Indianapolis Monthly - October 2023 Edition

The vineyards of Mallow Run Winery in Bargersville.

Aninnovativetakeonatraditionalsteakhouse.

CARMEL,INDiANA

HOURS:

48 TIME TO WINE DOWN

Vino inspires like no other spirit. Our ultimate wine guide is your roadmap to scenic wineries, exquisite wine bars, and professional savoring tips.

EDITED

BY JULIA SPALDING

58 EERIE INDIANA

The Hoosier state has loads of creepy and weird legends kicking around. In celebration of the spooky season, we revisit seven of the most enduring.

BY SAM STALL

66 SUZANNE CROUCH

Our lieutenant governor is angling for the Republican nod for governor. We sat down with her to explore the reasons behind the pillar of her platform.

BY MARY MILZ

70

MARCHING BAND CENTRAL

Indianapolis has become the national hub of marching band competitions. Here’s how that unlikely (and lucrative) distinction came about.

BY BRIAN D. SMITH

ON THE COVER

A Daniel’s Vineyard winemaker checks for clarity.

Photograph by Tony Valainis. Retouching by Patrick White.

GET A SECOND OPINION

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HOTEL CARMICHAEL

Celebrate The Great American Songbook

Nestled in the heart of Carmel’s vibrant City Center, Hotel Carmichael is a captivating boutique hotel full of immersive experiences and a proud member of the esteemed Autograph Collection by Marriott. Here, hospitality is an art, with a live, never scripted approach to individual stays that ensures each visit is a unique journey.

Through its architecture and artwork, Hotel Carmichael celebrates The Great American Songbook—a tribute to the timeless melodies and show tunes from the 1920s to the 1950s. To honor this era, the hotel hosts a daily 4 p.m. complimentary champagne toast open to guests and the public.

Beyond the toast, the appreciation for music continues within the lower lobby of the hotel at Feinstein’s—an intimate, live entertainment venue. Feinstein’s offers a captivating spectrum of performances, ranging from nationally acclaimed Broadway artists to a medley of monthly shows such as magic, local musicians, jazz brunches, and more. A crowd favorite is Dueling Pianos, where the audience chooses the music for the evening, offering a live jukebox experience. Feinstein’s features upscale dining options before each performance, with a monthly curated dinner menu,

making it an alluring spot to share cherished moments with out-of-town companions or as a date night.

Dining at Hotel Carmichael is elevated to an art form at Vivante French Eatery—an inviting, yet exquisite restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Their esteemed chefs prepare their food in-house with local, fresh ingredients. Vivante’s menus are updated every few months to showcase seasonal fruits and vegetables. Complete with a dogfriendly patio nestled alongside the Monon Trail, Vivante offers picturesque views of the Palladium and its gorgeous gardens.

The enchantment of Hotel Carmichael makes it a splendid place to host extraordinary events. The ballroom, adorned with rows of chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows, sets the stage for events—

wedding receptions, ceremonies, rehearsal dinners, and other gatherings—with a timeless, elegant backdrop. Furthermore, Hotel Carmichael provides a range of boardrooms and meeting spaces suitable for businesses of all sizes. This guarantees clients and attendees will have a unique experience. Supported by experienced catering managers, in-house banquet team, and talented culinary professionals, every event is flawlessly executed from start to finish.

Hotel Carmichael’s unwavering commitment to celebrating The Great American Songbook, its exceptional dining, and its daily array of events make it a sanctuary for those seeking more than a conventional hotel stay. In a world where travelers seek the extraordinary, Hotel Carmichael orchestrates an experience that is truly unlike any other, beckoning to be discovered.

CIRCLE

15

SPEED READ

The beloved Blue Angels are coming to town for the first time in 10 years with the Crossroads Air Show. 18

THE HOOSIERIST

GOOD

27 WANTED Urban-chic bookends

28

SHOP TALK

An adorable new stationery shop in Penn Arts

30 TRENDING Candles and accessories that are up to snuff

32 STREET SAVVY

All the newness at Carmel Midtown Plaza 34

BODY+SOUL

A tattoo artist for middleaged first-timers

36

REALTY CHECK

A cool downtown condo vs. a charming suburban Cape Cod

THE DISH

41

SWOON

Eddie Sahm evokes the dive bar vibe of your grandparents’ drinking days at his new loading dock lounge in the Stutz Building.

42

FIRST BITE

We revisit Café Patachou in Zionsville; New York’s cult-favorite bodega sandwich turns up in a humble eastside convenience store; Pravy Nijjar of A Cup of Chai shares the process for personalized chai; Slim Chickens arrives.

44

TASTE TEST

Here’s where to buy the best locally baked apple pies, whether your favored style is crumble, traditional, or Dutch.

46

FOODIE

BEST BETS

Here are the five can’tmiss events in and around town this month.

38 TRAVELER

The perpetual appeal of Kentucky’s Red River Gorge

King Dough co-owner Alicia Sweet combines her punk sensibilities with her love of family, food, and wine. 106

RESTAURANT GUIDE

A tour of the city’s best eats, from fine dining to favorite dives.

112

BACK HOME AGAIN

My notable intelligence has gone unappreciated far too long. But no more.

VENETIAN PRINCESS

Old Haunts

SPOOKY SEASON is upon us. Which means costume parties, trick-or-treaters, and ghost tours are coming in the weeks ahead. The IM staff is gearing up to participate in the 77th Annual Historic Irvington Halloween Festival this year (p. 24), and writer Sam Stall explores the unexplained with a feature about Indiana paranormal legends in this issue (p. 58).

I like to say I’m not superstitious, but part of me wants to feel connected to the spirit world. My previous home in the Irvington-adjacent Little Flower neighborhood was built in 1926, and it felt a bit magical to live in a place with nearly a century of history embedded in its walls and woodwork. Although I never saw any apparitions or sensed otherworldly beings, I sometimes got clues and cues that the original owners approved of my presence there. When I set out to buy furniture for the living room, I felt guided toward pieces that matched the room’s original light fixture. The light wasn’t even on my mind when I chose the sofa and chairs—it wasn’t until they were delivered that I looked up and noticed how well I’d unintentionally coordinated everything. After buying a can of blue paint for the breakfast nook, I removed a switch plate to find that a nearly identical wall color had been painted over in that area. When I opened an old shopping bag in the laundry room cabinet and discovered a set of skeleton keys with typewritten labels attached, it felt like I’d received a special gift.

As I prepared to sell that property last year, I was met with a bit of resistance. In the weeks before I put the house on the market, the gas line had to be replaced, the door on a relatively new microwave broke, and then the water heater started leaking on the very day photos were taken for the real estate listing. I joked that the ghosts of the original owners were mad at me for leaving and should probably change their approach if they wanted me to stay. But they must have liked my buyer and accepted her readily, because the sale went through quickly, without a hitch.

MADYSON CRANE

New kid on the block Madyson Crane stepped into her role as Indianapolis Monthly’s digital editor in July. The Circle City native and Ball State alum (chirp chirp!) shines a light on all things Indy on the Interwebs. When she doesn’t have her eyes glued to her phone looking for trends, she’s hiking at Eagle Creek or at her favorite place, Red River Gorge, Kentucky (p. 38).

JES NIJJER

Indy-based photographer Jes Nijjer has worked primarily in food and beverage photography and in portraiture for more than seven years. She uses natural light to highlight her subjects in their most authentic form, as showcased in this month’s Foodie profile (p. 46). When not taking photos, she can be found volunteering or drinking too much coffee at a local shop.

BRIAN D. SMITH

Smith spent 13 years as an editor at Indianapolis Monthly and served on Fort Wayne’s 1983 Pulitzer Prize–winning News-Sentinel reporting team. Much of his feature (p. 70) is from firsthand experience as a member of the Franklin Community High School marching band that competed in the very first state finals on a muddy field in 1973.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Andrea Ratcliff

FEATURES EDITOR

Julia Spalding

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Christina Vercelletto

DINING EDITOR

Twinkle VanWinkle

ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR

Camille Graves

DIGITAL EDITOR

Madyson Crane

EDITORIAL INTERN

Ashley Nix

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Robert Annis, Philip Gulley, Jeana Harris, Terry Kirts, Amy Lynch, Sam Stall

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Brittany Dexter

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Margo Wininger

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Maura Broderson

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Christiana Bertsch

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Tony Valainis

PUBLISHER

Ivy Bayer

SALES DIRECTOR

Holly Whitney

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Amy Cecil, Nancy Oliphant, Eileen Worcester

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Vu Luong

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OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

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OCTOBER

75 // TRAVEL

Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure or an artsy weekend getaway, we found a variety of regional destinations perfect for your fall travel plans.

93 // FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGERS

Meet award-winning financial consultants recognized by Five Star Professional for high levels of competence, performance, and service to clients.

97 // FALL SCHOOL

OPEN HOUSE GUIDE

Open house season starts this month, and we’ll give readers an insider’s look into informational events and tours at local schools. Take the opportunity to visit the campuses, explore course offerings, and ask questions of faculty and staff members.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE ...

Shops Profiles

Take a peek inside local boutiques to find out more about their specialties and selection of products, as well as upcoming in-store events and promotions.

Top Doctor Profiles

PHOTO COURTESY KENTUCKY TOURISM

CIRCLE CITY

SPEED READ

Top Guns

It’s been 10 years since we’ve had an air show in Indy. But high-flying fun returns this month with the Crossroads Air Show.

IT’S HEAVEN FOR AVIATION FANS YOUNG AND OLD. The event on October 28 and 29 at Greenfield’s Indianapolis Regional Airport features everything from flight demonstrations by the United States Navy Blue Angels aerobatic squadron and the United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team to displays of vintage military aircraft.

LANDING THE BLUE ANGELS WAS A PRETTY BIG COUP. It took approximately three years to make the arrangements necessary to get the internationally beloved team to the Indianapolis area. One of the biggest issues was clearing the airspace around the airport for the team’s acrobatic performances. “When you’re in a fighter jet going hundreds of miles per hour, you can get into other people’s airspace really fast,” notes R. Michael Preyss, Crossroads’ community engagement chair.

THIS WHOLE THING MAY SOUND FAMILIAR. An event called the Indianapolis Air Show flew out of this same airport annually from 1996 to 2013, when it was canceled due to federal budget woes. This reboot is sponsored by the Crossroads of America Council.

TICKET PRICES VARY. WILDLY. Single-day general admission tickets start at $10, but if you want, say, a table for eight in the Flight Line Club (the air show equivalent of box seats), you’ll need to shell out $1,600. However, Preyss says that no matter your ticket price, everybody gets a good look at the aerobatic programs. All you have to do is look up.

CROWDS ARE TO BE EXPECTED. While this is a rain or shine event, the weather forecast will obviously have an impact on the turnout. Organizers are expecting between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors. Since local aviation buffs might be feeling nostalgic about the return of the event, steel yourself for the maximum turnout even if it’s a drizzly day.

BUT SHOWING UP EARLY WILL HELP. Although the gates open at 9 a.m., many attendees will likely start trickling in a little closer to noon, when the flight performances start. That means plenty

of downtime for you to have a look at the planes on the ground. Sometimes you can get close enough to touch them, depending on the specific aircraft (and the mood of the ground crew watching over it). For instance, the authentic P-51C Red Tail Mustang fighter that’s tricked out in the livery of the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first Black military pilots, likely won’t fly, so you might be able to sidle up to it. But forget getting close to planes that will be performing. “For obvious reasons, they don’t want kids climbing on them,” Preyss says.

THE PARKING FEE WILL GIVE YOU STICKER SHOCK. You can stop searching the site for the general admission parking price. Each and every driver must pay $150—online, before arriving—for an assigned spot. We all know everything costs more these days … but sheesh. Preyss points to the logistics of getting a crowd of this size safely and efficiently in and out, part of which involved necessary improvements to the parking lots. He adds that the overall price point of the event takes many factors into account. So who in your group has the biggest vehicle? Pile in and split it.

A COMEDY ACT IS PART OF THE SHOW. Aerobatic funnyman Kent Pietsch has a shtick which includes landing his flimsy-looking, 800-pound prop plane on the roof of a moving RV. This is his 50th year of doing stuff like this and somehow still being alive.

YOU’LL MEET A SPANISH LADY. The yellow Spanish Lady T-6G Texan was a trainer aircraft during World War II and was so massively overbuilt that 600 of them are still skyworthy, making them as common at air shows as sunburns.

SHORT-TERM TINNITUS IS POSSIBLE. An air show dishes out roughly the same amount of sonic abuse, say, as sitting in the front row at an Aerosmith concert. “You don’t need to walk around all day wearing earplugs, but while the show’s going on and you’re close to the flight line, you’re going to want ear protection, especially for kids,” Preyss says.

IT’S FOR A GOOD CAUSE. The show is a fundraiser for kids’ nonprofits, including the Riley Children’s Foundation, if that makes you feel any better about the parking fee. —SAM

STALL

AEROBATIC FUNNYMAN KENT PIETSCH LANDS A FLIMSY-LOOKING PROP PLANE ON THE ROOF OF A MOVING RV. HE’S BEEN DOING STUFF LIKE THIS FOR 50 YEARS.

Bordeaux futures

Taste history in the making

State of Shock

Q: I WANT TO BE AN INDIANA HORROR OR SCI-FI CHARACTER FOR A HALLOWEEN PARTY. ANY OPTIONS? A: Well, there’s always Eleven from Stranger Things. That costume, complete with fake nose blood, is on Amazon. According to Marvel lore, Bucky Barnes (aka the Winter Soldier) is from Shelbyville. And canon says Captain Kathryn Janeway of Star Trek: Voyager was born in Bloomington. Those costumes are also easy to find. The readymade pickings end there. If you want to make a costume, there’s Sam Beckett, the protagonist from the erstwhile series Quantum Leap, who hailed from fictional Elk Ridge, Indiana. Or you could go as Trapster, an F-tier Marvel villain and alleged Gary native whose superpower is glueing. Seriously. His original name was Paste-Pot Pete; he traps people in home-brewed adhesive. If you hate making small talk, Pete is your boy. You’ll spend the entire evening explaining who you’re supposed to be.

—SAM STALL

(

UNSPOKEN RULES )

The Artcraft Theatre

A MANNER-FESTO FOR FRANKLIN, INDIANA’S STAR ATTRACTION.

This month’s movies include spooky classics, such as the 1922 silent film Nosferatu, which premiered the same year this Art Deco institution opened. Order tickets before the 625-seat auditorium sells out and pick them up at will-call before the show. Arrive in time to find your seat before the pre-show activities begin at 7:30 p.m. Those include a folksy welcome monologue by executive director Rob Shilts, a raffle, and a live skit by costumed staff who act out a scene from the evening’s movie. The guest who drove the farthest gets a prize. Stand up for the national anthem. Take a seat for the classic cartoon reel. Popcorn refills are free.

The percentage of Hoosiers getting less than seven hours of sleep a night

Bleary-eyed Indiana is the 10th most sleepless state in the union, according to research by bed maker Meble Furniture. But we’re not as fatigued as the folks in West Virginia, where we can only surmise banjo-playing at all hours is what bumps the percentage of drowsy citizens to 43.

ask THE HOOSIERIST ILLUSTRATION BY RYAN JOHNSON; PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS

Photography by Wade Carignan of Square Mouth Studios

Mark Carter, Hoosier Horror Icon

FOR GENERATIONS, SAMMY TERRY HAS BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH HORROR. BOB CARTER BROUGHT THE GHOULISH HOST OF WTTV CHANNEL 4’S FRIDAY NIGHT NIGHTMARE THEATER TO LIFE FOR 40 YEARS. TODAY, CARTER’S SON MARK HAS PICKED UP THE MANTLE, HOSTING A WEEKLY NIGHTMARE THEATER ON FACEBOOK LIVE ON THE SAMMY TERRY FAN PAGE AND INTRODUCING THE LOCAL LEGEND TO A GLOBAL AUDIENCE. BY TONY REHAGEN

Your father was beloved in Indiana. What was his start in the public eye?

Bob Carter was a known TV personality even before Sammy Terry came around. He was doing a daytime talk show called Coffee With Carter He was also doing stand-in work for weather and news broadcasting. He was even a ring announcer for Saturday morning’s Championship Wrestling

So where did his legendary character come from?

In 1962, Universal Studios released the broadcast rights for a package of monster movies. None of the local network affiliates wanted them because the prevailing thought of the day was that no one in their right mind would want to introduce a horror movie into their household. However, Channel 4—an independent station—was

delighted to have them. In addition to his on-air duties with Channel 4, Dad would also go out and sell airtime. He went straight to a true film freak he knew who owned a local furniture business with the news that classic monster movies were available to sponsor. Dad’s instinct proved correct. The owner wanted to buy advertising—as long as it could air in six weeks to coincide with a big store event. My dad went back to the station and told his bosses that he’d sold advertising and that it [would air] in six weeks. They told him, “That’s great, Bob, but no, it doesn’t.”

So he had to actually convince them to accept a sponsorship?

You have to remember that in those days, advertising was all done live and therefore needed a “host.” Producing it from scratch in six weeks was pretty much unheard of. They didn’t even have any artwork. Undaunted— and wanting that commission check—my dad went down to the state library with an Exacto knife and cut out pictures of Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, and all sorts of monsters from books, took them back to the station and did a mock-up of the advertising spot with his voice narrating and laughing in a spooky tone. The station and the sponsor loved it. And they wanted my dad to be the host. Six weeks later, right on schedule, Shock Theater was born. It consisted of still photos and the voice-overs of Sammy Terry during the movie commercial breaks. And it was a smash.

Obviously, that iconic voice evolved into a fully fleshed-out character with a costume and makeup. When did you start getting involved?

From the time I was in middle school, I helped Dad out on the weekends. The broadcasts themselves didn’t pay that well. There was more money in the side jobs, things like the openings of shopping centers, the stage shows, hosting movies at local theaters, and appearing at festivals. My siblings and I sold T-shirts and posters, [took] money, [set] up stages, and [played] all the various supporting characters, like George the Spider, Ghoulsby Butler, Skully Skull, and all the creatures who would run through the audience

Photo by TONY VALAINIS

and scare people. That was me. Then as my dad got into his 70s, his lugging around boxes and setting up stages concerned my mom. It was a comfort to my parents to have me to help.

When did he officially ask you to don the hood and get in the coffin?

In 2007, my dad developed neuropathy and became unable to walk. The character was dormant for a couple years after that. Then the owner of a new store in Brownstown, Indiana, who was a huge fan, asked if we’d be willing to send Sammy Terry memorabilia down for his grand opening. He especially wanted the actual coffin and skull. I would never have let those out of my sight, so I agreed to drive down with everything and chat with customers as the son of Sammy Terry, provided I could sell posters and T-shirts on behalf of my father. At the 8 p.m. closing time, I still had more than 100 people waiting. By the

time the night was over, I had greeted 300 fans, which was 10 percent of the town’s total population. I’d sold out of every last poster and T-shirt. It was like the old days with Dad. A couple of days after I brought my parents the proceeds and told them how many people were still interested in Sammy Terry, my mom called and told me my father wanted to talk with me. When he asked me to assume the character, it was by that time a completely natural fit. Having those decades of working alongside him made it an easy transition.

So how are you presenting this classic character to today’s audience?

I want to look as close as I can to the original because of all the memories. People are always coming up to me and staring at my face. I can see the film projector clicking in their eyes, because when they are looking at me, they are emotionally going back

to the time when they were 10, or 15, or 18 years old, watching Sammy Terry. I don’t want to invalidate those memories. That’s why the face I wear today is the same face they would have seen in the early 1980s. It’s rather spooky, especially for me. And it’s nice to have a genetic connection. My voice is extremely consistent with my father’s, as is my laugh. I still wear the original skull necklace he wore in the 1960s and the 1980s cape. Those yellow Playtex Living Gloves are still in rotation too, though I did upgrade from drawing veins on my hands with Paper Mate pens to Sharpies!

What do those young enough to be encountering Sammy for the first time think of him?

That generation has been immersed in the horror and fantasy genres. Halloween has never been more embraced, so Sammy isn’t all that scary to them. While I try to maintain a suspenseful presence, I go more in the direction of fun and mysterious with kids. Young people love campiness because it’s retro and cool. At my appearances, I get grandparents with their grandchildren coming up to me. Grandma is quivering because this is the essence of the experience that she grew up with. Meanwhile, her grandkids have been desensitized to horror movie characters.

Your dad left us in 2013, but you’ve done him proud preserving his legacy. Can you remember the very first time you “met” Sammy Terry? I was probably four years old. One night Dad came home from the station, and he hadn’t taken off his costume. So here came Sammy Terry walking in. It was a casual encounter in my house, a non-event. No fear or questioning. It was just Daddy’s job, another day in the office.

“AT THE 8 P.M. CLOSING TIME, I STILL HAD MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE WAITING. BY THE TIME THE NIGHT WAS OVER, I HAD GREETED 300 FANS, WHICH WAS 10 PERCENT OF THE TOWN’S TOTAL POPULATION. I’D SOLD OUT OF EVERY LAST POSTER AND T-SHIRT. IT WAS LIKE THE OLD DAYS WITH DAD.”

CLABBER GIRL BAKING POWDER CAN

VINTAGE: 1955

Resides with B&G Foods in Terre Haute ARTIFACT

LOVERS of sky-high cakes, airy biscuits, and fluffy pancakes know the value of a good baking powder. Many Midwesterners have a soft spot for the red and white can that was ever present in their kitchens growing up. A leading brand to this day, Clabber Girl Baking Powder was the brainchild of Herman Hulman, who developed it in 1879 as Milk Brand Baking Powder and sold it as one of the many grocery items produced by his company, now known as Hulman & Co. Over time, the popular baking powder’s name evolved into Clabber Girl. Hulman & Co.’s seven-story headquarters in Terre Haute grew to include a museum featuring memorabilia like the original metal Clabber Girl cans (changed in 2005 to today’s cardboard packaging). Clabber Girl was sold to B&G Foods in 2019. The artifacts, while not available for viewing today, will soon be accessible to the public via a partnership with the Vigo County Historical Museum. —MICHELLE MASTRO

Photo by TONY

HOST YOUR ORGANIZATION’S NEXT SMALL-SIZED MEETING OR CONFERENCE IN HAMILTON COUNTY AND REST EASY.

