.

What services do you provide?

German American Bank services are tailored to work for many individual needs. We offer account services, including several checking account solutions equipped with tools to help you manage money efficiently. With our online services, it is easier than ever to open a checking or savings account. Several lending options are available – mortgages; consumer loans like auto, boat, and personal loans; and a Smartest Home Equity Line of Credit. A Home Equity Line of Credit, or HELOC, allows homeowners to open a line of credit based on the equity in their home. With low interest rates, no closing costs, and easy repayment options, a HELOC is a great resource for completing home renovations, funding a dream vacation, and more.

Our Treasury Management services are designed to help hardworking business owners achieve success by providing convenient access to their financial information via Business Online Banking as well as desktop express, lockbox service, Positive Pay fraud protection, and merchant card services.

German American Wealth Management clients have access to a mobile app to view account information and transactions, download tax and other important documents, and access valuable information. Our Wealth Management team helps clients prepare for the future by managing and diversifying assets and providing powerful tools to keep track of the progress.

How do you support the local community?

From giving back to educational institutions with our School Spirit Card program, sponsoring the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana’s Evansville Half Marathon, to supporting Historic Newburgh community events, German American Bank is rooted in community and believes it’s obligated to support the communities we serve so its people can prosper.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY LANDSCAPING

JT McCarty, President & Julie McCarty, Vice President

The McCartys and staff are proud to continue the tradition of quality, innovation, and values that Jim McCarty Sr. started in 1958. Learn more...

What are your areas of expertise?

Garden and Nursery Center – Colonial Classics offers a full-service nursery, garden center, and retail store. We provide plants and materials to complete your landscape, as well as a wide range of gifts and décor.

Design and Build – Colonial’s landscape team offers a turnkey approach to all your outdoor living needs. Our process is tailored to meet each client’s project size, function, and desired aesthetic. A consultation with one of our talented and experienced landscape designers is the first step in discovering what Colonial’s landscape department offers.

Maintenance – When it comes to maintaining your landscape, we have you covered for pruning, planting, mulching, pre-emergent, herbicide, sodding, and more. Colonial’s maintenance department has years of knowledge and experience to help care for your landscape.

Fiberglass Pools – At Colonial, we proudly install industry leading Thursday pools. The quality and versatility of these fiberglass pools go hand in hand with our focus on creating complete outdoor living spaces for our customers. Proper placement, elevation, and surroundings are all things to consider when purchasing a pool. Colonial’s design staff can make this process simple.

What sets you apart from other landscapers?

Colonial Classics is unique because all of our landscaping designers, horticulturists, Master Gardeners, and nurserymen and nurserywomen are highly trained and experienced in what they do. The members of our team understand that when they know more about your needs, they can meet and exceed your expectations.

How do you support your local community?

At Colonial Classics, we believe each of us has a responsibility to use our opportunities for the good of others, and we’re proud to collaborate with many local organizations as they support our community. We were extremely blessed to donate over $100,000 to 20-plus non-profit organizations, schools, and clubs in 2024.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

Explore Evansville

Explore Evansville is the official destination marketing organization for Evansville, Indiana, dedicated to promoting the region’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant arts scene, and thriving business community. With a focus on enhancing visitor experiences, we provide comprehensive resources for tourists, event planners, and newcomers to the area. Our team works with local businesses and organizations to highlight Evansville’s unique attractions, from its historic districts to its museums and parks. Committed to community growth, Explore Evansville drives economic development and fosters a welcoming environment.

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What is Explore Evansville? What services do you provide?

Explore Evansville is the region’s leading tourism and visitor information hub. We offer a wide array of services, including promotional support for regional events, comprehensive travel guides, and resources for tourists and residents alike. Our goal is to showcase the best of Evansville, from our deep-rooted heritage and cultural landmarks to our modern amenities and vibrant community events.

How does Explore Evansville support the local community?

Explore Evansville plays a critical role in the local economy by driving tourism and attracting new visitors. We are also deeply invested in driving economic impact through our sales initiatives. We actively work with groups and event organizers to bring conferences, meetings, and sporting events to the area. Our sports

tourism efforts are particularly robust, with a focus on attracting large-scale tournaments and competitions that highlight Evansville’s excellent facilities and supportive community. By promoting events, attractions, and accommodations, we help to sustain and grow local businesses, contributing to the overall prosperity of the community.

What is something people don’t know about Evansville?

Many people are surprised by the depth and diversity of Evansville’s food and beverage scene. The city boasts a wide range of culinary offerings, from classic Southern comfort food to innovative farmto-table dining experiences. Evansville is also home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, with local breweries gaining recognition for their unique and flavorful brews. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty meal at an iconic establishment or a trendy new spot offering the latest culinary trends, Evansville has something to satisfy every palate

Photo: TYMEALLO Studios

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

Jonathan Lamar, AIA, LEED AP & Jason Barisano, AIA, LEED AP

We take pride in our one-of-a-kind designs. Staying ahead of the design and technological curve is one of our top priorities to ensure we deliver creative results. Our project types include healthcare, government, educational, retail, restaurants, residential, and religious designs. We love creating something from nothing, helping a person or entity make their mark on the world, and watching architectural projects tell the story of communities.

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How does the team work together at LA+D to complete projects?

We utilize a software platform called Revit to create a 3D model of a building, and this model is saved to our server. Each team member can access the same shared model and modify the design according to the needs of the client. Our team members have the freedom to work with each client through the design phase to mold designs that are aesthetically pleasing and functional. We also create documents that can be used to obtain permit bids from contractors who will construct our projects. We have some team members who are typically involved with projects during the construction phase who visit the job sites regularly to ensure the building is being constructed per the contract documents.

What have been some of your most rewarding projects to date?

It is rewarding to see every project come to completion. Client satisfaction is the main thing we strive for, so when we see our clients using the spaces that we worked with them to create, we feel a sense of pride. You can check out our current featured projects on our website under the “Work” tab at www.lamararch.com. You also can view our projects in progress (sketches, renderings, etc.) by clicking on the “On the boards tab” on our website.

What

do you most enjoy about working with clients?

Our clients are very creative, and it is enjoyable to listen to their initial concepts for what they envision for their projects. Many times, our clients have unique ideas, and creating drawings and renderings that illustrate these ideas is a lot of fun. Our interpretation of a client’s idea sometimes is different even than what they had in mind, and the marriage of their ideas with our experience and ability to illustrate can yield some powerful results.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY PAINTING

Chad Turpen

At Turpen’s Painting, we specialize in commercial and residential painting and are dedicated to raising the standard for professional painters. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction sets us apart, ensuring every project reflects excellence. We believe in giving back to the community by engaging in nonprofit work that supports local initiatives and fosters positive change. When we’re not transforming spaces, you can find us enjoying quality time at the lake with family and friends, embracing the joy of life outside of work. Our passion for painting and community service drives us to create beautiful environments while making a meaningful impact. Choose us for your next project and experience the difference.

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What are the current trends in the painting industry?

Current trends in the painting industry emphasize vibrant cabinet colors and bold hues for interiors. Homeowners are moving away from neutral walls, opting for lively shades that express personality, and enhance overall aesthetics in their spaces.

What services do you provide?

We offer a range of services, including interior and exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, wood and historic home restoration, and popcorn ceiling removal. Our specialties ensure high-quality results that enhance the beauty and longevity of your home.

How do you stay up to date on the latest techniques and trends in the industry?

We stay up to date on the latest painting techniques and materials through continuous education, attending industry workshops, and participating in trade shows. This commitment ensures we deliver the best quality and innovative solutions to our clients.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY WINDOWS

& DOORS

Pella Windows & Doors of Evansville

At Pella Windows & Doors of Evansville, we invite you to visit our showroom and let our experts show you how to transform your home space. As a leader in technology and product innovation, we keep quality at the heart of what we do by creating products built to last. Whether you are looking for new or replacement windows and doors, we have a skilled team to help you find the perfect Pella product. Stop by our beautiful showroom and see “The Pella Difference.”

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What is the process Pella takes new clients through?

At Pella, we start with understanding what you need and want for your home, and in the end; you have the best quality windows and doors. Whether we visit your home, or you visit our showroom, your Pella expert will:

• Show you design, material, and color options

• Measure your windows and/or doors for replacement

• Review plans and elevations for new construction

What’s new in the window industry?

Pella has been leading the industry in innovation since 1925. This year, they introduced the new Steady Set interior installation system that won Best of International Building Show in 2024. The revolutionary way to install 3x’s faster than standard installation as well as safer with 64 percent of the work happening from the interior. Stop by the local Pella showroom to see for yourself.

What types of warranties are available on Pella products?

We offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty with a local service department that backs up our product

Why should you choose Pella?

As one of the most recognizable window manufacturers on the market, Pella has a reputation for high-quality products with excellent workmanship.

• High-efficiency standards

• Price, quality, and convenience

• Local showroom, sales staff, delivery, and service

Jeremy Bethel, Sam Mills, Cherie Simpson, Nick Wood, and Ray Butler

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY MAILING SOFTWARE & EQUIPMENT

Dawn Stevens, Vernon Stevens II, Jennifer Stevens & Vincent Altmeyer

Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Southern Business Machines, Inc., (SBM), provides fast and efficient customer service to all our customers, offering solutions for each organization’s application. Excellent equipment performance is our number one priority.  We are here to help every customer, every day, in any way we can to optimize their workflow cost-effectively without sacrificing efficiency.

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How has your business grown and changed over the years?

Advancements in technology are happening in every facet of our lives. This includes the way our customers communicate with their customers and how their customers want to receive those communications, including invoices, statements, and marketing pieces. While enhancements are continuously made to our mailing systems and folder inserters, like remote diagnostics and AIMS closed-loop security verification, those are only a piece of that puzzle. As companies strive to streamline processes and enhance efficiency, automation plays a pivotal role. By automating repetitive tasks, organizations can free up valuable time and resources, allowing employees to focus on more strategic initiatives. Moreover, digitalization is no longer a choice – it’s the future! Businesses that embrace digital transformation can unlock new opportunities, improve customer experiences, and gain a competitive edge. Southern Business Machines, Inc. and our partners at Quadient have made adaptations to meet these needs. Having the ability to deliver a personalized experience to your customers, while empowering your business users, is now more important than ever before. Utilizing a Customer Communications Management (CCM)

solution, like Quadient’s INSPIRE, can help your organization create communications guided by the customer journey, delivered via any channel (inc. print, HTML5 email, SMS, WhatsApp, web & mobile) personalized in a controlled environment, compliant with regulations, and fully auditable from a single design platform. INSPIRE is also rated the #1 CCM and OMNI channel delivery software by Forrester, Gartner, and many others.

Why should you choose to do business with SBM, Inc.?

Over the last 35 years, Southern Business Machines, Inc., has established itself as a strong leader in the mailing/document distribution industry. As a family-owned and operated company, making a difference without name recognition meant building relationships and providing great customer service from the start. This was, and still is, the backbone of our company. Being a locally owned business goes far beyond the transactional sale. It’s getting to know the people we are working with. It’s asking how their children and grandchildren are doing. “Many of our customers have watched our children grow up over the last 12 years and will also ask about them when we have a meeting or a call,” Dawn says. “We enjoy catching up with our customers because they are just as important to us as the business being done,” Vernon says.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY RUGS

Terry Lewis, Emily Provost, & Lynne Lewis

Integrity, honesty, and loyalty are the cornerstones on which Terry Lewis, his wife Lynne, and daughter Emily have built their family business. For the past 54 years, The Rug Merchant has provided the most extensive rug selection for any space or budget to the Tri-State area. The Lewis family’s knowledge of hand-knotted and machine-woven rugs and dedication to selecting the perfect pieces for their customers sets them apart from the competition. There’s no need to pay big city prices to find high quality and style. Instead, shop with a locally owned family business…The Rug Merchant!

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How do The Rug Merchant’s consultants help a client select the perfect rug for their space?

The Rug Merchant team’s unrivaled product knowledge means that as a customer, you receive the best possible price and quality. Are you looking for a wow factor, or something to match your current style? Do you need to consider that you have pets? The Rug Merchant team will work with the client to understand how the rug will integrate into its intended space so that the piece will be a treasure you can enjoy for years to come. The Rug Merchant also provides a unique “in-home trial” to ensure complete customer satisfaction.

What makes the experience of buying a rug locally superior to purchasing online?

When you buy online, you don’t always understand the way a rug will look in your space, the difference in the materials used in the rug, or the way it will wear or hold value. The Rug Merchant’s extensive collection

of rugs allows their clients the opportunity to see, feel and touch the product before purchase and understand the best option for the rug’s intended use. Even if you have a strict budget, The Rug Merchant team can show you a variety of options within your budget and help you determine what features mean the most to you.

Do you offer rug repair and restoration?

Yes, The Rug Merchant is home to the Tri-State’s only certified rug repair technician. Terry Lewis, founder and president of The Rug Merchant, has more than 54 years of experience and knowledge in rug repair and restoration to assist in prolonging the life of your treasured rug. The Rug Merchant team can also help with the assessment of your piece to determine its value. They offer in-home and in-store appraisals to meet your needs and can provide tips to preserve the life of your rug for the next generation.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Woodward Commercial Realty

Woodward Commercial Realty, Inc. has led commercial real estate sales, leasing, and development for more than 30 years. With specialists in industrial, office, retail, multifamily, farm ground, residential brokerage, and land development, Woodward covers Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky with industry-leading expertise and a clientfirst focus. Woodward’s brokers work as a team to help each client reach specific real estate goals, and it’s a commitment the Woodward team brings to every customer. With Woodward Development and Construction available for build-to-suit opportunities, Woodward truly can promise “if we can’t find it, we’ll build it for you.”

Let Woodward Commercial Realty help you with all your real estate needs.

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What services does Woodward offer?

Woodward’s expertise includes commercial development, build-tosuit/lease, commercial and industrial sales and leasing, investment properties, business brokerage, and residential brokerage. From finding buyers or sellers and setting a fair market price to understanding market trends and financing requirements, the Woodward team navigates these procedures with knowledge and experience.

How can Woodward help businesses find their location?

T he team at Woodward can design and construct custom facilities for lease. The company has built various facilities, from manufacturing plants and warehouses to retail centers, corporate headquarters, and Class A office spaces. While the company can work with clients on any land development, Woodward also offers

15 commercial and industrial subdivisions ranging from 20 to 140 acres, with custom facilities available for lease or sale. This flexibility allows businesses to find or create the perfect space to meet their unique needs.

What kind of projects has Woodward completed recently?

Woodward has completed a 100,000-square-foot Shell Building in the North Warrick Industrial Park. They also recently finished an expansion at Windstream located in the Vanderburgh Industrial Park. Currently, they are constructing a 10,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center for Commonwealth Pain & Spine, set to be completed in 2024. Woodward has been trusted to deliver projects from conceptualization to occupancy. Woodward manages each real estate development project to help leaders save costs, manage risks, and enhance their communities.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Jessica Ignacio & Dr. Wesley Trauger

At West Side Chiropractic, your aches and pains are in good hands. Dr. Jessica Ignacio has been in practice for almost 20 years and has built a reputation for caring, effective, and patient-centric care. Today the practice consists of 11 compassionate employees, including a new chiropractic doctor who specializes in muscle rehabilitation. Dr. Wes is a recent chiropractic graduate who brings new, innovative ideas to our treatment plans. With services including chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, and muscle rehabilitation, the team works to get you feeling better faster and back to doing what you want to do pain free.

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How can patients benefit from chiropractic care and acupuncture?

