Sept./Oct. 2018 OUR BROWN COUNTY by Our Brown County

The The Magazine Magazine of of Fun Fun and and Fact Fact

Since 1995

FREE

Doug Harden’s Dream

Patrick Haulter Shares Love of Nature Nashville Spices It Up

Gnaw Bone Trading Post

Village Village Green Green Building Building History History Back Back Roads Roads Studio Studio Tour Tour Elkinsville, Elkinsville, the the Town Town that that Was Was Uncle Uncle Pen Pen Days Days at at Monroe’s Monroe’s The The Sugar Sugar Maple Maple The The Sampler Sampler

Sept./Oct. 2018

Village Green Building Celebrating over 100 years in nashville The Nashville you came to see and love…

Where you can see the work of local artists — whether it’s ice cream, candy and fruit preserves made the old fashioned way or the artwork of local artists and craftsmen. · first floor · Homemade Ice Cream Homemade Candies Homemade Fruit Preserves · second floor · Antiques · Art and Craft Galleries Working studios of local artists

V NA S H I L L E

INDIANA

The Candy Dish

Yes, we really do make it ourselves!

Fine Homemade Chocolate Candies and Fudge Gourmet Caramels Over 50 Flavors of Salt Water Taffy

812.988.0815

812.988.7606

Homemade Ice Cream

Harvest Preserve the

Homemade Fruit Butter Gourmet Food Cookbooks · Cookie Cutters Postcards · Greeting Cards Kitchen Gadgets Galore Giftware · Tea and Teaware

812.988.7606

Functional and Fine Art Made in Indiana

812.988.6675

61 West Main street · nashville, indiana

Brown County N

Nineveh Edinburgh Morgantown 31 37 135 I-65 46 Bloomington Columbus 46 NASHVILLE

The Apple Works Antiques Co-op Art Beyond Crayons Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides House of Clocks Brewed Awakenings Café Morgantown Eye Center Rosey Bolte’s Uncommon Gourd Studio

Martinsville Candy Kitchen Brownie’s Bean Blossom Restaurant

Monroe Music Park & Campground

HELMSBURG

BEAN BLOSSOM

Brown Co Dragway

Helmsburg General Store

Bean Blossom Farmers Market

Lightspinner Studio

Sweetwater Lake

Vaught Rd.

Cordry Lake

Sprunica Rd.

FRUITDALE

Doodles by Kara Barnard

Flower and Herb Barn Farmhouse Café

Plum Creek Antiques Market

GATESVILLE

Gatesville Store

Rd.

Musical Entertainment Artist and/or Gallery Cox Creek Mill

Craftsman

Annie Smith Rd.

Adventure

NASHVILLE

Country Club Rd

Oak Grove

Lodging/ Camping

Mike Nickels Log Homes

Clay Lick Rd

Rd sburg

Ow l Cr eek

Dr. Lisa Baker, DDS Fireplace Center Artisan Guilds of Blm Show Quarry Festival of Books - IU

Helm

Butler Winery

BLOOMINGTON

135

to MORGANTOWN

to BL O

Dining

ills

GTON

Trafalgar 252

MARTINSVILLE

45 OMIN

Martinsville

Franklin

Hard T ruth H

Lake Lemon

135

TRAFALGAR

MORGANTOWN

Upper Bean Blossom

Carmel Ridge Rd

NASHVILLE MAP ON PAGE 6

Indianapolis

Old SR 4

A . KO n Co ek Rd w o reat all Br Cre Tire Ret y Salt own Co.eekside ntique eMbb iner Co. W BONE Cr Co. A et’s W Br n w wn arl Bro NAW G Bro Sc Overlook G n Lodge Mt Traaw Boto COLUMBUS Dunham . Lib ding ne Cr Gnaw Bone 19th Hole Sugar Creek BBQ Store & Bakery ert Pos eek Sports Bar yR t House of Thunder d Heartland Tattoo Bear Wallow Webb & Sons Distillery Restoration

Brown County State Park T.C. Steele State Historic Site

Rd. ch

Trails End & Panhead Saloon

PIKES PEAK

ELKINSVILLE

Grv

Rd ton Cr k

CHRISTIANSBURG

nsburg

la Pop

STONE HEAD

STORY Monroe Reservoir

135

yB ran

TO N NG MI

Abe Martin Lodge

Hamil

eXplore Brown County

Rawhide Ranch

Val le

BELMONT

Mike’s Music and Dance Barn

Christia

Sleepy Cat Studio

to BL OO

Yellowwood Lake

Yellowwood Rd

Bob Allen Rd.

Homestead Weaving Studio Salem’s Good Nature Farm

JEFFERSON STREET

Hoosier Artist

Fallen Leaf Books

HONEYSUCKLE LANE

OLD HICKORY LANE

B3 Gallery

The Wild Olive

Brown Co. Art Guild

Hobnob Corner

ST SR 135 N

Village Green

Brown Co. Winery

Head Over Heels

Heritage Candy Store

Heritage Mall

Angry Robot

Spears Pottery Juls Etc.

New Harmony Soap Co.

Main Street Shops

Foxfire

Foxfire...Boutique

Gold &Old

Redbud Terrace

Health For U McGinley Insurance New Beginnings Boutique

IHA

Brown Co Art Gallery

Masonic Lodge

SR 46 To Hard Truth Hills

Old

RE/MAX Team

Office First Merchants Bank

County Offices

Woodlands Touch of Silver Gallery

Log JJail L il Nashville Spice Co.

Weed Patch Music Company

MAIN STREET Our Sandwich Place

Nashville House

Courthouse

open M-F8-4

Pioneer Village Museum

LOCUST LANE

Miller’s Ice Cream The Candy Dish The Harvest Preserve

Big Woods Pizza

MOLLY’S LANE Big Woods Village

LaSha’s

Brown Co Public Library

Brown Co. History Center

GOULD STREET Iris Garden Complex

Brown Co. Rock & Fossil Shop Iris Garden Cottages & Suites Copperhead Creek Gem Mine

Trolly’s

Hoosier Barn & Table

MOUND STREET

Hidden Valley Inn

ROBERT “BUCK” STOGSDILL WAY

TO HELMSBURG - 6 MILES

The Emerald Pencil

Big Woods

Men’s Toy Shop

Colonial Bldg.

Carmel Corn Cottage

Brown Bike Eatery

TO BEAN BLOSSOM & MORGANTOWN

Brozinni Pizzeria

Carpenter Hills O’Brown Realty

J.B. Goods/ Life is Good

Hotel Nashville

ARTIST DR

VAN BUREN

Ironweed

The Salvation Army

JEFFERSON STREET Nashville BP

Artists Colony Inn

Artists Colony

Cathy’s Corner

Cedar Creek Winery

Nashville Express

Rhonda Kay’s

Out of the Ordinary

Gyros Food is Art

Coachlight Square

Chateau Thomas Winery

Bone Appetit Bakery

Brown Co Inn Hotel, Restaurant and Bar

Brown County IGA

Brown Co Community YMCA

Bear Hardware

Theatre

Dining

People’s State Bank

Salt Creek Park

Furniture, Decor, & More

Casa Del Sol Seasons Lodge & Conference Center

Doodles by Kara Barnard

Craftsman

Artist and/or Gallery Rest Room

Lodging

Musical Entertainment Parking

COUNTY MAP ON PAGE 5

map not to scale

Nashville Indiana

Mercantile Nashville Store General Store

SR 46 TO COLUMBUS - 16 MILES

VISITORS CENTER

Brown Co Craft Gallery

Cornerstone Inn

WASHINGTON STREET

Brown Co T-Shirt Shop Moondance Vacation Homes

Nashville Fudge Kitchen

Papertrix Sweetwater Gallery

Possum Trot Sq

Carol’s Gifts Fawn Hill House of Jerky Sweetwater Back to Back Yesteryear Gallery Old Time Photos Grasshopper Flats Wishful Simply 4 You Thinking