In Hamilton County, we know how big a small meeting can be. Whether it’s a conference, trade show, or any other type of special event, we can comfortably accommodate all your organization’s needs. With a diverse array of gathering places—barns to boardrooms to ballrooms—more than 5,000 hotel rooms, and 30,000 sq. ft. of contiguous event space for larger events, you can rest easy when you select Hamilton County to play host.

JUST NORTH OF INDY

THIS MONTH’S CAN’T–MISS EVENTS

(1) Parisian Flea Market

October 6–7

Pick up hand-selected antiques, home goods, and furniture at this shopping event coming to Glendale Town Center. Proceeds go to welcoming and housing the families of seriously ill patients who travel to Indianapolis for treatment. fairhavenfoundation.org

(2) GermanFest

October 7

The Athenaeum celebrates German culture with music, brats and other traditional foods, beer, vendors, and, of course, the annual wiener dog races. athenaeumindy .org/events

(3) International Violin Competition of Indianapolis

October 10

Find tranquility listening to Silver Medalist Risa Hokamura as she pays tribute to giants of the violin repertoire at the Indiana History Center. violin.org

(4) 77th Annual Historic Irvington Halloween Festival

October 21–28

The eastside neighborhood’s weeklong party starts with a Masquerade Ball and culminates with the Street Fair that kids look forward to all year. irvingtonhalloween.com

(5) Annual Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest

October 26–28

Visitors ooh and aah at colorful and creatively shaped hot-air balloons, pyrotechnic skydivers, the Night Glow display, and fireworks at the Monroe County Fairgrounds visitbloomington .com/events

WANTED

Written in Stone

We’re mad about everything Cream & Concrete owner Kaitlan Vosler makes, from jewelry to matchstick holders. Her latest piece to catch our eye is this beautifully simple concrete bookend. It isn’t pottery or ceramic but is made of a very fine artisan white concrete that’s perfectly urban-chic. Every piece Vosler crafts is hand-poured and sits for 24 hours, then is sanded and put through a three-part sealing system to rebuff stains. The bookend has an anti-scratch bumper on the bottom to protect your furniture. $32 each. creamandconcrete.com; for custom orders: creamandconcrete@gmail.com

—CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

Photo by TONY VALAINIS

( SHOP TALK )

Paper Trail

AN ENTICING NOOK OF PLANNERS, PADS, AND CARDS OPENS IN PENN ARTS.

BY CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

WHENEVER Alexandria Dugan passed the Art Deco–era brick building in her Old Northside neighborhood, her eyes landed on a sad, empty storefront. “I kept wishing someone would take it over,” she shares. Dugan, a lover of journaling, hoped for a paper goods store. Curious, she did a bit of research and was surprised to find that Indianapolis had zero independent stationery stores. “Then it hit me. I was the someone,” recalls Dugan, who has no business background.

Semantics opened in August, a petite, bright boutique with gray plank flooring and graphic area rugs layered beneath tables spread with every member of the paper family, including distant cousins. Among the lovingly organized accoutrements are stickers, postcards, irreverent to-do pads, pretty planners, recipe scrapbooks, and candles poured in Indy that smell, somehow, like a cozy library.

“There are always going to be people who enjoy the act of writing,” says Dugan. “No matter how tech-saturated the world gets, paper and pen will always have a place.”

Tiffany Benedict Browne Founder

WHAT A FABULOUS ENSEMBLE! WHAT DID YOU REACH FOR FIRST?

The one-of-a-kind shibori silk ribbon necklace, which was handmade by my friend, Valentina. I own several. They always steal the show, no matter what I’m wearing.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP LOCALLY?

The Vintage Gypsy, which is upstairs at the Southport Antique Mall.

DO YOU EVER MAKE YOUR OWN CLOTHES?

Actually, my next move is signing up for a sewing class at StitchWorks on East 9th Street, so that I can hopefully reinvent or repurpose some of my pieces. —C.V.

(1) Heartell Press Beautiful Birthday Card, $6 (2) Semantics The Paper Store Candle, $10 (3) Public Supply Soft Cover Notebook, $12 (4) Marvy Uchida LePen, $2

of Historic Indianapolis

BUILDER OF THE 2023 INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY DREAM HOME AT HOLLIDAY FARMS

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We specialize in bringing ideas into focus and turning dreams into reality. Each home is individually designed to meet the needs and lifestyle of our client. Our team works diligently to exceed your expectations with quality craftsmanship and innovative detail. Contact us to experience the difference.

Up to Snuff

BY STEPHEN GARSTANG

(1) Stan Editions stackable candles in autumn hues. $79 each. Willa Gray Home, 6516 Carrollton Ave., willagray home.com

(2) Antiqued gold candle snuffer $13. Wildwood Home Co., 180 S. Main St., Zionsville, wildwoodhome company.com

(3) Carved wooden pillar-candle pedestal $200. Surroundings Antique Store, 1101 E. 54th St., 317-254-8883

(4) Solid brass dome spindle candle holders $130.Willa Gray Home, 6516 Carrollton Ave., willagray home.com

(5) Vivid blown glass tapercandle holders $46–$52 Be the Boutique, 5607 N. Illinois St., bethe boutique.com

(7) 29-inch-tall iron lantern for a large candle. $86. The Accent Shop, 1480 E. 86th St., the accentshop inc.com

(8) Sideboardor centerpieceworthy votive flight $46 Decorate. 708 Massachusetts Ave., decorate indy.com

(6) Thompson Ferrier Buddha candle lined in 24k gold. $385. Charles Mayer & Co., 5629 N. Illinois St., charles mayer.com

SUPPORTING

THRIVING FAMILIES

Carmel Midtown Plaza

THIS HAPPENING HALF-MILE OF THE NORTHERN MONON TRAIL WILL HAVE YOU RUNNING, BIKING, OR STROLLING AMONG TRENDY SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS GALORE.

SAVOR Wind down with friends over delectable bites and delicious pours at Wine & Rind (1) Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant specializes in charcuterie boards of various styles, like the Italian, with truffle cheese and prosciutto, or the Spanish, with manchego and chorizo. They also house a selection of more than 40 different wines from all over the world. Don’t miss stopping by the deli counter post-meal to pick up one of their locally sourced cheese and meat selections from Fair Oaks Farms and Smoking Goose. 254 Veterans Way, 317-669-6566, wineandrindcarmel.com

RIDE Longtime Carmel brick-and-mortar Pedego (2) stocks an array of snazzy electric bicycles and riding gear. Conveniently located right off the Monon Trail, the shop rents out e-bikes for cruising to wherever your day takes you. Have a more permanent need for speed? New two-wheelers for purchase are well-stocked. Select

the one that best meets your needs and budget with the help of their experienced staff. 254 Veterans Way, 317-708-1070, pedegoelectricbikes.com

MUNCH If the bright, candy-striped exterior doesn’t get you through the door, the smells of fresh, hot popcorn certainly will. Kernels Gourmet Popcorn (3) does more than just stick to the basics when it comes to this beloved snack. Expect the unexpected with quirky flavors like Oreo, Loaded Baked Potato, and Cheddar Pretzel Ale. But if good ol’ fashioned buttery is what you’re craving, that’s here too, in all its crunchy, savory goodness. Grab a family-size tin for a movie night at home or order a bag to devour as you stroll around the plaza. 254 Veterans Way, 317-669-6464, kernelscarmel.com

MINGLE Entering Social Cantina (4) , you’re met with an aesthetically energizing environment of trendy tiling and neon lights throughout. Listen to bumping beats as you take your pick from a vast

Clockwise from top left: Sunny days bring out scores of families to relax with onsite games, including cornhole, billiards, and pingpong; Physique 57 started in New York City, but Hoosiers are embracing its inclusive vibe and creative workouts; Sail by local artists Owens + Crawley is a Carmel Midtown Plaza landmark.

BY MONICA SALLAY

array of tequilas, including customer favorites from Casamigos. Start with their esquites, a Mexican street corn dish, and order their taco of the month for a seasonal dose of delicioso. 350 Monon Blvd., 317-218-3342, thesocialcantina.com

SCULPT An international fitness phenomenon that started in New York City, Physique 57 (5) boasts fat-burning barre classes with skilled trainers to tone your entire body. Peruse the merch in the fitness boutique pre-practice, then sweat it out in-studio with daily class offerings. You can also choose to exercise from the comfort of home with livestreamed workouts. Need a nudge getting started? A new client offer nets you two classes for $20. 350 Monon Blvd., 317-527-5757, physique57.com

NOSH Indy’s healthy-and-hearty staple, Garden Table (6) opened this latest location in spring 2023 with a complete menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Visit in the evening for the whipped feta dip and bourbon glazed salmon, or start your day with a wholesome quinoa breakfast bowl or acai bowl. And don’t forget to try one of their signature juices, like the popular Hoosier Heater or the vibrantly blue Cashew Concoction. 350 Monon Blvd., 317-669-0240, thegardentable.com

SNIFF Here’s the sister location of longtime downtown favorite Penn & Beech Candle Co. (7). As you enter the shop, you’re greeted with a visual and olfactory treat: an expansive wall of candles encased in shiny glass in scents ranging from Champagne, to Bonsai, to Banana Brulée. Sign up to craft a custom candle

or book a party if your besties want to join you. Or simply stroll in to enjoy the sensory sensations. 145 W. Elm St., 317689-0789, pennandbeech.com

CAFFEINATE Whether you’re in need of a cold brew kickoff to your morning or a coconut milk latte for a midday buzz, Java House (8) has you covered. Signature sips include fresh roasted coffee from Ethiopia and Colombia, plus specialty sweet drinks like the salted carmel–flavored Tedster. Meet up with friends over a cup of Joe or plug in for a cafe workday while enjoying egg bites or a scone. The cozy space with rustic brick walls and hipster vibes will surely sway you into adding “for here” to your order. 145 W. Elm St., 317-853-6092, javahouse.com

RELAX Pamper yourself like a Pacemate. As the official salon of the Pacers’ professional dance team, Renova Aesthetics (9) offers many services beyond balayage and high-end hair extensions. They provide spa experiences to rejuvenate and revitalize yourself, like electrolyte-rich IV therapy. Stop in and browse their selections of serums, sunscreens, and more by science-backed brands like Alastin Skincare and Epionce. 145 W. Elm St., 317564-8305, renovaaesthetics.com

NOURISH Drink your veggies at Pure Green (10) , a juicery with organic sippers and slurpers that will amp up your vitamin intake. Try Wake Up Call (apple juice with lemon, ginger, and cayenne), or consider a Pink Dragon Smoothie made with dragon fruit, coconut water, and almond milk. 591 Monon Blvd., 463-246-9515, puregreencarmel.com

Clockwise from bottom left: Carmel Midtown Plaza is decidely dog-friendly; Garden Table offers tons of yummy, healthy bowl options; The Monon Trail runs alongside Carmel Midtown Plaza; Heady scents beckon at Penn & Beech Candle Co.; A barista finesses a drink at Java House.

Indy Inked

THINKING OF (FINALLY) MAKING THE TATTOO LEAP? JUST BE SURE TO TAKE THIS HARD-WON ADVICE FIRST. BY

TATTOOS used to be symbols of bad decisions—your grandpa’s faded anchor a permanent memory of that drunken shore leave, the misspelled name of your uncle’s favorite metal band a reminder of his high school years. But times have changed. No longer the domain of the young and rebellious, body art has gained a new respect.

In fact, Gerrit Verplank of Firefly Tattoo Collective in Noblesville estimates that a quarter of his new clients are older than 40. “The waning stigma, combined with the lack of fear of permanence, has taken a lot of the scariness away,” he says. And older people, he adds, are typically better able to afford the work of today’s artists, whose studios are more akin to high-end salons than the holes-in-thewall of the past. Enticed? Read on.

ROBERT ANNIS

DO RESEARCH. Most tattoo artists have a specialty, be it realistic portraits, linework, or retro. Search #indytattoo on Instagram to both get ideas for designs and find an artist who can bring it to life. Look at artists’ previous work, especially images of healed tattoos. Meet to discuss your ideas and to make sure you feel at ease with them before you book.

BE PATIENT. These days, tattooists often have wait lists of weeks or even months. Some restrict new clients to certain times of year. But high demand is a good sign.

COLLABORATE. An outstanding tattoo will be the result of collaboration between you and the artist. Don’t go in with a photo of a tattoo wanting an exact copy.

“Ripping off a design is poor form in our industry,” Verplank says, “but I don’t mind if clients bring in images of tattoos they like. That actually gives me a good idea of what they gravitate toward.” From there, Verplank makes an interpretative sketch for feedback.

LISTEN. Verplank loves middle-aged first-timers because they “tend to listen better,” he says, allowing him to guide them toward a design and placement they ultimately love. “Usually, this crowd goes for military tributes and odes to kids, grandkids, loved ones who’ve passed on, and even pets.” Verplank says the name of a significant other is “a bad idea at any age.”

ACCEPT THAT IT’LL HURT. How much depends on your pain threshold and the body part. It can range from slight discomfort on the forearms and calves to pleasepleasemakeitstop on the feet and hands. “For me, pain makes the tattoo a badge of honor,” Verplank adds. But if fear of pain has you canceling appointments, then a tattoo may not be for you.

KNOW IT MAY NOT BE YOUR LAST. Rarely do you see people with one tattoo. Often, after the first, ideas flow, and you start to see yourself as a blank canvas.

BODY + SOUL

Turnkey Treasures

WHETHER YOU GO FOR DOWNTOWN ELEGANCE OR A SUBURBAN HAVEN, YOU’LL BE SITTING IN THE LAP OF LUXURY. BY

JEANA HARRIS

CRAVING

timeless finishes and details but with high-end touches and a great entertaining space? Two homes share those qualities in spades—along with an $875,000 price tag. Yet neither needs any major updates.

The Condo

Whether you want to spend a Saturday at the zoo or walk to dinner on Mass Ave, the condo on offer affords the best of city life. The first floor features an open concept kitchen and living room, complete with fireplace and French doors that flood the space with natural light. Upstairs, you’ll find two bedrooms, a family room, a wet bar, and a home theater. Through another set of French doors off the family room lies a jaw-dropping covered rooftop deck. As if its 1,000-squarefoot layout wasn’t impressive enough, it showcases beautiful views of the skyline and boasts an outdoor TV and gas fireplace.

The Cape Cod

Snug as a bug in a cul-de-sac rug, this lovely Cape radiates classic curb appeal. It’s easy to imagine summers on the front porch and winter nights looking out at the flurries from a dormer window. The layout is designed with a family in mind. It’s bright and open through the kitchen, breakfast room, and living room, encouraging togetherness. A generously sized office with adjoining den could easily be reimagined as a playroom or gaming area. With more than 5,500 square feet, including a lower-level family room and recreation space, the new owners may find themselves hosting many holidays to come.

Red River Gorge, KY

253 miles DRIVE TIME

4 hours

Gorge Yourself

OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS CAN LOSE THEMSELVES IN THIS KENTUCKY SHANGRI-LA.

BY MADYSON CRANE

THE OFTEN overlooked middle states seem to house the majority of the country’s hidden gems. A great example is the Red River Gorge in Slade, Kentucky. This scenic destination is an ideal place to escape the demands of everyday life and explore one of the least developed areas with the most natural beauty that Kentucky has to offer.

The Red River Gorge Geological Area is a natural canyon system formed over millions of years by waterways cutting through the area’s sandstone bedrock. It has one of the most diverse ecosystems in North America, as well as plant families dating from the ice age. Its variety of activities draws vacationers in every season. From mountain biking and rock climbing in the early spring to late fall

(it’s a world-renowned outdoor climbing spot), to white water rafting all summer long and snowshoeing in winter, this hidden forest oasis has something for every kind of adventurer.

As you approach the gorge, you’ll travel through a one-lane tunnel—honk your horn to let others know you’re coming—after which you’ll arrive at a yellow shack, the multipurpose business known as Miguel’s Pizza (miguelspizza.com). Aside from an array of filling and inventive pies, hearty sandwiches, and fresh salads, Miguel’s can set you up with accomodations, from campsites and cabins to lodges and houses for groups as large as 30. They’ll even outfit you for rock climbing in their gear shop. All that’s left is your morning java: Enter the Daniel Boone Coffee Shop (danielboone coffeeshop.com) for a perfect cuppa that’ll fortify you for the day’s adventure.

IF YOU GO

STAY Sleep with the birds in a Red River Gorgeous (rrgcabin .com) treehouse. Other out-of-thetent options include geodomes and cliff-suspended houses.

EAT For the best burgers in the gorge, head to The Red River Rockhouse (4000 KY-11, Campton, redriverrockhouse.com)

After a day of exercise, nothing beats a gooey artisan cheeseburger and fresh-cut fries. Grab a can of local beer from their giant selection, and you’re set.

SHOP The Red River Gorge

General Store (1321 Natural Bridge Rd., Slade, redriver gorgevacations.com/shopping/ the-general-store) has basic necessities, souvenirs, cute knickknacks, and extra surprises (like yummy fudge).

Bloomington is a top choice for a fall outing, but lovers of the supernatural and history buffs have an extra reason to head down this month: the Dearly Departed walking tour at ROSE HILL CEMETERY . Reenactors share the “secrets that lie beneath the stones” during a one-hour stroll. Bring a flashlight. Register at monroehistory.org/events. —CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

TRAVELER

Clockwise from above left: Cave kayaking with The Gorge Underground; the Princess Arch at Red River Gorge; Daniel Boone Coffee Shop.

CHAIRS + CHEERS

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CHEERS TO COMFORT.

CLOUD RECLINER

Vintage Model

None of the specialty cocktails at Turner’s are as smooth and potent as the Calypso. Turner’s, which opened inside the Stutz Building over the summer, is named in honor of Turner Woodard, the auto enthusiast and philanthropist who bought and revitalized the Stutz in the 1990s. It is only fitting that this take on the Trinidad sour that mingles higher-proof bonded Benchmark bourbon with Scarlet Ibis rum, orgeat, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters is a slow sipper as easy as a cool cruise in a Bearcat convertible—with the top down, of course. 1060 N. Capitol Ave., 317-757-3984, turnersindy.com TERRY KIRTS

Photo by TONY VALAINIS

“Avoid commercial blends of chai by steeping whole spice for five minutes in boiling water. Add Assam black tea, steep for three minutes, pour in milk, bring back to a boil, then strain.”

( REVISIT )

Small Wonder

PATACHOU ON PINE BRINGS ESPRESSO MARTINIS AND OMELETS TO A ZIONSVILLE CHARMER. BY

JULIA SPALDING

RESTAURATEUR Martha Hoover (whose local empire includes several Cafe Patachou locations, as well as Napolese Pizzeria, Public Greens, Petite Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar, and Apocalypse Burger) never stepped inside the previous incarnation of her newest location, Patachou on Pine—a sweet open concept cafe perched above Zionsville’s Lions Club Park. She wouldn’t have recognized it, anyway. The former garage that housed The Lemon Bar for five years went from shabby chic to regular chic when Patachou made over the space in August. “We took the building back down to its studs,” says Hoover. This newest version of her 34-year-old Cafe Patachou concept features pale blue walls, bistro-style cane chairs, and plenty of patio. At about 1,800 square feet, it ranks among the smallest restaurants in the Patachou fleet. “But I have always been attracted to small spaces,” Hoover says. 95 E. Pine St., Zionsville, 317-344-6700, cafepatachou.com

( NEW IN TOWN ) Here’s the Beef

New York’s cult-favorite bodega sandwich turns up in an eastside convenience store.

THE “BOYS” behind the counter at Chopped Cheese Boys work some pretty tasty magic at the flat-top griddle, whipping up a roster of takeout eats. Top billing goes to the namesake Chopped Cheese, the social media star sandwich concocted in the Big Apple’s corner grocers with possible Middle Eastern roots. Ground beef patties “chopped” into tender crumbles with clanging metal spatulas are generously seasoned and and loaded with gooey cheese, all of it nestled into a warm sub roll. With light, crispy fries (ask for a shake of lemon pepper), it’s a great alternative to a typical burger. Perhaps even better is the hearty chicken over rice, a street cart favorite made with smoky strips of juicy chicken. 1520 N. Arlington Ave., 317-3774951 —TERRY KIRTS

WILD WEST Fast casual chain Slim Chickens, founded in Arkansas, is bringing its handbreaded tenders to two northside locations … FRIENDLIER FARE Lucas Oil Stadium was named one of the top vegan-friendly NFL stadiums by PETA … NEW BREW Upland Brewing Company opened at Clay Terrace ... YES, CHEF! Ricky Martinez (formerly of Easy Rider Diner) is the new executive chef at The Fountain Room —TWINKLE

—Pravy Nijjar, Former public health professional who opened Fountain Square’s A Cup of Chai in July

Wedge In

SORRY, PUMPKIN SPICE. EVERYONE KNOWS APPLE REMAINS THE TRUE FLAVOR OF FALL. HERE’S WHERE TO SNAG THE BEST PIES OF THE SEASON, WHOLE OR BY THE SLICE.

BY AMY LYNCH

Pots & Pans Pie Co.