Many people associate chiropractic care with lower back and sciatic pain. Even though the majority of the patients who come into our clinic are experiencing lower back pain and headaches, chiropractic care can be a benefit for so much more. Because our spine is our base structure and the nerves that come from the spine control every part of our bodies, we can help and treat patients who are suffering from digestive issues, acid reflux, plantar fasciitis – even babies with colic – and just overall achiness.

What sets your practice apart from other chiropractic offices?

West Side Chiropractic consists of 11 employees. All of our services are under one roof — chiropractic care, muscle/sports rehabilitation, four massage therapists, an acupuncturist, and chiropractic assistants

who take in detailed medical histories, check the patient’s insurance coverage, and bill their insurance company on the patient’s behalf. Every aspect of holistic treatments and the patient’s needs are met. Plus, West Side Chiropractic continues to grow! Dr. Jessica has become licensed in acupuncture, and the practice has added a chiropractor, Dr. Wes, who is certified in sports rehabilitation.

Can chiropractic care benefit the whole family?

Absolutely! Chiropractic care can treat colic and constipation in babies; address headaches, “growing pains,” and correcting and/or preventing scoliosis issues in children and teenagers; rehab injuries and improve muscle memory in athletes; and relieve headaches, lower back pain, numbness, and tingling in extremities in adults, plus prevent and alleviate inflammation pain caused by arthritis. No matter your age, chiropractic care can treat your aches and pains and help you feel better.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

NUTRITIOUS FOOD FOR DOGS & CATS

Quincy & Elizabeth Zikmund

Quincy and Elizabeth Zikmund own Give a Dog a Bone, an independent natural pet supply store in Evansville. They have a pug, Otis (12), who loves coming to work and testing out new products. The Zikmunds have a passion for nutrition and learning and love using their passion, knowledge, and experience to bring healthier foods and products to dogs and cats in Evansville.

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What qualities set Give a Dog a Bone apart from competitors in the pet supplies industry?

We set high standards for our brands to know how ingredients are sourced, who formulates the products and owns the brand, food safety practices, and more. In short, we ask the hard questions. Our team also is equipped with the knowledge to discuss and recommend the foods and products we carry based on a pet’s specific needs.

How long has Give a Dog a Bone been a part of the community?

We’ve been in business for more than 19 years, having opened our doors in 2005. We’re proud to be 100 percent independently and locally owned.

What is the mission at Give a Dog a Bone?

To help the cats and dogs in our community live healthier and happier lives through quality nutrition, eco-friendly accessories, and a calm, welcoming atmosphere.

Where is Give a Dog a Bone located, and wha t are your hours of operation?

We’re at 5626 E. Virginia St. on the East Side of Evansville. We’re open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY ORTHOPAEDICS

Tri-State Orthopaedic Surgeons

Tri-State Orthopaedic Surgeons (TSOS) is the region’s largest provider of comprehensive bone, joint, and spine care. For 75 years, we’ve proudly served the Tri-State area, with a dedicated team of 38 providers specializing in every aspect of musculoskeletal care. Our expertise spans sports medicine, joint replacement, spine conditions, hand surgery, foot and ankle surgery, trauma, and fracture care. TSOS offers convenient on-site services, including advanced medical imaging and comprehensive physical and occupational therapy. As we continue to grow, our presence has expanded into Vincennes, Indiana, further solidifying our commitment to delivering exceptional care throughout the region. We take pride in our long-standing history of service and dedication to the health and wellbeing of our Tri-State community.

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Describe the history and growth of TSOS.

Founded in 1949 by Drs. Stern and Leibenguth, Tri-State Orthopaedic Surgeons (TSOS) has a rich legacy of excellence in orthopedic care. Over the decades, many outstanding surgeons have contributed to our practice. In the early 1990s, we added surgeons with fellowship subspecialty training, elevating our clinical capabilities to match those in much larger metropolitan areas. In 2019, our partnership with Ascension Health led to the creation of the Ascension St. Vincent Orthopedic Hospital, a cutting-edge surgical facility that has enhanced our ability to deliver state-of-the-art care. As we look to the future, TSOS remains committed to growth and innovation, ensuring that we continue to provide top-tier orthopedic care to our community.

How does TSOS support the local community?

TSOS is deeply embedded in the fabric of the Evansville region, with our doctors and staff actively participating in a wide range of community service activities. One of the most impactful ways we serve is through our support of young athletes. Our physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) dedicate countless hours on the sidelines and in gyms, offering immediate care to injured athletes. We proudly serve as team physicians for the University of Southern Indiana, the University of Evansville, Oakland City University, the Evansville Thunderbolts, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. schools, Warrick County schools, and the local private schools.

Beyond our commitment to youth sports, TSOS doctors and staff are actively involved in numerous community boards and support nonprofit organizations throughout the region. Giving back is an integral part of who we are; it’s woven into the very fabric of our corporate culture.

Six locations • tristate-ortho.com

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY GUIDED GROUP TRAVEL

Tracy Wilson, Owner & Experience Curator

Piecing together a comprehensive journey, whether domestic or international, can be an overwhelming task given all the details. Leave behind the stress of planning and choose an innovative guided tour provided by Tourcy to make your travel dreams come true.

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WHY GO GUIDED:

From choosing the right hotels to finding the perfect blend of must-sees and off-thebeaten- path inclusions, so many pieces come together to create an extraordinary travel experience. Tourcy handles all those details – leaving you free to enjoy the adventure. Your guided tour will include your sightseeing, entertainment, admissions to museums and other venues, hotels, many meals featuring local specialties, and the services of a professional Tour Manager.

Sure, by using up a lot of your time and effort, you would be able to put together what looks like a good trip. But do you want to return home and discover that you missed something because you didn’t know about it ahead of time? We encourage you to treat yourself to the freedom of touring. We plan, so you don’t have to worry about the details. Who needs the pressure of spending precious time to get a trip right when this might be your only chance to visit Australia, Argentina, or America’s National Parks?

Travel offers a taste of new cultures, but imagine becoming part of that culture. You will find yourself doing things like staying overnight in an Irish castle like old-world royalty, diving into the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, or rolling dough with an Italian chef to make the perfect pasta. It’s not just about all the iconic spots that will make for the best photos — it’s about making the best memories.

Travel is social by nature, and guided travel is extra social. Along the way, you’ll meet amazing people, including your fellow travelers, local guides, drivers, your Tour Manager, and more. The social aspect of guided travel is one of the best parts! Many travelers on our tours have forged lasting friendships.

You want peace of mind when you travel, and we agree that it is one of the most important elements of the experience. Along with peace of mind, we deliver a wealth of experiences and first-rate customer service, it is this inspirational message that resonates with today’s travelers. True adventures go beyond incredible destinations or inclusive packages. We deliver a sense of possibility around the world.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY LIGHTING

Rochelle Fichter

Illuminating Expressions is Evansville’s premier local lighting showroom. We have been proudly serving the Tri-State and surrounding areas since 2005. Rochelle has been in the lighting industry for more than 39 years. We strive to provide outstanding service, quality products, and extensive knowledge, and build long-lasting relationships with each client. We offer a wide array of lighting products for your projects, big or small, residential or commercial.

Working with every style and budget, you will always find what you need when you shop at Illuminating Expressions. Entering our showroom, you will be met with an unmatched display of decorative lighting fixtures hand-selected by our staff. Our associates are ready to assist you in making the best selections for your space and lifestyle.

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What can Illuminating Expressions do for you?

We provide a unique experience for lighting selections, we prefer to work with our clients faceto-face. This allows us to get a better understanding of your project, as well as get to know our clients and what works best for their lifestyles. We approach each project as a collaborative effort. We communicate with the contractors, electricians, and designers throughout the project. With this approach, every job runs smoother for all involved.

Illuminating Expressions’ signatures are an eye for detail, application awareness, product knowledge, and product compatibility, which sets us apart.

What products are offered at Illuminating Expressions?

• Interior Lighting

• Exterior Lighting

• Lamps

• Mirrors

• Landscape Lighting

• Cabinet Lighting

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY COMFORT

Kevin Shekell, President

With 46 years of experience, J.E. Shekell has become the Tri-State’s trusted source for residential, commercial, and industrial heating and air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, and more. J.E. Shekell’s trustworthy experts are on call for every situation, from casual service to emergency repairs. Your comfort is our goal. We strive for 100 percent customer satisfaction and doing the job right the first time, a foundation established by John E. Shekell in 1978 and encouraged by President Kevin Shekell today.

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What has contributed to J.E. Shekell’s success?

The fact that J.E. Shekell is a one-stop shop makes it easy for customers to call about HVAC, electrical, and plumbing needs. This diverse product portfolio, available to both residential and commercial customers, succinctly is summed up with this motto: “If it moves water, air, or electricity, then we can work on it.”

What qualities set J.E. Shekell apart from the competition?

One of the things that sets our company apart is quality, whether it’s in the products we install, the service(s) we provide, or the experience of our 60-plus licensed and trained service technicians. With 110 vehicles on the road, the company can provide rapid service to those in need. The business continues to base its operations on John’s original cornerstones.

Has J.E. Shekell won any recent awards?

Yes, J.E. Shekell, Inc. earned the 2024 Carrier® President’s Award. The President’s Award is presented only to Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers. This is a distinguished group of dealers who must continually meet strict Carrier standards in order to earn and sustain the title of Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. As J.E. Shekell, Inc. Sales and Marketing Manager Jeff Bruce notes, “This award acknowledges the commitment our team has sustained in achieving total customer satisfaction with the Carrier products we provide. We are so proud of their dedication as they continually meet and exceed the requirements it takes to even be considered for the Carrier President’s Award. Only the top two percent of Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers qualify to be in the running, so it is a huge honor to have won this award six years in a row. We thank the J.E. Shekell, Inc. team for their integrity and commitment to our customers.”

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY SKIN

Dèjá Vu Skin & Health Center

Déjà Vu Skin & Health Center is proud to be the Tri-State’s premier medical spa for more than 21 years. Offering the best in aesthetics, Déjà Vu Skin & Health Center was voted the best medical spa in 2023. Also noted and nationally ranked for our award-winning work in Allergan® injectables such as BOTOX® and Filler, Déjà Vu has been awarded Allergan® Diamond Status for four consecutive years. Our mission is empowering individuals to achieve radiant, healthy, and more youthful-looking skin – always leaving looking like a naturally refreshed version of themselves. What are you waiting for? Come experience the Déjà Vu difference and learn to “Love the skin you’re in!”

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How did Deja Vu Skin & Health Center get its start?

Déjà Vu Skin & Health Center is a state-of-the-art medical spa that is part of the medical practice of Clovis E. Manley, MD. Dr. Manley is a board-certified family physician with training in the latest skincare technology. He is also certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine (ABVLM) in vein care treatment.

Déjà Vu first opened its doors on July 1st, 2002, and continued in operation as Déjà Vu Skin & Vein Center for quite some time before our neighboring office, Evansville Regional Vein Center, was formed – resulting in the shift from Skin & Vein Center to Déjà Vu Skin & Health Center. Over the past 21 years, Déjà Vu has transformed the lives of thousands across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and beyond. Voted one of the best places to work in the state of Indiana, we are fortunate to have staff here on-site that has been with us since the very beginning, making our provider-patient relationship unique. We pride ourselves on giving the best to patients and ensuring them quality care year after year.

At Déjà Vu we are determined to set the standard for high-quality, professional skincare in the Evansville area. We have four highly trained registered nurses with more than 50 years of combined medical aesthetic experience. All medical staff receive continued training and education yearly. Treatments are performed by Dr. Manley, one of our two nurse practitioners, or one of our four registered nurses.

How should a patient who is interested in your services begin the process?

We offer free skincare consultations for anyone interested in our services. Not all our services are a “one size fits all” which is why we highly encourage people to start with a consultation so that one of our

RN’s can look at a patient’s specific concern and determine the best course of action. For example, not everyone will require the same units of BOTOX® – which is determined by each person’s unique muscle movements and key areas of concern. Each procedure is tailored to each patient, which is why a skincare consultation is crucial to achieving the best result. Patients can give us a call at 812-490-SKIN(7546) to schedule their free skincare consultation today!

What services do you provide?

What are your specialties?

• BOTOX® and fillers

• CoolSculpting®

• Double-Chin Reduction

• Electrolysis & Permanent Makeup

• Hair Restoration

• HydraFacial®

• INMODE EVOLVE

• INMODE MORPHEUS8

• IV Therapy

• Laser Skin Treatments

• Laser Tattoo Removal

• Laser Hair Reduction

• Microneedling

• Skin Tightening

• Spider Vein Treatment

• ZO® Stimulator Facial and 3-Step Peel

All our services are performed by our staff of trained professionals. Not only will they perform the services requested but they will tell you the best actions to take to guarantee the best treatment.

Krissie Michel, RN, Julie Evans, RN, Lara Boop RN, and Jennifer Summers, RN

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

VEIN TREATMENT

Clovis E. Manley, M.D.

Dr. Manley is an Evansville native who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. After nine years in the submarine service, he attended Indiana University for his MD degree. After residency at Deaconess, he practiced family medicine in Newburgh, Indiana.

In the early 2000s, a revolution in vein treatment happened. Previously complex, painful varicose vein “stripping” was replaced by simple office procedures. Dr. Manley became interested and devoted several years to mastering the new techniques. Evansville Regional Vein Center opened in 2006 to provide specialized varicose vein treatment to the Tri-State. Today, ERVC is the leading center for vein treatment in the area. ERVC is NOT a franchise of a national company; it is owned and operated locally by Dr. Manley.

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Are varicose veins just a cosmetic problem?

NO. Varicose veins are NOT normal and are not just a cosmetic problem. Varicose veins are veins that bulge out on the legs. They are usually a sign of an underlying problem with the venous system. Patients with varicose veins are more likely to develop superficial blood clots, deep vein blood clots, and ulcerations around the lower legs. These are all serious conditions and can usually be prevented with early treatment.

Varicose veins can also cause significant symptoms. The most common symptoms are aching, heavy, tired legs after doing normal activities such as standing, sitting, or walking. The symptoms usually get better when the legs are elevated. Other symptoms that can be associated with varicose veins include leg cramps, restless legs, and swollen legs. If one leg is more swollen than the other, the first thing that needs to be checked is a patient’s venous system because most diseases cause swelling that is equal in both legs.

How is vein disease diagnosed and treated?

Dr. Manley will take a detailed history and perform a careful physical examination of the patient’s legs. If vein disease is suspected, a thorough ultrasound study will be performed in the office to map out the source of the venous problem. Ultrasounds are performed with the patient standing for part of the exam and are scheduled for 60 to 90 minutes.

Treatments are performed in the office and vary according to the problems found on physical examination and ultrasound. Treatments include laser or radiofrequency ablation of dysfunctional saphenous veins, microphlebectomy procedures to remove varicosities, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, and visual sclerotherapy.

Varicose veins are a medical problem, and their treatment is covered by almost all insurance plans, including Medicare.

“Spider veins” are small blue or red veins in the legs. Spider veins without leg symptoms or varicose veins are a cosmetic issue and not covered by insurance. They can be treated with visual sclerotherapy in the office.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY PROPERTY

MANAGEMENT

Chad Sander opened his Real Property Management franchise in early 2018, after a successful career in wealth management. His personal experience with the benefits of owning rental property, such as passive income, inflation protection, and property value growth, inspired him to pursue a business in real estate.

With a strong background in financial planning and investment management, Chad brings a unique perspective that serves real estate investors. His firsthand experience as an investor deepens his understanding of optimizing return on investment.

At Real Property Management Results, Chad and his team are committed to maximizing your rental property’s ROI through exceptional service, clear communication, and cutting-edge technology. They aim to handle the complexities of property management so you can focus on what matters most.