VAN BUREN ST SR 135 N

SR 46 TO BLOOMINGTON - 16 MILES

Hoosier Buddy

Thrift Shop Community Closet

PAT REILLY DR

Calvin Place

Madeline’s

Schwab’s Fudge

New Leaf Amy Greely

Life is Good JB Goods

PITTMAN HOUSE LANE

The Cheeky Owl

Bird’s Nest Café

Melchior Marionettes

Jack & Jill Nut Shop

Brown Co Playhouse

FRANKLIN STREET

HONEYSUCKLE LANE

Franklin Sq

Brown Co Pottery

K. Bellum Leather Ferguson House

Antique Alley

Old McDurbin Gold & Gifts Clay Purl

58 South Apparel

OLD SCHOOL WAY

8 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

ADVERTISER

ANTIQUES Antiques Co-op................................. 58 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 13 Cathy’s Corner................................... 14 The Emerald Pencil........................... 19 Fall Fare - NUMC................................ 23 Furniture, Decor, & more................. 26 Gnaw Bone Creek Trading Post...... 54 Nashville General Store................... 62 Plum Creek Antiques....................... 72 Scarlet’s Webb................................... 32 ART, ART SUPPLIES, ART INSTRUCTION Antiques Co-op................................. 58 Art Beyond Crayons......................... 58 Artisan Guilds of Blm Show............ 52 B3 Gallery........................................... 18 Back Roads Studio Tour................... 37 Bear Hardware.................................. 55 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 13 Brown Co Art Gallery....................... 18 Brown Co Art Guild........................... 19 Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 37 Cathy’s Corner................................... 14 The Emerald Pencil........................... 19 Fall Fare - NUMC................................ 23 Hoosier Artist.................................... 19 Lightspinner StudioMartha Sechler.................................. 69 New Beginnings Boutique.............. 69 Papertrix............................................. 15 Red Shed Studio............................... 27 Sleepy Cat Studio............................. 19 Spears Pottery................................... 18 Rosey Bolte-Uncommon Gourd..... 18 Village Art Walk................................. 23 BOOKS Fallen Leaf Books.............................. 64 Quarry Festival of Books IU............ 65 CLOTHING 58 South Apparel.............................. 44 Angry Robot...................................... 55 Artisan Guilds of Blm Show............ 52 Bear Hardware.................................. 55 Brown Co T-Shirt Shop..................... 36 The Cheeky Owl Gifts/Apparel....... 47 Community Closet Thrift Shop....... 27 Foxfire Boutique............................... 49 Furniture, Decor, & more................. 26 Head Over Heels............................... 27

Simply 4 You...................................... 33 Sleepy Cat Studio............................. 19 Spears Pottery................................... 18 Sweetwater Gallery.......................... 33 Rosey Bolte-Uncommon Gourd..... 18 Village Art Walk................................. 23 Wishful Thinking............................... 33 Woodlands Gallery........................... 26 ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC 19th Hole Sports Bar........................ 66 Bean Blossom Farmers Market....... 29 Brown County Dragway.................. 36 Brown County History Center........ 57 Brown County Playhouse................ 71 Copperhead Creek Gem Mine........ 44 Fall Fare - NUMC................................ 23 Melchior Marionettes...................... 64 Monroe’s Hall of Fame/ Uncle Pen Days Festival................... 67 Nashville Express Tours................... 13 Quarry Festival of Books IU............ 65 Rawhide Ranch................................. 29 FLEA MARKET Gnaw Bone Creek Trading Post...... 54 FOOD & BEVERAGE 19th Hole Sports Bar........................ 66 Abe Martin Lodge............................. 28 Apple Works....................................... 70 Artists Colony Inn............................. 15 Bean Blossom Farmers Market....... 29 Bear Wallow Distillery...................... 55 Bird’s Nest Cafe................................. 23 Brewed Awakenings Café............... 58 Brown Bike Eatery & Drinkery........ 21 Brown Co IGA.................................... 61 Brown Co Inn..................................... 53 Brown Co Winery.............................. 54 Brownie’s Bean Blossom Rest......... 48 Brozinni Pizzeria............................... 29 Butler Winery..................................... 29 The Candy Dish................................... 3 Carmel Corn Cottage....................... 62 Casa Del Sol....................................... 62 Cedar Creek Winery.......................... 64 Chateau Thomas Winery................. 13 Darlene’s at Hotel Nashville............ 71 Fall Fare - NUMC................................ 23 Farmhouse Cafe................................ 14 Gatesville Store................................. 26

House of Thunder Motorcycle Outfitters...................... 45 J.B. Goods/ Life is Good................... 22 Men’s Toy Shop.................................. 28 Mercantile Store............................... 63 New Beginnings Boutique.............. 69 CRAFTS, POTTERY, GIFTS Angry Robot...................................... 55 Antiques Co-op................................. 58 Apple Works....................................... 70 Artisan Guilds of Blm Show............ 52 B3 Gallery........................................... 18 Back Roads Studio Tour................... 37 Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 69 Brown Co Art Guild........................... 19 Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 37 Brown Co Pottery.............................. 32 Brown Co Rock & Fossil Shop......... 44 Brown Co T-Shirt Shop..................... 36 Cathy’s Corner................................... 14 Carol’s Gifts........................................ 15 The Cheeky Owl Gifts/Apparel....... 47 Clay Purl............................................. 52 Cox Creek Mill.................................... 23 The Emerald Pencil........................... 19 Fall Fare - NUMC................................ 23 Fawn Hill............................................. 69 The Ferguson House........................ 49 Foxfire................................................. 49 Furniture, Decor, & more................. 26 Gnaw Bone Country Store & Bakery............................................. 32 Gnaw Bone Creek Trading Post...... 54 Head Over Heels............................... 27 Homestead Weaving Studio........... 18 Hoosier Artist.................................... 19 Hoosier Barn & Table........................ 37 House of Clocks................................. 58 Ironweed............................................ 69 K. Bellum Leather............................. 19 Lightspinner StudioMartha Sechler.................................. 69 Madeline’s.......................................... 27 Men’s Toy Shop.................................. 28 Mercantile Store............................... 63 Nashville General Store................... 62 New Harmony Soap Co.................... 31 New Leaf............................................. 19 Papertrix............................................. 15 Rhonda Kay’s..................................... 44

DIRECTORY Gnaw Bone Country Store & Bakery............................................. 32 Gyros Food is Art.............................. 68 Hard Truth Hills Distillery................ 43 The Harvest Preserve......................... 3 Helmsburg General Store............... 48 Heritage Candy Store....................... 36 Hobnob Corner Restaurant............ 59 Hoosier Buddy Liquors.................... 59 Hotel Nashville.................................. 71 House of Jerky................................... 26 Jack and Jill Nut Shop...................... 68 Martinsville Candy Kitchen............. 51 Miller’s Ice Cream................................ 3 Nashville BP....................................... 15 Nashville Fudge Kitchen.................. 76 Nashville General Store................... 62 Nashville House................................ 14 Nashville Spice Co............................. 75 Our Sandwich Place......................... 63 Schwab’s Fudge................................. 48 Seasons............................................... 52 Sugar Creek BBQ............................... 64 Trolly’s................................................. 48 The Wild Olive..................................... 2 FURNITURE Antiques Co-op................................. 58 The Ferguson House........................ 49 Furniture, Decor, & more................. 26 Plum Creek Antiques....................... 72 HARDWARE Bear Hardware.................................. 55 HATS Head Over Heels............................... 27 K. Bellum Leather............................. 19 JEWELRY B3 Gallery........................................... 18 Back Roads Studio Tour................... 37 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 13 Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 37 Cathy’s Corner................................... 14 Ferguson House................................ 49 Foxfire................................................. 49 Grasshopper Flats............................. 33 Hoosier Artist.................................... 19 Juls Etc................................................ 22 LaSha’s................................................ 26 New Leaf............................................. 19 Old McDurbin Gold & Gifts............. 32 Rhonda Kay’s..................................... 44