As an homage to her grandma’s recipe, Clarissa Morley elevates her humble Apple Crumble Pie with simple, high-quality ingredients such as European butter and juicy Granny Smiths. 4915 N. College Ave., 317-600-3475, potsandpansindy.com

TASTE TEST

My Sugar Pie

The bakers here peel, core, and slice Granny Smiths for every Mom’s Original Dutch Apple pie they make from scratch using all-natural, non-GMO ingredients. 40 E. Pine St., Zionsville, 317-7338717, mysugarpie.com

Bread Basket Cafe & Bakery

Judy Sexton perfected her Traditional Apple Pie before she opened her cafe almost 20 years ago. The hand-rolled crust boasts a hint of salt to complement the filling made of fruit from nearby Beasley’s Orchard. 46 S. Tennessee St., Danville, 317-718-4800, breadbasketcafe.com

Shapiro’s Delicatessen

Ann’s Strawberry Cheesecake reigns supreme at this downtown institution, but with hearty slices of fruit and meltin-your-mouth crust, her chunky-style apple pie deserves its fair share of dessert-counter credit. 808 S. Meridian St., 317631-4041, shapiros.com

Generations Pie Company

Maria Johnson melds Fujis, EverCrisps, McIntoshes, and other varieties into her Grandma Hattie Leota’s Sweet Apple Pie, but says the most important ingredient is love. 230 S. Main St., Fortville, 317-6059568, generationspie.co

Gray Bros. Cafeteria

Made with Northern Spy apples and fragrant with cinnamon and nutmeg, this sugared-crust recipe—like pretty much everything else on the line—originated from the Gray family’s greatgrandparents. 555 S. Indiana St., Mooresville, 317-790-2191, gray broscafeteria.com

Holding Court

KING DOUGH CO-OWNER ALICIA SWEET COMBINES HER PUNK SENSIBILITIES WITH HER LOVE OF FAMILY, FOOD, AND WINE. BY

YOU CAN often find restaurateur Alicia Sweet knee-deep in some new and exciting project, no matter where in her empire she is hanging out. Whether she’s managing her King Dough locations (including a brand-new Carmel pizzeria), working at Natural State Provisions (her and husband Adam’s Holy Cross tribute to their Southern upbringing), or tweaking unique wine lists for their restaurants, Sweet is in perpetual creative mode.

Raised in the rural South, she learned to grow, forage, hunt, and fish in the backwood landscapes of Florida and Tennessee. “Pulling a sarsaparilla root and chewing on it or selling our goods at the outdoor flea market—to me, that was just magical,” Sweet says. Those memories helped define her in many ways and inspire everything she does, from adorning her restaurants with decor straight from her

TWINKLE VANWINKLE

grandmother’s garage, to creating kid-friendly spaces for customers to enjoy good food and wine with their families, to developing menus that bring to mind the Southern table.

Sweet has blended the influences from her rural upbringing with her early adult years spent traveling and running a communal punk living space in Bloomington. That’s where she met and fell in love with her husband, and where they began their adventures together, starting a family and eventually becoming a force in the local food and drink world. It was not a surprising jump for Sweet to turn what she learned from her DIY childhood into a “no rules” mindset as a restaurant owner.

Her newest obsession is soft serve ice cream. You can find it on the Natural State Provisions menu in rotating flavors like Thai iced tea, chocolate mint, and Indiana sweet corn. “It’s my opportunity to feed everyone’s inner child,” Sweet says.

FAVORITE THINGS

(1) Key West. “It’s where I grew up.” (2) X-Men comics. “My latest obsession.” (3) Peanut butter and jelly. “It just hits the spot.” (4) Alice Waters. “A female chef who is very kind and part of the farm-to-table movement, she’s my favorite chef, besides my hot husband.”

(5) Hurricane parties. “I have awesome memories of hunkering down while the hurricane passes. It’s like camping inside.”

FOODIE

SWEET PHOTO BY JES NIJJER, WATERS PHOTO COURTESY DAVID SIFRY

INDI ANAPOLIS

8 chefs, 4 nights, 1 unforgettable meal

November 14–17 | 6–10 p.m.

Join us for our inaugural four-night dinner series, Savor. Two chefs from Indy’s robust restaurant scene are paired together each night to create a once-in-a-lifetime meal paired with wines. A portion of the proceeds supports a different local charity each night. Be sure to #savorthedate.

INDIANAPOLISMONTHLY.COM/SAVOR

Limited tickets are available.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

SPONSOR

RITZ CHARLES

12156 N. Meridian St., Carmel

Enjoy a generous pour of vino-focused fun, including road trips, tasting notes, and an intoxicating appreciation of the Hoosier terroir in our guide to Indiana’s finest stomping grounds.

hard to imagine a bett er way to enjoy a taste of homegrown Indiana wine than by following the country backroads to a family-run vineyard where you can BYO lawn chair and enjoy an open-air concert while you sip the night away. We tracked down 14 road trip–worthy wineries (including a few that are right in our backyard) where the grape is great. We also rounded up Indy’s beststocked wine shops, asked local sommeliers for tips on how to sniff and swirl like a pro, and uncorked some knowledge on Indiana’s love-it-or-leave-it signature wine, Traminett e. It’s not Napa, and it’s no Rhône Valley, but Hoosier wine country is ripe for exploring.

At The Barn Winery

4152 N. Dearborn Rd., Lawrenceburg, 513-519-8745, att

The two-lane road dips and curves as it cuts through rural Dearborn County, eventually bringing you to a pair of gravel parking lots that service Don and Debby Stutz’s hidden gem. The sweet storybook setting includes a quiet pond rimmed in grass and tidy rows of vining grapes that grow right up to the edge of the surrounding cornfield. The centerpiece of the property, a circa-1870 barn built by Don’s great-grandfather, has been weathered to a fine gray patina. It houses the winery’s mission control. When the red neon sign in the front window blinks “OPEN,” you can step inside, where the old structure has been retrofitted into a tiny tasting room. Sidle up to the counter for complimentary sips of traditional dry reds and whites, along with a full roster of sweet wines such as Cherry Cordial, Persimmon, Green Apple, and Elderberry. Among the semi-sweets, the Cayuga White, Golden Muscat, and Marchal Foch are estate wines made solely from

85 miles TASTINGS: Three free tastings

BEST-SELLER: Bella Bianca UPCOMING

EVENTS: Pairfection, a casual fourcourse dinner with wine pairings on Oct. 21 FAMILY- AND PET-FRIENDLY

Brown County Winery

4520 IN-46 E, Nashville, 812-988-6144, browncountywinery.com

When Dave and Cynthia Schrodt established Brown County Winery in 1985, the couple produced just five wines. But as the winery’s popularity grew, it needed a bigger home. After years of making dry, semi-sweet, and sweet wines from French hybrid grapes grown across the Midwest and other fruits from Michigan at their private property near Lake Lemon, the couple moved operations to the current location five minutes away from downtown Nashville in 2000. Find a tasting room, gift shop, and fermentation and production facility housed behind large glass windows. The educational and approachable

vibe is what the family hoped to create when they first founded Brown County Winery. A small demonstration vineyard of Catawba grapes allows guests to see and understand how the grapes grow. Inside the tasting room, guides walk guests through six free tastings, offering tips on how to pair the wines and suggesting which flavors might suit each palate. Stop by in October to try the Autumn Red, perfect for pairing with tomatobased foods, like pizza.

ESTABLISHED: 1985 DISTANCE FROM INDY: 40 miles TASTINGS: Six samples come complimentary BEST-SELLER: Vista Red Wine 21+

Buck Creek Winery

11747 Indian Creek South Rd., 317- 862-9463, buckcreekwinery.com

Jeff Durm spent more than a decade growing and selling grapes and making wine in his basement before opening Buck Creek to the public. His vineyard of more than 3,000 vines, many from the original 1991 plantings, sits on 4.5 acres in southeastern Marion County. Durm is all about the process of winemaking. He gets the best from his grapes, and

PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS

you can taste it in the wines he makes. The building looks modest from the outside, but step inside and the staff makes you feel like it’s your party and they’re pouring just for you. The estate wines include a selection from dry Seyval Reserve, their oldest wine, to Autumn Blush, a customer favorite. But their top-selling drinks are the wine slushies. They’re available yearround in a rotating variety of sweet, sparkling, and fruity flavors. While you’re there, check out the rest of the 10-acre property, then take some time to relax on the back patio overlooking the vineyard, sip a slushie with friends, and let the distant buzz of traffic on I-74 melt your cares away.

ESTABLISHED: 2006 DISTANCE FROM INDY: 14 miles TASTINGS: $10 for six samples

BEST-SELLER: Road House Red Wine

Slushie FAMILY- AND PET-FRIENDLY

Butler Winery

6200 E. Robinson Rd., 812-332-6660, 1022 N. College Ave., 812-339-7233, Bloomington, butlerwinery.com

Jim Butler wrote the book on Indiana wine. Literally. His Indiana

Wine: A History, published in 2001, details the Hoosier state’s viticultural legacy as the first commercial wineproducing region in the United States. His introduction to the industry dates back to the 1970s, when he studied agriculture during grad school at the University of Minnesota and then cut his teeth working at Oliver Winery before setting out to start his own operation in 1983. With a tasting room in downtown Bloomington and a 6-acre vineyard about 8 miles northeast of the city near Lake Lemon, Butler Winery offers customers two locations to enjoy the fruits of the Butler family’s labors. Product inventory runs the gamut, from dry oak-aged reds and port-style dessert offerings to sweet and fruit-based wines to please Midwestern palates, with semi-sweet varieties like the Yellowwood Red and White proving the most popular of the bunch. The winery doesn’t host formal guided tours, but staff members are happy to show guests around the facility if they’re not too busy.

ESTABLISHED: 1983 DISTANCE FROM INDY: 53 miles TASTINGS: $8 for six samples,

THE SOMMELIER

Q: WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE LITTLE PRE-POUR? WHAT SHOULD I BE TASTING FOR? A: At this point in the service, you are strictly looking for flaws. Does the wine smell or taste moldy, like a wet basement or wet cardboard? Does it smell like fingernail polish or fingernail polish remover? Does it have a nutty or oxidized note? Does it just plain smell bad or funky? If yes to any of these, the wine is probably flawed in some way, and you should refuse it. —Jan Bugher, CS, CSW, Wine Director/Sommelier, Bluebeard

$20/person for guided tastings that include small bites

BEST-SELLER: Blackberry UPCOMING EVENTS: A semi-annual fundraiser for WildCare (an organization that rehabilitates wild animal rescues) on Oct. 7 FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Cedar Creek Winery, Brewery and Distillery

3820 Leonard Rd., Martinsville, 765-342-9000, drinkatthecreek.com

After dabbling in winemaking at home, Larry Elsner decided to take his hobby to the next level by opening his own winery in 2010 on an airy Martinsville spread east of town. Since then, the family-run operation has bloomed into a multipronged venture that now includes a brewery, a distillery, food service, a cigar company, and a cute satellite Brown County tasting room in downtown Nashville. The Elsners keep a small vineyard on the property for ambiance, but they source their grapes from beyond Indiana borders to supply a category-spanning inventory that covers all the bases, from bold cabernet, oaky chardonnay, and spicy shiraz to floral riesling, syrupy ports, and sweet fruit varietals. After a sampling in the rustic farmhousestyle tasting room, customers can purchase their favorites by the glass or bottle to wash down sandwiches, pizzas, wings, and charcuterie boards prepared on-site.

ASK

PHOTOS COURTESY, CLOCKWISE: HUBER WINERY, BUTLER WINERY, TONY VALIANIS; BROWN COUNTY WINERY

Q: WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD WINE LIST? A: A good wine list should be accessible to every diner and should reflect the style and cuisine of the restaurant. I’ve seen very esoteric wine lists that are great for wine nerds and sommeliers, but what about the customer who just wants a good glass of pinot grigio?

—Demian Hostetter, Portfolio Manager, Sommelier, Crossroad Vintners

ESTABLISHED: 2010 DISTANCE FROM INDY: 36 miles TASTINGS: Free tastings of up to five 1-ounce samples BEST-SELLER: Apple Smooch UPCOMING EVENTS:

Hairbangers Ball and the Big 80s on Oct. 7, The Prince Experience on Oct. 14, and Halloween at the Creek on Oct. 28.

FAMILY- AND PET-FRIENDLY

Country Heritage Winery

185 County Rd. 68, LaOtto, 260-6372980, countryheritagewinery.com

Country Heritage Winery’s flagship location in DeKalb County lures guests with its winning combination of wine, snacks, hospitality, and outdoor fun. From dry white to sweet dessert wines, this rural destination has a wide selection of estate-grown vintages. However, wine isn’t the only draw. The owners have cultivated a vibe that invites guests to kick back and enjoy this sprawling property’s sights and sounds. Think woodburning and gas firepits available for rent, evening concerts, a behindthe-scenes tour of the winemaking process, and a Sipping in the Cellar wine-tasting experience in the Barrel Room.

ESTABLISHED: 2011 DISTANCE FROM INDY: 137 miles TASTINGS: Guided tastings of five 1-ounce pours for $7 Sunday–Friday at 5 p.m. BEST-SELLER: Brianne UPCOMING EVENTS: The annual outdoor Holiday Market on Nov. 5 FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Daniel’s Family Vineyard & Winery

9061 N. 700 W, McCordsville, 317-248-5222; danielsvineyard.com

No Ruff Days, Daniel’s brand of canned wines—which has a sophistication that both belies its name and stereotypes about wine in a can— could easily be the mantra of this casual-chic winery. An aqua-colored, retro pickup truck greets you as you approach the tasting room entrance, followed by a “No Ruff Days” selfie station and a vintage black and white police car. The latter strikes you as a bit incongruous at first, but as you sit sipping your Circle City White

whites, several rosés, and wines on tap (which fans say are fresher due to the lack of oxidation), including Brut Bubbles. Also on the menu are three unfiltered—and thus slightly hazy— wines. Some oenophiles insist the flavor profiles of such less-processed wines are as good or better than the usual clear, filtered varieties. Try Purple Reign, a sparkling, off-dry vino with notes of boysenberry. Wine slushies at $12 are popular yearround (add a bourbon topper for $3). Rounding out the menu is a smattering of beers, including Sun King, and classic nibbles, such as charcuterie and fresh salads. But we’d go for the Vigneto, crispy thin-crust pizza laden

ASK THE SOMMELIER

with brie and goat cheese, with EVOO and

DISTANCE TASTINGS: Four 2-ounce samples of 10 wine options

Sauvignon blanc

Take tango lessons as you imbibe on Oct. 5. Join a murdermystery party on Oct. 11. Celebrate Daniel’s latest crop on Nov. 8 at their INSIDER TIP: If you’ve always dreamed of owning a vineyard, you can get a taste of the vine life by helping with harvests. Call for details.

Huber Winery & Vineyards

812-923-9463, visithubers.com

The Hubers’ Southern Indiana roots run deep. The family settled the rolling land where their multiuse venture now sits in 1843, operating as a farm and briefly as a dairy before launching their commercial winery in 1978. (Starlight Distillery joined the mix in 2001.) Under the sixth-generation direction of master winemaker Ted Huber, almost two dozen different grape varieties—plus strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, and apples—are grown on-site across the bucolic 700-acre spread and form a diverse wine portfolio that boasts more than 40 selections. As the oldest and largest

estate-grown vineyard in Indiana, Huber spoils guests with the choice to sip by the sample, glass, or bottle, turning out some 70,000 cases of wine a year. Although the biggest seller is a Concord grape–based offering, dry wines make up almost 50 percent of the catalog, which

is unusual for the Midwest where tastes tend to lean sweet. With production tours of the facility, a cafe and ice cream shop, a seasonal u-pick farm and orchard, a children’s park, a retail store, and other enticements, the enterprise has blossomed into a full-fledged destination where

Fruity, spicy, flavorful Traminette has been Indiana’s signature wine for over a decade, and its popularity is growing.

A UNIQUELY Midwestern hybrid, Traminett e was bred in 1965 as a table grape and proved to be of such excellent quality that it has been planted in Indiana vineyards since 1992. But what makes Traminett e unique to Indiana? For starters, it’s one of the most productive grapes in the state. Jeff Durm of Buck Creek Winery has showcased it for several years because it “grows very well in Indiana, and it’s resistant to fungus.” It’s able to withstand Indiana’s harsh, cold winters in the northern regions, its milder southern winters, and the hot, humid summers.

That’s also what gives Traminett e its superior wine quality. Indiana wineries produce dry, off-dry, semi-sweet, sweet, and sparkling varieties that come with a range of subtle fl avors. It has both floral and fruity tasting notes that can include apple, citrus, apricot, lychee, peach, mango, pear, rose, floral, orange blossom, melon, pineapple, honey, and passion fruit—with a litt le spice. The wine’s versatility allows it to pair well with a spectrum of fl avorful foods. Dry varieties are perfect with rich foods like roasted meats, seafood, and dry cheeses such as Gruyère, while off-dry to sweet varieties can be paired with international dishes, especially those that are both sweet and spicy with a lighter fl avor, such as green curry or dumplings with chili sauce.

visitors can bring the kids and spend the whole day.

ESTABLISHED: 1978 DISTANCE FROM INDY: 116 miles TASTINGS: $12 for seven samples in the Tasting Loft BESTSELLER: Sweet Marcella UPCOMING EVENTS: Fall Festival weekends through Oct. 31 include seasonal activities like pumpkin picking, caramel apple tasting, live music, and food trucks. The annual Pop’s Reserve wine release and semi-annual wine sale kick off Nov. 16.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Mallow Run Winery

6964 Whiteland Rd., Bargersville, 317-422-1556, mallowrun.com

The vineyards that supply the grapes for Mallow Run’s wines cover 12 acres of palatial Johnson County countryside. The picturesque property (which takes its name from a stream that winds through the

seventh-generation farm on its way to the White River) also hosts the annual Wine at the Line 5K, which begins and ends at the winery’s edge and serves as a good introduction (especially the post-race party) to this family-run business. Many participants return for more, plus a free informal tour of the production building and tasting room located in the hayloft of a 19th-century timberframe barn. Visitors can also spread a blanket on the winery’s hilly expanse of grass for a vino-centric picnic.

ESTABLISHED: 2005 DISTANCE FROM INDY: 19 miles TASTINGS: Four wine samples come complimentary BESTSELLER: Rhubarb UPCOMING EVENTS: The Handmade + Heartfelt Festival celebrating local artists, makers, and creators on Nov. 19 INSIDER TIP: The winery also sells restaurant-quality beef raised on the family farm. FAMILY- AND PET-FRIENDLY (BUT NO PETS ALLOWED AT EVENTS)

Monkey Hollow Winery & Distillery

11534 E. County Rd. 1740 N, Saint Meinrad, 812-357-2272, monkeyhollow winery.com

Belly up to these wine bars and shops where you can sample the varietals with fellow oenophiles.

Cork + Cracker

2126 E. Broad Ripple Ave., 317-722-9463, sadlerwinemarkets.com

Foyt Wine Vault

1182 N. Main St., Speedway, 888-438-3698, foytwine.com/indy

Grapevine Cottage

61 S. Main St., Zionsville, 317-733-1010, zionsville.grapevinecottage.com

Great Legs Wine Bar 906 Carrollton Ave., garageindy.com/great-legs

Hopwood Cellars Winery

12 E. Cedar St., Zionsville, 317-873-4099, hopwoodcellars.com

Kahn’s Fine Wines & Spirits

5341 N. Keystone Ave., 317-251-9463, kahnsfinewines.com

Mass Ave Wine

878 Massachusetts Ave., 317-972-7966, massavewine.com

Peace Water Winery 747 N. College Ave., 317-735-6618; 37 W. Main St., Carmel, 317-810-1330; The Yard at Fishers District, 317-537-2190; peacewaterwinery.com

Regalique

110 W. Main St., Carmel, 317-756-9982, regalique.com

Tasteful Times

11677 Olio Rd., Fishers, 317-436-8226, sadlerwinemarkets.com

Tastings, A Wine Experience 50 W. Washington St., 317-423-2400, tastingsbar.com

Total Wine & More

1460 E. 86th St., 317-708-4190; 2110 E. County Line Rd., 317-884-7992; 2520 E. 146th St., Carmel, 317-7080251; 13145 Levinson Ln., Noblesville, 317-565-4163; totalwine.com

Q: WHAT’S AN UNUSUAL WINE PAIRING THAT WORKS? A: I am always surprised at manzanilla sherry paired with Castelvetrano olives. Add some tinned anchovies or tuna on a saltine cracker and it is heaven every time. —Josh

Mazanowski, Owner/Sommelier, Beholder

This quaint Southern Indiana winery is a family affair, pivoting from traditional farming into wine grape production in the early 2000s and opening the doors of its small commercial facility in May 2011. Owner Daniel Hedinger Sr.’s four children grew up on the property (three help run the enterprise today), where visitors can imbibe from a large covered patio overlooking the scenic vineyards, a pond, and the resident cattle herd. The vineyard started with 300 American and French hybrid grape

Urban Vines

303 E. 161st St., Westfield, 317-763-0678, urban-vines.com

Vine & Table/The Wine Shop

313 E. Carmel Dr., Carmel, 317-817-9463; 5897 N. College Ave., 317-981-4532; vineandtable.com

Vino Villa

200 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood, 317-882-9463, vinovilla.com

Westfield Wine Vault

100 N. Union St., Westfield, 317-567-2144, westfieldwinevault.com

Two EE’s Winery

vines, which flourished across more than 7 acres and 10 varieties through the years. The site was expanded and a distillery was added in 2014, with whiskeys and flavored Monkey Shines joining the lineup of products. What the Hedingers can’t grow themselves, they source from other local vineyards, occasionally bringing in grapes from growers around the country. The result is a dry, semi-sweet, and sweet diversity of reds, whites, rosés, and fruit-forward sippers that allow the fullest, most authentic expression of each base ingredient to emerge. Monkey Hollow’s series of bourbon barrel–aged wines is also quickly gaining popularity, perhaps

due in part to the winery’s proximity to Kentucky.