Real Property Management, a Neighborly® company, is the largest residential property management franchise in North America. Managing rental homes can be challenging, but the right property manager makes all the difference. For more than 35 years, investors nationwide and locally in Evansville have trusted Real Property Management to manage their investments with expertise and care.

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What can a real estate investor expect from your services?

You can count on our team to:

• Show your home to prospective residents and lease to responsible tenants

• Collect the rent and get it to you quickly

• Deal with tenant issues and enforce the lease

• Make your property ready to rent

• Conduct regular property evaluations

• Perform routine maintenance

• Handle evictions in compliance with all laws

• Communicate thoughtfully and honestly when something goes wrong

We also keep you fully informed with access to up-to-date information about your property through your online account and with our monthly financial reporting.

What types of properties do you manage?

Our focus is on residential properties. We manage everything from single-family rental homes to multi-family apartment communities.

What sets you apart from other property management companies?

We are the trusted expert in optimizing your rental property’s return on investment. We help real estate investors make smarter investments with our proprietary Wealth Optimizer software. This sophisticated calculator provides an in-depth analysis of an investment property’s financial potential, giving investors working with Real Property Management the upper hand to understand their current holdings or when analyzing the investment potential of a property before committing to purchase.

Front Row left to right: Missy Gilles, Chad Sander, and Kaylin LaMar Back Row left to right: Lori Haley, Cameron Jones, Brandan Steele, Crystal Powell, Seth Pauli, Kerri Owen, and Jon Boyles

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY HEALTH CARE

Deaconess Health System

Deaconess Health System is the premier health care provider serving over 1.5 million people across Southwestern Indiana, Western Kentucky, and Southeastern Illinois. Based in Evansville, Indiana, this comprehensive network comprises 18 hospitals and Deaconess Clinic, a fully integrated multispecialty group ensuring consistent, convenient patient care. In addition to the 18 hospitals, the system’s extensive reach includes Linda E. White Hospice House, a state-of-the-art cancer center, and numerous urgent care facilities. Deaconess embraces modern health care solutions, offering near-site clinics, telemedicine, and virtual visits to enhance accessibility. Through strategic partnerships with regional health care providers, Deaconess continually expands its capabilities to meet diverse community needs. Committed to excellence and innovation, Deaconess Health System stands as a cornerstone of health and wellness in the Tri-State area, delivering comprehensive, high-quality care to everyone it serves.

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What sets Deaconess apart from other regional health care facilities?

Deaconess has an extensive network of care facilities and a comprehensive range of medical services. We proudly serve more than 1.5 million people through an expansive network that includes 18 hospitals, numerous outpatient clinics, and specialized care centers in the Tri-State. These facilities allow us to provide accessible health care to the region. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers across more than 50 specialties and subspecialties, we offer a depth and breadth of medical expertise unmatched in the region, allowing us to provide comprehensive care for nearly any medical need. We offer advanced specialty care in areas such as cancer treatment, heart and vascular health, neurosciences, orthopedics, and women’s health, with our centers of excellence providing cutting-edge treatments and technologies not widely available elsewhere in the region.

Highlight recognitions your hospital has received that reflect its excellence in health care.

Deaconess has received several notable accolades. We’ve consistently earned an “A” grade for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, underscoring our commitment to maintaining high standards of care.

Deaconess Gateway Hospital is the only hospital in the region to have received advanced certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, demonstrating our capability to treat complex stroke cases. This certification highlights our expertise in providing rapid response, specialized treatment, and comprehensive care for stroke patients, reinforcing our position as a leader in neurological care in the region.

Furthermore, Deaconess has been ranked #2 in Indiana by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals rankings. This prestigious ranking reflects our excellence in delivering high-quality care across multiple specialties and our strong performance in various quality indicators.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY COLORECTAL SURGERY

Dr. Santiago Arruffat

Dr. Santiago Arruffat, a board certified General Surgeon and Colorectal Surgeon practicing in the Tri-State region since 2006, founded Evansville Colorectal Surgery in 2023. The vision of the practice is to fully commit to the specialty of colorectal surgery, providing a highly sought after and much needed service to the region. Our priority is to offer the latest in surgical advances, a comforting environment, and a personalized human touch to patients and their loved ones. We work closely with multiple health institutions and specialties to deliver the best care possible. Evansville Colorectal Surgery is proud to serve any and all in need.

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Why should a patient choose colorectal surgery?

Studies have shown that specific procedures performed by colorectal specialists lead to overall better outcomes. Colorectal surgeons are general surgeons who undergo additional rigorous training and have an intimate knowledge of the gastrointestinal tract, allowing us to treat complex conditions of the abdomen and anorectal region. We live in a specialized world and patients feel reassurance knowing they are treated by someone with expertise in the colorectal surgery field.

What services do you provide?

We provide advanced treatment for colorectal cancer, including minimally invasive surgery such as the da Vinci robot and laparoscopy. We also offer treatment options for disorders such as diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and a host of other maladies. Very importantly, we provide expert treatment of anorectal disorders such as hemorrhoids,

fissures, fistulas, infections, rectal bleeding, rectal pain, and others. We pride ourselves on offering advanced treatments for fecal incontinence, a problem that is very prevalent in the community and causes great distress. We also have a high-volume endoscopy service and perform colonoscopies for cancer screening as well as diagnosing and treating many intestinal ailments.

Why should patients come to Evansville Colorectal Surgery for their care?

Experience. Trust. Empathy. Respect. The name is new, but the face is familiar. We have been working hard for many years to earn the loyal support from our local and outlying community patients and physicians. The wonderful staff at Evansville Colorectal Surgery aim to bring a comforting and positive experience to our patients, provide an ambient and friendly atmosphere at the office, and overall help ensure the best possible outcomes.

Brittany Beck, Stephanie Albin, Dr. Santiago Arruffat, Jinky Moquia, and Elaine Young.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Commonwealth Pain & Spine

At Commonwealth Pain & Spine, we empathize with the needs of our patients. We recognize that their pain is exhausting and debilitating and limits their quality of life. We believe relief from chronic pain is achievable in various degrees through our intelligent and multi-modal team-based approach. Our caring staff is what separates us from many other clinics. In our offices, we preach common courtesy and respect for each patient. From our front desk staff, who always smile and know every patient’s name, to our knowledgeable and experienced nurse practitioners and doctors, who see patients in a timely manner, we are here to treat patients’ pain-related issues and improve their quality of living.

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What types of treatments does Commonwealth Pain & Spine specialize in?

We offer interventional procedures, including various nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, spinal injections for arthritis, and joint injection procedures with and without steroids. We also offer small surgical interventions, including outpatient kyphoplasty for compression fractures of the spine and neuromodulation, a great treatment alternative for nerve pain no matter the cause. Construction is also underway on an ambulatory surgery center with the team behind Commonwealth to continue delivering highquality and accessible care.

What makes Commonwealth Pain & Spine an authority in the health care industry?

The physicians at Commonwealth Pain & Spine are some of the finest experts in the country. Our team members are double board certified in anesthesiology and pain management and are trained

under the country’s leading interventional pain fellowships. They consistently deliver the safest, most innovative, responsible, and clinically proven pain relief care available.

Where is Commonwealth Pain & Spine located and what are its hours of operation?

We have two convenient locations. Our West Side office is at 5435 Pearl Drive, and our East Side location is at 700 Kimber Lane. Our office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

What do patients say about Commonwealth Pain & Spine?

“Everyone at the office is so friendly, kind, and very efficient at their job. They are professional and yet very much feel like an old friend that you are so happy to see. I can honestly say due to the care and attention I received, I feel better than I have in years. I would absolutely take any of my family there and be confident in the care and treatment they would receive.” – Verified Patient

Nicolaus Winters, M.D. - Managing Partner; S. Kyle Young, M.D. - Founding Partner; Joseph Folz, D.O. - Partner; Katherine Williams, D.O. - Partner

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

IN-HOME SENIOR CARE

Home Instead

A locally owned business for more than 16 years, our Home Instead team offers friendly, responsive service in your neighborhood. Our Care Professionals offer a wide range of in-home care, going above and beyond to provide quality care and establish trust with clients. Families love us because we solve care problems using compassionate, person-centered solutions, engage in thoughtful relationships with the families we serve, and give back to our community. No matter the level of care a client needs, Home Instead helps them age with grace and dignity in the comfort of their home. Our Klipsch Senior Care Mission is shared across our network of six franchises:  Making lives better, every day, every interaction.

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What makes Home Instead stand out from other in-home care services?

Home Instead provides trustworthy home care services with a personalized touch, helping aging adults live full lives.

What services do you offer?

We offer non-medical in-home care, hiring and training care professionals to work in the home one-on-one with clients. Our care professionals provide bathing and grooming assistance, toileting assistance, dressing assistance, medication reminders, and transfer assistance. Our care professionals also provide light housekeeping, companionship, errand running, meal preparation, basic safety support, and more!

How does someone go about getting in-home care services?

Visit our website or call our office and speak with our client care coordinator, home care consultant, or general manager to learn

more about our services and to schedule an initial care consultation. A care consultation allows us to meet one-on-one with prospective clients to create an individualized service plan centered around the specific needs of the individual.

How do you personalize care for each patient?

Our care consultations are unique to each client. We meet one-onone to discuss your specific needs, ensuring we can assist you with what you require. We take the time to understand our clients and use that information to create a care team that aligns with your interests and understands your needs. We continually evaluate the safety and quality of our care to ensure we provide the proper support needed in the home.

What is personalized in-home care?

We strive to meet our clients where they are and assist with specific activities that make life easier! We match aging adults with trained, vetted care professionals that best fit their schedules and care needs.

Jon Hooper, Sheryl Rice, Heather Bevers, Rachael Sherwood, Megan O’Connor, Kelly Clark, Janet Luecke, Jeni Hogan, Lisa Springer, Tana Chapman, and Brad Elpers

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Tri-State Oral Surgery

At Tri-State Oral Surgery, our growing team of five board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons provides care to Evansville and the extended Tri-State area. We take great pride in treating each patient with the utmost care, compassion, and respect to enable an environment where anxiety and fear can be put at ease. Our practice strives to provide a detail-oriented treatment plan tailored to each patient’s specific needs and explained in a manner that allows step-by-step comprehension. The surgeons at Tri-State also stress the importance of education and evidence-based practice and prioritize offering the most state-of-the-art technology and the highest level of patient care.

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What full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures do you provide to your patients?

Our team of experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons provides a full range of dental surgical procedures including extractions, dental implants, removal of wisdom teeth, pathology, and bone augmentation. In addition, they perform a range of maxillofacial surgeries such as corrective jaw surgery, reconstruction, and trauma.

Dr. Bradley Storrs just joined the practice. How does Tri-State Oral Surgery attract top talent?

Not only was Dr. Storrs attracted to the beautiful Evansville area, but also to our welcoming and tight-knit family environment within our practice and our passion for serving this community.

We aim to partner with surgeons like Dr. Storrs who share the values of empathy, compassion, and treating our patients as we would our families.

What does your team find most rewarding about your work?

We feel gratified as we serve the community through emergency reconstruction, cancer diagnostics, craniofacial issues, cosmetic corrections, and functional restorations. It’s rewarding to address surgical concerns as we restore a patient’s smile for health, confidence, or daily function, thus changing their life for the better. We strive to meet each patient’s needs in a kind, caring way while providing the highest standard of care.

Dr. Steven Rodgers, Dr. Chase Andreason, Dr. Bradley Storrs, Dr. Steven Ledford, and Dr. Mark Wohlford.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

SENIOR CARE

Envive Healthcare

Envive Healthcare is your premier provider of skilled nursing communities in Indiana. Setting a high standard of care, Envive Healthcare provides short-term, long-term, memory care, respite care, and specialized mental health and wellness support.

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What full scope of healthcare services do you provide to your residents?

Envive Healthcare is a premier provider of healthcare and senior care options. Our Evansville location on Boeke Road includes short-term rehabilitation, long-term nursing care, and two memory care neighborhoods for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our River City community, located on First Avenue, offers shortterm rehabilitation and long-term nursing care. Both communities can also accommodate respite and hospice stays, and each can provide an array of clinical capabilities, ranging from post-surgical care, stroke care, and IV antibiotic therapy to physical and occupational speech therapy. We are here to serve, support, and provide for everyone and every need.

Envive Healthcare is a new name in Evansville. What is Envive Healthcare’s history?

Envive Healthcare recently celebrated our third anniversary. Envive was founded with the intent to be a family-oriented company, delivering excellence to our patients, employees, families, and communities, one person at a time. Our two locations join the family of eight other locations operated throughout Indiana. Over the past three years, we’ve been more than just a network of skilled nursing communities; we’ve been a family offering warmth, comfort, and unwavering support. Our core values – support, communication, and positivity – drive us to set the highest standard of care for both short-term and long-term needs. We are looking forward to many more years of exceptional care and heartfelt connections!

What

sets Envive Healthcare apart from other senior

care facilities?

Our communities do more than restore health, they truly embody the warmth, comfort, and support of a close-knit family. Our goal is to help our residents throughout the Envive family gain strength with compassion and respect. You matter to us, and we make sure to show you that every step of the way. Our positive environment allows us to work with you to become healthier, both physically and mentally. This is the Envive difference.

Envive Healthcare of Evansville: 601 N. Boeke Rd. • 812-476-4912

Envive Healthcare of River City: 909 First Ave. • 812-423-6214 • envivehealthcare.com

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

TOTAL BEAUTY DESTINATION

Shannon Aleksandr’s

It’s hard to believe that Shannon Aleksandr’s was once just a dream – a dream Shannon Woolsey brought to life in 2006. Nearly 20 years later, the staff and partner-ownership team continue to set the bar in delivering unforgettable experiences for every guest who walks through its doors.

Their incredibly talented staff are the most educated bunch of cosmetologists, barbers, nail techs, and estheticians this region offers, and the team looks forward to upholding that standard for years to come.

Offering a range of services including massage and facial treatments, waxing, manicures, pedicures, men’s grooming, and of course, all things hair and extensions, there’s pampering for every need at Shannon Aleksandr’s Salon & Spa.

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How has Shannon Aleksandr’s grown since it was started?

What began as two business partners with a dream has blossomed into a thriving, community business pampering Evansville and the surrounding areas. Over the years, we’ve doubled down on investing in our staff, community, and the experience our guests receive. That growth came with moves, renovations, a new full-service spa, a barbershop, and the shampoo room of our dreams.

All this is thanks to a shared vision, the staff – guest services representatives, massage therapists, stylists, nail technicians, estheticians, and an in-house barber – and the community of guests and patrons who have supported that vision.

What sets Shannon Aleksandr’s apart from other salons and spas?

The ambiance you experience immediately upon stepping through the doors at Shannon Aleksandr’s is designed to elevate and transport you to a world of pampering.

Still, what truly sets us apart is our outstanding team of incredibly talented staff that distinguishes us as the authority on all things hair, skin, body, and nails.

What services do you provide? What are your specialties?

We also boast an in-house, custom barbershop specializing in men’s haircare and fine grooming in addition to a full range of expert hair services including cutting, coloring, styling, and extensions.

Our spa menu entices with a range of treatments including better-than-Botox facials, out-of-this-world massages, healing body treatments, manicures, pedicures, and waxing services. We deeply care about the health of your hair, skin, body, and nails, and are dedicated to providing services that help you reflect thatinside and out!