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 9 Spears Pottery................................... 18 Touch of Silver Gold & Old.............. 22 Village Art Walk................................. 23 LODGING/CAMPGROUNDS Abe Martin Lodge............................. 28 Artists Colony Inn............................. 15 Brown Co Inn..................................... 53 Cornerstone Inn................................ 32 Creekside Retreat............................. 59 eXplore Brown County...................... 4 Hidden Valley Inn............................. 22 Iris Garden Cottages & Suites......... 47 Hotel Nashville.................................. 71 Brown Co KOA Campground.......... 62 Monroe Music Park & Campground..................................... 72 Moondance Vacation Homes......... 55 Overlook Lodge................................ 66 Rawhide Ranch................................. 29 Seasons............................................... 52 MUSEUMS Brown County History Center........ 57 PET PRODUCTS Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 69 PHOTOS B3 Gallery........................................... 18 Hoosier Artist.................................... 19 Spears Pottery................................... 18 Yesteryear Old Time Photos............ 33 REAL ESTATE Carpenter Hills o’ Brown Realty..... 63 RE/MAX-Marg & Brenda.................. 73 RECREATION eXplore Brown County...................... 4 Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides................ 59 Rawhide Ranch................................. 29 SERVICES (see also SERVICES DIRECTORY) Brown County Visitors Center........ 35 Dr. Lisa Baker, DDS........................... 44 Dunham Plumbing........................... 73 The Heartland Tattoo Co................. 45 Keyed IN Property Mgt.................... 73 Morgantown Eye Center................. 14 Nashville BP....................................... 15 Voils..................................................... 70 SERVICES DIRECTORY 72-73 Bear Hardware Bagged Trash Brown Co Community YMCA Brown Co Tire & Auto

Dunham Plumbing Farmers Insurance—McGinley First Merchants Bank Flower and Herb Barn Health For U Helmsburg Sawmill IN Seamless Guttering Keyed IN Property Mgt. Monroe Park Campground People’s State Bank Plum Creek Antiques RE/MAX Team Marg & Brenda Waltman Construction Co. Webb & Sons Auto Restoration SHOES Head Over Heels............................... 27 K. Bellum Leather............................. 19 SPECIALTY SHOPS Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 69 Brown Co Rock & Fossil Shop......... 44 Clay Purl............................................. 52 Fallen Leaf Books.............................. 64 Fireplace Center................................ 63 Head Over Heels............................... 27 The Heartland Tattoo Co................. 45 House of Clocks................................. 58 House of Jerky................................... 26 House of Thunder Motorcycle Outfitters...................... 45 K. Bellum Leather............................. 19 Men’s Toy Shop.................................. 28 Nashville Spice Co............................. 75 Papertrix............................................. 15 Weed Patch Music Company.......... 63 Wishful Thinking............................... 33 STAINED GLASS Artisan Guilds of Blm Show............ 52 Back Roads Studio Tour................... 37 Hoosier Artist.................................... 19 Sweetwater Gallery.......................... 33 Village Art Walk................................. 23 WEDDINGS Artists Colony Inn............................. 15 eXplore Brown County...................... 4 Hotel Nashville.................................. 71 OTHER Mike Nickels Log Homes................. 62 Kyle Birkemeier for Commissioner.48 Kris Kritzer for Judge........................ 70 Diana Wright for County Council... 51

Contributors

Contents 12 Note from the Editor

16 Doug Harden’s Dream ~by Chrissy Alspaugh 20 Nashville Spices it Up ~by Paige Langenderfer 24 Patrick Haulter’s Nature

~by Ryan Stacy

30 Village Green Building

~by Jeff Tryon

34 Gnaw Bone Trading Post

~by Bob Gustin

38-39 Photos ~by Tom Preston* 40-42 Calendar of Events

46 Back Roads Studio Tour

~by Bob Gustin

50 Hall of Fame/Uncle Pen Fest ~by Mark Blackwell

56 Elkinsville

~by Julia Pearson

60 Brown Bike

68 The Sugar Maple

~by Jim Eagleman

Bob Gustin worked as a reporter, photographer, managing editor, and editor for daily newspapers in Colorado, Nebraska, and Indiana before retiring in 2011. He and his wife, Chris, operate Homestead Weaving Studio. She does the weaving while he gives studio tours, builds small looms, and expands his book and record collections.

Paige Langenderfer is a freelance writer and communications consultant. She writes for numerous publications. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University and her Master’s degree in public relations management from IUPUI. Paige lives in Columbus with her husband and daughters. Contact her at <langenderferpaige@gmail.com>.

Jim Eagleman, recently retired DNR naturalist, and his wife Kay, enjoy hiking the many natural areas, preserves, and land trust sites in Brown and neighboring counties. His FIELD NOTES have appeared in this publication for several years. Contact Jim with comments and inquiries at <jpeagleman@gmail.com>.

Ryan Stacy is a content writer at Monroe County Public Library, and also enjoys writing about Brown County. He and his wife live in Bloomington, where they can often be found chasing movies, good food, and cultural events. His other interests include reading, photography, and music.

Joe Lee is an illustrator and writer. He is the author of The History of Clowns for Beginners and Dante for Beginners and illustrator of six other titles, including Dada and Surealism for Beginners, and Music Theory for Beginners. He is an awardwinning editorial cartoonist for the Bloomington Herald Times, a graduate of Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Clown College, and a veteran circus performer.

Julia Pearson wrote for a secular Franciscan magazine for ten years and served as its human interest editor. She and her husband Bruce have made Lake Woebegone Country their new homebase for life’s continuing adventures. Julie, Bruce, and four-footed Suki are adjusting well. Julia enjoys traveling and visiting museums of all types and sizes, with her children and grandchildren.

Jeff Tryon is a former news editor of The Brown County Democrat, a former region reporter for The Republic, and a former bureau chief for The Huntsville Times. Born and raised in Brown County, he currently lives with his wife, Sue, in a log cabin on the edge of Brown County State Park. He is a Baptist minister.

Mark Blackwell no longer makes his home in Brown County where “the roadway is rough and the slopes are seamed with ravines and present a meatless, barren, backbone effect.” He now resides within sight of the sixth green of an undisclosed golf course. He was born in the middle of the last century and still spends considerable time there.

72-73 Services Directory

Cindy Steele is the publisher and editor of this magazine. She sells and designs ads, sometimes writes, takes photos, and creates the layout. For fun, she likes to play the guitar or banjo and sing. Her new hobby is making mosaics.

74 Sugar Creek BBQ Co.

Cover: Main Street in Nashville ~by Cindy Steele Thanks, Mom, for making it happen!

Chrissy Alspaugh is a freelance writer and owner of Christina Alspaugh Photography. She lives in Bartholomew County with her husband, Matt and three boys. She can be reached at <christina_alspaugh@ yahoo.com>. View her work at <ChristinaAlspaughPhotography.com>.

*Tom Preston’s enthusiasm for photography began in middle school, under the tutelage of his father’s best friend. Tom helped setup the dark room at Lawrence North High School and gained experience as the newspaper photographer. His front-page photo in the Indianapolis Star of a star player cutting down the nets after a sectional victory was a moment when he realized his passion would persist long after graduation. He moved to Brown County in 2012 and now captures the area’s landscape and tranquility. His goal is to portray the natural beauty that others walk by without even noticing. His images are most easily seen on his two Instagram pages: color images @tompreston7771_ud and black and white: @tompreston_bnw as well as on Facebook.

10 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Coloring Contest Win $20

Publisher’s choice. Send to this address by August 20. Elle Norman from Lawrence, KS won last issue’s coloring contest.