ESTABLISHED: 2011 DISTANCE FROM INDY: 171 miles TASTINGS: Complimentary BEST-SELLERS: Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, Strawberry UPCOMING EVENTS: The winery’s annual Harvest Party and customer appreciation day on Oct. 21 features giveaways, snacks, bounce houses, crafts, and live music. INSIDER TIP: Be aware of the time change. Though located in Indiana, the winery sits in a county that’s on Central time.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Oliver Winery

200 E. Winery Rd., Bloomington, 812-876-5800, oliverwinery.com

Indiana’s largest winery has pioneered sweet reds and whites for 50 years, and the expertise is paying off as American palates democratize and shift toward fruit-flavored varieties. Oliver is now sold in 40 states, with the financial rewards going into making the tasting room and grounds an unmatched destination in Indiana. Travel + Leisure named Oliver a top 25 winery to visit in 2017. A meandering drive leads to a lushly landscaped setting with a waterfall, gardens, and a pond situated around a timberframed tasting room and gourmet store. This time of year, a peaceful picnic at Oliver is a

Q: WHAT ARE THE EXCEPTIONS TO THE “RED WINE/RED MEAT; WHITE WINE/WHITE MEAT” RULE?

A: One of the first tips I learned is that it’s not about the protein, it’s about the preparation. How you prepare your protein will determine the type of wine you will be pairing your meal with. You can enjoy a chicken parmigiana with a barbera, chicken picatta with a sauvignon blanc, or fried chicken with a sparkling wine. If you want a white wine to go with red meat, choose a full-bodied wine with plenty of acidity.

—Jexy Rowe, Regalique

smart alternative to leaf-peeping with the masses down the road in Brown County. Around 20 wines are available to sample by the flight or by glass. Wine snobs should set aside their pretensions to taste something sweet, as Oliver unabashedly produces dessert-style wines using real fruit instead of extracts, which pop on the tongue, juicy, pure, and less cloying than expected. Chances are you’ve had the classic Sweet Red, a Hoosier dinner table staple, so branch out to a Creekbend Chambourcin, made from grapes grown on site, or one of the Pilot Project spritzers, which aren’t available in stores.

1972 DISTANCE FROM INDY: TASTINGS: Reserve a hosted tasting with a winemaker for $25 per person or $35 per person with a behindthe-scenes walking tour BEST-SELLER: Blueberry Moscato UPCOMING EVENTS: Halloween candy pairing tasting Oct. 7–29 INSIDER TIP: The fruity moscatos make good cocktail mixers. Recipes are available on Oliver’s website.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Patoka Lake Winery

2900 N. Dillard Rd., Birdseye, 812-685-2203, patokalakewinery.com

Business partners Heather Setser and Steve Bartels run Patoka Lake Marina, which, aside from being a launching point for boating

Oliver Winery

Oliver Winery

ASK THE SOMMELIER PHOTOS COURTESY OLIVER WINERY

Indiana wineries and vineyards team up to offer tours, special discounts, and gifts. Wind your way through these Hoosier state wine regions to collect new passport stamps.

Statewide

Launched in 2018, the Indiana Grown Wine Trail includes more than 50 wineries that are all members of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Indiana Grown initiative. While this is not an all-inclusive roundup of wineries in the state, the list is a collection of qualified businesses that grow, produce, and package their products locally. indianagrown .org/indiana-grown-wine-trail

Indianapolis/South Central Indiana

The Indy Wine Trail covers 58 miles from downtown Indianapolis to the southeast part of Marion County, with a jog down to Martinsville. Four stops include a mix of urban and rural sett ings. From Monday through Thursday each week, Super Savor ticket holders can sample wines at each venue for a discounted price. Visitors can take a self-guided tour or contact Aadvanced Limousines for group transportation. indywinetrail.com

WINERIES INCLUDE:

(1) Easley Winery (2) Buck Creek

Winery (3) Brandywine Creek Vineyards & Winery (4) Cedar Creek Winery, Brewery and Distillery Martinsville

Southern Indiana

Covering nine stops over 225 miles, the Indiana Uplands Wine Trail winds around the Bloomington and Nashville area before heading south to French Lick and Uniontown, then east toward Louisville and the Indiana/ Kentucky border. This part of the state, which encompasses 19 counties, is federally recognized as an American Viticulture Area. indianauplands.com

WINERIES INCLUDE:

(5) Owen Valley Winery Spencer

(6) Oliver Winery Bloomington (7) Butler

Winery Bloomington (8) Brown County

Winery Nashville (9) French Lick Winery

West Baden Springs (10) Winzerwald

Winery Bristow (11) Turtle Run Winery

Corydon (12) Best Vineyards Elizabeth

(13) Huber Winery & Vineyards Borden

MAP BY SOPHIE KALLIS

Southeast Indiana

A grouping of five family-owned establishments, the Indiana Wine Trail spans 100 miles in the southeast corner of the Hoosier state, with stops in Vevay and Madison, among other locales. Legacy member Madison Vineyards Estate Winery is not part of the VIP Passport program (which entitles visitors to a 12-ounce stainless mug upon completion of the tour), but it acts as an optional sixth stop on the route. indianawinetrail.com

WINERIES INCLUDE:

(14) Ertel Cellars Winery Batesville

(15) Holtkamp Winery & Vineyards Sunman (16) The Ridge Winery Vevay

(17) Lanthier Winery Madison

(18) Stream Cliff Farm Winery Commiskey

Northwest Indiana

Heavily concentrated around Valparaiso, the nine-stop South Shore Winery Trail takes a few jaunts to Michigan City, Crown Point, Remington, and Chesterton on its 100-mile path. Brewery Lodge Brew Bus Tours out of Michigan City can handle the transportation if you’d rather designate a driver. southshorecva.com/sswt

WINERIES INCLUDE:

(19) Shady Creek Winery Michigan City

(20) Running Vines Winery Chesterton

(21) Aftermath Cidery & Winery Valparaiso

(22) Four Corners Winery Valparaiso

(23) Misbeehavin’ Meads Valparaiso

(24) Anderson’s Winery Valparaiso

(25) LambStone Cellars Winery Valparaiso

(26) Manic Meadery Crown Point

(27) Carpenter Creek Cellars Remington

Indiana/Illinois border

Traveling straight south, the State Line Wine Trail straddles the Indiana/ Illinois line with three stops in the Hoosier state and one in Illinois along the 110-mile trek. A passport costs $5 and includes special pricing at each winery, as well as a gift upon completion. Keep an eye on your watch—a few time changes occur while alternating between the Eastern and Central zones. statelinewinetrail.com

WINERIES INCLUDE:

(28) Windy Ridge Winery & Distillery Covington (29) Castle Finn Vineyard & Winery Marshall, IL

(30) WaterTower Estates Terre Haute

(31) Meier Winery & Vinyard Sullivan

adventures, has an array of interesting overnight accommodations. Those range from unique luxury silo suites (yes, the rooms are indeed round) to floating barge cabins. Adding a family-friendly winery to the mix made great business sense to Heather and Steve. As a homebrewer, Steve already had quite a bit of knowledge. “We’ve found that the wine industry is very friendly,” Heather says. “Wineries in the area help each other, whether we are out of something or if they need something from us.” In keeping with the family-like atmosphere, the winery isn’t limited to the 21+ crowd. Giant Connect 4 games and cornhole sets are scatterd across the winery’s yards. The vibe is laidback, with the tasting room decorated in a rustic-elegant style complete with a 1950s TV and a huge fireplace ideal for the chilly days ahead.

ESTABLISHED: 2016 DISTANCE FROM INDY: 120 miles TASTINGS: Two complimentary tastings of eight samples each if you’ve rented a cabin; otherwise, the cost is $12 BEST-SELLER: Biker’s Black and Blue UPCOMING EVENTS: Autumn Getaway Weekends Oct. 7–8 and 14–15, which include Dutch oven cook-offs, camping, and crafting sessions.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Salt Creek Winery

7603 W. County Rd. 925 N, Freetown, 812-497-0254, saltcreekwinery.com

Owner Adrian Lee hails from England, where it was tradition in his family to home brew “country style” wine concocted from wild elderberries, currants, and blackberries. While in America, Adrian met his wife Nichole, and they settled on a property covered in, coincidentally, wild elderberries and blackberries. The bounty planted the idea to recreate the Old World wines he knew, which quickly became a hit with friends. By 2010, the fruits of their labor were the darlings of local farmers markets. In 2012, the couple built their fermentation and production facility, replete with a tasting room and outdoor patio. In 2016, Adrian retired to work at the winery full-time; Nichole followed in 2019. A tasting room in Nashville, Indiana, soon came after. But the winery’s homespun roots and the best views remain at the original location, where

the pair have a house and the winery’s patio overlooks the Salt Creek Valley and sprawling Brown County hills.

ESTABLISHED: 2012 DISTANCE FROM INDY: 66 miles TASTINGS: Five complimentary samples BEST-SELLER: Catawba, a sweet wine made from native Catawba grapes.

Two-EE’s Winery

6808 N. U.S. Hwy. 24 E, Huntington, 260-672-2000, twoees.com

Husband and wife owners Eric and Emily Harris married on the romantic rural Roanoke property that houses their winery southwest of Fort Wayne in 2014, a year after opening. Emily’s late father gets credit for the spark that started the fire. Sharing his basement hobby with his future son-in-law, his enthusiasm proved contagious, and Eric discovered his own passion for wine. After a stint at northeast Indiana’s Satek Winery and earning a certificate in enology from University of California, Davis, Eric now directs Two-EE’s operations while Emily oversees all the design aspects of the facility. Together, the duo delights in sourcing unique and sometimes obscure grape varieties like Tannat, Grüner Veltliner, and Valvin muscat from vineyards in Indiana and elsewhere for production and bottling on site—to the tune of 25,000 cases a year. In the sleek, industrialchic tasting lounge, knowledgeable guides pour samples of dry, sweet, and semi-sweet wines. Many visitors choose to linger a little longer on the heated patio to enjoy full glasses with charcuterie or flatbreads.

ESTABLISHED: 2013 DISTANCE FROM INDY: 108 miles TASTINGS: Two samples come complimentary BEST-SELLER: Plonqé (pronounced “Plonk”), a semi-sweet Concord grape wine

Patoka Lake Winery

LET OCTOBER GO BY WITHOUT INDULGING IN OUR LOCAL PARANORMAL LEGENDS? NOW THAT’S A SCARY THOUGHT.

IVEN THAT Evansville’s Willard Public Library is, at 136 years of age, the oldest public library building in the state of Indiana, no wonder it has a ghost story attached to it. But what’s unexpected is the 21st century way in which the staff approaches the otherworldly incursion. They’ve fitted out the Victorian Gothic building with half a dozen webcams and invite would-be ghostbusters to watch the live (or, rather, dead) feed 24/7 online (willardghost.com).

The specter in question is nicknamed the Gray Lady, and over the decades, both visitors and library employees have reported seeing her translucent form lurking among the stacks. “It’s usually pretty uneventful here during the day, but it’s a different story at night,” says one staffer, who professes to have seen the elevator doors open and close on their own and books fall off shelves on multiple occasions after hours.

The last reported sighting of the Gray Lady was in 2010, when the assistant children’s librarian spotted her gliding down a basement hallway. That area, by the way, is one of the six locations kept under constant watch by the building’s CCTV system.

If you’ve got the fortitude to brave an in-person encounter and a penchant for scones, you can purchase a $35 ticket to the Gray Lady Afternoon Tea, taking place October 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. Or, if you happen to find yourself in Evansville, you can simply stop by the library during business hours to try your luck. Be alert not only for a fleeting glimpse of the Gray Lady but also for fluctuating cold spots and the occasional out-of-nowhere scent of heady perfume.

While the idea of spying the silvery wisp of a long-dead bookworm slinking around may seem a bit unsettling, there’s no denying she’s done wonders for the library’s popularity in an age when the traditional function of libraries has all but shifted to the internet. “I would say she’s a net plus,” says George Carter, executive director of the Willard Public Library. “It generates a lot of conversation and traffic.”

ANCY BARNETT died in 1831 at age 38, but that didn’t stop her from causing car accidents throughout the 20th century on the lonely stretch of country road where she’s interred. The automotive carnage wasn’t accomplished by her disembodied spirit but by something more corporeal: She resides in what is both Indiana’s most unusual grave and one of its most potentially hazardous. It lies smack in the middle of East 400 S, a two-lane blacktop ribbon that splits in the middle just long enough to bracket Barnett’s final resting place near Franklin.

When workmen attempted to move her grave, Barnett’s nephew (or grandson—accounts vary) with gun in hand persuaded them to leave

her be. It’s said he sat on the grave for days, threatening all who came near. They finally paved around her. It gets creepier. When the remains were exhumed a few years ago during a road widening project, archaeologists found not just Barnett but also the bones of at least six other people: a man, four children, and another woman. At this news, some locals viewed the aggression of Barnett’s posthumous protector with a different eye. Was he trying to keep an evil secret hidden? Whoever the six other folks were or how they met their end, the whole gang was reinterred in a concrete sepulcher that, while still located in the middle of East 400 S, is now surrounded by yellow caution paint.

Haunting rumors have swirled for decades. Reports range from glowing orbs and disembodied voices to cars losing electrical power at the site and a full-on phantom jumping into the road. But Julie Meyer, who lives on property nearby that was once part of Barnett’s homestead, reports that she’s never encountered any unquiet souls. “Some say that her nephew’s ghost still guards the grave, but I’ve never seen him either,” adds Meyer.

Barnett is exactly where she wants to be. On her deathbed, she asked to be buried in that particular spot—at the time, just a small, grassy hill near Sugar Creek. Perhaps her satisfaction with her surroundings explains why she continues to rest in peace, in spite of the traffic.

XACTLY half a century ago, the small town of Muncie found itself at the epicenter of a rash of UFO sightings. On October 9, 1973, according to The Muncie Star, approximately 100 people called the police to report mysterious, colored lights darting through the sky. And it just got crazier from there. Over the course of the month, the ever-closer encounters swelled in number and intensity. One witness claimed that a UFO landed behind her house. Another breathlessly told the cops, “There are people out there that are not people.”

Explanations ranged from weather balloons to errant National Guard helicopters, but residents didn’t buy them. The hysteria gradually faded, but the odd saga was far from over. It seems that one of the

many people across the country captivated by the spectacle was flying saucer buff Steven Spielberg. He decided to set the first portion of his next film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, in Muncie. Quicker than you can say “inspired by true events,” the town was showcased in a fictionalized, much more car-chaseintensive version of the 1973 goings-on. Thus, Muncie’s run-in with supposed aliens was woven into the fabric of American pop culture. Too bad the town’s scenes weren’t actually filmed there. While it was considered, Mobile, Alabama, served as its stand-in instead. Locals, however, can take satisfaction in the fact that no matter where the movie was shot, Muncie's name is forever preserved in celluloid.

HE HOOSIER state hosts enough weird cryptids to fill a freaky zoo, ranging from a gigantic snapping turtle that supposedly lurks in the depths of Fulk Lake in the hamlet of Churubusco to an eldritch flying serpent that terrorized Crawfordsville back in the 1890s. But the tiny creatures that supposedly haunt Mounds State Park are arguably the most compelling. The stories surrounding them are chilling and numerous, and they predate the arrival of Europeans in North America. The creatures, called Pukwudgies, are 2- to 3-foot-tall “little people” who lurk in the woods, sometimes helping humans but sometimes causing mayhem. And apparently, Mounds State Park, with its large earthworks built and used by the Adena and Hopewell peoples around 2,000 years ago, is absolutely full of them.

Pukwudgie folklore originates with the Wampanoag of New England, but the Indiana park’s association with them came about thanks to amateur archaeologist and area resident Paul Startzman, author of The Puk-WudJies of Indiana. The slim volume, which was sold for years in the Mounds State Park gift shop, contains tales of eyewitness encounters furnished by park guests, plus the now-deceased Startzman’s own story of encountering a Pukwudgie in his youth. While hiking, he supposedly came face to face with what he described as a “little man” about half his size with blonde, helmet-like hair.

Thus, a legend was born. Kelley Morgan, Mounds State Park’s interpre-

tive naturalist, is hosting an evening Pukwudgie Glow Hike this month (in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/ mounds-state-park). According to her, while they didn’t call them Pukwudgies, the Miami people who later inhabited the Mounds area told their own tales of diminutive forest folk. “I won’t say it’s universal, but there are very many tribal entities that have stories about little people,” Morgan says. Though she’s never seen one, she’s talked to visitors who earnestly claimed they had. The phenomenon has attracted the curious, including podcasters, to the park.

THESE POPULAR VENUES ARE FREQUENTED BY MANY INDY RESIDENTS. THEY’RE ALSO RUMORED TO HOST DENIZENS OF THE HEREAFTER.

F ANY piece of Indianapolis real estate should by rights be filled with fitful spirits, it’s the former home of Central State Hospital. Opened in 1848 and originally called the Central Indiana Hospital for the Insane, the 160acre complex housed thousands upon thousands of patients over the decades, often under appalling conditions, until a 1994 abuse scandal prompted its closing. Since then, there’s been an ongoing effort to repurpose the campus by tearing down many of the old buildings, putting up apartments and townhouses in their place, and bringing in new businesses. But it takes more than a rebranding, apparently, to clear the miasma of human suffering that still (according to some) clings to this place. Even a cursory glance at ghost hunting websites reveals

the widespread conviction that the area is still “alive” with bad energy. One can easily find reports of glowing orbs floating around the property, apparitions inside and sometimes outside the surviving original buildings, and lots of disembodied screams and moans. Recent discoveries have only served to bolster the site’s reputation for unearthly inhabitants. For instance, a few years ago, hundreds of unmarked graves were discovered. It took an archaeological team from Ball State University using groundpenetrating radar to locate them all. Meanwhile, redevelopment continues—but perhaps not without repercussions from beyond the grave. Word has it that a few years ago, a spiritualist had to be called out several times to “cleanse” one of the new residences.

HISPERS ESTATE in Mitchell, a sort of spectral smorgasbord, was named fourth Most Terrifying Place in America by the Travel Channel. This Victorian abode, built in 1894 and purportedly home to a maelstrom of psychic trauma stirred up by multiple deaths over the decades, can be rented for part of the night by connoisseurs of the paranormal. No dogs or kids are allowed, which is probably for the best given that former residents and visitors have reported terrible nightmares, earthquake-like tremors, physical assaults, and waking up to the feeling of an invisible being sitting on their chests. Some ghost hunters post videos (mostly of doors opening and

closing) and audio recordings (often of what sounds like a little girl’s voice) on the home’s website (whispersestate.godaddysites.com).

There’s also an entire disconcerting photo gallery of guests with bright red welts on their bodies, allegedly inflicted by the home’s tormenting denizens. A weeknight group visit of 10 guests or fewer costs $200; a weekend visit runs $300. Patrons can pray for their own individual protection if they’re afraid, but the management respectfully asks that no one “bless the house or say anything with the intent to cleanse the house.” That could, of course, potentially ruin Whispers Estate’s entire business model.

URING THE DAY, visitors can follow a meandering Southern Indiana road to Story, home of the Story Inn, a too-cute former general store that’s been converted into an upscale restaurant and hostel. Located near Nashville and sandwiched between Brown County State Park and the Hoosier National Forest, it’s a wonderfully relaxing place to enjoy good food and fall foliage. But the ambience changes when the sun drops, and you realize it’s so dark you can’t see your hand in front of your face. You’re now standing in what is almost a real ghost town (if not for the inn), largely abandoned during the Depression. And that’s without even taking the resident ghost into account.

They call her the Blue Lady, and she’s been sighted at the inn’s first-floor general store and in the upstairs guest room with a blue bedside lamp. Thought to be the wife of town founder Dr. George Story, she is said to smell like cherry tobacco and have striking blue eyes. Hundreds of encounters are recorded in the guest log. If you want some quality time with her, rent the Blue Lady Room. Or you can bunk in one of the only-slightly-less-ominous cabins scattered about the inn’s dark, wooded property. So far, no one’s reported any moans or disembodied footsteps in those— perhaps because at night, any ghost vocalizations are drowned out by the ceaseless howls of coyotes.

STORY INN PHOTO COURTESY DOUG TALLEY

Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch shines a light on the personal tragedies that made her a fierce advocate of those struggling with mental illness and addiction.

Above: A very young Suzanne Crouch (right) with siblings Larry and Nancy

Photo by TONY

by MARY MILZ

One morning

when she was around five years old, Suzanne Crouch woke up in a tiny panic.

“Where’s mom?” she asked her dad.

“She went to see the doctor for her nerve medicine,” he replied matter-offactly.

Though the little girl had no clue what that meant, her father didn’t seem worried. And so, neither was she. Crouch assumed her mother was sick and the medicine would make her feel better. To that point, when her mother returned home later that day, she seemed fine. Nothing more was said about the event, but Mary Crouch would return to the doctor’s office again and again. It is unclear what “nerve medicine” the doctor prescribed. But we can guess it was probably something like the mild tranquilizer Miltown, which was widely prescribed to patients with anxiety disorders during the 1950s. A popular precursor to Valium, it was said to “calm the nerves.”

Nerve medicine, if you will.

For Crouch, the incident held little significance back then. “When you’re very young, you think every family is like yours,” she says. “It wasn’t until I was older that I realized my family was different than other families. Not bad, necessarily, but different.”

Fast forward through the decades, and Crouch is now the 71-year-old twoterm lieutenant governor of Indiana, and she’s in the running to become the Republican nominee for governor in 2024. Over a political career spanning nearly 30 years, she served as a county auditor, county commissioner, state representative, and state auditor before taking office as Governor Eric Holcomb’s running mate.