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY YOUR HEALTHY HOMETOWN HEROES

Jimmy Schaefer, General Manager and Tim Runyon, Owner

Since 1999, Healthy Spaces has been more than just a contractor – we’ve been a constant in the lives of families throughout the Tri-State. Our purpose is clear: to redefine the industry. This means raising the bar for what homeowners can expect from a contractor.

We’ve all experienced frustrating contractors - the ones where promises aren’t kept, timelines get stretched, and quality is compromised. It’s time for a change. We’re setting new standards for our homeowner-contractor relationship. We’re not just fixing homes; we’re restoring your faith in exceptional service because we believe raising the bar raises it for all contractors.

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What services do you provide?

We create a healthy home environment through mold prevention, crawl space encapsulation, basement waterproofing, and foundation repair. We educate the customer about their home’s issues and how to fix them. We do not offer cookie-cutter fixes for your home. When we visit your home for the first time, expect a thorough inspection, including a detailed description of problems and a comprehensive explanation of the solutions we propose and why. If you decide to sell your home, our services are transferable to the new homeowner.

What are the biggest benefits of your services to a homeowner?

Investing in your home will not only improve the value of the house but also its health, structure, and efficiency. Before undertaking a major home repair project, you want it to be worth every penny. We can add a return on investment to your home through lower energy bills, improved indoor air quality, increased home and resale value, and peace of mind.

Another benefit is our dedicated service department. Most companies don’t want to hear from you again once they complete the work in your home, but not us — we encourage it! We offer a yearly maintenance program to be sure all equipment is working properly and in good condition. Should your system run into a problem, our service technicians will diagnose it within 24 hours. We stand by our work, and when you call we always show up!

Jon Tornatta, Jimmy Schaefer, Kelsey Bullerdick, Travis Vaughn, Kyle Wheatman, and Tim Runyon

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY METAL FABRICATION

Shane & Erin Strickland

Twenty years of welding and fabricating experience, fueled by the desire to improve the design and customer experience, led to the creation of Brass Bones Fabrication. We strive to turn functionality into artwork and are known for highquality craftsmanship and creative solutions. We help customers throughout the Tri-State transform their homes and businesses from ordinary to extraordinary with high-end handrails, custom furniture, and next-level interior finishings.

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What are you most proud of?

After nearly two decades of fabricating, I’ve built thousands of custom pieces for clients across the country. I’m proud of every piece I create, but if I had to choose one it would be a bar I built to showcase an extensive bourbon collection. An amazing local family reached out intending to store and display 1,000 bottles of bourbon in their lake house. The bar was custom-made, more than 20 feet wide and 10 feet tall. We used a beautiful white oak for the display shelving, with custom LED lighting throughout to highlight the collection. Then we built a couple of massive steel columns to support everything, with a rolling library-style ladder so the family could easily reach any bottle on display. I used brass hardware and leather to complement the dark steel. Those combinations came together beautifully for the family.

What services do you provide?

What are your specialties?

My company offers a range of services, with customer service at the center of everything we do. We partner with our customers from start to finish. From that initial

consultation and design – understanding the customer’s goals and ideas for the project – fabrication, and installation, we keep our customers close to the project to ensure their complete satisfaction.

Something that really excites me is trying out new techniques and materials. In this industry, there’s always something to learn. So far, our projects have used materials like steel, brass, glass, wood, and leather, and I expect us to continue to add new materials to the mix as we complete more projects.

We specialize in high-end customer goods. Railings, bars, custom cabinetry, furniture, wall coverings, and artwork are all projects we’ve delivered. That list is just a start, and we are excited to do more in the future. Nothing excites us more than a new idea or an unexpected twist to a design that unlocks our creative juices.

How can one of your pieces enhance a home or business?

With every project, my goals are to exceed the customer’s needs and to serve the space I’m provided creatively and efficiently. People sometimes hesitate to add metalwork to their homes. They fear it’ll appear industrial, cold, and maybe over the top. But inspired, quality metal fabrication can do the opposite for your home. When done right metal fits seamlessly within your home’s aesthetic, adding an elegant, custom, warm tone.

In addition, working with a metal fabricator like Brass Bones allows you to add pieces and elements to your home that are truly one of a kind. How cool is it to grab a drink from a bar you know exists nowhere else? Or to snag a book off custom wood and metal shelving that is perfectly you, and perfectly yours? I’d say that’s pretty cool.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY ACCOUNTING

Grable CPA & Company

Cody Grable grew up working at Ledgerplus, which was established by his grandfather, David A. Townsend, Sr., in 1997. Cody earned degrees in Accounting and Finance from the University of Southern Indiana in 2015, and became a CPA in 2016. Cody purchased the business in 2018, passed the Series 65 exam, and expanded into wealth management. In 2019, the firm rebranded as Grable CPA & Company. In 2023, the company acquired a local firm in Santa Claus, Indiana, adding a second location for client convenience. Cody’s strategic decisions have not only preserved his grandfather’s legacy but also adapted the business to meet modern demands and client needs.

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What services does Grable CPA & Company specialize in?

• Tax Services: Preparation and planning for individuals, businesses, and estates.

• Accounting and Bookkeeping: Managing day-to-day book keeping, financial statement preparation, and maintaining up-to-date accounts.

• Payroll Services: Managing payroll processing, including tax withholdings, and compliance with employment regulations.

• Business Consulting: Offering advice on business strategy, financial management, and operational improvements.

• F inancial Planning: Guiding personal and business financial planning, including retirement planning, investment strategies, and risk management.

What are Grable CPA & Company’s leadership values that are communicated to and embodied by its staff?

Integrity, Client-Centric Focus, Excellence and Professionalism, Accountability, Collaboration and Teamwork, Innovation and Adaptability, and Respect and Empathy.

What sets Grable CPA & Company apart from other accounting firms?

• Comprehensive Expertise and Embracing Technology: We offer a wide range of services to address various financial needs and challenges. Technology is constantly improving, and we strive to stay at the front of this innovation. We have integrated AI into aspects of our business and we hope to educate clients on how this can benefit them in their businesses.

• Proactive Approach and Commitment to Quality: We work with clients to anticipate financial issues and opportunities, helping them make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls. Accuracy and professionalism are our priority.

How has Grable CPA &

Company

set the stage for growth?

Grable CPA & Company delivers personalized and high-quality service that builds strong, lasting relationships with clients. Offering a broad range of services, from tax preparation to business consulting and financial planning, positions the firm to attract a diverse clientele. Our focus on modern technology enhances efficiency, accuracy, and client service while offering innovative solutions. Investing in the continuous education and professional development of our team ensures that the firm remains knowledgeable about the latest industry trends, regulations, and best practices.

Heath Fritz, CPA, Christina Stinson, Dustin Reingardt, Carla Wetzel, Gloria Thomas, Tami Nord, Devon Olivey, Mary Wetzel, Cody Grable, CPA, and Emily Hicks

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY HOSPICE CARE

Heart to Heart Hospice

Heart to Heart Hospice, based in Plano, Texas since 2003, expanded services to the Evansville community in 2013. Our founder, who continues to lead the organization today, believes in a philosophy of care based on compassion.

We provide a patient-centered approach to medical care and supportive services for patients at the end-of-life, as well as for their family members. Heart to Heart partners with physicians, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living communities to deliver the care patients and families deserve.

We are one of the largest private providers of hospice care in the United States, while being market leaders in each community we serve.

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What sets Heart to Heart Hospice apart from other businesses offering hospice care? What are the full breadth of services that Heart to Heart Hospice offers?

Heart to Heart Hospice offers a variety of services beyond the Medicare mandate for hospice providers. We provide the four levels of hospice care wherever a patient calls home. For times when symptoms cannot be feasibly managed in the home environment, we offer respite care or general inpatient care in our freestanding home-like Hospice House. Our robust Heart Paws Pet Therapy program has over 19 therapy dogs that visit patients wherever they get their care. We have a large group of volunteers and the BEST nursing care in Evansville.

What is the environment like at Heart to Heart Hospice?

FAMILY, that’s what our staff say about their work world. As a part of our 12 Hearts Desires, “we take care of each other” as demonstrated by family-style meals together, company cars and above average paid time off for our employees. At a time where many employers are cutting back on health insurance benefits, we are expanding ours!

What are some misconceptions that people have about hospice?

Hospice is not as much “about dying well,” as it is about living as well as possible, for as long as possible. We not only provide excellent medical care but serve the whole person and their family. Only about half of those who qualify for hospice receive services at the end-of-life. Of those who do get care, 50% are on services for less than 17 days. We hope to change this - come see what we offer. Visit us at our Hospice House, contact us at htohh.com.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY ROOFING

Upright Construction

Upright Construction has been servicing the Tri-State area for many years. We have trained professionals in all aspects of remodeling and have a reputation for competitive pricing and the highest quality of work. Our crews are professional and very well-trained. We have more than 100 years of combined construction experience.

How did Upright Construction get its start?

Upright Construction Services began as a local endeavor rooted in my passion for serving the Evansville community. Born and raised here, I started collaborating with real estate agents, initially focusing on roofing small repairs and their property maintenance needs. As our reputation for quality and reliability grew, our services evolved from minor repairs to complete roof replacements. Today, we take pride in being a licensed contractor with certifications from leading manufacturers such as Owens Corning, GAF, CertainTeed, and Tamko. Our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction drives us to provide the highest quality roofing solutions for our valued clients in the Evansville area.

What are the advantages of working with Upright Construction to install your roof?

Our status as a certified firm reflects our commitment to quality and enhances the warranties we offer through our partnerships with leading manufacturers. Our relationships with Owens

Corning, GAF, CertainTeed, and Tamko mean that the materials and workmanship are covered under their warranties. This leaves our customers with peace of mind, knowing their roof is secure and protected against potential issues. With our expertise and the backing of trusted manufacturers, clients can rest assured that they are making a solid investment in their homes.

How has your business expanded over the years?

Since our inception in 2016, Upright Construction Services has experienced remarkable growth. We began with just two employees, focusing on small inspection repairs and gradually expanding our expertise. Over the years, our team has grown to 26 dedicated professionals, allowing us to broaden our services significantly. Today, we handle all aspects of residential construction, from bathroom and kitchen remodels to complete home additions. Our experienced tradesmen excel in their respective fields, ensuring top-notch quality in every project. Moreover, we now offer custom home builds, bringing clients’ visions to life from the ground up. This evolution reflects our commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our community.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY CUSTOM POOLS

Kelley Custom Pools

Kelley Custom Pools is a family owned and operated company dedicated to offering the Tri-State top-quality custom swimming pools and services. Founded in 1953 by Floyd Kelley, three generations of the Kelley family have strived to adhere to the principles, work ethic, and build quality of the business’ founder. Specializing in custom pool design and installation, Kelley Pools’ primary goal is to ensure that owning a pool is what it is supposed to be — Fun.

Wayne Kelley, Owner/On-Site Consultant; Tommy Kelley, Construction Lead; Chris Kelley, Owner/Service Operations; Jake Kelley, Projects and Sales; and Brad Roberts

How did Kelley Custom Pools get its start in our community?

Kelley Pools goes back over 70 years as a staple in the Evansville area. It was founded by our patriarch, Floyd Kelley, back in 1953 and officially became F.T. Kelley & Sons in the early ’80s. We now continue Floyd’s legacy with the third generation of the Kelley family.

What is Kelley Custom Pools’ full breadth of products and services?

We offer a full gamut of services: custom in-ground construction, opening/closing, maintenance, refurbishment, and repair. There isn’t much we don’t handle.

What can a new customer expect from an on-site pool consultation?

Basically, knowledge and no pressure. Our consultations allow you to make up your own mind. Our job is to help you make an informed decision, not sell you something you already want.

What sets Kelley Custom Pools apart from other pool companies?

We are the only third generation family-owned and operated swimming business in the Tr-State. Every decision made has a family member overseeing it.

What do customers want from a pool installation now? Have preferences changed from years past?

Customers are generally looking for a company they can trust that knows what they are doing. Swimming pools haven’t changed much, but the average homeowner wants to know that they have invested in the right company.

What does Kelley Custom Pools’ team enjoy most about the custom pool industry?

We enjoy the personal connection with our clients. Getting to know them, their kids, and how the pool will be used. Our pools last for generations and seeing them handed down and well-loved makes it worth the effort.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY

TREE TRIMMING

Judy & Charlie Oran

AMERICAN EAGLE TREE SERVICE

American Eagle Tree Service is a leading company that provides customers throughout greater Evansville and Newburgh, Indiana, and surrounding areas with professional and personalized tree care services since 2001. Its team of expert arboriculture trained specialists are well-versed in helping clients with tree-related services.

Our highly qualified team makes American Eagle a trusted tree service. Our staff can offer full-spectrum tree services, such as large and hazardous tree removals, proper tree pruning, shaping, and crown thinning. We also provide stump grinding and lot clearing services.

When storm emergencies arise, American Eagle will safely remove hazardous trees using our ultramodern aerial equipment, including track lifts, bucket trucks, and crane trucks reaching heights of 146 feet with the capacity to handle those exceptionally large trees even in difficult locations. Whether you are a client who owns residential or commercial property seeking an expert to remove a diseased or leaning dead tree, or have trees with overhanging branches and want their trees professionally pruned to look as nice as possible, American Eagle can get the job done.

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How do American Eagle’s trained professionals stay up to date on the latest in the arboriculture industry?

This summer our staff and crew members participated in a voluntary safety consultation and training program through INSafe - IN Dept. of Labor. Staff and crew also recertified their Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED training. Safety on the job is our highest priority since the tree service industry is typically in the top three nationwide most hazardous job occupations. To keep our employees, our equipment, and our customers’ property protected while on the job takes expert skills and commitment. We do this through our memberships with the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

How did American Eagle get its start in our community?

Judy: Funny story, my professional career was in nursing. I worked for Deaconess Hospital as a Registered Nurse in Cardiac ICU, and my husband, Charlie, worked as the Director of Operations for a local manufacturing company. In July 2001, he retired from that position and started a business. He always enjoyed working outdoors clearing wooded areas and cutting trees and sold a little firewood on occasion. Little did we know it would progress into a full-time career for both of us. Charlie attended Arbor Master training in West Virginia, and the rest was “history.” We made a business plan and worked multiple jobs for years while investing in and growing our business. We were determined to “raise the bar” on the public’s perception of a tree service company. We are grateful to our incredible clients who have generously referred our professional services to their friends, family, and business associates for more than 23 years.

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY FOUNDATION REPAIR

Midwest Structural Solutions

At Midwest Structural Solutions, we like to say that a home is only as good as its foundation. As trusted construction partners in the Tri-State area, it only makes sense to tell you about our deep-rooted foundation.

What makes Midwest Structural Solutions stand out is the fundamental experience and expertise in the building trades we bring to every project.

Owned and operated by local mason and home builder Tye Dickens, MSS did not start “fixing leaky basements,” but developed a division of our existing company to handle the ever-growing request for foundation issues. Tye began building his local reputation in masonry in the early 1990s and later expanded into home-building.

At Midwest Structural Solutions, we don’t just build structures, we build relationships. We take pride in our work and commitment to ensuring our customers understand their particular foundation issues and possible solutions. We hope you’ll trust us with your home or place of business, just as so many others in this area already have.

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How did Midwest Structural Solutions get its start?

Midwest Structural Solutions has decades of experience in the construction industry, including complete home building and masonry. The specific field of foundation repair grew out of the high demand of requests for the service. We partnered with the leading manufacturers in the industry to provide the best products.

What are the advantages of working with Midwest Structural Solutions? What sets your business apart?

We meticulously examine each structure to determine its needs and use the latest technology to find a solution.

What types of solutions do you offer for foundation issues?