OUR BROWN COUNTY P.O. Box 157 Helmsburg, IN 47435

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 11

Note from the Editor

rown County lost a legend when Andy Rogers passed away this summer. You wouldn’t know to look at him that he was one of the most influential men in Brown County. He most often wore jeans and suspenders and sometimes sported a red, elf-like hat. He was a mover and shaker, yet he came across with an unassuming manner (until he was mad). At one point he owned or operated about half of Nashville while managing the Abe Martin Lodge in the Brown County State Park. Andy was on the go, moving from one property to another, until the last few years of his life. Someone remarked at his celebration of life that he was good at “nudging” people and I would have to say that he personally nudged me quite a bit. He offered constructive criticism about this publication speaking from some experience with his own newspaper venture. He encouraged me to participate in politics when I expressed some interest in it, and I ended up serving a term on the County Council. I never took his support for granted, though. He enjoyed challenging me. We had annual meetings to discuss renewing advertising and to talk about the direction of tourism in Brown County. During one conversation I asked him what he thought about all the recent changes that were taking place in Nashville and I expected a nostalgic response about “the good old days.” He surprised me with, “There’s room for everybody here. We have to accept change.” In a 2002 article of the magazine Andy said, “People say, ‘Well, we can’t change.’ But we can change and still retain some of the flavor of Brown County. We need people to live here. I’m in the tourist business but we don’t want to turn this town over to the tourists. You can go to Gatlinburg if you want to see what happens to a town that turns it all over to business. It’s not a town anymore—it’s a shopping center. We need people here. This town needs to be alive.” He understood that people come here because they find something that they have lost in their own communities, a small town soul. Andy served on a long list of community boards, helped to establish the Convention and Visitors Bureau, started a bank to fund local businesses, got the Brown County Playhouse off the ground, helped to bring water

12 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

to the county, and was active in local government. He offered support to many artists and business people and often quietly contributed to many community causes. He had a special connection with the Brown County State Park. His father Jack managed the park when Andy was a child. He and his family shared many memories there. Honoring history was important to Andy and he was a founding member of the Brown County Historical Society. He was also a supporter of the arts. His wife Fran was an accomplished artist herself. He didn’t consider himself to be an art collector but he owned some of the early Brown County artists’ works. Andy had to back down from his Brown County responsibilities in recent years to care for his late wife and to battle dementia. He turned over some of his properties to buyers he thought might give them a brighter future. Many of us wonder who can fill the shoes of a man that helped make Brown County what it is today. I suspect no one. But I have faith that the uniqueness of this place will continue to attract Brown County characters that make things happen. 

—Cindy Steele

Guess Photo Win $20 WHERE IS IT? Wine Bar and Gift Shoppe Open Daily

Wine Tastings

• Cheeses and Gourmet Foods • Unique Wine Gifts • Comfortable Seating Live Music Fri. and Sat. 7-10 pm Coachlight Square • S. Van Buren and Washington, Nashville, IN

Call (812) 988-8807

Be the first person to call and get the prize money. Leave a message with the specific location of the Mystery Photo, your name, and phone number.

812-988-8500 • www.ChateauThomas.com

Nashville Express Sightseeing Tours May – October

2 /2 mile scenic tour of Nashville 1

Board at Fearrin’s Ice Cream • Franklin & Van Buren also service to Seasons, Brown County Inn, Comfort Inn

$6 per person (five and under free) • 812-988-6690 available for field trips, business functions, private tours 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. longer on weekends (ask the driver)

Family-owned since 1995 Established 1972

Last issue’s photo was the brown bike above the Brown Bike restaurant in Nashville. Jane Harden was the first to guess the photo.

Subscriptions make great gifts

SUBSCRIBE One Year’s Subscription for $15 —for postage and handling. 70 + Dealers • We buy and sell Brown County Antique Mall • 3288 State Road 46 East 3 miles east of Nashville, IN • 13 miles west of I-65 Open 7 Days a week till 5:30 • 812-988-1025

OUR BROWN COUNTY

Name:

Address:

ourbrowncounty.com ourbrown@bluemarble.net

Also online at issuu.com/ourbrowncounty OR search in the mobile app ISSUU and on Facebook for OUR BROWN COUNTY

P.O. Box 157 Helmsburg, IN 47435 (812) 988-8807

Send with check or money order to:

Our Brown County P.O. Box 157 Helmsburg, IN 47435

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 13

Morgantown Eye Center

Farmhouse

Farmhouse Cafe ...a country drive to an unexpected dining pleasure · LUNCH ·

Homemade Soups, Salads and Garden Sandwiches

· DINNER ·

Medical and Routine Vision Care for Every Stage of Life

Steak · Salmon · Pork · Turkey Chicken · Pasta R Garden and Fruit Salads Soups · Desserts Herbal Teas · Cool Drinks Beer & Wine

5171 Bean Blossom Road · Just 15 minutes from Nashville A small, intimate restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

A VISION SOURCE PROVIDER

80 W. Washington St. • Morgantown, IN 812-597-2020 • www.frechetteeye.com

Reservations Suggested · 812-988-2004 LUNCH: DAILY · 11–4 PM DINNER: TUESDAY–SATURDAY · 5–8 PM

farmhousecafeandtearoom.com · Like us on

“A Historic Brown County Landmark”

Enjoy dining in a cozy country atmosphere with great home cooking and our famous fried biscuits and apple butter. SERVING LUNCH & DINNER

Corner of Main and Van Buren Streets in Nashville, IN • 812-988-4554 14 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Find what you love… Love what you find

1 2 Y ea r Anniversa r

the

Inn & Restaurant

A Charming 19th Century Style Inn and Restaurant

Dynamic classes and demo table.

Artistic Rubber Stamps For cardmaking, & Scrapbooking collage & altered art • 20 Guest Rooms, 3 Suites with Whirlpool Baths • Banquet and Conference Rooms for Retreats or Parties • Gift Certificates Available Serving Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Breakfast Buffet 7:30 am–10:30 am Monthly Dinner Theatre Shows At the corner of Van Buren and Franklin Streets in Nashville, Indiana

812-988-0600 • 800-737-0255

artistscolonyinn.com

Carol’s Gifts Since 1981

Glass Baron Hand-blown Glass Jim Shore Collectibles Handmade Soap & Bath Bombs Lori Mitchell Figurines Fontanini Nativities Amia Suncatchers Painted Ponies Lang Graphics Calendars & Paper Goods Billy Jacobs Prints Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks Blue Mountain Greeting Cards

Wind Chimes • Music Boxes • Children’s Books Halloween & Christmas Gifts & Décor

Locally Handcrafted Pewter Christmas Ornaments 125 S. Van Buren St. • Artists Colony Shops • Nashville, IN Open 363 Days • 812-988-6388

The newest items and techniques! Receive

3 FREE Sheets of 12” x 12” SCRAPBOOK PAPER* with this coupon.

Shop our excellent selection of scrapbook papers, new releases, sale papers at half off, and our 3 for $1.00 bins. (*coupon scrapbook paper from a select collection) 160 Old School Way in Nashville behind Village Candlemaker

(812) 988-2002 www.papertrix.com

Fresh In-Store Donuts

Broasted Chicken 812-988-1822

Nashville BP State Roads 46 & 135 270 S. Van Buren St. in Nashville

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 15

Doug Harden’s Dream

Doug Harden in his home recording studio. photo by Chrissy Alspaugh

~by Chrissy Alspaugh

or nearly a decade after the Little Nashville Opry burned, many believed the days of a music venue drawing thousands of visitors to Brown County were through. But with the heart of a musician, skills of an architect, and relentless optimism in a dream for his hometown, Doug Harden never gave up. It’s still a bit surreal to the 61-yearold mandolin player that construction has begun for the new Maple Leaf Performing Arts Center, a 2,000seat indoor entertainment venue in Nashville that will feature a variety of national music acts representing all genres of music. The community broke

ground this summer for the project that is projected to open in July 2019. “For years, we were just doing what we thought was right, seeing how far we could push this idea,” he said. “It’s pretty incredible to finally get to dream about opening night.” During all those years of planning and hunting for project financing, Harden said he just couldn’t stand watching the missed opportunity and economic impact of tourists choosing to vacation elsewhere and local youth moving away. The devastating Opry fire on Sept. 19, 2009, which later was determined to be caused by arson, ended a

16 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

nearly 35-year run of country, gospel and bluegrass concerts at the Brown County landmark. Legends such as George Jones and Johnny Cash, as well as current country stars such as Blake Shelton and Trisha Yearwood wowed packed houses in the unique concert hall. “The Opry was a huge economic driver and cemented Nashville as a tourist destination. We lost that. As a young kid, I learned if there’s a problem, you fix it,” said Harden, whose father worked as the Bartholomew County Highway Engineer from the 1950s to 1970s. “You think about how to make things better for everybody.”