In the past few months, she has crisscrossed the state, visiting county fairs, marching in parades, and attending GOP picnics and dinners. Her campaign includes a strong focus on Indiana’s mental health crisis, an epidemic that impacts Hoosiers at every

socioeconomic level. Earlier this year, she took the unusual step of testifying before both the Senate Appropriations Committee and the House Public Health Committee to speak in support of legislation that would provide more resources for community mental health centers and expand the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to include mobile crisis response teams. She believes treatment must be accessible and affordable and that there must be a sustainable funding source, along with continuing efforts to reduce the stigma that keeps people from seeking treatment. “We’ve got to get people help. We can’t afford not to,” she says.

I caught up with Crouch in May at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis, where the inaugural Indiana Roundtable on Mental Health Summit was underway. Crouch helped spearhead the daylong event, which hosted nearly 500 attendees, including mental and behavioral health professionals and business, community, and faith leaders from across Indiana. Crouch moved between meetings, jotting down notes and talking with other attendees between breakout sessions that covered topics from school-based prevention and early intervention, to employee-retention strategies that support mental health, to the role faith communities can play.

When Crouch discusses mental illness, she speaks with urgency. She has her talking points, of course. One in five Hoosiers is living with a mental illness or substance use disorder, she often states. It’s an crisis costing Indiana more than $4 billion a year.

The numbers are eye-opening on their own, but when Crouch puts names and faces to the statistics, it gets personal. She often drives her point home with the phrase, “No family is immune from the disease, including my own.” Indeed, it wasn’t just Crouch’s mother who experienced bouts of anxiety and depression. One of her sisters, her older brother, and her daughter also struggled with mental illness or substance use disorder to varying degrees, with her sister’s struggle leading to her dying by suicide in her early 20s.

Crouch didn’t talk about this publicly until the Covid-19 pandemic drove those issues to the forefront with an unprecedented number of people suddenly grappling with feelings

of isolation, loneliness, and loss of control. “We all went through a mental health challenge. It might have been fear, anxiety, or depression,” she says. “But now there’s more awareness and acceptance [of mental health issues].”

Despite the reassurance of shared experience, revealing her family history was initially difficult and uncomfortable. “You’re making public a private part of your life,” she says. At first, she shared bits and pieces of her family history in speeches and news stories, including an extensive interview with thestatehousefile.com in January. Crouch briefly referenced her mother’s depression, her sister’s death, and her brother’s chronic alcoholism. “I have grown up with family members that have suffered with mental illness and addiction, and that is what drove me to be an advocate.”

Here was someone in the public eye—an elected official—revealing private, sensitive information about her life. I wanted to know more. What was it like growing up amid that backdrop? How had it impacted her life and, ultimately, her decision to begin sharing her family story? I asked if she would share more of her personal journey, and she agreed. A month later, I drove to her address in Evansville for what I was sure would be a heavily guarded interview, probably with some publicrelations presence in the room.

At her home, I was greeted by her husband, Larry, a retired labor attor-

ney, and their Norfolk terrier, Bubby. But both quickly retreated to a back room while the lieutenant governor and I sat down at the dining room table. Surprisingly, there were no aides nearby to keep tabs on our conversation or “clarify” anything she might say. Over the next three hours, it was just the two of us as she shared the stories from her past—deeply personal and often painful—that explain why she chose to get so involved in mental health and substance abuse issues.

Suzanne Crouch was born in Evansville to Mary and Lawrence “Edgar” Crouch Jr., the second of five children. When she was four years old, her father, a mechanical engineer with International Harvester, transferred to the Chicago plant. Eight years later, he moved his growing family back to Evansville to start his own business, Consumer Concrete Block Products. They lived on the west side of Evansville, an old, working-class area where waves of German immigrants settled in the mid- to late 1800s.

During a driving tour of sites from her Evansville childhood, Crouch showed me three homes where the family had lived. The one they moved into after returning from Chicago was a small four-room house her parents rented so they’d have more money to invest in the new business. Crouch says her parents slept in one bedroom

Crouch says her mother, Mary, who lived to the age of 91, grappled with a lifetime of severe depression.

and the four girls in another. Her brother Larry, the eldest sibling and only boy, was in the basement. Though money was tight, the kids attended 12 years of Catholic school. Crouch remembers her mom sewing clothes and stretching meals to squirrel away every penny she could.

She recalls her childhood as normal but not always easy. “I was really tall— 5-foot-8—in grade school,” she says. “It was painful because you want to fit in, and I didn’t.” Her classmates made fun of her, calling her the Jolly Green Giant. When she told her dad about the razzing, he instructed her to turn it into a joke. “Don’t let them know it bothers you,” he said. So she began responding to the taunts with a hearty, “Ho, ho, ho!” mimicking the canned vegetable brand’s mascot’s catchphrase, and the teasing stopped.

Her brother looked out for her, as well, but Crouch says he could also “be a bit of a bully.” Once when she was around six years old, he began picking on her. She warned him, “If you don’t stop, I’m going to cold-cock you.” He stuck out his chin and told her to go ahead and try. “So I hauled off and cold-cocked him, knocked him to the ground, and ran like heck,” she laughs. “He quit bothering me after that.” Crouch says those experiences taught her not only to stand up for herself but also to be more accepting of people who are different.

After graduating from Mater Dei High School in 1970, Crouch attended the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville because her dad had insisted his college-bound children spend their first year of school in town. Crouch transferred to Purdue University the following year and majored in political science. Her sister Nancy, 18 months younger, joined her in West Lafayette two years later to pursue a degree in English. Crouch describes

Nancy as a quiet, kind, and gentle soul who was artistic and loved to write. But the family soon discovered Nancy had been silently struggling with depression. During her first year at Purdue, she attempted to take her own life and was admitted to a mental health hospital for a few weeks.

No one saw it coming, but her parents thought the incident could have been prompted by a recent head injury stemming from a car wreck that happened as she and Crouch were driving to West Lafayette. The driver in front of them slammed on the brakes, and the cars collided. Nancy smacked her head on the dashboard and broke a cheekbone.

Nancy’s doctors, however, diagnosed her as manic-depressive, which is now referred to as bipolar disorder, a mental health condition that causes mood swings ranging from mania to depression and that can be managed with medication and counseling. The family attended one counseling session to help them understand Nancy’s condition. After that, there was no further discussion of it. “We just kind of blamed it on the car wreck and had no real knowledge of mental illness at that time,” Crouch says. “We just assumed she’d get better.”

She didn’t. Upon returning to Purdue that fall, Nancy attempted suicide a second time—and then a third time, which resulted in her death. When Crouch later read Nancy’s journals, she saw “what a dark place” her sister was in. But the family didn’t talk about it back then, which was not unusual for that era. It was years before Crouch began delving into Nancy’s death and other life-altering events.

Tragedy would strike the family several more times. Crouch’s sister Shannon, who had been living with Crouch and her husband, died in a car wreck in December of 1980 at the

age of 22. In October 2022, Crouch also lost her brother Larry to alcoholrelated illness. He was 72, divorced, and estranged from his family. While he was “off-the-charts smart,” according to Crouch, he essentially “drank himself to death. He had the gene.”

Yet, the lowest point in Crouch’s life involved her daughter, Courtney. A good student throughout high school, she was accepted at a prestigious northeastern university. She dropped out less than two months later, the result of heavy drinking and skipping class. (Now 36, Courtney says she can trace her troubles back to a time in high school, when she lost someone close to her to cancer and began drinking to numb the pain.)

Courtney returned home after dropping out and began seeing a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with bipolar disorder. Intent on returning to school, she got a scholarship to a university in New Orleans. But once there, she began binge drinking again. Her parents pulled her out of school and got her into a series of facilities and treatment centers to help her overcome what was determined to be Stage 4 alcoholism—the point at which a person loses control over drinking and their body needs alcohol to function, according to a widely used measure called the Jellinek Curve. Her mom (a state legislator at the time) recalls attending a parents’ weekend at a residential treatment center in Florida, during which parents were asked to share how they felt. “I said I felt hopeless,” Crouch says. “I just remember feeling that way.”

But today, Courtney is 16 years sober. Having quit before she turned 21, she’s happy to say that she has “never had a legal drink.” She credits her parents for being so supportive and is proud that her mom is “being vulnerable” in using her platform to give others the opportunity to seek help. “Mental illness does not discriminate. It’s not something you do to yourself. It’s inherited and can be managed,” Courtney says. “If you’re a diabetic, you take insulin. If you’re bipolar, you take medicine, as well.”

While Crouch escaped the afflictions and demons that haunted several members of her family, her life was profoundly CONTINUED ON PAGE 105

When Crouch looks back on the things that have happened in her life—from the early loss of a loved one, to her family’s struggles with addiction, to her own horrifying nearmiss—she doesn’t ask, “Why me?”

Time Marches On

The Indiana state marching band championship turns 50 this month. This author was there at the very beginning and recounts how Indianapolis, against all odds, became America’s marching band capital.

by Brian D. Smith

Oon a drippy October Saturday in 1973, I’m standing, cornet in hand, with 145 fellow members of the Franklin Community High School marching band, preparing to step onto the field.

Or more accurately, into the field. Here at the walled Southport High School football stadium—a regional site for the inaugural All-State Marching Band Contest—the turf has already been pounded into pudding by the several-hundred high-stepping feet that came before us. We begin our performance on a mucky plain where the white yard lines have been trampled beyond recognition, our feet sling mud like mini monster trucks, and a 90-degree turn can become a slippery 360.

Nine minutes later we unleash our brassy finale, “My Way,” and exit the field minus an array of scattered shoes and majorette boots. But in the daylong saga of band versus nature, we keep our

composure as other schools lose theirs, punching our ticket to the finals of the first true state marching band championship in Indiana history.

Today, the state marching band finals aren’t soloing anymore. Two other major marching music makers also crown their champions in Indy. Bands of America arrived in the same year as the Hoosier (later RCA) Dome in 1984. Its Grand Nationals annually attract about 100 bands, including many of the nation’s high school heavyweights. (Civic pride moment: Carmel and Avon finished first and second in 2022; three other Indiana bands made the finals—Brownsburg finished in eighth, Fishers in 10th, and Castle in 12th.) In 2008, Indy managed to snare Drum Corps International, which bills itself as “marching music’s major league.” Unlike most marching bands, DCI involves independent drum and bugle corps from across the country. Band members are 14 to 22 years old, prospects must ace an audition, and woodwinds need not apply. This gives Indianapolis a trifecta of state, national, and international marching contests.

TOP: PHOTO COURTESY GREENWOOD MARCHING BAND; COURTESY ISSMA; OPPOSITE BRIAN SMITH

Step by Step, Note by Note

$40 million Annual economic impact of the three major marching finals at Lucas Oil stadium ...........

200,000 Students who’ve competed since 1973 ...........

shako (noun, Hungarian) sha · ko

A tall, cylindrical military hat, often with a plume, that’s popular with marching bands. ...........

Carmel’s 2022 Bands of America championship was its sixth overall; only Marian Catholic of Illinois has more (seven).

The soggy fledgling event that I experienced at age 17 marks its golden anniversary this month, and aside from the basic elements of music, marching, and a 100-yard stage, the two eras have about as much in common as sousaphones and smartphones. Let’s compare.

Venues

The current battlefield of the bands is as major league as it gets: Lucas Oil Stadium. Sure, it was conceived as a pigskin palace, but how many other NFL venues included accommodations for marching bands in their blueprints? A warmup area and a black curtain backdrop were incorporated into the original design to facilitate music competitions. The stadium sports 67,000 seats, plus luxury suites for the full geek experience. The 2023 state marching finals on October 28 and the Grand Nationals on November 9–11 will resound beneath the retractable roof.

In 1973, our last-round showdown unfolded on a grassy gridiron quaintly known as Space Pioneers Field. The Indianapolis Public Schools facility, which hosted the games of Northwest High School (now a middle school), reportedly got the gig

because of its “excellent viewing tower for watching the program.”

Transportation

The truck stops here.

“Pretty much every band has at least one semi,” says Mick Bridgewater, executive director of the Indiana State School Music Association, which oversees the state finals.

“In the ’70s, you might have had a U-Haul. Now, some bands need three, four, or five semis [to haul gear].”

Instrumentation

Searching for a violin player on a marching field was the 1973 equivalent of a snipe hunt. But today’s high school bands employ a variety of instruments that would never have been seen, let alone heard, at the first state finals— such as electric guitar, timpani, synthesizer and, yes,

violin. Even singing won’t get your band banned.

The Music Itself

“In the ’70s and ’80s, and even in the early ’90s, directors picked maybe three pieces that they thought were cool,” explains Mark Middleton, ISSMA instrumental education director. “Now, there’s a theme to the show.” In the 1973 state finals, Anderson High School’s selections included Ringling Bros. circus music, “Eleanor Rigby,” and the title song from How the West Was Won

Field Shows

Back in the day, raised steps and snappy 90-degree turns defined the marching genre. Today, field performers move quickly and constantly. It’s like watching a lava lamp with legs.

The 50 years after 1973 witnessed an evolution in the marching arts, but the 50 years before 1973 tell a forgotten tale of how we almost stifled the development of a state marching band championship in Indiana. The state showed its musical chops early when Notre Dame founded the nation’s first collegiate marching band in 1845. Purdue claimed its own first in 1907 when its marching band audaciously broke military formation to create a block letter “P.”

Illinois sparked the contest movement for high school bands in 1923 when the Chicago Piano Club sponsored a new competition, the Schools Band Contest of America.

Indiana quickly caught the wave. “Students from all parts of the state will assemble here for what is expected to be the greatest contest of its kind in the state’s history,” a 1926 Muncie Star Press article said of an upcoming band, orchestra, and choir competition sponsored by the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. That same year, the first band camp in history opened near LaGrange, and band contests got a governing body, the Indiana School Band and Orchestra Association (the forerunner of today’s ISSMA). In 1927, the first authorized high school band and orchestra contests in the state took place in Elkhart, where 40 percent of the nation’s band instruments were manufactured. High school band was booming. Until 1935, when Association members separated Northern Indiana from the central and

southern portion.

“The Hoosier state will have two groups of music champions next year,” The Indianapolis Star declared.

This created a vacuum of statewide competitions. It wasn’t until 1947 that high school marching units got their chance to square off again at the Indiana State Fair. Only 11 bands took the first Band Day challenge, but in the ensuing years, the number of participants more than octupled, drawing an all-time high of 94 in 1962. The notion of marching band as a team sport wasn’t lost on WTTV Channel 4, which began live broadcasts. Yet, Band Day was never a true state championship. Performances were on a narrow horse racing track instead of a 100-yard football field, limiting what bands could do to show off their skills.

It would be another decade before the imaginary north-south wall dissolved with the 1973 All-State Marching Band Contest. Its significance was instant, with 98 bands statewide entering.

As we leave 1973 in the echoes of contests past, I should mention how my school finished in the All-State finals. When the day came, it was sunny, the field was grassy, the yard lines were intact, our blue uniforms stayed clean—and we placed fourth in Class B, the middle of the three divisions. We should have celebrated, but we didn’t. Only the two highest finishers in each class received trophies, so we left empty-handed.

It took me decades to fully appreciate our accomplishment. The ISSMA website lists only the top five bands in each division from 1973. So there we are in elite company, one of 15 finalists out of the total 98 bands that entered. We were the first band from our school to crack a statewide top five since Band Day 1957. And except for the crew that took fourth in 1977, no Franklin marching band after us has matched, let alone surpassed, what we achieved.

PHOTOS COURTESY, CLOCKWISE: ISSMA, PHOTOGRA-

PHY BY BATEMAN/ TONY MCCRACKIN; PHOTOGRAPHY BY BATEMAN/ AMANDA RENZULLI

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Experience Fall

It’s time to hit the road for a weekend adventure. This region holds plenty of options, whether you’re a foodie, an outdoor explorer, or a patron of the arts. Pack your bags!

FALL FLAVOR TRY THE CHICKEN AT FRANKENMUTH, MICHIGAN’S BAVARIAN INN; BASE JUMPING AT WEST VIRGINIA’S BRIDGE DAY.

Outdoor Destinations

An Educational Lodge Wayne National Forest, in southeast Ohio, covers more than a quarter of a million acres, and Nelsonville, Ohio, provides a convenient home base for exploring. Book your stay at the Lodge at Hocking College revamped Ramada Inn staffed by students in Hocking’s hospitality programs. Sample the (literal) fruits of the students’ labors at the schoolrun Rhapsody Music & Dining, a combination restaurant and music venue. Students in the college’s fermentation science program operate Black Diamond Distillery and Starbrick Brewery, named after the signature incised bricks crafted by Nelsonville Block. Sample those products at the lodge, too. thelodge. hocking.edu

Mountain Bike Mania

With just about 30 miles of mountain biking

trails (and a skills park where beginners can brush up), Mohican State Park is one of the best places in the state for two-wheeled thrills. But those aren’t the only trails. The 34 miles of bridle trails here are some of the most-used in the state, and the Gorge Overlook Trail—which features views of the gorge formed by the Clear Fork of the Mohican River—crosses Clear Fork on a swinging bridge, and the Hemlock Gorge Trail leads to a scenic covered bridge. While in the area, be sure to check out Malabar Farm, now a state park, but once a private home where Lauren Bacall married Humphrey Bogart. ohiodnr.gov

Explore Horse Country October in Kentucky means Keeneland’s Fall , 17 days of live Thoroughbred racing at the Lexington track that opened in 1936. A variety of behind-thescenes tours can help you understand track life, and if you can’t make it during racing days, you can still visit the grounds, which are open 365

days a year. A number of horse farms offer their own tours, where you can learn more about their operations and even get up close and personal with their charges. A great overview of the sport of kings can be found at the nearby Kentucky Horse Park, where you can visit the International Museum of the Horse, see live shows, and even camp onsite. keeneland.com, kyhorsepark.com

Kayak Red River Gorge

While you can certainly camp, hike, and rock climb at Red River Gorge (and we recommend you do), you can also take in the grandeur of this popular destination from the seat of a kayak. Red River Adventure offers high water and low water options on the Red River, as well as the beginner- and family-friendly Mill Creek Lake, where dogs are also welcome. At The Gorge Underground, you can kayak through a 100-year-old the driving on a cave boat tour). redriveradvent ure.net, gorgeunderground.com

Peep Leaves in Michigan

While the U.P. and northern parts of the lower peninsula have gorgeous foliage—Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising or the M-119 Tunnel of Trees north of Harbor Springs are just two examples—there’s plenty of leaf peeping to be had in the southern part of the state. Along the “thumb coast,” scenic M-25

MOUNTAIN BIKING AT MOHICAN STATE PARK (TOP) ; KENTUCKY HORSE PARK (BOTTOM)

a boutique experience in our spacious hotel rooms or upgrade to apartment style 1-2 bedroom lofts and suites.

And during your stay enjoy a unique culinary experience at Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar or have an elevated cocktail experience at the Knowledge Bar & Social Room, both located within Hotel Covington and North by Hotel Covington.

Located near the Cincinnati Riverfront, the award-winning Hotel Covington and it’s newest addition, North by Hotel Covington shine with historic charm and modern character. Our rooms offer sophisticated luxury, with no detail spared. Choose

runs along the Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron from Bay City to Port Huron, and there are plenty of parks and beaches where you can stretch your legs. Cyclists enjoy Huron River Drive between Dexter and Ann Arbor, but you can hop from Dexter-Huron Metropark to Delhi Metropark to Bird Hills Nature Area by car if you’d rather. michigan.org/fallcolormap

Celebrate Bridge Day

During the third Saturday in October, Fayetteville, West Virginia, hosts the largest single-day festival in the state: Bridge Day. It celebrates the October 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge themselves 876 feet to the river below. Too much? Some folks rappel off the underside of the bridge, or simply walk the catwalk below the bridge deck. The night before the festivities showcases local restaurants and vendors at Taste of Bridge Day.