We can lift and stabilize a settling foundation with “The Highest Quality Products in the Industry,” using helical and resistance piers for the foundation underpinning.

Tell us about some of the other services you offer.

We also excel in basement waterproofing, bowed basement wall stabilization, and crawl space repair.

Natalie Dickens, Tye Dickens, Jackson, and Tim

EVANSVILLE’S AUTHORITY PRINTING, ENGRAVING & FOIL STAMPING

David and Steve Nussmeier

Nussmeier Engraving has been your complete printing services company for more than 108 years. We are a third-generation family-owned business that has earned a reputation for the highest quality products and personal service. By creating a distinctive design and using the most effective processes, our international award-winning team can help your company stand out above the rest. While Nussmeier is known for our high-end engraving products, we take that same approach to your everyday printing needs. This allows our clients to maintain their image. Printing and brand consistency are our forte.

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What is Nussmeier’s business philosophy?

Our philosophy is to produce the highest quality products. This has always been a hallmark of success for our business. You simply cannot find a company with higher quality standards or capabilities.

How has your business grown and changed over the years?

Since 2017, the company has moved from stationery products as its mainstay into packaging, specifically chocolate bar packaging. The bars are mostly dark chocolate made by Letterpress in Los Angeles. Our company’s newest packaging project — custom, luxury wine labels produced mainly for clients in Napa Valley and San Francisco, California.

How are your high-end packaging products made?

Nussmeier’s packaging products are made using almost every aspect of the company’s production line. Our two digital printing presses create four-color, gradient color, and whiteon-dark color designs on the chocolate bars, as well as other projects. The wine labels are produced on one of Nussmeier’s 12 traditional engraving presses, which are all American made by the Cronite Company. Production for packaging and other projects can include foil stamping with one of the company’s six foil presses or running the packaging through die cutters and gluing stations.

2024 Woman of Empowerment & Top 20 Women Leaders

Thursday, October 3, 2024 Old National Events Plaza

For more than 98 years, the Junior League of Evansville has been dedicated to empowering women to be civic leaders. In support of this mission, the Junior League of Evansville hosts the Women’s Conference and Luncheon.

This 3-tiered conference program is specifically designed to inspire and empower women at every stage of their leadership journey. The day includes workshops and a vendor expo.

During the luncheon the Junior League of Evansville presents the Woman of Empowerment Award as well as names the 2024 Top 20 Women Leaders in the Tri-State Area. These awards will recognize innovative servant leaders in the TriState area who make our community a better place to live and work.

2024 WOMAN OF EMPOWERMENT

Lori Sutton American Water

Lori Sutton is the chief inclusion, diversity, and equity officer and vice president of talent acquisition at American Water, which is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey. Lori provides leadership and oversight for the ID&E strategy, with a focus on awareness, driving accountability, and integrating ID&E into the foundation of American Water’s processes/policies and culture to continue to advance American Water’s commitment to ID&E. Lori also leads the development and execution of innovative strategies that enhance recruitment effectiveness and align with the organization’s long-term objectives. She currently serves on the board of directors for Liberty Federal Credit Union, the Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana, and the American Water Charitable Foundation. In addition to her board participation, she is a coach for William Henry Harrison High School’s step team and a lead for the Evansville chapter of Beautiful Brown Girls Brunch Club. She also is a proud member of the Evansville alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she serves as the co-chair of the GEMS mentoring program.

Over the years, Lori has been recognized for her passion, leadership, and expertise in ID&E. She received the 2022 Top 100 ID&E Global Champions Award and 2022 Top 100 Diversity Officer in the U.S. award, to name a few. Lori received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern Indiana and Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. She currently holds the Certified Diversity Executive designation. Lori lives in Evansville with her husband, James. They have two beautiful daughters, JaDrien and Aaliyah, and one grandson.

Cindy Barnhill Liberty Federal Credit Union

As a young woman on her own and then a single mother in her early twenties, Cindy Barnhill experienced the hardships that come with raising a child on a limited income and not having significant support. During that time, Cindy developed a deep respect for people in this community who assist those less fortunate. These early years of hardship and hard work – along with meeting her now-husband, Fred – influenced Cindy to give back as mortgage loan officer and by supporting not-for-profits.

Over her 20-year-plus career in mortgage lending, Cindy has assisted countless families with financing their first home to their retirement home. She has always wanted to help those experiencing homelessness in our community, especially young families, and is proud to have instilled that same drive to help others in her son, who continuously volunteers and donates.

Cindy was proud to be asked to be committee chair for multiple events and then a board member for Pay It Forward Local. She is a member of the Junior League of Evansville, an ambassador for E-REP, a committee member for SIAR, and an affiliate member of SIBA. She has loved organizing successful networking events that bring together locally owned businesses. These B2B events have assisted business owners in bringing awareness to others of what they do. Cindy looks forward to serving the community for years to come.

Stephanie Bonenberger Donaldson Capital Management

Stephanie Bonenberger works for Donaldson Capital Management and is the president of the Junior League of Evansville. At DCM, she serves as the team lead for the client services department and assists clients and advisory teams with excellent service. She has been with DCM for more than four years after previously working for a family business as well as Ripken Baseball. Stephanie has been a member of the Junior League for 10 years, previously serving as executive vice president, treasurer, member at large and event planning chair. Stephanie chaired three of the Junior League of Evansville’s major fundraisers: the Rockin’ River City Ride twice and the River City Rummage Sale. She is looking forward to leading the League into its 100th year.

Additionally, Stephanie teaches dance class at Thrive. She has taught children tap, jazz, and ballet for more than nine years. Stephanie also has volunteered with Sigma Kappa Sorority for more than 15 years and serves as the advisory board supervisor for the Gamma Beta chapter. She recently served on a work group to revise the Collegiate Officer Structure for all chapters, and she travels to Kalamazoo, Michigan, multiple times a year to assist the chapter with recruitment activities. In Stephanie’s position, she works closely with chapter members and mentors the women in their positions and life. Stephanie is a proud Evansville native who earned a Bachelor of Science in sport administration from the University of Louisville.

Tasha Byram SABIC

Tasha is a native of Union County, Kentucky, and a longtime Evansville resident. Tasha joined SABIC in Mount Vernon, Indiana, in 2018 after 10 years at Toyota. She led many volunteer opportunities before joining SABIC, but it wasn’t until becoming part of the Posey County workforce that her real passion to make a difference took flight. Her primary platform is serving as chair for the SABIC/West Elementary Mentor Program. Working with Posey County Youth First, this program pairs SABIC employees with a West Elementary student to serve as a positive mentor and role model. This encourages students to glance into their futures, opening their minds to various job fields, hobbies, and interests. Tasha recently connected this program with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Posey County to ensure the student-mentor relationship continues through high school and beyond.

Tasha is a member of the Posey County board for Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet, which helps remove one of the many stumbling blocks to improving school performance by providing students a pair of new athletic shoes. She recently applied to volunteer for Honor Flight of Southern Indiana after seeing what it has done for her Uncle Bill. Tasha also takes pride in mentoring other women in business. With her guidance and training, she has assisted several women in securing full-time employment opportunities with benefits and retirement plans. She continues to mentor these women as they are promoted and grow into highly successful influencers in the community. Tasha has served as a great example of achieving personal, professional, and family goals.

Michelle Chappell, Ed.D. Henderson Community College

Michelle Chappell, Ed.D, stands as a distinguished figure in the realm of education and mentorship, particularly for underrepresented minorities. She has been instrumental in bridging the achievement gap and fostering leadership qualities among students. She has dedicated her career to Henderson Community College and has been involved in Henderson County High School, extending her influence on the broader Henderson, Kentucky, community by serving on several boards.

Holding a doctoral degree in educational leadership with a focus on adult and higher education leadership from Morehead State University, Michelle’s expertise lies in elevating adult learning experiences and guiding individuals through their career trajectories. Her work seamlessly aligns with the strategic goals of organizations committed to academic excellence and workforce development. Michelle brings an innovative approach to professional and personal development within today’s dynamic employment landscape. Her vision and strategies are invaluable to entities aiming to secure a competitive edge through the cultivation of a diverse, high-performing workforce.

Michelle excels in p eer mentoring, steering individuals toward remarkable academic achievements. Her proficiency is not limited to educational leadership; she also is a seasoned information technology professional. Her background encompasses significant contributions to higher education and industry, with specialized skills in educational technology, e-learning, and training. In essence, Michelle is not just an educator and mentor; she is a transformative leader, equipping individuals and organizations with the tools to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Geronica Hazelwood Connor Missing Pieces Community Development Corporation

Geronica Hazelwood Connor was born and raised in Evansville. She graduated from North High School and received her Bachelor of Science in law and legal studies from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. She relocated to Houston, Texas, and began her Master of Business Administration, with management and human resources concentrations, at Keller Graduate School of Management.

Geronica is the founder and executive director of Missing Pieces Community Development Corporation. This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is a U.S. Department of Transportation nationwide motor carrier. Missing Pieces provides mass transit routes transporting five to 80 passengers per trip. All public transportation services are free and provide reliable transport for low-income residents who need help getting to higher paying worksites, medical appointments, and essential services, and healthy food access for residents of food deserts. Currently, Missing Pieces connects Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Gibson counties, with plans in the near future to add Henderson County in Henderson, Kentucky. Geronica’s motto is “blessed to be a blessing.” She has volunteered in the community since age 11 and continues to positively impact the City of Evansville and beyond.

Amy DeVries Pro Bono

Indiana, Inc.

Amy DeVries, a lifelong resident of Southwestern Indiana, has lived on Evansville’s West Side for nearly 25 years. She and her husband, John, have three grown children and a beautiful 2.5-year-old granddaughter. They also are proud “parents” of two pugs and a cat who believes she’s a dog.

In 2013, at age 44, Amy graduated cum laude from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor of Science in public relations. She wanted the proper credentials to go along with her desire to bring about positive change in Vanderburgh County. After obtaining her degree, she was the Lead Community Organizer for a local justice ministry organization for nearly a decade. She recruited, trained, and empowered dozens of volunteer leaders to work to resolve tough community problems, such as the lack of affordable housing, recidivism, access to mental health services, and barriers to free and appropriate public education.

After leaving her organizing role in 2022, Amy became a freelance community organizing consultant and grant specialist. In 2023, she was a mayoral appointee to the Advisory Board on Disability Services, a subcommittee of the Human Relations Commission. That same year, she became a reading volunteer at St. Vincent Early Learning Center.

Amy is employed as the Development and Communications Coordinator for Pro Bono Indiana, a network of attorneys, paralegals, and other professionals who provide indigent Hoosiers with referrals to free or low-cost legal services. She believes when our vulnerable are provided the resources, education, and opportunities for advancement, the entire community benefits.

Suzanne Draper Vanderburgh County CASA

Suzanne Draper is a graduate of the University of Evansville and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In 1990, after two years of corporate work, Suzanne began a career with the State of Indiana working in public assistance eligibility, child welfare, foster care and adoption work as both a case manager and a supervisor. After 12 years, she began her work with Vanderburgh County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), where she has been executive director for more than 22 years. Because of the need, the CASA program has grown from 17 volunteers to more than 120 volunteers, and from a staff of three to a staff of 15. Likewise, CASA’s budget has increased exponentially. Suzanne has served on various local boards, including at the Youth Service Bureau, Healthy Families, and United Methodist Youth Home.

On the state level, Suzanne has been named Indiana CASA Director of the Year; chaired many state CASA committees, including Indiana’s CASA commission, which is part of the Indiana Supreme Court; been appointed to represent CASA on Legislative Committees looking at the Juvenile Justice System; and is an active appointee for two years to a Summer Study Committee focusing on Department of Child Services. Suzanne also is on the Social Outreach Commission at Holy Rosary Church. Suzanne and her husband, Chris, are proud parents to one son, Jackson, who is a sophomore at Indiana University.

Hope

Fussner

Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition

Hope Fussner grew up in Newburgh, Indiana, and graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with an education degree. Hope is now an innovation project manager at Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition and leads teams to develop new products for infants and children. Her teams have launched items that are now sold nationwide and globally. In her free time, Hope enjoys giving back to her community any way she can. Hope serves on the boards of directors for Ark Crisis Children’s Center, USI Alumni Council, Junior League of Evansville (as secretary), and Women@Reckitt (as co-lead). Hope also hosts the annual Giving Tree of Warmth in Haynie’s Corner Arts District, where she works with local businesses, nonprofits, schools, and churches to collect and donate more than 1,000 items of warmth to those in need.

To learn more about her community, Hope participated in Aurora’s 48 Hours in the Life to see what an unhoused person experiences in our community. This fueled her passion even more, and she worked with Feed Evansville to place a Little Free Pantry in her front yard for anyone to grab food when they are in need. Hope also is a kitten foster for Vanderburgh Humane Society and has had a few “foster fails” whom she loves, Beans and Tucker. Hope is a member of the Vanderburgh Democratic Party and has served as events chair and worked on multiple campaigns. She now is running for Vanderburgh County Commissioner to represent and improve her community.

Terri Hartweck Caring Friends Daycare Ministry

Terri Hartweck is daycare director of Caring Friends Daycare Ministry, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) daycare ministry for almost 33 years. She has a degree in early childhood education/childcare administration with emphasis in child psychology. She is a huge advocate for children and is devoted to making a positive impact in children’s lives. She has earned several awards in this field, including Outstanding Educator Award from Indiana’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, Leadership Everyone Education Award, and Sapphire Education Award. She serves on several committees and boards.

Terri also helps with a new family business, Hartweck Construction and Design, Inc. Aside from spending quality time with her husband of 32 years, Terry, and her daughter, Ali, Terri volunteers and donates to Feed Evansville, Little Lambs store, Vanderburgh Humane Society, Evansville Rescue Mission, Honor Flight of Southern Indiana, Veterans of Foreign Wars, her church, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley, Samaritan’s Purse, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, Hangers, Girls Scouts of Southwest Indiana, Tri-State Food Bank, Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Be Kind for Ollie, House of Bread and Peace, Chemo Buddies, Junior League of Evansville, and JLE Neighborhood Mobile Food Market.

She has organized numerous free clothing giveaways, backpack school supply giveaways, diaper drives, book drives, canned food drives, and free parenting classes, parent days-out, tutoring, and nutritional classes. She has earned volunteer of the Year award from Junior League of Evansville. Terri has been an active member of Junior League of Evansville for almost three years and chairs the Community Impact Committee.

Megan Heronemus Explore Evansville

Megan Heronemus is the director of sales with Explore Evansville, the city’s official tourism and marketing organization. Through strategic marketing campaigns, public relations efforts, trade show attendance, and partnerships with local venues, hotels, short-term rentals, and businesses, Explore Evansville seeks to boost tourism, increase visitor spending, and enhance the community’s overall economic impact. As the director of sales, Megan is responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies to attract tourists, conventions, and events to the city.

Megan and her team spend many hours traveling to trade shows and conventions in efforts to build key relationships in Indiana and throughout the region to grow the tourism, convention, and events industry in Evansville. Those efforts have significantly boosted the city’s tourism numbers and enhanced its reputation as a premier destination in the Midwest. Prior to her start at Explore Evansville in 2020, Megan was the director of sales at Old National Events Plaza, where she spent nine years of her 20-year-plus hospitality career. Her passion for the tourism and events industry developed early at her alma mater, Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where she studied hospitality and tourism management.

Megan’s dedication, expertise, and passion make her an invaluable leader in the promotion of Evansville. When Megan is not working to promote Evansville, she spends her time with her husband, Zac, and two children, Jackson and Madelyn. They love traveling as a family and spend many weekends throughout the year at Rough River Lake in Kentucky near Megan’s hometown.