Harden, who has been an architectural designer in Nashville since 1981, whipped up drawings for a new concert hall within a month after the blaze. “I don’t know how many hundreds of times I proposed bringing back the Opry, to anybody who would listen to me,” he said with a laugh. “I just want there to be a future here, and I felt desperate that we needed to replace it.” The key to pushing the project from dream to reality was the idea of financially backing the building with Brown County’s innkeeper’s tax, a five percent charge on overnight stays. The tax’s revenue currently supports marketing for the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Harden said organizers are optimistic that the nonprofit venue will be financially self-sustaining within its first few years, with ticket sales fully funding the loans for the $12.5 million county-owned building. The venue’s team based financial projections on the Opry’s worst year of sales. “And the math still works,” Harden said. Any profits from the Maple Leaf, he said, will go to the Brown County Community Foundation, which awards grants and scholarships to local individuals and organizations. Harden was as skeptical as anyone about whether a venue similar to the Opry could financially survive in

the music industry that’s evolved over the past few decades. With a recording studio in the basement of his Brown County home, he knows all too well that consumers no longer pay to own music. The music industry is, however, seeing growth in concert revenue. To maximize ticket sales, Harden helped seek out the best agencies in the business to work with. Maple Leaf organizers are finalizing a contract with events promoter Live Nation Entertainment that calls for Live Nation to book half of the venue’s shows and its director to book the other half. The Maple Leaf’s team also is in the final stages of hiring a director, Harden said. He called the Opry’s business model “genius” and said the Maple Leaf likely will target a similar level of musical talent. Decades ago, he watched bands at the Opry including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Chely Wright, and even George Strait. Harden said while up-and-coming and past-their-peak bands

Maple Leaf Performing Arts Center groundbreaking in July, 2018. photo by Cindy Steele

Continued on 61

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 17

HOMESTEAD WEAVING STUDIO

PERMANENT COLLECTIONS · GALLERIES CONSIGNMENT ART · WORKSHOPS

Quality Handwovens by Chris Gustin

Brown County Art Gallery Brown County’s Original Art Gallery

Yarn • Looms • Supplies

· established 1926

Visit us on the Back Roads Tour

Southeastern Brown County 6285 Hamilton Creek Road

· GALLERY EVENTS · Open 11 to 5 most days–Call ahead

www.HomesteadWeaver.com • 812-988-8622

SEPTEMBER 14–OCTOBER 28

Collectors’ Showcase 2018

“Steele & Shulz: A Brown County Partnership” Opening Reception | Friday, September 14 · 6 pm · $40

Opening Reception featuring wine, food, music, color catalog

Exhibition Opens | Saturday, September 15 · 10 am · $5 Includes entire Gallery, color Collectors’ Showcase catalog

“Steele & Shulz: A Brown County Partnership” Program September 16 · 2 pm · $10 Program by Rachel Perry, Steele Shulz Exhibit, color catalog

Attend all 3 Showcase events for only $45

Saturday, October 27 · 3 pm · $20 Gustave Baumann’s “Of a County Called Brown”

Locally Crafted Pottery • Jewelry • Photography • Wood • Fiber • More... Downtown Nashville (beside the Nashville House) • Open Daily www.spearspottery.com • 812.988.1286 • Spears Gallery on Facebook

18 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Exhibit, Program, Book Premier and Signing by Martin Krause

Open Daily 10 am – 5 pm · Sunday Noon – 5 pm Free Admission · Free Parking Corner of Main & Artist Drive · Nashville, IN

812.988.4609 · BrownCountyArtGallery.org

handmade fine art

A VARIETY OF

812-988-6888 » 45 S. JEFFERSON STREET » NASHVILLE, IN

Sleepy Cat Studio

NEW LEAF An eclectic mix of creative items by local, regional, and global artists

H o m e o f Ace

he gr a in b in mice

Calvin Place Franklin & Van Buren Streets Nashville, IN • (812) 988-1058 www.amygreely.com

Art by Monique Cagle 4687 Yellowwood Road, Nashville • 812-361-4615 Open by appointment • Sleepy Cat Studio • SleepyCatStudio.com

THE GUILD. FINE ART BY FINE ARTISTS.

Featuring handcrafted jewelry by owner Amy Greely

JOEY ON THE TRACKS (OIL) BY WAYNE CAMPBELL

WELCOME TO THE HISTORIC ART GUILD Experience two floors of gallery space with work from over 45 award-winning local and regional artists together with an extensive permanent collection of early Brown County artists. There are featured exhibits, artist demonstrations and a Fine Artisan gift shop to enjoy.

48 S. Van Buren Street Nashville, IN 47448 BrownCountyArtGuild.org 812 988-6185 LILACS BY VJ CARIANI

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 19

Greg Fox and Mark Schmidt, owners of Nashville Spice Company, with their 2017 Chamber of Commerce Business of the year award.

Nashville Spices it Up

~story and photo by Paige Langenderfer

ith just one whiff of their spices, the Nashville Spice Company can transport you to your grandmother’s kitchen, a café in Tuscany, or even to a dinner table in Ethiopia. The 375 spices available for purchase circle the globe, offering a diverse palette of tastes for professional and aspiring chefs. Greg Fox and Mark Schmidt opened the store, located at 58 East Main Street on the alley beside the courthouse in Nashville, in May of 2017 as a reflection of their passion for cooking and trying new flavors. “We have traveled a lot and have become what you might call ‘foodies,’” Schmidt said. “We wanted to invest in the community because they have been so welcoming to us…so the spice shop was a perfect fit.” The first step in the business plan was to find a spice merchant and bottling company. Fox and Schmidt

20 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

located a long-time spice expert in Pennsylvania who sources spices from around the world, hand blends his own spices and bottles the product—all in the same facility. “This gives us the ability to give our customers the absolute freshest product available and the ability to offer a huge variety,” Fox said. “The fact that it all comes from one source was very important to us. At the grocery store you have no idea how old the spices are, and they likely traveled to many facilities before landing on the shelf at the local store. We know our product is fresh, non-GMO and contains no MSG, gluten or fillers.” The shelves are filled with every spice and blend you can imagine, from the pantry basics to blends from France, Japan, Israel, Syria, Thailand, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Yucatan, and even a Native American blend. There are at least 20 barbecue blends, 12 Mexican spice blends, six seafood blends, 10 curry blends, 7 types of

”Since opening, we have more than doubled the number of spices we offer, just by adding products people ask for and by learning about new spices.” —Mark Schmidt peppercorn, and three types of cinnamon. Schmidt says the most unique products include a rare French pepper called Pimente d’Espelette, and African long pepper. “We filled the store with spices and blends we were interested in,” Schmidt said. “Since opening, we have more than doubled the number of spices we offer, just by adding products people ask for and by learning about new spices.” One of the most important and interesting parts of the business, Fox said, is learning about the products. “We make sure we’ve learned and studied everything we sell, it’s one of the things we pride ourselves in,” he said. “A big part of our business is education. Educating customers adds to their experience. We offer tastings on the weekends to give customers a chance to taste the spices. That’s the fun of food, it’s all about the experience.” Customers from across the region regularly visit the store for the fresh, diverse products, Schmidt said. “There is a group from Chicago that drives four hours just to come to our store. They call it the pilgrimage,” Schmidt said. “How cool is that?” Barbecue contestants often feature Nashville Spice Company spices in their entries, and students studying culinary arts at Ivy Tech in Columbus use the spices in class. “I think people really appreciate the variety and freshness that we offer,” Schmidt said. To their delight, the store is thriving, having been named the Brown County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year in 2017 and winning a Bloomie Award in 2018 from Bloom Magazine. “We have our land legs and now it’s about thoughtful growth and product expansion,” Fox said. “We absolutely love our customers and are excited about where the future will take us.” To learn more about the Nashville Spice Company, visit <facebook.com/nashvillespicecompany> or <nashvillespicecompany.com>. 