Chasing Waterfalls

Explore West Virginia’s natural beauty by downloading your waterfall trail passport and

the state. There are now 38 falls on the list, including The Grotto in Charleston’s Coonskin Park and Drawdy Falls, a pair of cascades just off Route 3 in Peytona. If you’d rather take your falls frozen, check out Cathedral Falls in Gauley Bridge. It made Fodor’s list of stunning frozen North American Waterfalls. wvtourism.com/west-virginiawaterfall-trail/

Go off the Grid

and terrain in Brown County State Park in Indiana are reminiscent of the Great Smoky Mountains. Explore the 16,000-

20 minutes from the park, you can stay at the quirky Story Inn in.gov/dnr, storyinn.com

Museums and Arts

Cars and Cake

Visit Bowling Green, Kentucky, and satisfy your need for speed and your sweet tooth, all while learning a little bit about the history of two American icons. At the National Corvette Museum

hibits, including a peek at the sinkhole that swallowed eight Kentucky Museum

THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM

sity serves up Recommended by Duncan Hines, covering the life of the travel writer-turned-packaged foods icon. corvettemuseum.org, wku.edu/kentuckymuseum/

Explore Modern Architecture

One of the most architecturally important cities in the United States is just 45 miles south of Indianapolis—Columbus, Indiana. J. Irwin Miller, the CEO of Cummins Engine Co., started a fund to cover design fees for a slew of the town’s public buildings. Eero Saarinen’s North Christian Church might be one of the most recognizable, but it’s just one of dozens of structures designed by noted architects including I. M. Pei, Harry Weese, and Deborah Berke. Saarinen also designed Miller’s home, which is now a gallery and open for tours. Public artworks by internationally known artists are scattered throughout the community, and Exhibit Columbus explores community, architecture, art, and design each August. columbus.in.us

Pro Football and a President

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2023 class included defensive

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

great Joe Klecko, who ended his career with the Colts, which creates a perfect opportunity to pay homage to the sport’s icons enshrined in Canton. Learn about the history of the game, check out memorabilia on display, and learn more you’re into? The William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum showcases the life of the 25th president and is also home to the Discover World Science Center. There, Alice the check out a mastodon skeleton. profootballhof.com, mckinley museum.org

A German Wonderland in Michigan boards touting Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in ornament you could want at Bronner’s, but that’s not all there is to see in Frankenmuth. Known as “Little Bavaria,” able shops, and authentic German cuisine. The Covered Bridge Shop is a Main Street mainstay, offering plenty of gifts and leather goods. Zehnder’s and Bavarian Inn are just two of the restaurants serving German specialties and fried chicken dinners. Don’t miss the iconic covered bridge or River Place Shops, along the Cass River. franken muth.org

Henry Ford’s Time Machine

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation born, Michigan, offers a unique blend of history, innovation, ricultural equipment, presidential vehicles, art pottery, and Green-

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY BRONNER’S CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

BRONNER’S CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

, organized into seven historic districts, is a living history museum. With costumed interpreters manning working farms and other small industry, the village offers an opportunity to step back in time. Visit restored homes, businesses, and other structures from our past, including slave quarters from The Hermitage, Andrew Jackson’s home; Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratory; the Wright Brothers’ Cycle Shop; and Noah Webster’s home. For the full Ford experience, try the

experience where you can watch the F-150 pickup truck being assembled, look back at vehicles made at the Rouge complex, and see one of the largest living roofs. thehenryford.org

West Virginia’s Heart of Glass

You might not realize that West Virginia’s was once one of the world’s top exporters of glassware. Changes in the industry, including cheaper imports and changing technology, mean there are far fewer companies producing today, but glass museums offer a captivating journey into the

WEST VIRGINIA DRAWDY FALLS

state’s rich heritage. Wheeling’s Ogelbay Institute Glass Museum is home to the largest piece of cut lead crystal ever made. More than 20,000 pieces of glass—from marbles to Tiffany designs—are on display in Weston, at the Museum of American Glass. One of the few companies still producing, Blenko Glass Company in Milton, welcomes visitors for factory tours and has its own museum where you can see a more than a century’s worth of its pieces. oglebay.com/ activities/museums/glass-museum, magwv.com, blenko.com

Food & Drink

Follow These Foodie Trails

Explore the trails in Columbus, Ohio—the food trails, that is! The Columbus Coffee Trail highlights independent shops and local chains, like Stauf’s Coffee Roasters, which has four area locations. The Columbus-Style Pizza Trail will lead you to square-sliced pizza bliss at a number of pie outposts, including Columbus-based Donato’s locations. Watershed Distillery pours samples for those following the Distillery Trail, and 33 craft breweries make up the Columbus Ale Trail, including Pretentious Barrel House, which specializes in barrel-aged beers. Once your belly is full, explore the Short North Art Trail, or maybe catch a show along the Columbus Live Music Trail experiencecolumbus.com

Sip Bourbon in Bardstown

While there are plenty of ways to sample Kentucky’s state spirit, do yourself a favor and head to the heart of bourbon country in Bardstown. There are 11 distilleries within 16 miles of Bardstown, from Lux Row to Four Roses to Heaven Hill. The Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History contains rare whisky industry artifacts from the collection of Chicago-born salesman

PHOTOGRAPH

BARRELS OF BOURBON

800.533.6569

SCAN ME

and distiller Oscar Getz (and the museum buys and sells memorabilia, too). Get a taste of Kentucky cuisine with a hot brown at Talbott Tavern, on the courthouse square. It dates to the late 1700s, and you can also stay overnight. Bourbon not your thing? Bardstown’s just down the road from the Abbey of Gethsemani, where you can worship with Trappist monks, explore 1,500 acres, or just grab a jar of honey from the Welcome Center gift shop. visitbardstown.com, monks.org

Stay at a Working Dairy Farm

Take a weekend trip to Kenny’s Cheese, and you’ll be able to see the whole cheese-making process, from cow to curd. There are two Airbnb suites directly above the dairy barn. Watch the robotic milkers in action, make friends with barn cats, or just sit on the porch overlooking the rolling hills. If it’s a cheesemaking day, you can also tour the production facility and learn about the different varieties made on-site, including cheese curds and Kentucky Bleu—you’ll get cheese samples in the fridge when you stay the night. kennyscheese.com

A College Town Getaway

A visit to Bloomington, Indiana, doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck dining on pizza (though you should try Mother Bear’s). B-Town has a wide variety of cuisines and styles represented in the nearly 150 downtown area eateries, from Anyetsang’s Little Tibet, where the momos are a must-try, to FARMbloomington, where the eclectic menu tweaks home-style fare, like the grilled, smoked pork chop with sorghum demi and cheese grits. After a meal like that, you’ll need the walk back to your room at the charming Grant Street Inn, which started as a small bedbuildings. visitbloomington.com

Raise Your Glass to Michigan

Grand Rapids is known as Beer City, USA, and with more than 50 breweries in the area, it’s no wonder. If you want to get an overview of the scene, book one of Grand Rapids Beer Tours’s walking tours. The downtown walking tour will give you a strong overview of some Beer City basics. You’ll visit Founders Brewing Co., one of the largest breweries in the state, as well as Grand Rapids Brewing Co., founded in 1893, and B.O.B.’s Brewery (it stands for Big Old Building, by the way). Once you’ve got those down, explore downtown on your own—New Holland’s Knickerbocker, The Mitten Brewing Co., and Perrin Brewing Co. are also local favorites. If all that’s too much, you can always fall back on a festival: the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival lets you sample the best of the scene in November. experiencegr.com

PHOTOGRAPH BY GIOVANNA GOMES/UNSPLASH

Fall

Shores & Islands Ohio has something for everyone. Hike and bike miles of natural trails, explore quaint downtowns and museums, witness fall bird migration, and enjoy the beauty of changing colors. Visit

EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND THAT UNIQUE BOND BETWEEN HUMANS AND HORSES.

Whispering Woods Riding Stables, Georgtown

Feel it for yourself on farm tours or scenic trail rides across the state.

kentuckytourism.com

ESCAPE THE COMMONPLACE

Known the world over as the Horse Capital of the World and the epicenter of Bourbon Country, the Bluegrass State is also a land of immense natural beauty and wideopen spaces offering plenty of places to play.

Sip centuries of tradition in the birthplace of bourbon and tour distilleries to learn how Kentucky’s signature spirit is made. Mix your own craft concoction with the help of a spirit specialist in a cocktail class. Stroll through rolling horse farms, catch a race at the track and take a trail ride through the forest. Visit epic family attractions, vibrant cities and charming small towns. Explore woods, waters, caves and trails offering endless outdoor adventure. Or

overlook to sit down and soak up the soothing sights and sounds of nature.

And let’s not forget the food! Savor signature Bluegrass flavors that come to life at roadside farm stands, momand-pop diners and hip restaurants, where talented chefs and mixologists are inspired by a bounty of fresh, local ingredients.

With so much to see, do and taste, the Bluegrass State is the perfect place for your next road trip, weekend getaway or family vacation.

GET AWAY TO SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY

Start planning your Shepherdsville adventure. Journey along Bullitt County’s Wine, Whiskey & Ale Trail, with stops at the James B. Beam American Outpost and four award-winning wineries. Looking for some outdoor fun? Explore more than 16,000 acres at Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest — and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the resident Forest Giants.

ICONIC KENTUCKY EXPERIENCES IN SHELBYVILLE & SIMPSONVILLE

From family vacations to a couple’s getaway, Shelby County is the perfect destination for iconic Kentucky experiences. Nestled between Louisville and Lexington in the heart of central Kentucky, Shelbyville and Simpsonville are home to must-see destinations in Kentucky’s horse country and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail ® . Ready to sip and savor world-famous Kentucky bourbon? ShelbyKY is Your Bourbon Destination. With luxurious accommodations and two distilleries — and forty more within a short drive — ShelbyKY is the best place to stay on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®

Saddlebred horse farms, ShelbyKY is the Saddlebred Horse Capital of the World. Shelby County also features numerous

other types of horse farms, including a thoroughbred farm located less than 30 minutes from Churchill Downs. Book a farm tour

Here, you’ll also discover outdoor recreation, golf, museums and galleries and shopping, too. In fact, Kentucky’s only designer outlet mall is in Simpsonville. Spend the day shopping The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass for retailers and name brands like Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Coach, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren and The North Face. Start planning your next visit to ShelbyKY.

HISTORIC ENTRANCE TO CAVE COUNTRY

Venture to a designated Kentucky Trail Town in the heart of Kentucky Cave Country. Minutes from Mammoth Cave National Park and Diamond Caverns, Park City offers all sorts of outdoor fun. Book a cave tour of the world’s longest cave system. Mammoth Cave National Park is also popular for hiking, biking, horseback riding and paddling. Explore Bell’s Tavern Park to see the historic tavern ruins. Then, explore Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike & Hike Trail from the park’s trailhead. Extend your adventure with a stay at Grand Victorian Inn. I-65 exit 48, Say Yes to Adventure! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @parkcitytourism.

VISIT GLASS NATIONAL ART MUSEUM IN DANVILLE

Danville, Kentucky, is excited to welcome GLASS National Art Museum to the Art Center of the Bluegrass. Opening Fall 2023, GLASS features the collection of internationally known artist Stephen Rolfe Powell, who is widely recognized as a hot glass master of color. In addition to housing the biggest sales gallery for the works of Powell, featuring over 20 pieces

artwork by Dale Chihuly and Lino Tagliapietra, among other prominent artists.

PLAN YOUR HENDERSON COUNTY RETREAT

An artsy river town on the Ohio River with a scenic Riverwalk, Henderson, Kentucky, is a warm and welcoming destination for

Downtown boasts colorful, larger-than-life murals, historic architecture and an impressive collection of bronze Audubon bird sculptures by Kentucky sculptor Raymond Graf. Take it all in on our self-guided Historic Henderson Downtown Walking Tour!

Consider yourself a foodie? Henderson is a culinary destination with Farmer & Frenchman Winery and Cafe and stay onsite in one of three luxury cabins. Restaurant hop around downtown Henderson to local hot spots like Rookies and Hometown Roots. With five

Beer Festival silver medal winner, Bridgeview ESB.

For outdoor adventures, John James Audubon State Park feels like something out of a fairy tale. The Audubon Museum, nestled in the heart of miles of trails and acres of forest, houses one of the world’s largest collections of John James Audubon originals and artifacts. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy 11 trails that vary in difficulty,

EVENT RECAP: VIP PREVIEW PARTY

INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY’S 2023 DREAM HOME TOUR SPONSORED BY THE AGENCY INDY KICKED OFF AUGUST 31 WITH A GLAM GALA.

The luxury custom home in Zionsville’s Holliday Farms community hosted 350 guests for the VIP Preview Party and welcomed more than 1,000 attendees during the

Homes by Design

Huge shout-out to our partners, sponsors, and vendors:

O’Connor of Dare 2 Design and architectural design Goldberg Design Group, the 2023 Dream Home allowed visitors the opportunity to tour a custom designed residence with picturesque

BENEFITTING

CHARITABLE PARTNER:

2023 INDIANAPOLIS

FIVE STAR AWARD WINNERS

These days, it takes a village to manage your financial world. Whether it is managing your assets with a wealth manager, navigating the ever-changing tax landscape, sorting out your estate and succession planning or picking the right life insurance, finding the right team can be a daunting task. In fact, many consumers have a hard time figuring out where to even begin.

Sometimes, a few simple questions can put you off on the right path. Asking a professional what makes working with them a unique experience can help you understand how they work and if their style meshes with your own. This is a great place to start! Five Star Professional uses its own proprietary research methodology to name outstanding professionals, then works with publications such as Indianapolis Monthly to spread the word about award winners. Each award candidate undergoes a thorough research process (detailed here) before being considered for the final list of award winners. For the complete list of winners, go to www.fivestarprofessional.com.

RESEARCH DISCLOSURES

In order to consider a broad population of high-quality wealth managers and investment professionals, award candidates are identified by one of three sources: firm nomination, peer nomination or prequalification based on industry standing. Self-nominations are not accepted. Indianapolis-area award candidates were identified using internal and external research data. Candidates do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final lists of Five Star Wealth Managers or Five Star Investment Professionals.

• The Five Star award is not indicative of a professional’s future performance.

• Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets.

• The inclusion of a professional on the Five Star Wealth Manager list or the Five Star Investment Professional list should not be construed as an endorsement of the professional by Five Star Professional or Indianapolis Monthly

• Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager, Five Star Investment Professional or any professional is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected professionals will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future.

• Five Star Professional is not an advisory firm and the content of this article should not be considered financial advice. For more information on the Five Star Wealth Manager or Five Star Investment Professional award programs, research and selection criteria, go to fivestarprofessional.com/research.

Wealth Managers

Financial Planning

Beau Browning · coreVISION Financial Group

Scott D. Carmony · Carmony Asset & Wealth Advisors Page 4

Thomas Foster · Morgan Stanley Page 4

Daniel J. Gandolph · LPL Financial

J. David George · George Wealth Management Group

Jalene Thompson Hahn · WWA Planning & Investments

David Charles Hobbs · Hobbs Wealth Management

Kevin Karlander · Thrivent Investment Management

Justin Kassanits · Column Capital Page 2

FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER DETERMINATION OF AWARD WINNERS CRITERIA

Award candidates who satisfied 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. Eligibility Criteria – Required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative. 2. Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years. 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards. 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation Criteria – Considered: 6. One-year client retention rate. 7. Five-year client retention rate. 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered. 9. Number of client households served. 10. Education and professional designations. 1,594 award candidates in the Indianapolis area were considered for the Five Star Wealth Manager award. 132 (approximately 8% of the award candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers.

FIVE STAR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL DETERMINATION OF AWARD WINNERS CRITERIA

The investment professional award goes to estate planning attorneys, insurance agents and select others in the financial industry. Eligibility Criteria – Required: 1. Credentialed with appropriate state or industry licensures. 2. Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years. 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. 4. Accepting new clients. Evaluation Criteria – Considered: 5. Oneyear client retention rate. 6. Five-year client retention rate. 7. Number of client households served. 8. Recent personal production and performance (industry specific criteria). 9. Education and professional designations/industry and board certifications. 10. Pro Bono and community service work. This year, we honored 2 Indianapolis-area investment professionals with the Five Star Investment Professional award.

All award winners are listed in this publication.

Sheri Kendall · Column Capital Page 2

Mark A. McDonald · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Edward W. Ochoa · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Mark Olsen · Teeple Snyder & Newsome Wealth Management Page 3

Jason Pike · coreVISION Financial Group

Matt Snyder · Teeple Snyder & Newsome Wealth Management Page 3

Angela R. Sodrel · LPL Financial

Kevin Sweet · Column Capital Page 2

Matt Teeple · Teeple Snyder & Newsome Wealth Management Page 3

Ryan Thomas · Column Capital Page 2

Brian Upchurch · Column Capital Page 2

Charles Ceasar Werckenthien · SecurEstate Financial Services, Inc.

David G. Yearwood · Charter Advisory

Jeff Yu · Column Capital Page 2

Investments

Doug Atkins · Creative Financial Designs

Chad Alan Bailey · Intrepid Financial Planning Group

Chris Douglas · C.H. Douglas & Gray Wealth Management

Bob Dunlap · Dunlap Gill Wealth Management Group Page 4

Jeffrey Clark Pittsley · Wells Fargo Advisors

Jeffrey Roach · Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. Page 4

Brent Thoman · coreVISION Financial Group

Continued on FS-5

This award was issued on 09/01/2023 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 11/14/2022 through 05/31/2023. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self Indianapolis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 132 (8% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics

- 7/21/14; 2013: 1,624, 413, 25%, 9/1/13, 1/15/13 - 7/21/13; 2012: 1,375, 387, 28%, 9/1/12, 1/15/12 - 7/21/12. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria-required:

1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment

Column Capital

Left to right: Back row: Five-year winner Justin Kassanits, CFP®; Twelve-year winner Brian Upchurch, CPA, J.D., CIMA®, CFP®; Twelve-year winner Jeff Yu, CFP®, CPA; Front row: Ten-year winner Ryan Thomas, CFP®, CPA;

Nine-year winner Sheri Kendall, CFP®, CPA; Eleven-year winner Kevin Sweet, CFP®, CIMA®

completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solel y on the disclosed criteria.

use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period.

5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria-considered: 6. One-year client retention services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance . Wealth Managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of

Teeple Snyder & Newsome Wealth Management

This award was issued on 09/01/2023 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 11/14/2022 through 05/31/2023. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed managers were considered for the award; 132 (8% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: #

Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria-required:

1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected

Left to right: Back row: Carinne Crouse, Financial Advisor; 2023 winner Mark Olsen, CPA, CFP®; Park Leacock, Financial Advisor; Aaron Downs, MBA, Financial Advisor; Emily Turner, MBA, Financial Advisor; Betsy Chandler, Executive Assistant; Front row: Tim Dukeman, CFP®; René Newsome, CPA, Par tner; Eleven-year winner Matt Teeple, President, CFP®; Two-year winner Matt Snyder, Partner, CFP®

WEALTH MANAGERS —

Bob Dunlap

CEO, Lic. 2586876

Dunlap Gill Wealth Management Group

14074 Trade Center Drive, Suite 110 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone: 317-770-2266

bob.dunlap@lpl.com www.dunlapgill.com

Planners, Partners, Advisors

• 2012, 2014 – 2023 Five

• #dunlapgill

Bob’s diverse financial background allows him to assist his clients in pursuing their retirement and estate planning needs. Today, Bob leads a team of diverse professionals who collectively serve over $180 million in brokerage and advisory assets through LPL Financial for over 550 households as of May 1, 2023. As an Investment Advisor Representative with LPL Financial, he is registered to do business in 31 states and has earned the designation of Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®).

Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Thomas Foster Vice President, Financial Advisor,

800 E 96 Indianapolis, IN 46240 Offi thomas.foster@morganstanley.com

•

questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the d Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period.

16%,

-

investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered thr financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on inter not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance . Wealth Managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

Star Wealth Manager award winner

©2023 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

Five Star Wealth Manager award winner, 2012 – 2023

Tom Foster looks to develop a personal relationship that lends insight into your life, issues and real-life challenges. His goal is to help clients manage their wealth while adding wisdom to their financial vision for their future.

MBA, CRPC®

Fall into financial planning with ease with a wealth manager by your side.

Visit

2022 NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL

VISIT TODAY

Cathedral High School is a four-time National Blue Ribbon award recipient and Indiana’s only private high school to be recognized in 2022.

ThisInternationalBaccalaureate (IB)WorldSchooltakesadifferent approachtoeducation.With immersionandduallanguage programsinFrench,Mandarin, Spanish,andEnglishand enhancedculturalexperiences, ourstudentsarereadyfor whatevertheworldhastooffer.

Afterall,whystopatthe CrossroadsofAmericawhen you’repreparedtogoanywhere?

Wealth Managers

Martin Joseph Armbruster · Savant Wealth Management

Brian Paul Austin · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Christopher Ronald Baker · Oaktree Financial Advisors

Kristi K. Baker · CSi Advisory Services

Stephen Joseph Barrett · StrategIQ Financial Group

Stephen John Blomberg · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Jessica Lynn Bokhart · Market Street Wealth Management Advisors, LLC

Lisa Lynn Brown · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Paul Elliott Bullock · Wellington Investment Advisors

Michael Robert Burley · Meridian Investment Advisors

Randall Dean Clark · Windsor Wealth Management

Paul Edwin Coan · Raton Wealth

Christopher Allen Cook · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Brian Forrest Cooke · Cooke Financial Group

John Christopher Cooke · Cooke Financial Group

Joe David Copeland · Morgan Stanley

Beth Ann Correll · Raymond James/Legacy Wealth Partners

Brad Raymond Cougill · Deerfield Financial Advisors

Paul E. Daniels · Morgan Stanley

Joshua Charles DeArmitt · DeArmitt Financial Group LLC

Drew Vasil Dimond · Dimond Financial Advisors

Sonya Teresa Doty · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Elizabeth E. Eckert · Morgan Stanley

Susan Christine Elser · Elser Financial Planning

Kevin Jay Ervin · Market Street Wealth Management Advisors, LLC

Jeff David Fierce · LPL Financial

Katie Fischer · Market Street Wealth Management Advisors, LLC

Glenda Joyce Foster · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Guy Allan Gage · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Jay C. Gagne · Raymond James Financial Services Advisors

Adam Perry Gemmer · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Sean Patrick Grannan · Principal Securities

Lisa Kay Grimes · 9340 Priority Way West Drive

Todd Emery Guthrie · Guthrie Financial Group

Derek Carter Hamilton · Elser Financial Planning

Mark Robert Hayes · Infinitive Wealth Advisory

Jonathan Lee Herndon · Elser Financial Planning

John Stratton Hettiger · WestPoint Financial Group

Kristen Faye Highfield · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Liz Ann Hoover · Hoover Financial Advisors

Kathryn Jane Hower · Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc.

Barton James Hunter · Wells Fargo Advisors

Robert J. Huser · 853 Wealth Management

Shaun Marie Irwin · Forum Private Client Group

Joseph Kevin Kaiser · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Craig Adam Kessler · Kessler Investment Group

Fabian Knopfler · Lions Wealth Management

Jonathan Michael Koop · Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc.

Brian Scott Kowalevsky · Morgan Stanley

Mark Aubrey Langdon · LPL Financial

Todd Edward Larson · Embassy Wealth Advisors

Philip E. Lavelle · Lavelle Financial

James Kermit Lewis · Jim Lewis Wealth Management

Gregory Allen Mankey · Masthead Advisory Group

Jacob N. Martin · MML Investors Services

Nathalie Mastouri · Morgan Stanley

Kevin Lee McCurdy · Cooke Financial Group

Steven Scott Meier · Innovative Financial Services

Marcus Franklin Miller · Deerfield Financial Advisors

Mark Grayson Miracle · Miracle & Associates Financial Services Group

Robert J. Moritz · Faithful Stewards of Money Concepts

Patrick Brian Morrow · SBC Wealth Management

Mark J. Moss · Circle Financial Planning, Inc.