Christine Hoffmeister Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition

Christine Hoffmeister, originally from the Tri-State, earned her Bachelor of Science in management with a concentration in marketing and a minor in English from Purdue University in 2011. She later received her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from Butler University in 2015. Christine launched her marketing career in the food manufacturing industry, spending nearly six years at Weston Foods/Maplehurst Bakeries in Indianapolis. She then transitioned to Bake Crafters Food Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where for nearly three years she excelled in roles across quality, product development, and marketing management.

For the past six years, Christine has been an invaluable asset at Reckitt/ Mead Johnson, progressing from supply innovation project management to her current position as senior manager of hospital marketing. During this period, she earned her Project Management Professional certification. Her dedication to her role is deeply personal, as both of the children she shares with her husband, Adam – Henry (2.5) and Amelia (6 months) – were born prematurely. This experience lends Christine an understanding of the critical importance of nutrition and development within the first 365 days of a child’s life. She is honored to lead the team that helps serve this vulnerable population.

Christine’s leadership extends beyond her professional duties. She played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Women@Reckitt Employee Resource Group at the Evansville site, serving as co-lead for four years. Outside of work, she actively volunteers locally with a special focus on children, families, and the elderly, and she cherishes time with her family and friends.

Deena Laska-Lewis Children’s Center for Dance Education

Deena Laska-Lewis, founder and choreographer at Children’s Center for Dance Education (CCDE), brings a high caliber of training, technique, and care to instructing our region’s best and brightest dancers. Her rich experience and dedication provide a strong foundation for many students to enter the world of professional dance and become well-rounded adults.

Deena trained at the North Carolina School of the Arts and the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana University. She is well-versed in Horton, Graham, Limon, and Vaganova techniques. Her professional experience includes being the principal ballerina with the State of Israel Ballet Company and artistic director for the Tennessee Ballet in Memphis and the Evansville Dance Theatre. Deena’s focus on community service is evident through her numerous contributions to the Evansville community and beyond, as well as her steadfast commitment to making dance accessible to all.

Her leadership extends to various community initiatives, where she has been recognized for her efforts with awards such as the Mayor’s Arts and Educator of the Year, the Outstanding Leadership in the Arts Award from Leadership Evansville, and the Indiana Coalition for the Arts’ Community Art Leadership Award for Arts Educators. Her dedication to community service was further acknowledged with the prestigious Athena Award and the Arts Council’s Artist of the Year award. Deena’s involvement in the arts community has not only elevated local dance standards but also inspired many young dancers to pursue their dreams.

Shannon Libbert-Miller Regional Land Title Company

With a legacy of love from her parents Walter and Sue Farrell, Shannon Libbert-Miller proudly raises her three children and is blessed with five wonderful grandsons. She and her devoted husband, Tracy Miller, have formed a beautiful blended family. As the managing partner of Regional Land Title Company, Shannon has dedicated 26 years to the title industry, spearheading four offices in four cities and servicing two states. Her passion for giving back has led her to co-found Pay It Forward Local Inc. and establish the West Side Community Center, which thrives through the support of its bingo events and incredible volunteers. The center’s focus on feeding the community fuels Shannon’s purpose, and the team raises funds and donates to smaller, local nonprofits, making a meaningful impact. With the unwavering support of her team, Shannon confidently juggles her various roles and finds time for loved ones, personal interests, and travel. Food is her love language, and she delights in exploring new cuisines and sharing meals with others. Her mission is simple: spread love and nourishment, empower others, and make a positive difference in the world – one small change at a time – by paying it forward locally.

Missy Mosby F.C. Tucker Emge; City of Evansville

Born and raised in Evansville, Missy Mosby graduated with honors from Mater Dei High School in 1986. Her parents instilled in her a strong sense of community service, a value she has passionately embraced. With a heart for Evansville, she has made it her mission to serve the area with great honor and devotion. With more than 15 community service awards and volunteer hours for more than 30 organizations, Missy’s dedication and leadership are commendable.

Currently in her fifth term on Evansville City Council, Missy also works as a committed real estate agent for F.C. Tucker Emge, having received her license in 1998. Her career in real estate gives her the flexibility to both “Sell Evansville” and create positive changes for the community’s well-being. Missy also is a passionate animal lover. She founded Buddy’s Promise - Furever Home, an organization dedicated to finding homes for abandoned animals and providing food for pet owners in need. Her love for people, real estate, and animals intertwines seamlessly in her life.

Through her “Give a Dog a Home” program, clients who buy or sell a house with Missy Mosby & Crew have the opportunity to adopt a dog or cat from a local shelter, with Missy covering the adoption fee. If they are not ready to adopt a four-legged family member, Missy will sponsor the adoption fee at Evansville Animal Care and Control in their honor. Missy Mosby is truly exceptional. She continually changes lives, lifts spirits, and makes a significant impact in her community.

Alanna Osborne

Junior League of Evansville

Alanna Osborne is a kindergarten aide at Resurrection Catholic School, which her sons attend. She is the vice president/president-elect of the Resurrection Parishioner’s Club and serves as the executive vice president of the Junior League of Evansville. She also coaches soccer. Alanna grew up in Bardstown, Kentucky, where her passion for playing sports inspired her volunteerism. Her basketball coach was philanthropic and believed that volunteerism made a well-rounded athlete, and players spent their time off the court volunteering at the nursing home or picking up trash on the side of the highway.

Alanna went on to play soccer for four years – and set two school records – at Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, Kentucky, where she also was a sister of Kappa Delta Sorority. Her senior year, she met her now-husband. Upon moving to Evansville after graduation, Alanna didn’t know many women here and missed her sense of community, so she joined the Junior League of Evansville. Since joining, she has served as a provisional mentor, chair of the Community Impact Committee, and vice president for two years before taking on her current role.

The Junior League of Evansville has given her the opportunity to grow as a leader and allowed her to give back to the community. She thanks the various women within the league who have helped foster the confident leader/woman she is today. When she is not volunteering, Alanna enjoys traveling with her husband, Brad, and their two sons, Asher (7) and Hudson (5).

Nikki Raben SABIC

Nikki is a human resource business partner at SABIC in Mount Vernon, Indiana, which employs 1,100 people. She has spent her entire 17-year career in human resources. She graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor of Science in sociology and minored in psychology and criminal justice. She recently led a regional pay harmonization project for all of SABIC America’s Region U.S. sites. At SABIC, Nikki mentors other human resources professionals; co-leads SABIC’s Allyship affinity organization; participates as a core team member of SHE, SABIC’s women’s network; volunteers as a member of SABIC’s Employee Activity Association; and is an active mentor in the SABIC/West Elementary Buddy Program. She also has a passion for mental health awareness and breaking the stigma associated with it.

In 2021, she co-created a month-long awareness program at the Mount Vernon site. The program was so well received, SABIC’s locations in the Americas have adopted the same program for the past two years. Outside of work, Nikki is a member of the Mount Vernon Community Garden Board, Lincoln Trail Community College Process Technology Advisory Board, and Ivy Tech Community College Process Operations Advisory Committee. She also has served as secretary on the Henderson County Habitat for Humanity board of directors. Nikki and her husband, Chad, are the proud parents to three boys and a girl. She enjoys watching each of her children play sports, whether it be soccer, baseball, football, or wrestling. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, reading, hiking, and traveling.

Shannon Sandefur Henderson County Public Library

Shannon Sandefur is the Executive Director of the Henderson County Public Library, bringing more than 22 years of experience in public libraries to her role. Passionate about community engagement and literacy, she has dedicated her career to enhancing public library services. Shannon holds a Master of Library Science (MLS) from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky. Shannon is married to her high school sweetheart, Brian, and together they have two grown children. Her deep commitment to the community is evident through her extensive local involvement. She has served on the United Way Community Impact committee for the past three years, is currently active on the inner city committee for mental wellness, serves on the education/workforce/diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee for the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, and holds a position on the Rotary board. Additionally, Shannon serves on the board of the Ohio Valley Art League and is a proud graduate of the Henderson Leadership Initiative.

Beyond her local commitments, Shannon plays a significant role in the Kentucky Public Library Association. She chairs the continuing education committee and is an active member of the KPLA conference committee, where she works to advance professional development and collaboration among Kentucky’s library professionals. Shannon’s extensive experience, dedication to public service, and community engagement make her a pivotal figure in the library community and beyond. Her work continues to positively impact the lives of those in Henderson County and throughout the state.

Gretchen Ross Eyewitness News ABC25 WEHT/CW7

Gretchen enjoys waking up the Tri-State by reporting the headlines throughout the week as the morning and noon anchor at Eyewitness News. She loves connecting with viewers. For her journalism work over the years, Gretchen has earned an Emmy nomination and an Edward R. Murrow Award. Gretchen loves to give back to the community. She serves on the Ohio Valley Art League board of directors, along with the Warrick Parks Foundation and Evansville Rotary at Night. She volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of Evansville and Historic Newburgh Incorporated. Gretchen also serves as a vice president on the management team for the Junior League of Evansville and as the Public Image Chair for Rotary District 6580. Gretchen is a champion of the arts, having co-founded Evansville Shakespeare Players, for which she volunteers as the communications coordinator, and she serves on the board of STAGEtwo Productions.

Yvette Walts

Thrive Dance Tumble & Fun

Yvette Walts, co-owner of Thrive Dance Tumble & Fun, has dedicated her life to empowering young minds and bodies through dance and tumbling. With more than 40 years of teaching experience in Evansville, Yvette has built a reputation for nurturing confidence, coordination, and life skills in children aged 2-19. From beginners to pre-professionals, her students have gone on to become accomplished leaders, college dancers, and professional performers.

At Thrive Dance Tumble & Fun, Yvette and her team prioritize serving the community and fostering growth in their students. Their programs focus on developing strong physical and mental foundations, leading to confident and capable individuals. Yvette takes pride in watching her staff and students blossom into leaders, and her passion shines through in every program Thrive offers. As someone born and raised in Evansville, Yvette has seen firsthand the potential for the community to come together and support one another. As a seasoned educator and mentor, she aims to not only teach kids the fundamentals of their craft, but also impart valuable life skills like teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

Her goal is to create a safe space where kids can grow, learn, and develop into confident leaders who will make a positive impact in our community. She envisions partnering with local organizations to provide resources and opportunities for kids to succeed both in the classroom and on the stage.

Savannah Wood ECHO Housing & Community Development

Savannah Wood joined ECHO Housing & Community Development in 2018, becoming the CEO in August 2022. Savannah oversees the strategy and direction of eight homeless service programs and more than 40 community development initiatives across Southwest Indiana. She serves on the Evansville-Vanderburgh Mayor’s Commission on Homelessness and supports federal grantees across the country on solutions to reduce veteran homelessness. Savannah is one of the founding team members of the “E3 Initiative: Education, Encouragement, and Enforcement” – a partnership with the Evansville Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit and Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, to support individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health crisis in our community. Savannah is an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran, who deployed several times to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and, in 2005, to Louisiana with the 1st Cavalry Division for humanitarian relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

After her military service, Savannah worked for General Dynamics and the Department of the Army in Arizona. After returning to Evansville, Savannah was employed by the State of Indiana in workforce development. Her passion for service in impoverished communities is what led to her current position. Savannah received her undergraduate degree from the American Military University in Intelligence Analysis and is currently pursuing her graduate degree in public management from Indiana University. Savannah volunteers her time as the board president for Veterans Overwatch and vice president of the Germania Maennerchor Foundation, as a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2953, and as a mentor on the Vanderburgh County Veteran Treatment Court.

Junior League of Evansvi e

We want to congratulate our Executive Director, Shannon Sandefur, for being named one of the Junior League of Evansville’s Top 20 Women Leaders! Shannon, your leadership in our library and your dedication to our community is inspirational! You are so deserving of this recognition!

www.hcpl.org

»

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Shopping for and owning a vehicle can be exciting — and a little daunting. Let these area experts guide you on your journey to the auto of your dreams.

Discover the thrill of D-Patrick BMW’s high-performance models

D-Patrick BMW on Green River Road offers BMW models that embody the ideal blend of luxury, technology, and power. BMW delivers a thrilling, sustainably designed line-up including Sports Activity Vehicles, stylish Gran Coupes, performance M series models, and ultra-luxurious Sedans and EVs.

One of BMW’s most iconic models is the 3 Series, which has been a benchmark for sporty sedans since its introduction in 1975. Known for its balanced handling, powerful engine, and luxurious interior, the 3 Series exemplifies BMW’s focus on driving dynamics, offering a thrilling experience while maintaining everyday practicality.

The 5 Series, another cornerstone of BMW’s lineup, caters to those seeking a more refined luxury experience without sacrificing performance. With advanced technology, a spacious interior, and a range of powerful engine options, the 5 Series blends comfort with agility.

In the realm of SUVs or SAVs for BMW, the X Series has made a significant impact. The BMW X5 and X7 are

particularly noteworthy, offering a combination of luxury, space, and performance. The X5, with its athletic handling and high-end interior, is a favorite among those who want a dynamic driving experience with a larger vehicle. The X7 is loaded with features to pamper the driver and passengers. Gesture Control allows you to change radio stations, adjust volume, control phone calls, and even adjust navigation settings using simple hand gestures.

“The BMW X7 is easily one of the most popular of all the SAV’s on the market today,” says Tony Ricketts, General Manager for D-Patrick Motoplex. “It has third-row seating and is available with both a twinturbocharged 6-cylinder engine and a V-8 engine.”

BMW’s commitment to performance also is evident in its M series, which includes models like the M3 and M5. These high-performance variants of the 3 Series and 5 Series, respectively, feature enhanced engines, improved suspension systems, and aggressive styling. Additionally, BMW has been at the forefront of electric vehicle

technology with its i series. The i3 and i4 are part of this lineup, representing BMW’s push towards sustainability while maintaining the brand’s hallmark driving pleasure.

BMW vehicles are celebrated for their engineering excellence, dynamic performance, and luxurious features. Whether it’s the sporty 3 Series, the versatile X5, or the innovative i4, BMW continues to set benchmarks in the automotive industry, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology to deliver vehicles that cater to a wide range of driving needs and preferences.

Ricketts says, “BMW is the Ultimate Driving Machine for those who truly have a passion for driving and a desire for the finer things in life.”

If you are in the market for a New, Used, or Certified Pre-Owned BMW, D-Patrick BMW is your locally owned luxury dealer. Experience the beauty and power of BMW at D-Patrick.

D-PATRICK BMW

200 N. Green River Road 812-473-6590

dpatrickbmw.com

D-Patrick Lincoln touts an ‘exceptional’ buying experience

D-Patrick is proud to serve the Tri-State community as the only Lincoln dealer in Evansville and the surrounding areas. Utilizing the latest driving technology, refined comfort, and award-winning service, Lincoln redefines standard luxury. D-Patrick Lincoln makes your car-buying experience truly exceptional with our attention to detail that Lincoln owners expect.

New for 2025 is Navigator. A staple in the luxury SUV class, the new Navigator features thoughtful technology, seating for up to eight, and a new design inside and out, making for a power that draws you and others in with style, comfort, and luxury. The new Navigator rises to the occasion when you take a seat. Perfect Position front-row seats offer heating and ventilation and feature premium leather seating surfaces, plus an impressive range of adjustability and massage capability. The new 48-inch panoramic display is crafted around the driver to be simple and intuitive, helping to keep eyes up and out.

The 2025 Corsair features similar luxurious touches and cutting-edge features in a nimble and capable package. Available Lincoln Blue Cruise helps you operate your Corsair hands-free on designated highways while keeping your eyes on the road.