Featuring Leather Goods Made in Brown County

Fine Leather Goods

• Handbags • Belts • Hats • Accessories • Holsters • Leather • Tools • Dye •Supplies

And Shoes: Haflinger, Arcopedico, Sheepskin Slippers 92 W. Franklin, Antique Alley, Nashville, IN 812-988-4513

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 21

in Nashville, IN

172 N. Van Buren Street AND

102 S. Van Buren Street (Calvin Place)

www.JBGoods.com • 812-988-0900

Albert C. Drake

Goldsmith and Silversmith All Suite Hotel Located in Downtown Nashville Private Bedroom with King Bed Dining Area and Fully Equipped Kitchenette Living Room with Queen Sofa Sleeper Private Porch/Balcony • Free WIFI Fireplaces and Whirlpool Baths available

Call for Specials

812.988.9000 • 877.988.9099

201 North Van Buren St. Nashville, IN • www.hiddenvalleyinn.net

22 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

46 years of quality service in Brown County

Touch of Silver, Gold & Old 87 E. Main St. • Nashville, IN 47448 (812) 988-6990 • (800) 988-6994 Hours: 10am - 6pm • 7 days a week www.touchofsilvergoldandold.com

COX CREEK MILL home of

The Iron Gate by Brad Cox

ARTIST DEMOS • LIVE MUSIC • WINE TASTING

Unique Metal Art Studio

4705 Annie Smith Rd. Nashville

Brad Cox and his wife Stephanie invite you to discover their studio and mill located along the banks of Salt Creek just 10 minutes from Nashville. Hours vary. Call ahead. theirongatebybradcox@yahoo.com

APRIL 27 12 MAY 25 JUNE 22 JULY 27 AUGUST 24 SEPTEMBER 28 OCTOBER 26

GALLERIES

APRIL–OCTOBER, 2018 | 4:00–7:00 PM

VILLAGEARTWALK.COM

812.988.6185

Nashville United Methodist Church

46th

Rain or Shine!

Breakfast & Lunch at The Village Café

Unexpected Treasures We Made It Books My Oh My! We Love Pie Antiques & Collectibles Silent Auction/Art Boutique Live Entertainment Christmas Plants • Apples And a whole lot more!

Saturday, October 6 8 am to 4 pm

On the Village Green

Main & Jefferson Streets • Nashville, Indiana “Every FallFare Dollar is a Gift to Someone in Need.”

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 23

Patrick Haulter

~story and photos by Ryan Stacy

’ll admit it: I’m a little…uncomfortable around snakes. So when I found myself enjoying the experience of being between two large reptilian specimens recently—one venomous, even—I was kind of proud of myself. Credit for my peace of mind that day goes to Patrick Haulter, Interpretive Naturalist at Brown County State Park. As he does almost every day on the job, Patrick was moving throughout the park’s Nature Center, striking up conversations with visitors about the exhibits and answering their questions. In the aisle between the glassed-in homes of a large, black rat snake and a timber rattler, a small crowd of inquiring minds had gathered. Armed with his friendly demeanor and extensive knowledge, Patrick took his cue, and soon had the group engaged in a dialogue about the behavior and habitats of the two animals and their role in the local ecosystem. Before long, I found myself absorbed in the impromptu nature lesson, and forgot my anxiety over the rattlesnake at my elbow. “I’m just genuinely a people person, with the gift of gab,” Patrick says of his work. “I’m here to help people enjoy the

24 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Shares his Love of Nature park at its full potential and have a good time. I’m in the service business, really.” And Patrick’s made it his business to turn his education and experience into a real benefit for anyone visiting the park. As Naturalist at Brown County, he designs a range of educational and recreational programs that bring in the public from all over, year-round. “We’ll do wildflower tours and live raptor shows when it’s warm out, and hikes in the dead of winter to a man-made lake that was never completed,” he says. It was a family trip out west when he was a boy that first sparked his interest in parks work, Patrick recalls. “I thought a woman we met at the national park we visited had such a cool job, and she told me she was a park ranger. That’s when I knew what I wanted to do.” A few years later, he says, a middle school guidance counselor tried to dissuade him, telling him he should consider a more “realistic” career path. “I was the type of kid who took anybody telling me I couldn’t do something as a challenge, so here I am,” Patrick laughs. After high school, Patrick took a seasonal position at Clarksville’s Falls of the Ohio State Park, and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree

Patrick Haulter explaining the behavior of the timber rattler and black rat snakes on display at the Nature Center. in geology. “It blew my mind, learning about the composition of the land right around us,” he says. “I like telling people who visit the park about how Brown County is what happens when glaciers have no place to go. You hear so much about Indiana’s flat terrain and limestone, and here it’s hills and sandstone. It really affects the type of natural systems we have here, and they’re like no place else in Indiana in a lot of ways.” But it isn’t just his love of science and nature that makes Patrick feel like he’s a perfect match for his role as the only full-time Naturalist at Indiana’s largest state park, a position he’s held for the past three years. “I’ve also always loved history too, and I’ve always loved art and culture,” he says. “That’s another thing that’s so great about Brown County: there’s a big focus on history and culture, as well as a big focus on nature. You see those three things overlap all the time—our love of nature here is a big part of our history, and nature and history are big themes in our culture. I try to bring all three to my job at the Park.”

Patrick admits he’s a little biased in saying a visit to Brown County State Park is a must for anyone planning a trip to Nashville or other nearby destinations. Aside from the breathtaking views, camping, hiking, and other attractions, he says, “There’s just a special feeling here that’s hard to describe. You’ll get that feeling of a genuine experience, and it’s unique to this place. You gain a new appreciation for the natural world and slowing down.” Even for those who don’t consider themselves outdoor types, Patrick recommends simply enjoying the scenery from their car. “Sixteen thousand acres is huge, and driving the park’s roads is an incredible experience. There are so many hidden gems, you’ll be glad you came no matter what you choose to do.” This fall’s program lineup at Brown County State Park gives people of all ages the opportunity to enjoy learning about nature through direct experience. A number of hikes, animal presentations, and special events will be offered. For a complete schedule of programs, visit <https://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2988.htm>, or call the Nature Center (812) 988-5240. 

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 25

NEW LOCATION

11 flavors of BEEF 3 flavors of TURKEY 3 flavors of BEEF BRISKET 4 flavors of BEEF STICKS 2 flavors of PORK 2 flavors of BACON Also: Elk, Boar, Buffalo, Venison, Gator, Rabbit, Salmon, Kangaroo, Turtle, Ostrich, Trout, Camel, Python, Ahi

Jerky Seasonings & Dips • Peanuts

125 S. Van Buren St. Artists Colony Shops (Between Toy Chest and Carol’s Gifts)

Nashville, IN • (812) 988-1592

Sterling Designs by Sharon & Larry Anything But Or dinary

SBJ/LMJ Designs Opals by Larry • Pe n d a n t s • Earrings • Bracelets • Necklaces

812-988-0522 A variety of natural stones and colors N o r t h Va n B u r e n a n d M o l l y’s L a n e • N a s h v i l l e

Not pretentious. Not fancy. JUST REAL GOOD FOOD. GATESVILLE COUNTRY STORE. It’s one of those places that you are excited to tell your friends about—a best-kept secret that’s too good to keep. A place where the people are real and friendly, and they’re likely to know your name before long. The food is good, honest food that’s tasty and genuine. Made with heart and soul. We’re located off the beaten path, and maybe a bit hard to find—but worth the effort. It’s where the local folks go. So, if you’re interested in finding a place that’s a little old-school and truly authentic Americana, come see us at Gatesville Country Store. Enjoy browsing the antiques, panning for gold in Salt Creek (behind the store), or just relaxing with a good meal or a piece of pie and some conversation. 4525 Salt Creek Rd. Nashville, IN 47448

(812) 988-0788

Doing business for over 25 years

New, Antique, and Vintage Furniture

All at Affordable Prices Coachlight Square in Nashville, IN • 765-318-6747 (off East Washington Street next to Casa del Sol and behind Visitors Center)

26 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

87 East Main Street • Nashville, IN (812) 988-6080 • thewoodlandsgallery.net

Gifts for home and happiness

Show this ad

Get $3 OFF

or more French Country Décor $20purchase Locally Made Items • Quilts Unique Gifts • Mona-B Handbags Madeline’s Famous Soy Candles

Van Buren & Franklin Streets Nashville • 812.988.6301 Vicki@MadelinesFrenchCountryShop.com www.MadelinesFrenchCountryShop.com

Head over

Heels

• Minnetonka • Stetson n • Tilleyy Hats • Merrell

Women’s boutique, kids and teen clothing, men’s clothing, and household items Selling gently used items to benefit Brown County. Accepting clothing and household item donations.