Michael Robert Mullen · Morgan Stanley

Rebecca Carol Muller · Circle Financial Planning, Inc.

Andrew Francis Noga · Prudential Advisors

James J. Otley · Otley Private Wealth LLC

Andrew M. Parrish · Greenway Advisors

Nancy Cooper Pitt · Innovative Financial Services

Gerald Scott Poore · Thrivent Investment Management

Ronald Stephen Rader · Rader Financial Services

Peter Nielsen Reist · Oxford Financial Group Ltd.

Matthew Reynolds · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Brian Jeffrey Robinson · Snowbird Financial LLC

Thomas Adam Rohn · Moloney Securities Asset Management

Matthew Lewis Roop · Deerfield Financial Advisors

Brian Thomas Rykovich · Savant Wealth Management

Rudy Saldivar · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Noel Hjdemi Sawada · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Michael Samuel Schankerman · Allworth Financial

Clinton James Seefeldt · Lincoln Financial Advisors

Carson Michael Shadowen · SBC Wealth Management

Eric A. Shetter · Elser Financial Planning

Edward James Snyder · Oaktree Financial Advisors

Sean K. Spafford · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

Susan Marie Steel · Deerfield Financial Advisors

Douglas Robert Sweet · Midwest Financial Group

Leslie Diane Thompson · Spectrum Wealth Management

Kathleen Ellen Tranovich · Elser Financial Planning

Doug Alan Ummel · Wellington Investment Advisors

Abigayle Maye Vanderheyden · Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc.

Kyle Richard Volkers · Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

David M. Weidmayer · Weidmayer Wealth Solutions

Eric M. Welch · Harbour Wealth Partners

Sandy Hausz Wilcox · Morgan Stanley

Edward R. Wildermuth · Innovative Financial Solutions

Aaron Randel Paul Williams · Market Street Wealth Management Advisors, LLC

Tammy K. Williams · Cooke Financial Group

Stephanie Lynn Willison · Savant Wealth Management

Steven Michael Wylam · Shepherd Financial

Nicole Marie Yankauskas · Avalon Wealth Advisory

Jeffrey Jen-Chie Yu · Column Capital Advisors

Seth Steven Yudes · Morgan Stanley

Investment Professionals

Mark Olsen · Bedrock Accounting & Tax Advisors

Sarah J. Randall · Church Church Hittle and Antrim

This award was issued on 09/01/2023 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 11/14/2022 through 05/31/2023. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 1,594 Indianapolis-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 132 (8% of candidates) were named 2023 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, #

Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria-required:

1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria-considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance . Wealth Managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected

will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com. This year, we honored 2 Indianapolis-area investment professionals with the Five Star Investment Professional award.

wealth managers

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. The Chartered Financial Consultant® credential [ChFC®] is a financial planning designation awarded by The American College.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 69

affected by a traumatic brush with death in the 1970s. A newly married realtor in her mid-20s, she received a call late one Friday afternoon from a man who said he was an executive with a large local company who was considering a move to Evansville. He wanted to see some homes but had to fly out early the next morning. Did she have time that evening to give a new client the lay of the land?

Excited by the opportunity, Crouch said sure. She picked him up in front of a hotel on that rainy night and showed him several properties. But as they drove down one country road, the situation suddenly turned terrifying. “He pulled out a gun,” Crouch recalls. “He put it to my head, cocked it, and said, ‘We can do

this the easy way or the hard way.’ My life literally flashed before my eyes.”

Filled with panic, Crouch knew she had only one chance to get away. She asked if he would put his gun down on the floorboard and help her remove her raincoat. When he did so, Crouch threw the coat over his head and bolted out of the car. As she ran down a gravel road in high heels, the man gave chase but stopped after she tried to kick him in the groin. She kept running up an embankment and across a corn field to a house with its lights on—the home of a deputy sheriff. She was out of breath but safe. Her assailant took off in her car and got away.

Many months later while thumbing through mug shots of suspects picked up for similar crimes elsewhere, Crouch recognized her attacker. He was being held in another city on multiple charges of rape and at least two murders in several states. His M.O. sounded chillingly familiar. “He would pick a city, go there, and get the realtor book,” Crouch says.

The assault shattered Crouch’s sense of safety. When her husband was away on business, she would place dinner

knives in the narrow space between the door jamb and the top of the front door. If someone tried to break into her apartment, the knives would fall to the floor, and she’d hear the commotion and grab the large butcher knife stowed beneath her mattress. She never learned what happened to the man who attacked her (though she hopes and presumes he was convicted and sentenced). Eventually, the incident became a distant memory.

When Crouch looks back on the things that have happened in her life— from the early loss of a loved one, to her family’s struggles with addiction, to her own horrifying near-miss—she doesn’t ask, “Why me?” Instead, she figures, “Why not me?”

Her mother lived to be 91, long enough to see Crouch sworn in as lieutenant governor in 2017. It was a few more years before Crouch found her voice and decided to share her family story. Now, people come up to her with their own stories about loved ones lost to addiction or mental illness. “Even legislators have started to share part of their stories,” she says. “I think that’s how we start on this journey of recovery, by just talking about it and normalizing it.”

Photo by TONY

Vicino’s coffee caviar–topped tiramisu, p. 108

DOWNTOWN

INCLUDES Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, Mass Ave, Mile Square

Aroma

INDIAN Familiar tandoori and tikka masala staples mingle with heartier, more elevated offerings at this elegant pan-Indian spot. Lunchtime lamb and chicken rolls in crispy flatbread wrappers stand out, as do hearty chaat dishes dressed up with yellow peas, yogurt, and chutneys. An impressive lamb shank is the highlight of the chef’s specialties and easily feeds two. A full bar and an artful array of desserts help round out a special occasion meal. 501 Virginia Ave., 317-602-7117, aromaindy.com V $$

Ash & Elm Cider Co.

CIDERY Ash & Elm’s array of complex and quaffable ciders gets broader all the time, with funky cocktails demonstrating a flavor profile well beyond sweet apples in the vibrant tasting room at the former Ford Assembly Plant on Washington Street. The food pairs beautifully with the drinks, from the now legendary elote fritters made with Indiana corn and cilantro crema, to the generous charcuterie board, to the crispy fried Brussels sprouts made with, of course, a cider vinaigrette. A thick-cut Cuban sandwich and an Italian hoagie with all the meats are great choices among sandwiches, though the pimento cheeseburger with pickled green tomato is hard to beat. But more uptown offerings, such as ricotta gnocchi with seasonal garnishes or a lunchtime bulgogi noodle bowl, showcase how cider brings out the flavors in world cuisines as deliciously as fine wines. Save room for cider doughnut holes lavished with caramel sauce. 1301 E. Washington St., 317-6003164, ashandelmcider.com V $$

Bluebeard

CONTEMPORARY Bluebeard opened in 2012, and crowds still roll in for chef Abbi Merriss’ take on seasonal comfort food. Start with the bread baked next door at Amelia’s—it’s

especially delicious slathered with anchovy butter—and build your meal from the everchanging menu of small and large dishes. Fried morels may show up on a spring picnic plate, while winter nights call for a comforting butcher shop Bolognese. 653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580, bluebeardindy.com V $$

Bodhi: Craft Bar + Thai Bistro

THAI This Mass Ave restaurant serves a small, focused menu of Thai dishes like massaman curry with braised beef and Bodhi’s own version of non-Americanized pad thai. Cocktails get a lot of attention on a drinks list designed by Ball & Biscuit’s Heather Storms. 922 Massachusetts Ave., 317-941-6595, bodhi-indy.com V $$

Cafe Patachou

CAFE The original Meridian-Kessler “student union for adults” continues to draw in the morning crowds and has inspired citywide offshoots, such as this sleek downtown location, a huge hit with the business and weekend hordes alike. The cinnamon toast remains as thick as a brick; the produce is still locally sourced; the massive omelets continue to have cheeky names; and the broken-yolk sandwiches are a perennial lunch favorite. 225 W. Washington St., 317-632-0765, cafepatachou.com V $$

The Fountain Room

UPSCALE Restaurateur Blake Fogelsong filled this two-story showstopper with tufted leather chairs, glamorous clamshell booths, marble bar tops, and cascading chandeliers as a tribute to the Art Deco splendor of the restored Bottleworks Hotel next door. Meanwhile, the big-shouldered menu covers everything from fine-tuned steaks and seafood to wild-card winners like a 20-ounce Circle City Cut slab of prime rib, a noble old-school relish tray, utterly decadent French onion soup, and the best Coca-Cola barbecue ribs in town. 830 Massachusetts Ave., 463238-3800, thefountainroom.com $$$

Futuro

UPDATED

PIZZA Fans of this downtown-ish charmer don’t crave pizza. They crave Futuro. That’s one way to distinguish

a standout joint from the places that merely provide a fix. When it opened mid-pandemic, Futuro immediately grabbed attention with Detroit-style pies. It’s a rare purveyor of thick, pan-cooked slabs characterized by a cheesy exoskeleton and sauce spooned over the toppings so it doesn’t make the airy, porous dough soggy. Followers quickly learned to make a play for the corners for maximum crispy-crust payoff, though the single-sided squares are hardly a compromise thanks to the quality of Futuro’s house-made ingredients, like ground pepperoni and chicken-and-ranch fixings. In fact, you don’t even need all that dough. The thinner tavern-style and gluten-free pizzas are just as impressive and generously loaded. Pre-order a special featuring Smoking Goose or Half Liter BBQ collaborations, add on the big, knobby breadsticks, and dine in (the upstairs patio is the best spot) to take advantage of the deep beer list. The expansion of the plucky storefront, tucked away on an alley just east of downtown, testifies to Futuro’s popularity and embodies the pizzeria’s attitude—big, fun, and original.

19 Cruse St., 317-360-4725, futuroindy.com V $$

Gallery Pastry Bar

CONTEMPORARY The second location for the popular Broad Ripple bakery and brunch spot specializes in Europeaninspired pastries, brunch, dinner, and cocktails. 110 S. Pennsylvania St., 317-8205526, bar.gallerypastry.com $$

Harry & Izzy’s

STEAKHOUSE Craig Huse’s casual alternative to big brother St. Elmo holds its own as a dapper hangout worthy of destination-steakhouse status itself. The marbled bone-in ribeye sizzles in its juices, a smart pick among the highquality (and high-priced) Midwest-sourced prime cuts. The menu expands to thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and seafood selections like pan-seared scallops. 153 S. Illinois St., 317-635-9594, harryandizzys.com $$$

Hovito Ultra Lounge

NEW AMERICAN Crowd-pleasing fare is served to a clubby beat at this handsome Wholesale

SYMBOLS

Brunch

Outdoor seating

Reservations V Vegetarian friendly

$$$$ $30 and up

$$$ $20–$30

$$ $10–$20

$ Under $10

NEW

ADDED

UPDATED

Very Good Good

Recently opened establishment.

Open for more than five months but making its first appearance in the guide.

Recently revisited and reevaluated.

Restaurants included in this guide are selected at the discretion of the Indianapolis Monthly editorial staff based on food quality, innovation, atmosphere, service, value, and consistency. IM does not accept advertising or other compensation in exchange for dining coverage. Price symbols indicate the average cost of a meal per person (without tax, tip, or alcohol). Due to limited space, this list does not cover every evaluated restaurant. For a more comprehensive guide to Indianapolis dining, visit IndianapolisMonthly.com/Dining. Feedback? Please email TheDish@IndianapolisMonthly.com.

District restaurant. Buffalo chicken rolls, empanadas stuffed with velvety shredded Cuban beef, teriyaki-glazed salmon, and three-bite lamb chops arrive on artistically plated dishes, and standard cocktails—spicy margarita, espresso martini—come together behind a stunner of a bar. 234 S. Meridian St., 317-969-6909 $$

King Dough

PIZZA Chewy and with just the right flop in the middle, the pizzas here are bona fide craft, from the dough to the quality toppings. A standout is the Stinky Pete with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola, and plenty of garlic and herbs. Burgers, including one made from chorizo and topped with manchego cheese, play surprisingly close second fiddles to the pies. Cocktails concocted from boutique liqueurs and aromatics are reason enough to drop in, and they make for perfect sippers while you wait for your pie on the patio. 452 N. Highland Ave., 317602-7960, kingdoughpizzas.com V $$

Leviathan Bakehouse

BAKERY Pastry chef Pete Schmutte’s patisserie and lunch cafe near Chatham Arch is a welcome addition to the downtown bakery scene. Schmutte draws on his talented staff’s specialties to produce earthy artisan breads, ultra-flaky French-style laminated pastries, and elegant financiers. If you oversleep the day’s breakfast sandwich with creamy, soft eggs, grab a chimichurri roast beef sandwich with apple-fennel chutney and brie on porridge bread. 1101 N. College Ave., 317-493-1879, leviathanbakehouse.com V $$

Livery

LATIN This place feels like a hidden urban treasure, especially when the mezcal cocktails are flowing and the partially open kitchen is sending out plate after plate of contemporary Latin-inspired fare. Favorites have included a salad tucked inside a folded manchego crisp, meltingly tender steak fanned over a block of polenta, and a silky tres leches cake that is to die for. Snag a spot on the upperlevel deck for a real treat. 720 N. College Ave., 317-383-0330, livery-restaurant.com $$

Love Handle

SANDWICHES Daily lunch and brunch features such as schnitzel and waffles and a pulledchicken Hot Brown are the main draw at Chris and Ally Benedyk’s cheeky sandwich shop. The chalkboard menu also offers side options in the form of braised greens and potato salad with roasted tomatoes. 877 Massachusetts Ave., 317-384-1102 $$

Maialina

Italian Kitchen + Bar

ITALIAN Straw-wrapped chianti bottles, wooden cross-back chairs, and family photos give a throwback trattoria feel to this addition to the city’s Italian scene. Meatballs from a family recipe with a solid house marinara are always a good choice. Pastas range from a straightforward toss of rigatoni with sausage and broccoli rabe to a rich, three-meat Bolognese lavished atop plump gnocchi. 1103 Prospect St., 317-982-7676, maialinaindy.com $$$

Milktooth

BRUNCH This diner-style cafe has a playfully gritty vibe. The early morning counter

service featuring pastries and coffee gives way to a full-service brunch menu with daytime craft cocktails. 534 Virginia Ave., 317-986-5131, milktoothindy.com V $$

Modita

ASIAN-INSPIRED The lavish restaurant in Bottleworks District’s showpiece slot gets extra style points for its gorgeous industrial-sleek decor that is equal parts silk wallpaper and factory-grade doors. Sip a Singha or a citrusy Tokyo Exchange Rate under the glow of dangling pendants and soak up the thoughtfully preserved vintage vibe. 850 Massachusetts Ave., 317-316-0470, modita.com $$$

Nesso

ITALIAN Highly stylized seafood and meats paired with small pasta courses and shared a la carte sides add up to a sumptuous dining experience inside The Alexander hotel. Pass around a plate of prosciutto-wrapped prunes or crab arancini, but keep the tortelloni and sea bass all to yourself. 339 S. Delaware St., 317-643-7400, nesso-italia.com $$$

Rolli

SUSHI Creative, colorful rolls such as Ponzu Paradise (salmon, spicy fruit-forward mayo, and beets) or Mango Tango (tempura-fried shrimp, Thai chili sauce, avocado, and pickled mango) make this recent addition to The Garage food hall a fun destination for sushi lovers and those still a bit squeamish about raw fish. Traditionalists can opt for “simple” rolls with just seafood or veggies and rice wrapped in nori, and build-your-own options let customers’ imaginations run wild, with a solid selection of vegetarian options, including surprisingly tasty yuzu shiitakes. Much of the fun is watching the sushi batch machine shoot out a perfect square of rice that is rolled and cut in the blink of an eye then served in a sturdy, stylish box. For a hearty alternative to rolls, try one of four Umami Bommi options, tofu pockets with tasty toppings and sauces, the best of them finished with a torch. A nice selection of canned teas, kombuchas, sakes, and beer complete the experience. 906 Carrollton Ave., 317-210-3559, rollisushi.co $$

St. Elmo Steak House

STEAKHOUSE Since 1902, this stately house of red meat has served as the unofficial ambassador of downtown Indianapolis—the walls carry decades’ worth of celebrity photos, the burnished bar hearkens to an earlier era, and the servers remain starched and bow-tied. The drill remains the same, as well: a generous martini, a shrimp cocktail with that notoriously hot sauce, the bean soup or tomato juice, the wedge, and one of the legendary steaks. 127 S. Illinois St., 317-635-0636, stelmos.com $$$$

Tinker Street

NEW AMERICAN Reservations are a must, so snag whatever date you can get and hope for a warm night and a seat on the twinkling patio. Then settle in for small plates such as surprisingly light and flavorful chickpea ravioli with vegan ricotta and a host of colorful garnishes. Or try one of the vegan soups or a seasonal salad, such as a refreshing mix of greens with asparagus, pickled rhubarb, and tangy blue cheese. 402 E. 16th St., 317-9255000, tinkerstreetrestaurant.com V $$$

Vicino

NEW ITALIAN More than filling the need for a bona fide Italian restaurant on Mass Ave, this modern, colorful trattoria from the owners of The Oakmont measures up to some of the best Mediterranean spots anywhere in the city. New seating and light fixtures add a brighter palette to the sleek former Hedge Row location, and a nicely edited menu offers familiar classics with a few twists for the more daring. Starters are a must, with generous sweet and meaty garlic shrimp and mushroom-studded arancini starring on the short list. Pizzas are a solid bet, with a nice char from the in-house brick oven, and pastas are solid, with little additions such as a raw egg yolk and truffle oil in the nottoo-unorthodox carbonara. But crispy, al dente fried gnocchi with pulled chicken and pesto are a standout, as is the branzino with a golden sear and thick slices of eggplant and zucchini topped with a tangy tomato chutney. Well-mixed cocktails are no surprise given the restaurant’s pedigree. And tiramisu lovers will enjoy the creamy, restrained version here, spiked with spiced rum and topped with playful coffee caviar, though orange zest–dusted Bombolini with Nutella are hard to top. 350 Massachusetts Ave., 317-798-2492, vicinoindy.com $$$

EAST

INCLUDES Beech Grove, Irvington, Windsor Park

10th Street Diner

VEGAN Surprisingly familiar and hearty plantbased takes on diner classics occupy the entire menu at this rehab of a former pawn shop, a comfy backdrop for enjoying such tasty fakeouts as a gooey seitan Reuben, a “chicken” pot pie, and chili that rivals your favorite con carne version. 3301 E. 10th St., 463-221-1255 V $$

Beholder

CONTEMPORARY You never know what to expect from restaurateur Jonathan Brooks’ Windsor Park kitchen, aside from one of the most innovative and well-executed meals in town. The menu is difficult to track, mainly because Brooks builds his dishes around seasonal ingredients that are fresh and of-the-moment. Impeccable servers will guide you through the evening’s offerings, which start small at the top of the menu (fresh oysters, perhaps, or pork rinds with kimchi and chicken liver mousse) and bulk up toward the bottom (think wild boar Bolognese or a massive pork Wellington for two). Finish with the most exotic flavor of house-made ice cream. 1844 E. 10th St., 317-419-3471, beholderindy.com V $$$$

Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie

UPSCALE CASUAL Dinner and a movie has never been as local or as luxe as it is at this cinematic and culinary collaboration in Windsor Park. First-run indie and classic films play on the screen in the cinema while snacks and expert cocktails from the bar nod to movie culture, including the Hollywood Boulevard(ier) and the 35MM with dry gin, orgeat, and lime. 1258 Windsor St., 317-800-7099, kankanindy.com V $$$

Landlocked Baking Company

CAFE What began life as a production bakery

along Irvington’s tucked-away Audubon Road has expanded into a full-service daytime spot serving sandwiches and plated entrees. The menu keeps things brief, with a special focus on fresh-baked carbs. 120 S. Audubon Rd., 317-207-2127, landlockedbakingco.com V $$

Natural State Provisions

CASUAL Customers order at the counter and find a table inside this former microbrewery reinvented as an endearingly kitschy eatdrinkery. The food is rooted in homestyle Arkansas cooking from co-owner Adam Sweet’s native state, heavy on the deep frying and sweet tea brining. Order a Sling Blade cocktail, get a side of collard greens with your fried bologna sandwich, and don’t miss the daily soft serve ice cream flavor. 414 Dorman St., 317-492-9887, naturalstateprovisions.com $$

Open Kitchen

NEW AMERICAN Breakfast specialties such as light-as-air French toast, biscuits and gravy, and eggs Benedict lavished with crab and avocado are stars on the menu at the new location of Dexter and Toni Smith’s cheery eatery in the former Jailbird location near the University of Indianapolis. But lunch and dinner are equally respectable, especially a generous shrimp po’ boy or a crispy chicken sandwich with peppered bacon, onion rings, and barbecue sauce with your choice of spice level. More substantial entrees include a grilled pork chop with apple chutney or salmon with wild rice and sauteed broccoli, with elevated touches owing to Dexter Smith’s Chef’s Academy pedigree. After operating mainly as a carryout spot on North Sherman and later in Little Flower, this location comes with a full bar, which means cocktails—such as the creamy, floral Respect Your Elders with bourbon, elderflower, and lemon—are a must. 4022 Shelby St., 317- 974-9032, opennkitchen.org $$

NORTH SUBURBAN

INCLUDES Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, Zionsville

9th Street Bistro

BISTRO In a snug cafe off Noblesville’s town square, owners Samir Mohammad and Rachel Firestone Mohammad create meals worth lingering over, from a lamb shank slow-smoked to buttery tenderness and served on top of fresh pappardelle to a house-made burrata that makes several appearances on the menu. The rotating Fried Thing of the Day (from tofu to artichoke hearts) should not be missed. 56 S. 9th St., Noblesville, 317-774-5065, 9thstbistro.com $$$