With Personal Profiles, your Corsair recognizes drivers by the key fob and automatically adjusts to preselected settings, including seat positions, audio, and advanced driver assist settings. With attention to detail, precision, and an artistic touch,

every inch of this vehicle has been designed to deliver a pleasing aesthetic and feeling of luxury.

Buying a Lincoln from D-Patrick is a remarkable experience as well. Shop, test drive, and buy your new Lincoln 100 percent online. D-Patrick makes buying and owning your vehicle easy and offers D-Patrick Delivers so you can buy on your own time.

D-Patrick Lincoln offers the largest Lincoln Service Center and the largest number of Lincoln certified technicians in the Tri-State. Schedule your next Lincoln service online and choose pickup and delivery service or wait in our business and family

friendly waiting area with free Wi-Fi, massage chairs, and refreshments. D-Patrick is a family-owned business that has served the Tri-State for more than 90 years. As a committed member of the community, D-Patrick proudly supports numerous local causes through programs like Drive for the Cure, D-Patrick Ford Cares, and D-Patrick Honda Helping Kids. Visit dpatricklincoln.net and explore what D-Patrick Lincoln has to offer.

Kate Faupel Ford rolls out 2025 models

When did Kate Faupel Ford open?

An opportunity came in 2023 to buy the Ford store in Henderson, and Faupel couldn’t pass it up. Kate Faupel Ford opened in December 2023, and Kate is now an owner and operator of both Kate Faupel Ford and Henderson Chevrolet GMC.

What are some of Kate Faupel Ford’s newest vehicles on the lot?

At Kate Faupel Ford, we’ve received our first 2025 model year Explorers, which feature a larger technology screen and a redesigned body style. The Ford Bronco has been reintroduced with off-road capabilities and is available in several different trim levels.

What is the best way to schedule a test drive of a vehicle at Kate Faupel Ford?

Easy! Call 270-827-3566 for Ford. We also have chat tools on our websites.

What are recent customers saying?

“My ‘new’ car, 2016 Mustang, is in excellent condition, and they made sure it left the lot that way. They even let me test drive it as often as I needed to ensure I was making the right decision. I recommend Kate Faupel Ford for anyone looking for a new/used car.”

“Greatest experience I ever had in purchasing a vehicle. The staff was exceptionally easy to talk with. We came in looking for a vehicle and drove away with two vehicles.”

“Friendly staff took the time to find exactly what I was looking for. Took time to sit with me and explain the buying process. Found me a great deal. I’m very happy that I crossed that Money Saving Bridge.”

What are customers saying about their buying experience with the dealerships?

We pride ourselves on an easy buying experience at both stores. We offer pick-up and delivery services and can have customers digitally sign documents from their home or workplace. A new service we are offering is mobile service. We have a van that is a “service department on wheels” and we can come to you! We have performed recalls and quick services for customers who didn’t have to interrupt their day by coming to the dealership.

KATE FAUPEL FORD

2530 HWY. 41, Henderson, KY 270-827-3566

Henderson Chevrolet GMC brings exciting new features

What are some of Henderson Chevrolet GMC’s newest vehicles on the lot?

Chevrolet has the newly redesigned Trax, which has a starting price under $25,000. The Trax is a small SUV with a fresh look, and it is our fastest selling model this summer. Chevrolet and GMC just redesigned the Traverse and Acadia models, which are third-row SUVs without the full-size SUV price tag.

What are the new features on the latest model releases?

The latest and greatest feature enhancements are all focused on technology and safety. Chevy, GMC, and Ford all have hands-free driving features, several different camera views, lane departure alerts, rear media screens, and

infotainment systems that make your time in the car productive and enjoyable.

What is the best way to schedule a Test Drive of a vehicle at Henderson Chevrolet GMC? Call 270-826-7600 for Chevy. We also have chat tools on our websites.

What are recent customers saying? “Friendly people. Very easy transaction from start to finish. Would recommend.”

“Recently purchased a vehicle and would recommend the staff as they are informed and easy to work with. If they don’t have it, they will find it for you.”

Meyer is growing to better serve you

Meyer Truck Equipment has been a trusted name in the Midwest helping make your truck work for you for more than 87 years. From truck bodies and toolboxes to custom racks and up-fitting, Meyer offers a wide range of products designed to keep your vehicles working efficiently and reliably.

If you haven’t checked out our Evansville location recently, head over to our newly remodeled showroom — a bright, modern space that

elevates your Meyer experience. Our friendly team is always ready to help you find exactly what you need, whether you’re looking for a simple upgrade or a full custom setup.

If you’re in the Louisville area, Meyer Truck Equipment is closer than ever. We just opened our fourth location in the Derby City! Its location is packed with the same great products and services that Meyer is known for, so you can count on getting top-notch equipment

and expert advice. Whether you’re managing a big fleet, need some gear for your work truck, or want to beef up your ride for off-roading adventures, Meyer Truck Equipment has you covered. Visit us in Evansville, Jasper, Indianapolis, or Louisville to work smarter and play harder.

Meyer Truck Equipment 5716 E. Morgan Ave. 812-477-5555

meyertruckeq.com

Charge into the future with Romain Cross Pointe’s newest EVs

Romain Cross Pointe’s newest vehicles on the lot include the All-Electric Cadillac LYRIQ, a luxury electric vehicle with advanced technology and comfortable features available in nine beautiful colors. The 2024 LYRIQ single-motor RWD model can travel up to 308 miles, slightly less than the average combustion engine vehicle of 350 miles. Compared to traditional vehicles paying roughly $55 to completely fill the gas tank, a LYRIQ costs only $17 to fully charge plus no need for ongoing oil changes. With 97 chargers throughout the city, LYRIQ buyers in the Evansville area have plenty of choices where

to charge their vehicle. For added peace of mind, Cadillac offers buyers up to $1,500 towards installing a wall charger in their home and an eightyear 100,000-mile electric vehicle propulsion battery limited warranty.

With the comfort features on the Cadillac mobile app, buyers can set LYRIQ’s in-car temperature with scheduled climate control and get over-the-air vehicle updates. The All-Electric Cadillac LYRIQ is packed with technology including a 33-inch Diagonal advanced LED display, emergency braking, intelligent alerts, parking assistance, and vehicle monitoring.

The LYRIQ is available to lease for as low as $339 a month for 24 months ($4,969 due at signing), or buyers can receive a $7,500 tax incentive with their electric vehicle purchase.

“The experience was great. My salesman went above and beyond with the purchase of my new 2024 Cadillac. I would definitely go back to Romain Cadillac for my next purchase.”

President’s Message October/November

Nearly every time you watch a PBS program on WNIN-TV or listen to an NPR program on WNIN-FM, you learn that some amount of support for that content comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). You’ve also likely been hearing about CPB in the news lately. The voices in Congress are getting louder with proposals to significantly or completely cut funding to this critical supporter of WNIN. CPB provides large annual grants to individual stations throughout the public media system including WNIN. So, I thought you might be interested to learn more about this important organization and the critical role it plays in our annual budget.

As we often must remind viewers and listeners, the federal government does NOT provide direct assistance to WNIN nor any of the other public media stations in the U.S. Instead, the

WNIN BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2024

A.J. Manion

Immediate

Past Chair

Susan Hardwick

Chair

Richard Kuhn

Vice Chair

Lawrence Taylor

Secretary

Nancy Hodge

Treasurer

Tim Black

President

Noah Alatza

Steven Bridges

Joshua Claybourn

Beau Dial

Stephanie Koch

Lindsay Locasto

Kim McWilliams

Tara Overton

Amber Rascoe

Stephanie Roland

Stacey Shourd

Thomas Silliman

Alfonso Vidal

Daniela Vidal

Gene Warren

Amy Waterman

Jordan Whitledge

Matthew Wright

federal government created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to act as the steward of the government’s investment in public media. CPB is a private, nonprofit corporation that came into existence nearly 60 years ago with the passage of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, which declared the wisdom of supporting public media with federal funds and defined public media’s public policy value and function. This legislation continues to direct the work of CPB today.

CPB strives to support diverse programs and services that inform, educate, enlighten, and enrich the public. Through its annual grants, the corporation encourages the development of content that addresses the needs of underserved audiences. CPB’s core values of collaboration, innovation, engagement, and diversity help to provide programming and content investments systemwide.

CPB does not produce programming and does not own, operate or control any public broadcasting stations. Additionally, CPB, PBS and NPR are independent of each other and of local public television and radio stations including WNIN.

Here are some numbers to inform you a little more about the Corporation for Public Broadcasting:

• More than 70 percent of annual funding goes directly to local public media stations.

• Less than 5 percent of annual funding is spent on CPB operations; CPB has approximately 100 staff members.

• 99 percent of Americans have access to public media (TV and/or radio).

• Almost 20,000 people are employed by public media stations across the country.

• 1,564 public media stations are locally owned and operated by 549 CPB grantees; 391 grantees represent 1,207 public radio stations, and 158 grantees represent 357 public television stations.

• CPB also awards grants to stations and independent producers to create diverse programs and services, from documentaries

and digital media learning tools to journalism collaborations.

A nine-member Board of Directors governs CPB, sets policy, and determines strategic direction. Board members are appointed by the U.S. President and confirmed by the Senate for six-year terms. The board then appoints the CPB president and CEO, who select the other corporate officers.

CPB follows a complex grant-making procedure. At its heart is a requirement that local stations, including WNIN, meet a “non-federal funding” benchmark. Quite simply, WNIN must file paperwork each year that confirms we have achieved a sizable portion of our operating budget through LOCAL revenue. Local revenue is comprised of a combination of your membership donations, dollars raised at WNIN’s annual menu of events/auctions, corporate sponsorships, and local businesses purchasing on-air underwriting. This is why we are eager to remind our viewers and listeners that more than HALF our annual financial support comes from local dollars … viewers/ listeners just like you! If we do NOT receive your local support, we do NOT receive any federal monies from CPB. It’s as simple as that.

As I mentioned near the beginning of my message, the calls in the halls of Congress to eliminate funding to CPB are growing more numerous and much louder. If you value WNIN, please consider contacting your elected representatives at the federal level to voice YOUR support of YOUR local public media station. These calls to cut funding have been loud before, but this time, they may be heard, and cuts to critical funding could actually happen. Please don’t allow that to happen!

Not only is it always a good time to include WNIN-TV and/or WNIN-FM on your giving list, it’s also critical and necessary for WNIN to be able to qualify for annual Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding. Look for the donation banner at www.wnin.org and show your support for the good work we continue to do every day. You may also make a gift by calling us at 812-423-2973. Thank you when you do!

Sincerely,

A Resource Right at your Fingertips

As WNIN 88.3 FM gears up for its upcoming Fall Pledge Drive, we invite you to reflect on the vital role our station plays in the Tri-State. Each day, our unwavering commitment to delivering informative and engaging content ensures that we aren’t just a radio station, but also a community resource that educates, inspires and entertains.

It is our mission and priority to connect our listeners with the information that means the most to their lives, empowering them with the necessary knowledge needed to make decisions and take action.

Here are just a few key ways we strive to fulfill our promise each day:

• Trusted News Source: We strive to provide reliable and unbiased news coverage of local, regional, national and international events.

• Community Engagement: We encourage and facilitate conversations and awareness on important local issues.

• Public Service: We support engagement and community development through educational content.

• Accessible Content: We ensure all WNIN information and content is available for free to all in the community, regardless of income or background.

• Cultural Enrichment: We showcase diverse perspectives through music, arts, and cultural programming.

• E ducational Content: We offer programming that promotes lifelong learning and enrichment.

“I have been with WNIN for twenty years and one thing is for sure, listener support is the foundation that allows WNIN to produce exceptional radio. From reporting on the economic issues our city and nation are dealing with, to looking at the Tri-State’s vibrant cultural scene, we are able to do what we do because our listeners value this community owned station.

WNIN is like many other member stations that are community institutions, providing their listeners with important local news, information, and cultural programming. They are a unique and vital asset to the communities they serve,” says Director of Member Services Sheryl Flaherty.

If you find importance in the work we do, we ask you to join us Oct. 14-18 to show your support as we set out to reach our fundraising goal during the WNIN 88.3 FM Fall Pledge Drive . Every donation, small or large, helps to sustain WNIN’s mission and ensure that it can continue to provide the high-quality programming and resources you depend on.

Make your gift early by calling 812-4235678, visiting us online at www.wnin.org, or finding us on PayPal and Venmo Charities to make your gift today. Thank you when you do!

WNIN Highlights Local Efforts Addressing Climate Issues

The Hoosier Resilience Index predicts that without global emission reductions, Evansville will face more extreme heat days, shorter winters, longer allergy seasons and increased risks of flooding, pests and disease.

In response, WNIN has been selected to participate in the PBS Climate Initiative with a mission to elevate public awareness, highlight sustainability efforts that are going on now, and inspire solutions to pressing environmental challenges. This initiative is not just a testament to WNIN’s dedication to its mission, but a vital step toward a more resilient and sustainable future for Evansville.

WNIN will work in partnership with the Evansville Climate Collaborative and more than 30 community organizations to create new content

and programs that will elevate climate consciousness and action throughout the region. Content will dive into the core topics of Evansville’s Climate Action Plan: transportation; buildings and energy; waste; and local food, agriculture and green space.

WNIN and ECC will focus on citizens, businesses, and organizations who are making significant strides in reducing Evansville’s carbon footprint. The ECC will develop written case studies for its Climate Action Hub, while WNIN will produce climate-related content that will be available across various platforms, including WNIN.org, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and broadcast television.

The project also includes a servicelearning contest for high school students encouraging them to create persuasive

public service announcements and eye-catching parking lot signs to combat vehicle idling, a prevalent issue contributing to local air pollution. The winning submissions will receive cash prizes and the opportunity to have their work highlighted on social media and installed in school parking lots.

This initiative is not just a testament to WNIN’s dedication to its mission, but a vital step toward a more resilient and sustainable future for Evansville. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on!

“WNIN’s commitment to community collaboration and impactful local media production positions it uniquely to lead this initiative,” states WNIN President and CEO Tim Black. “We are very excited to be working with new partners to bring this important local content to our viewers and listeners.”

Spotlight

October 2024 Highlights

NOVA: SOLAR SYSTEM

Airs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays starting Oct. 2

From globe-spanning dust storms to monsoons of liquid methane, to monstrous storms with lightning bolts 10 times more energetic than anything on Earth, our solar system is full of weird, wonderful weather. Explore the forces creating truly awesome and extreme conditions found on our neighboring planets and moons.

• Episode 1: Icy Worlds

• Episode 2: Volcano World

• Episode 3: Storm Worlds

• Episode 4: Wandering Worlds

• Episode 5: Strange Worlds

SECRETS OF THE DEAD

Airs at 9 p.m. Tuesdays starting Oct. 2

• Oct. 2: Returning to Babylon

This film shows how new discoveries are helping Iraqis reclaim their remarkable history and uncovering the most complete picture of one of the world’s greatest lost cities: Nineveh.

• Oct. 9: Mozart’s Sister

A new documentary investigates the 250-year-old musical mystery of why Mozar t’s elder sister retired and what happened to her music.

• Oct. 16: The Herculaneum Scrolls Computer scientist Brent Seales uses groundbreaking resources as he attempts to be the first person in nearly 2,000 years to read inside hundreds of carbonized ancient scrolls found at the archaeological site of Herculaneum in Italy.

• Oct. 23: The Civil War’s Lost Massacre

Historians, descendants, and archaeologists search for information about the shocking deaths – and lost burial site – of more than 20 African American soldiers.