Look for the sign

Open ALWAYS on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00 to 5:00 (weather permitting) 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10:00 to 1:00 and Fridays 12:30 to 5:00 MAY-OCTOBER (catch us if you can off season)

HATS HA ATS • FOOTWEAR • ACCESSORIES

Like us on Facebook at Brown County Community Closet, Inc.

49 S. Van Buren St. in Nashville • 812-988-6535 headoverheels@switched.com • fax: 812-988-6505

South Van Buren in Nashville (near stoplight, behind Subway) (812) 988-6003

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 27

Abe Martin Lodge A Splashin’ Good Time! & the Little Gem Restaurant Our full service restaurant is open daily

New Cabin Suites

• Slide • Water Channel • Fountains • Dump Buckets • Waterfall

We have the room for you Guest rooms, two-story cabins, historic cabins, cabin suites Ask about our pet-friendly rooms

There is always something to do in Indiana’s largest State Park: Aquatic Center, Horse Back Riding, Mountain Bike Trails, Fishing, Tennis...

We have the perfect setting for any event: Corporate Retreats, Weddings, Getaways and Family Reunions, and more! Brown County State Park • P.O. Box 547 • Nashville, IN • 1-877-Lodges-1 • (812) 988-4418 • www.indianainns.com

Knives by Benchmade, Kershaw, Microtech, Esee, Tops, Protech, Zero Tolerance and many more

’ Luminox Watches (used by Navy Seals)

Fine Pipes and Tobaccos Premium Cigars

Things you can live without... bbut who wants to! Old Colonial Bldg. 60 N. Van Buren St. Nashville, Indiana•812.988.6590 menstoyshop@yahoo.com•Visit us on Facebook

Guns and Ammo for Competition, Hunting, Sport, and Home Defense

28 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Variety of T-Shirts

Wooden Signs made in Southern Indiana

Nashville’s

O N LY

Guest Ranch

al times are All adventures & me call ahead ! open to the public – ommended – Rec ons ati erv Res –

rawhideranchusa.co

L RIDES RAI

BUCK INN

INES ZIP L

MEAL TIME

Open 7 days a week, Year round

AMENITIES INCLUDE: Cowboy Hotel • Cabins • Tipis • Guest Discounted Zips & Rides 24/7 Coffee Station • Corporate Retreats • Team Building Programs Geocaching • Free Wifi • 54 Acres of Land • Nightly Campfires Hiking • Fishing • Swing Set & Sandbox • Half Court Basketball 1292 St Rd 135 S, Nashville

812.988.0085

www.butlerwinery.com

info@rawhideranchusa.com

Brown County Size: 3.5 x 4.5 Cost: $667.00 Runs: April 2016 - April 2017

AUTHENTIC NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA

A family-friendly pizza place PIZZA • SALADS • CALZONES

140 W. Main Street • (812) 988-8800 In the heart of Nashville by the Village Green area at the intersection of Main and Jefferson Streets.

Dine-In or Carry-Out

Sun.–Thurs. 11am–9:00pm; Fri. & Sat. 11am–10:00pm

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 29

The Village Green Building ~story and photo by Jeff Tryon

or over a century, the Village Green Building at 61 West Main Street has stood as a silent witness and major participant in the life and history of Nashville. In that time, it has served as an important civic space, housing fraternal lodges, essential businesses, and the artists and shops that have become the economic backbone of the town. For most of its existence, it was Brown County’s “skyscraper,” the only three-story building in the county. The town was experiencing an economic boom in the early 1900s, and fraternal lodges, including the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, were also thriving. In 1906, the Nashville Masonic lodge decided to build its first permanent home in its 58 years of existence, purchasing lot 117 in the old town plat from William A. Mason for $250. In 1909, one of the most disastrous fires in Nashville history destroyed the nearby Knights of Pythias hall, along with many buildings to the east and south. The Knights worked out a deal with the Masonic lodge for a joint fraternity building.

30 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

The result was a three-story brick building which, when completed and occupied in 1910, was by far the largest building in Brown County. The two lodges occupied separate halls on the third floor, while the second floor was rented out as office space, including doctor’s offices, and the first floor to merchants. One of the early tenants of the east half of the first floor was the old Calvin Brothers Hardware store, operated by Dennis and Duard Calvin for more than 40 years. The west half of the first floor had a succession of tenants, including the newspaper, the post office, and a restaurant. During the depression years of the 1930s, the Knights of Pythias ceased to be an active lodge, although their crest still adorns the building. The Masonic signs and symbols embellish the front of the building, but by 1956, the lodge was once more planning a new home. The old hall was considered rickety, inconvenient, and no longer adequate. The building was sorely in need of repair and extensive renovation. In 1960, the Village Green Building was sold to Kirk Bassett of Columbus, who had a vision for what the building should be and the wherewithal to give it a thorough facelift.

“From the beginning we thought of it as a dignified landmark that would house only studios and small shops, attracting tourists, but more importantly, catering to county interests,” Basset told the local paper. He said he turned down several potential tenants because he felt they didn’t fit in with what he thought the landmark building should be. The building was completely rejuvenated with new concrete floors and partitions. Air conditioning was added along with other improvements. Local artists Fred Rigley, Clayton Baker, Kaye Pool, Lillian Dunnigan, and Dorthea Frantz moved in. Other new tenants included a kindergarten, dance studio, and a craft workshop , The Heritage Shop, Farm Bureau Insurance, and Brown County Office Supply. At that time, the adjoining alley on the east side of the building, Honeysuckle Lane, was opened for the first time and paved “straight through to Franklin Street” with an eye to creating an “Artists Lane” to connect with Alice Weaver’s “Antique Alley.” In 1967 the building was sold to the Walter Miller family. After his retirement, Walter and June Miller established a gift and antique store on the second floor. In 1977, Frank Miller established The Candy Dish and Richard Miller established Miller’s Ice Cream House, both on the ground floor. Frank Miller opened The Harvest Preserve shop in 1980. Today, the building remains much as it was built, inside and out. The interior stairways and corridors, offices, and lodge areas retain their original character. The B3 Gallery occupies the central second floor space. Artist’s studios and River Light Yoga occupy the old lodge rooms on the third floor, which is closed to visitors. B3 Gallery offers Indiana-made functional and fine art with a selection of jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, glass, woodworking, fiber arts, mosaics, and more. On the ground floor, flocks of visitors tend to their sweeter attractions at the long-time Nashville people pleasers; the Candy Dish, Harvest Preserve, and Miller’s Ice Cream. The Candy Dish is a wonderland of confectionary treats including homemade fudge, handmade chocolates, 50 flavors of taffy, gourmet caramels, hard candy, imported licorice, kid’s novelty candy, and roasted nuts. Miller’s has been serving real ice cream, featuring 23 famous flavors plus one special seasonal flavor, all made the old-fashioned way. At the height of the season, they make over 100 gallons of ice cream a day. 

“More Pain Relief than my $50/month Prescription” Amy, Mount Vernon, Indiana

Speeds Healing & Recovery

Reduces Pain, Swelling & Bruising

3 Powerful Pain Relievers

Arnica, Frankincense & White Willow

Fast Relief

Arthritis, Back Aches, Tendinitis, Fibromyalgia, Sprains & Strains

Just $21.99

Large 6 Oz. Jar

59 E. Main Street (behind Foxfire)

812-720-3747

www.newharmonysoap.com Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 31

Scarlet’s Webb

#1 Rated on TripAdvisor

ANTIQUES "If Grandma had one, we do too!"