101 Beer Kitchen

CASUAL The energy is high and the flavors are forward at this Ohio import. In a dining room that combines the best parts of a craft brewery with an unfussy family haunt, crowd-pleasing dishes like loaded tater tots, andouille sausage–spiked shrimp and grits, and brown-buttered pierogies have lots of moving parts, complex but more fun than fancy. The Yard at Fishers District, 317-537-2041, 101beerkitchen.com $$

1933 Lounge

STEAK AND COCKTAILS This clubby cocktail lounge offers a younger, sexier take on its fine dining parent, St. Elmo Steak House. The twist here is that the black-vested servers deliver the oysters Rockefeller and 45-day dry-aged ribeyes to diners tucked into noir-lit corners where no one can see their faces melt into a brief ugly-cry at that first bite of incendiary shrimp cocktail. The Yard at Fishers District, 317-758-1933, 1933lounge.com/fishers $$$

Anthony’s Chophouse

STEAKHOUSE The interior of this swanky heavy hitter along Carmel’s Main Street has the polished gleam of a new Vegas hotel, with an upper-level lounge containing the salvaged mahogany bar from The Glass Chimney, another fine-dining legend. The food has equal flourish. Lobster bisque with a hunk of tempura-fried meat begins a meal that might include a cowgirl ribeye, a flight of filets, or a domestic wagyu burger. Black-suited servers and well-composed cocktails keep the high-dollar meal running smoothly. 201 W. Main St., Carmel, 317-7400900, anthonyschophouse.com $$$$

Auberge

FRENCH Brick Street Inn’s classic French bistro installed talented chef Toby Moreno (The Loft at Traders Point Creamery, Plow & Anchor) in early 2022 and immediately sent him to Paris, where he trained in the kitchens of famed chef Alain Ducasse. Moreno has added that continental know-how to the vintage dishes he makes fresh with as much local produce, meats, and cheeses as he can. That translates to an impressive plate of buttery escargot topped with croutons, seasonal salads, and a deeply flavorful French onion soup with a rich broth. Seafood shines among the entrees, especially crispy-skinned roasted cod, though diver scallops with asparagus puree showered with herbs and toasted almonds also impress. 175 S. Main St., Zionsville, 317733-8755, auberge-restaurant.com $$$

Chao Vietnamese Street Food

VIETNAMESE Sourcing the beef and pork for its noodle bowls, tacos, and pho from Fischer Farms, this strip mall eatery delivers fresh, flavorful dishes. Shrimp spring rolls come with a rich and complex dipping sauce, and a bracing green papaya salad is refreshing. Pork belly tacos are highlights among the lighter choices. A list of coffees and bubble teas makes this a great place to bring the family for an intro to one of the world’s great cuisines. 7854 E. 96th St., Fishers, 317-622-8820, chaovietstreetfood.com $$

Cheeky Bastards

ENGLISH Co-owners Michael Rypel and chef Robert Carmack fell in love with British culture and cuisine during travels abroad. Their Geist restaurant is a true tribute to the food, serving not only a classic full English breakfast and sausage rolls made with imported meat, but also a very convincing fish and chips featuring crispy planks and hand-cut potatoes. 11210 Fall Creek Rd., 317288-9739, cheekybastardsrestaurant.com $$

Edicta39

LATIN FUSION This modest addition to Pendleton’s main drag combines small-town

sweetness with a menu of Spanish-inflected dishes. Arepas (crispy stuffed corn cakes) dominate at breakfast, containing fillings that range from pulled chicken to avocado and black beans. Later in the day, cheese-topped tostones and ceviche join a variety of creamy risottos and elaborate burgers. Paella takes a bit longer to cook but is worth the wait and is portioned to serve the entire table. 104 W. State St., Pendleton, 765-602-2110 $$

Field Brewing

BREWPUB This Westfield addition to the local craft brewery scene would be dazzling enough for its mod fixtures and bocce ball court that spans the family-friendly outdoor space, but the menu is as daring as it is easy to pair with the house brews. The kitchen skillfully prepares standout dishes such as tender lamb ribs with chimichurri and deeply caramelized Brussels sprouts with hunks of bacon that are some of the best in town. 303 E. Main St., Westfield, 317804-9780, fieldbrewing.com V $$$

Grindstone Public House

COMFORT You can appreciate the original tall shop windows and pressed tin ceilings of this restored historic building as you chomp into a fully loaded burger. Or go for one of the more elaborate selections (such as a prime-rib Manhattan or chicken and waffles) on Grindstone’s Midwest-casual menu. A full bar stocked with all the brown bottles gives the place cred as a neighborhood watering hole. 101 N. 10th St., Noblesville, 317-774-5740, grindstonepublichouse.com $$$

The HC Tavern + Kitchen

CONTEMPORARY The term “tavern” hardly captures this swank addition to the Huse Culinary Group/St. Elmo family. A hit among starters is the lobster “Cargot” with lumps of lobster meat in garlic butter and melted havarti. Chops include the supper club darling steak Diane with mushroom cream sauce and horseradish mashed potatoes, though equally regal is the wagyu meatloaf enriched with pork and veal, sauced with a truffle mushroom demi-glace. The Yard at Fishers District, 317-530-4242, atthehc.com $$$

Juniper on Main

SOUTHERN Chef Christine Daniel adds flavor every step of the way at this laidback salute to Southern coastal cooking. That means the shrimp and grits contain heirloom hominy; the grilled salmon is plated with chili-lime butter, coconut rice, citrus black beans, and plantains; and nearly everything arrives with a heaping side of okra. Even the sweet porch and pergola that wrap the house, built in 1907, evoke the homey charm of its culinary inspiration and the owner’s roots in Savannah, Georgia. 110 E. Main St., Carmel, 317-591-9254, juniperonmain.com $$

The Mash House

DISTILLERY The distillers behind KennedyKing’s West Fork Whiskey opened this second, destination tasting experience and spirits education center in the summer of 2022. Start with a textbook old fashioned featuring house-blended bitters, and pair that with a plate of crunchy corn “puppies” with whipped maple butter. 10 E. 191st St., Westfield, 317-763-5400, westforkwhiskey.com $$

Trax BBQ

BARBECUE Owner Andrew Klein, who has a background in high-end steakhouses, oversees the tender headliners at this no-frills barbecue joint that sits beside the train tracks in McCordsville. You can taste his expertise in the essential meats: brisket hacked into fatty hunks, pulled pork that melts in the mouth, and ribs by the rack, all prepared in a smoker that customers walk past just before they hit the front door. Fans of smoked meats order off a menu that covers traditional carnivore territory as well as some creative upgrades, including a heap of pulled pork nachos and The Willie brisket sandwich topped with hot liquid cheese and slaw on a toasted brioche bun. 7724 Depot St., McCordsville, 317-335-7675, traxbbq.com $$

Vivante French Eatery

FRENCH Classic Carmel’s grand Hotel

Carmichael is home base for this fine-dining experience with a slight French accent. Executive chef Joseph Hsu plates up simple but elegant roasted breast of chicken with herb jus, seared salmon with heirloom succotash, and a beef tartare bound with quail egg. Cocktails (like the Fluted French 75) are potent and pretty. Desserts supplied by Circle City Sweets are properly dainty. 1 Carmichael Square, Carmel, 317-688-1952, vivantecarmel.com V $$$

NORTHEAST

INCLUDES Broad Ripple, Meridian-Kessler

Broad Ripple Brewpub

PUB GRUB We love the mainstays at Indiana’s oldest operating microbrewery: a creamy beer cheese crock, Scotch eggs, and crunchy fish and chips. Vegan and vegetarian options abound. Depending on the season, you will want to grab a spot next to the fireplace or outside on the see-and-be-seen patio. 840 E. 65th St., 317-253-2739, broadripplebrewpub.com V $$

Hollyhock Hill

FAMILY DINING Hollyhock Hill sticks with what’s worked since it opened in 1928: comfort in the form of chicken. Among the frilly tables, servers dole out platters of skillet-fried goodness paired with mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, and buttermilk biscuits. 8110 N. College Ave., 317-251-2294, hollyhockhill.com $$$

Petite Chou

BISTRO Tucked into one of Broad Ripple’s most iconic backstreet parcels, this French cousin of Cafe Patachou keeps its menu brief but fancy. Diners might enjoy onion soup gratinée and butter lettuce salad before the evening’s dinner rush, when côte de porc and lobster and frites are served with champagne in bottled or cocktail form. Even the family-style fried chicken dinner (offered on Wednesday nights only, with mashed potatoes, buttered peas, and a salad for the table) involves a pretty white bucket embellished with a pink Petite Chou logo. Whether you opt for the knife-and-fork burger or the duck confit, start with the steak tartare and end with the ice cream–stuffed profiteroles under chocolate syrup poured tableside. 823 E. Westfield Blvd., 317-259-0765, petitechoubistro.com $$$

NORTHWEST

INCLUDES College Park, Lafayette Square

Amara

ADDED INDIAN Innovative restaurateur and Aroma owner Vinita Singh converted the popular northside tavern Smee’s Place to her third Indian eatery in late 2022, offering an ambitious and artfully executed menu of dishes from around South Asia. Starters are where the menu truly shines, with crispy eggplant and kale fritters, deeply aromatic Chicken 65, and true-to-their name Juicy Drums of Heaven. Less-known dishes, such as chettinad—equally good with chicken, seafood, or lamb—are good bets, as are a host of Indochinese dishes that fall somewhere between the flavors of India and those from farther east. Breads are a must here, especially chewy, crisp garlic naan. Dosas are solid, whether you go for the traditional crepe-like version or South Indian uttapam, a thicker, fluffier version served with chutneys and tangy rasam. A full menu of wines and cocktails pay homage to the bar’s former life, pairing nicely with the spicy, aromatic dishes on offer. 1454 W. 86th St., 317-884-6982, amaraindy.com $$

Chapati

MIDDLE EASTERN It’s not enough that the butter chicken melts in your mouth or the lamb kebab bursts with flavor—or that those family recipes, passed from generation to generation, barely scratch the surface of a menu that goes deep into Pakistani, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisine. This chill westside counter service spot has a fried chicken side hustle called Shani’s Secret Chicken focused on humanely prepared Halal fried chicken cooked three ways. 4930 Lafayette Rd., 317-405-9874, eatchapati.com V $$

Chef Borel’s Kitchen

CREOLE/CAJUN Fans of the now-closed Borel’s Cajun & Creole Cookery on West 86th Street will recognize the New Orleans–inspired dishes at this Michigan Road delivery and carryoutonly spot. But daughter Theresa Borel has since completed culinary school and local externships that have helped the kitchen she now heads up put out even more polished and flavorful bayou fare, with some Caribbean and African twists. Shrimp and grits are a signature here, with some of the most butter-rich grits you’ll find in the city. But gumbo, whether seafood or chicken and sausage, is a Borel family recipe you’ll wish was your own. Jambalaya, cheesy etouffee, and well-stuffed po’ boys with catfish, andouille, and soft-shell crab will definitely land this place on your weekly lunch list. Borel’s take on classic dirty rice and the Lowcountry Hoppin’ John are lesser-seen regional favorites that will make this your go-to source not just for Mardi Gras parties but for stick-to-your-ribs eating all year round. 6950 Michigan Rd., 317-492-9448, chefborel.com $$

The Loft Restaurant

FINE DINING With its pastoral setting on the grounds of an artisanal dairy farm, Traders Point Creamery’s farmstead restaurant (housed in one of several restored historic barns) feels like a working model for farm-to-table dining. Some of the ingredients on executive chef Jon Warner’s menu are grown on-site, and it

would be a shame to pass on the charcuterie board, an appetizer featuring the creamery’s award-winning cheeses. Niman Ranch steaks, seasonal fish, and house-made yeast rolls are always solid choices, as is the burger made with 100-percent grass-fed beef and dressed with caramelized onions, snappy bread-and-butter pickles, bacon, and cheddar. For dessert, go a la mode. 9101 Moore Rd., Zionsville, 317-7331700, traderspointcreamery.com

V $$$

Nando’s

NEW

MEXICAN / BRAZILIAN With their combined Mexican and Brazilian backgrounds, the couple that runs this cozy restaurant in the heart of Broad Ripple set out to provide a rare, authentic taste of each cuisine. Their effort pays off in traditional comfort dishes such as feijoada (a meaty bean stew served with steamed rice, orange slices, and a sprinkle of farofa), a layered escondidinho de frango reminiscent of shepherd’s pie, and fragrant carne asada served with Mexican onions and guacamole. Dishes are served with both Mexican and Brazilian hot sauces, each with their own brand of afterburn. Gorgeously jiggly flan is the star of the dessert course. 834 E. 64th St., 317-377-4779 $$

SOUTH SUBURBAN

INCLUDES Bargersville, Greenwood

Antilogy

BRUNCH AND COCKTAILS This snug corner spot at the end of a Kroger parking lot divides its energy between the morning meal and evening libations. Early birds can choose from thoughtful combinations of fat biscuits, sunny eggs, bourbon-candied bacon, and Belgian waffles, with plenty of Bovaconti Coffee–based lattes and mochas to kick-start the day. In the evening, the menu shifts to shareable plates, such as a panko-crusted crispy burrata, parmesan truffle fries, and a molten spinach-Gruyère dip. 5867 N. State Rd. 135, Greenwood, 317-530-5312, antilogycg.com $$

Mr. Patakon

COLOMBIAN The name of Diana Moreno and Brenda Sánchez’s festive, authentic Southside Colombian eatery comes from the popular Latin and South American dish patacones—flattened, fried plantains filled with everything from shredded barbecue chicken criollo to cheese, corn, and shredded beef. But more familiar fare includes generously stuffed arepas, hearty sub sandwiches, and colorfully conceived hot dogs like the Perro Hawaiano, which comes dressed up with pineapple and a creamy pink sauce, or the Super Perro, which is topped with every meat in the kitchen, quail eggs, and a special house sauce. Mazorcada (heaps of sweet corn topped with meats, cheeses, and potato sticks) is a delectably novel side dish or a light lunch portion, and fruit drinks and desserts, especially obleas (wafer cookies filled with dulce de leche and cheese), are worth the extra calories for a flavor experience like no other in the city. 7415 U.S. 31, 317-692-9829, mrpatakon.com $$

Pizza & Libations

PIZZA The personal-sized pies are presented

on thin, fermented crusts at this Bargersville establishment run by the folks who own the neighboring Taxman Brewing Company. But the menu has surprising range. Shared plates include a jumbo ball of fresh burrata oozing over caramelized onions and blistered tomatoes, delicate beef carpaccio, and a version of octopus in squid ink sauce that is not for the faint of heart. Chase your bites with sips of the When in Rome bourbon cocktail that has hints of lemon and basil, or pick anything off of the extensive spirits menu that includes a section dedicated to prosecco spritzes and trending aperitifs and digestifs. For dessert, do not pass up the baseball-sized scoops of buttery-sweet housemade gelato in creamy, complex flavors such as raspberry, chunky pistachio, and a lovely Italian stracciatella rippled with slivers of shaved chocolate. 75 N. Baldwin St., Bargersville, 317-771-3165, pizzaandlibations.com V $$$

Revery

CONTEMPORARY This chef-driven bistro in Old Greenwood offers approachable fine dining, with a casual workingman’s bar on the historic building’s back end. Unexpected small plates have included beets with whipped goat cheese and wasabi and cheese curds fried in chorizo oil. 299 W. Main St., Greenwood, 317-215-4164, reverygreenwood.com V $$$

WEST

INCLUDES Brownsburg, Eagle Creek

Bob’s Indian Kitchen

INDIAN A surprisingly spacious and airy counter service location in a new mini-strip houses

Bhavesh “Bob” Patel’s ode to home-cooked Indian cuisine. Entry-level cream cheese bhajia and dreamy butter chicken get just as much respect as the crispy pani puri filled with tamarind water, the goat biryani lavished with ginger and garlic, and the mini section of Indian pizzas. Whether you opt for the mild or spicy seasoning, always include a cooling mango lassi in your order. 618 E. Main St., Brownsburg, 317- 983-0225, bobsindian.square.site V $$

Rick’s Cafe Boatyard

SEAFOOD You don’t have to be a Parrothead (though it helps) to appreciate the pontoonlife allure of Eagle Creek’s waterside restaurant, with its breezy dining room on stilts over the Dandy Trail boat slips. The menu gets creative with all of the casual dining tropes, mixing smoked salmon nachos and chicken cordon bleu fingers in with the jumbo shrimp martinis. 4050 Dandy Trail, 317-290-9300, ricksboatyard.com $$$

INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY (ISSN 0899-0328) is published monthly ($24 for 12 issues) at 8909 Purdue Rd., Suite 130, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Copyright © 2023 Cincinnati Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Hour Media, LLC, 5750 New King Dr., Ste. 100, Troy, MI 48098. The Indianapolis Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph, or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

WE NAIL THE CONCEPT

Woodstock is custom design and fine homebuilding, up close and personal. At every point in the our building process, you work directly with our owners, Bob Slawson and Nick Winings. Bob designs and creates the plans. Nick brings them to life. With premium lots in Hamilton County’s most sought-after neighborhoods and several quick move-in opportunities underway, we’ll create a home worthy of your dream lifestyle. It all starts with a conversation.

To learn more about Woodstock and see examples of our lifestyle home design, visit WoodstockCustomHomes.com or swing by and take a personal tour of either of our fully-decorated model homes in Carmel’s Grassy Banch at Bridgewater or Westfield’s Reserve on South neighborhoods.

15436 Spring Winds Drive & 17129 Sanders Farm Circle are open every Saturday & Sunday 12-4.

Knowledge is Power

BY PHILIP GULLEY

I felt vastly superior. If you were to ask for demonstratable proof of my intelligence—say, my school grades from my childhood—you would find little evidence of my genius, but that’s because my teachers didn’t fully appreciate my soaring intellect and often dismissed its possibility. Indeed, Mr. Short, my sixth grade math teacher, once remarked to me that I couldn’t find my butt with both hands and gave me a D on my report card. A lesser student would have found this discouraging, but I soldiered on, determined to prove him wrong—which I did the next semester by not only finding my butt but also by raising my grade to a gentleman’s C. I would have gotten an A but didn’t want to ruin the grading curve for my fellow students. As it turns out, I was not only brilliant, but I was also compassionate.

after a while and, seeking a new direction in my life, entered the field of general medicine— brain surgery, more specifically—and was the first to discover that when the cingulate gyrus is poked with a finger, the right leg spasms uncontrollably, which led to the eventual mapping of the genome (you’re welcome) and the subsequent discovery of gene therapy (happy to help).

GIVEN MY APPRECIATION for modest people, I’m embarrassed to admit that several times a day, I catch myself thinking I’m smarter than everyone else. Feelings of superiority are not admirable; it’s just that I see so many people do such stupid things, I can’t help but think I’m smarter than the average bear. Just recently, my wife and I were driving north on I-69 approaching the Fishers exit when three luxury sports cars flew by, weaving through the heavy traffic, obviously racing. A half-mile later, we came upon the three cars smashed to smithereens, having crashed into one another but miraculously no one else. The three young male drivers had exited their ruined vehicles and were screaming at one another. My wife and I crept past them, ogling the wreck.

“This is oddly satisfying,” my wife said.

I had done several foolish things that day but nothing that dumb, and for the rest of the evening,

One can only hide such brilliance for so long without being discovered, and my wisdom became more widely known when I graduated from high school six years later and was hired by the state to pick up roadkill along I-74. Within a few short weeks, I was Indiana’s expert on flattened fauna, able to correctly identify not only the species of roadkill but also the means and timing of its demise through careful study of tire treads, compression, and rigidity. (Groundhog, Marmota monax, 1979 Ford LTD Country Esquire station wagon, 2.5 days ago.) Never one to rest on my laurels, I hit the speech circuit, traveling across the nation to lecture on roadkill removal and proper disposal. (Scoop shovel, incinerator, and recitation of a prayer of St. Francis—the patron saint of animals both dead and alive.)

As is often the case in the caring professions, I burned out

I mention these things so you can better appreciate why I am anticipating my 45th high school reunion next summer, which I have on good authority will be attended by Mr. Short. Being a Christian, I have forgiven him for the most part, but I might point out to him that while he was teaching middle school geometry, I invented a pill that causes one to forget the presidency of Donald Trump. As you can imagine, this has made me wealthier than God Himself, and I’m putting the funds to good use. I will soon be purchasing the internet patent from Al Gore, lock, stock, and barrel, and closing it down so we can return to getting our news from newspapers and magazines and venting our spleens in letters to the editors, like we did in the old days.

With the money left over, I will buy the X-ray glasses that were advertised in the backs of comic books when I was a kid. (“See thru walls! See thru clothes! Amaze your friends! Only $1.00!”) When I mail-ordered a pair in the sixth grade, my mom intercepted the package from the mail and tossed it in the trash before I could test them out. Ever since then, I’ve wondered what I’ve missed and can’t help but think my education suffered because of my mother’s Catholic purity. I might even buy a sports car and race it down the interstate, dodging the roadkill, remembering my humble beginnings.

THE MYOPIC MR. SHORT WILL FINALLY HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I’VE BEEN BRILLIANT ALL ALONG.

Illustration by RYAN SNOOK

Philip Gulley is a Quaker pastor, author, and humorist. Back Home Again chronicles his views on life in Indiana.

LET’S TOAST ON THE GULF COAST.

Soak up the sun and sand with drinks in hand and belly-up to the best beachside bars and restaurants in St. Pete/Clearwater. Dine out, dig in and stick around for one more round.

Let’s shine—get your fill at VisitStPeteClearwater.com