• Oct. 30: Field of Vampires

A skeleton dating from 1650 was buried with a sickle across her neck and a giant padlock on her toe – double protection to keep her from rising from the dead. She’s not alone; ultimately, more than 50 deviant burials surround her.

MAMBO LEGENDS: THE MUSIC NEVER ENDS

Airs at 9 p.m. Oct. 4

This vibrant Latinx story is told through the fusion of big band jazz and Cuban music prevalent in New York City in the 1940s.

CITIZEN NATION

Airs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays starting Oct. 8

In this innovative four-part documentary series, high school students conduct mock Congressional hearings, culminating in a championship showdown in the heart of Washington, D.C. Watch the future unfold as Gen Z’s brightest vie for championship glory, grappling with critical questions about democracy as they come of age in a contentious political environment.

NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER: SNARKY PUPPY – THE FAMILY WE MAKE

Airs at 9 p.m. Oct. 11

The American jazz fusion band is joined by Spanish-speaking singers Fuensanta, Gaby Moreno, Silvana Estrada, and Silvia Pérez Cruz for a special performance representing multiple generations, continents, and musical traditions.

NEXT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER: ALONZO KING LINES BALLET –DEEP RIVER

Airs at 9 p.m. Oct. 18

The San Francisco, California-based dance troupe makes its Kennedy Center debut with an elegant, classical-meetscontemporary program melding Black spirituals and deeply rooted traditions.

VOCES LATINO VOTE 2024

Airs at 9 p.m. Oct. 22

This one-hour documentary examines a range of election-related issues that matter most to the politically diverse Latino community in battleground states (Nevada, Wisconsin and Arizona) and states with large Latino populations (California and Florida). The program also examines the roles Latino evangelical pastors play in shaping community perspectives and Spanish-language media have in the 2024 election.

GREAT PERFORMANCES: ÉMIGRÉ FEATURING THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC

Airs at 8 p.m. Oct. 25

Otto and Josef, two brothers from Germany, flee their homeland in 1938 as Nazi violence is on the rise. Landing in Shanghai, their paths through love, loss, and life diverge in this musical drama.

MASTERPIECE: THE MARLOW MURDER CLUB

Airs at 8 p.m. Sundays starting Oct. 27

This all-new adaptation of Robert Thorogood’s novel is a thrilling, four-part dramatic series starring Samantha Bond, who is joined by Jo Martin, Cara Horgan, and Natalie Dew.

November 2024 Highlights

GREAT PERFORMANCES:

LAND OF GOLD

Airs at 8 p.m. Nov. 1

Go behind the scenes of the making of the San Francisco Opera premiere of John Adams and Peter Sellars’ latest collaboration, “Girls of the Golden West,” which dramatizes the turbulent history of the California Gold Rush. Land of Gold takes viewers into parallel universes 170 years apart with the historical characters of 1851 on a cultural collision course, and then behind the scenes at San Francisco Opera with the cast and creatives excavating that same history within today’s cultural turmoil.

2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Frontline: The Choice

Airs at 8 p.m. Nov. 4

Americans decide who leads the nation for the next four years: former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris. Frontline’s critically acclaimed series “The Choice” interweaves investigative biographies of both candidates, focusing on how they have responded in moments of crisis.

PBS Newshour Election Night Coverage

Airs at 7 p.m. Nov. 5

Geoff Bennett and Amna Nawaz, plus White House correspondent Laura BarrónLópez and Capitol Hill correspondent Lisa Desjardins, offer PBS Newshour’s thorough and balanced coverage of the American political process.

Shively and Shoulders

Airs at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 and Nov. 14

Vanderburgh Superior Court Judge Les Shively and attorney Pat Shoulders deliver their unique brand of election analysis before and after Election Day.

A MONUMENTAL HONOR: CELEBRATING THE HONOR FLIGHT OF SOUTHERN INDIANA

Airs at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 and at 3 p.m. Nov. 10

On Oct. 21, 2023, 86 veterans and their volunteer guardians flew to Washington D.C. to pay their respects as they visited our national monuments. Watch and celebrate the great efforts our community takes to make each Honor Flight happen for our deserving local veterans.

OVER THERE: HOOSIER HEROES OF THE GREAT WAR

Airs at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 and at 4 p.m. Nov. 11

Southern Indiana claims several servicemen and women who served with distinction in World War I. This one-hour Emmy Award-winning documentary explores the sacrifice and personal costs of these and other Hoosiers who served in The Great War.

SALUTE TO SERVICE: A VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION

Airs at 8 p.m. Nov. 8

This moving special pairs stories of courage and camaraderie with inspiring music by the Soldiers of the U.S. Army Field Band.

NOVA: BUILDING STUFF

Airs at 8 p.m. Wednesdays starting Nov. 13

Engineering is all around us, but how does it work? Watch some of the most creative folks in the game build things that help extend our range, amplify our abilities, and alter our environment for the better.

LEONARDO DA VINCI

Airs at 7 p.m. Nov. 18-19

This two-part, four-hour documentary directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon, explores the life

and work of the 15th century polymath and find in his soaring imagination and profound intellect the foundation for a conversation we are still having today: what is our relationship with nature and what does it mean to be human.

GREAT PERFORMANCES: PATSY CLINE … WALKIN’ AFTER MIDNIGHT

Airs at 8 p.m. Nov. 22

Recorded at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium, this performance honors the country singer’s legacy with her signature songs and memories from those she knew and influenced. Among the artists gathering to pay tribute are Wynonna, Kristin Chenoweth, Rita Wilson, Beverly D’Angelo, and many more.

GREAT PERFORMANCES: HENRY MANCINI

Airs at 8 p.m. Nov. 29

The Hollywood Bowl’s 2024 season began with a centennial birthday celebration for the peerless composer Henry Mancini. His daughter Monica is joined by Michael Bublé, Cynthia Erivo, and saxophonist Dave Koz to perform new renditions of Mancini’s signature songs, interspersed with clips from Mancini’s beloved movies and TV shows. Plus, behind-the-scenes documentary footage captures the recording sessions for “Henry Mancini: The 100th Sessions,” an all-star album featuring a diverse range of artists such as Gustavo Dudamel, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Lizzo, and Take 6.

DAYTIME TV SCHEDULE

MONDAY - FRIDAY

5 a.m. Arthur

5:30 a.m. Odd Squad

6 a.m. Wild Kratts

6:30 a.m. Alma’s Way

7 a.m. Lyla in the Loop

7:30 a.m. Carl the Collector

8 a.m. Daniel Tiger

8:30 a.m. Rosie’s Rules

9 a.m. Sesame Street

9:30 a.m. Work It Out Wombats

10 a.m. Donkey Hodie

10:30 a.m. Pinkalicious & Peterrific

11 a.m. Elinor Wonders Why

11:30 a.m. Nature Cat

Noon Molly of Denali

12:30 p.m. Xavier Riddle

1 p.m. Baking With Julia

1:30 p.m. This Old House

2 p.m. Primetime Repeats

3 p.m. Primetime Repeats

4 p.m. Primetime Repeats

5 p.m. BBC News The Context

5:30 p.m. BBC News America

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

5 a.m. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

5:30 a.m. Arthur

6 a.m. Wild Kratts

6:30 a.m. Alma’s Way

7 a.m. Lyla in the Loop

PRIMETIME TV SCHEDULE

MONDAY

6 p.m. PBS News Hour

7 p.m. Antiques Roadshow

8 p.m. Antiques Roadshow

9 p.m. P.O.V./Specials

10 p.m. Amanpour & Company

11 p.m. Specials

TUESDAY

6 p.m. PBS News Hour

7 p.m. Finding Your Roots

8 p.m. Citizen Nation/ Specials

9 p.m. Frontline/Specials

10 p.m. Amanpour & Company

11 p.m. Antiques Roadshow

WEDNESDAY

6 p.m. PBS News Hour

7 p.m. Nature

8 p.m. NOVA

9 p.m. Secrets of the Dead

10 p.m. Amanpour & Company

11 p.m. Nature

THURSDAY

6 p.m. PBS News Hour

7 p.m. Newsmakers

7:30 p.m. Shivley and Shoulders/Specials

8 p.m. Nature Specials

9 p.m. The First Lady

10 p.m. Amanpour & Company

11 p.m. This Old House

11: 30 p.m. Ask This Old House

FRIDAY

6 p.m. PBS News Hour

7 p.m. Washington Week

7:30 p.m. Firing Line

8 p.m. Specials/Ar ts

10 p.m. Amanpour & Company

11 p.m. NOVA

SATURDAY

6 p.m. All-Star Orchestra/Wild Travels and Epic Trails

7 p.m. History Detectives/ Big Pacific

8 p.m. The First Lady

9 p.m. America Outdoors/ Making Black America

10 p.m. Austin City Limits

11 p.m. America/Vintage Vessels and Radical Restoration

SUNDAY

6 p.m. Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

7 p.m. Ridley

8 p.m. Moonflower Murders

9 p.m. Van der Valk/Wolf Hall

10 p.m. Marie Antionette

11 p.m. Moonflower Murders

SCAN TO DOWNLOAD

ADVERTISING INDEX

COMPANY ..................................... PAGE

All-Weather Products, Inc. 106, 107

American Eagle Tree Service LLC 146

American Water 163

Annunciation at Christ the KingJingle Mingle Mart 24

Baird 82, 83, OBC

Bally’s Evansville Casino & Hotel ........ 16

Bauerhaus, The 7

Bernina Sewing 23

Brass Bones Fabrication 141

Brinker’s Jewelers 88, 89, IFC

BRU Burger Bar 53

Cabinets & Counters 112

Caring Friends Daycare 166

Center for Pediatric Therapy 92, 93

Children’s Center for Dance Education 162

Colonial Classics, Inc. ............................. 116

Commonwealth Pain & Spine 135

D-Patrick Ford/Lincoln 170, 171

D-Patrick Motoplex 2, 169

Deaconess Hospital 133

Dèjá Vu Skin & Health Center 130

Diana Schnakenburg/ F.C. Tucker Emge 65

Dirt Finders Maid Service 38

Donaldson Capital Management 164

Envive Healthcare 138

ERA First Advantage Realty 1, 79, 86, 87

Evansville African American Museum ........................... 38

Evansville Colorectal Surgery ............ 134

Evansville Hearing Aid Center 111

Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra 34

Evansville Regional Vein Center ........ 131

Evansville Rescue Mission 52

Evansville Rug Cleaning 65

Evansville Surgical Associates ........................ 100, 101, IBC

Explore Evansville .................................... 117

Extend Group, The 102, 103

Eyewitness News WEHT/WTVW 76, 164

F.C. Tucker Emge 94, 95

Fehrenbacher Cabinets, Inc. 108, 109

Fiesta Evansville 24

First Federal Savings Bank 12

Franklin Lanes ............................................. 52

Garmong Construction Services 96, 97

German American Bank 14, 115

Gill/Wedding Orthodontics 113

Give a Dog a Bone 125

Grable CPA & Company 142

H.G. McCullough Designers Inc. 90, 91

Hacienda Mexican Restaurant 54

Healthy Spaces 140

Heart to Heart Hospice 143

Henderson Area Arts Alliance 34

Henderson Chevrolet GMC 173 Henderson Community College 166 Henderson County Public Library .... 167 Holiday World/Splashing Safari 16 Home Instead 136 Honey Moon Coffee Co. 54 Illuminating Expressions 128 Indiana Department of Natural Resources 15 J.E.

Final Detail BULLDOG PRIDE

Graduates recall memories of attending 100-year-old Benjamin Bosse High School

Between athletic games, dances, and clubs, high school life just seems a little simpler. To celebrate Benjamin Bosse High School’s centennial, we asked graduates to share their favorite memories.

“We won in Evansville, then Jasper, then Indianapolis. It was kind of amazing, particularly that first year. It seemed like every organization in Southern Indiana gave us some kind of party or congratulatory feast. We loved every minute of it. ”

Gene Whitehead, Class of 1945

Retired construction company owner Played guard on Bosse’s back-to-back state championship basketball teams, 1944-45

“Going in as a freshman, one thing I remember was not knowing anybody and how the seniors interacted with the freshmen. There was no bullying. Everybody got along. Our pep assemblies were like no other schools’. They were like something you see at the Grammy’s: music, dancing, all choreographed. Other kids wanted to come to our pep assemblies.”

Erick Trice, Class of 1986 Lineman, CenterPoint Energy

“Some of my favorite memories were being a part of the athletics program: cheering under the Friday Night Lights, early morning golf practices, and popping up from the catcher’s position to throw someone out. High school sports build and teach character, integrity, and sportsmanship; these are all attributes I carry with me today.”

Taylor Merriss, Class of 2009 Special Projects Coordinator, Evansville Police Department

“The school called everybody into the gymnasium to welcome the basketball team back from state. Sissy Meyer was going to sing ‘It’s

Been a Long, Long Time,’ but I didn’t remember the name of the song, so when I introduced her, I said, ‘Sissy Meyer is going to sing ‘Kiss Me Once, Then Kiss Me Twice.’ And she did! She walked onstage, spun me around, and kissed me in front of everyone. I was so embarrassed.”

Paul Carnes, Class of 1946 Retired plastics salesman

“We always had a junior and senior talent day. My junior year – I can’t believe we did this – my bridge club wore short, flared blackand-white vests and, I think, papier-mâché hats. We were dancing skunks, if you can believe that! I guess we were trying to think of something different, and boy, did we!

Janice Holdren Tucker, Class of 1955 Retired teacher at Newburgh Elementary School

“My memories are very vivid. I enjoyed those days filled with ballgames, sock hops, school spirit, and great friendships that will stay with me forever. Bosse was a place where many kinds of students – middle class, well off, and some whose families were struggling to make it – we all came together and truly got along.”

Mike Duckworth, Class of 1974 Business Development Manager, Commonwealth Engineers Chairman, Vanderburgh County Republican Party

“What stands out most from those years is the unwavering support I received from my teachers and administrators after I had my baby at 17. Their belief in me during such a pivotal time taught me the profound impact of encouragement and the importance of lifting others up when they need it most.”

Stephanie Esters Terry, Class of 1994 Mayor, City of Evansville

PHOTOS LAURA MATHIS

THE VASCULAR SURGEONS at Evansville Surgical Associates specialize in the comprehensive treatment of vascular disease through preventative care, diagnostic expertise and minimally-invasive endovascular and traditional surgical techniques.

SURGICAL PROCEDURES

•Diagnostics and therapeutic minimally-invasive procedures, including angioplasty and stenting of peripheral, carotid, and mesenteric arteries

•Renal Stenting

•Open vascular procedures, such as aneurysm repair, arterial bypass grafts, and endarterectomies

•Minimally-invasive endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA)

•Full spectrum of dialysis access and intervention

•Treatment of varicose veins and other venous disease

VASCULAR SCREENINGS:

•Carotid Artery Disease

•Peripheral Arterial Disease

•Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

VASCULAR LAB

We provide a complete spectrum of vascular surgical procedures in our IACaccredited vascular lab. Our registered vascular technologists have nearly 36 years of combined experience and are registered in vascular technology by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).

Our IAC-certified Vascular Laboratory performs thousands of studies each year.

Call 812-424-8231 or 1-800-264-8231 today to schedule your appointment.

With industry-recognized expertise in wealth management, equity research, asset management and more, we have all the capabilities you’d expect from a big Wall Street firm. But because we’re independent and employee-owned, you can be sure we answer only to you.

Visit bairdwealth.com and discover the difference Baird has been making for clients since 1919.

Evansville 110 Main Street

Evansville, IN 47708

812- 426 -1481 • 888- 426 -1481

Princeton 707 Vail Street

Princeton, IN 47670

812-385-3323 • 800-840-5966

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