13 miles west of I-65 • 3 miles east of Nashville, IN 3288 State Rd 46 East • 812-988-1025 Behind Brown Co. Antique Mall Open 7 days a week till 5:30

Gnaw Bone

Country Store & Bakery

*Homemade Baked Goods *Antiques *Local Products *Artist Goods 4883 SR 46 E. Gnaw Bone, IN 812-988-4266 www.gnawbonebakery.com gnawbonecsbakery@gmail.com Open Daily • Closed Tuesdays

Now open to everyone! Old McDurbin Gold & Gifts

Customized

• Anklets • Bracelets • Necklaces % 50 OFFLRY E Watches JEW Sterling Silver Rings 1000’s of Pendants

NEW LOCATION in Nashville Blue building in Antique Alley • S. Jefferson St. 32 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

breakfast 7:30-10:00am daily

lunch

11:30am-1:30pm fridays & saturdays

888-383-0300 • 54 e. franklin st. downtown nashville

Back-to-Back Complex

145 South Van Buren Street Established 2001

FREE in-store demos!

Old School Way and Pittman House Lane

(next to the Toy Chest, behind Sweetwater Gallery) Visit our website for class schedules www.wishfulthinking-in.com • 812-988-7009

PLY 4 YOU SIM Handmade & Unique Gifts • Hand-painted Signs • Homemade Body Scrubs • Giant Scrabble Letters • Solar-Changing Finger Nail Polish • Biker Bracelets • Painted Ball Jars And much more...

145 South Van Buren Street

Sepia Old Time Color Color Black & White

OVER 200 BACKGROUNDS 145 S. Van Buren St. Nashville, IN

Wild West • Prairie • Civil War • Roaring 20s and more!

812-350-8806

145 S. Van Buren Nashville, IN

Simply 4 You Gift Shop Simply_4_you@aol.com

Next to Artist Colony Inn, behind Sweetwater Gallery

Weekdays 10–6, Sat. 10–7, Sun. 10–6

812-988-7305

est. 1972

Doug Stoffer, Designer/Jeweler

Sweetwater Gallery MOVING is

158 Old School Way

Sterling Silver • Fine Diamonds Opals • Gemstones • Wedding Rings Titanium Bands • Austrian Lead Crystal For Quality and Price call 812-988-4037 Top Dollar Paid for Old Gold 150 S. Van Buren St. • Nashville

Stained Glass Paperweights Mosaic Mirrors Fabric Wallhangings We will be in transition this year. Be sure to visit both shops.

812-988-0449 Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 33

Gnaw Bone Trading Post

Patty and Jeff Tracy.

~story and photo by Bob Gustin

elling antiques comes naturally for Jeff Tracy. Growing up in Seymour, antiques were the family business and his father had a booth in the Gypsy Moon flea market on Indiana 46 at Gnaw Bone. When Jeff was ready to leave his job as general manager of an auto dealership in Seymour, he gravitated to the Gnaw Bone area and wound up buying 58 acres across from the Gypsy Moon. The property he bought was once a large flea market and the resting ground for old farm implements. The implements were removed, buildings remodeled, and It became Gnaw Bone Creek Trading Post. “It was like I bought a piece of my childhood,” he said. Jeff and his wife, Patty, set out to transform the property. The main building has become a general store with pizza and other food for sale, and a small antique mall. Other structures remain flea market stalls, along

with a “picker’s alley” offering supplies for do-it-yourselfers and other items. The store is open every day. Flea markets are open Friday through Sunday. The general store has a nostalgic feel to it, with Coca-Cola memorabilia, glass jars full of candy and a variety of old and new items for sale. Pizza is baked on site, and Jeff said pizza delivery may be offered in the future. Outside the store, scattered antiques feature rusty old trucks, part of an old motorcycle, a bicycle on the roof and road signs. A pile of geodes for sale greets visitors in one part of the yard. Patty, former manager of a pizza restaurant in Seymour, said more than 60 vendors are now open in the flea market portion. About 12 acres are now in use, but the Tracys have many more plans for the property. With help from a local rock and mineral club, panning for gold on the creek that cuts through the property is on the agenda, after small amounts of gold were found there. Jeff said the gold-panning demonstrations will be free, and participants can keep any gold they find, up to $1,000 worth. This fall, the Tracys plan to have primitive campsites available, along with primitive cabins for rent. Future planned phases include offering “tree houses” for rent, and eventually constructing two miniature golf courses. Both Jeff and Patty said the complex is being planned with an

Continued on 36

34 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

BROWN COUNTY Tours

OTHER Fabulous TOUR OFFERINGS TAKE A LOOK BACK in time on this brand-new walking history tour! From the founding of the art colony and the lay of the land to interesting characters and fun folk tales, stop by the Visitors Center to begin your adventure! Departs from the Brown County Visitors Center (211 South Van Buren Street) 812-988-7303 www.browncounty.com

Bear Wallow Distillery Farm to Fifth 812-657-4923 bearwallowdistillery.com Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Country Star Museum 812-988-6422 billmonroemusicpark.com Brown County Carriages Corner of Franklin and Van Buren Streets 765-346-2842

Brown County History Center and Pioneer Village 812-988-2899 browncountyhistorycenter.org Hard Truth Hills Delayed Gratification or Seek the Truth 812-720-4840 hardtruthhills.com Indiana Raptor Center 812-988-8990 indianaraptorcenter.org Indigo Birding Nature Tours 812-679-8978 indigobirding.com

Most High Adventures 812-340-0700 soilandwater.com/mosthigh Nashville Express Tour Train Corner of Franklin and Van Buren Streets 812-988-6690 Sippin’ Trip Brown County Visitors Center 812-988-7303 browncounty.com/tours TC Steele State Historic Site 812-988-2785 tcsteele.org

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 35

October 19, 20, 21 29th Annual

Fall Invitational

Race

• Black Hole Race • Trick or Treating in the Pits • Dancin’ on the Track and more... Sundays and some Saturdays through October Gates Open at 9 a.m, Practice 11 a.m., Eliminations 2 p.m. 5 miles north of Nashville, 1 mile east of Bean Blossom on Gatesville Rd. FFB: FB B: Browncountydragway contact 812-988-6103 • track 812-988-1505

Fresh Homemade Fudge Old-Fashioned Candies Candy by the Pound Cream Filberts/Mothballs Rock Candy • Jelly Belly Chocolates/Turtles Pucker Powder We ship everywhere!

41 S. Van Buren St. Nashville, IN (in the Heritage Mall) 812.200.1077 HeritageCandyStore@gmail.com

Design Your Own or choose from Ready Made Garments Hundreds of choices! • Something for all ages and sizes • T-Shirts • Hoodies • LS Tees • Hats

• Tanks • Jackets • Jerseys • Tye Dye

• Night Shirts • Swim Shorts • Beach Towels • Flip Flops

Corner of Washington and Van Buren Street (Across from Visitors Center) Nashville, IN • 812-988-6939

36 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

GNAW BONE TRADING continued from 34 emphasis on family entertainment, something both feel Brown County needs more of. Jeff said the tree houses will consist of pre-built cabins placed 10 to 12 feet off the ground next to trees on the property, and finished off with decks, a porch swing, hammock and fire pit. He says it will allow guests to “sleep in the leaves of Brown County,” rather than just view them. He hopes to interest other local businesses in sponsoring holes on the miniature golf courses, and plans to replicate local landmarks as part of the overall structure of the courses. Patty said another plan for Gnaw Bone Creek Trading Post is to create a small artist’s village with perhaps a dozen cabins serving as studios around the edge of the parking lot, which the artists could purchase or lease. A small park area, with swings and slides to entertain children, is also envisioned, Patty said, along with carriage rides. Gnaw Bone Creek Trading Post is one of many new businesses which have opened in the Gnaw Bone area in recent years. Realtor Tom Vornholt of Carpenter Hills O’ Brown Realty, said he expects the Gnaw Bone area will continue to grow, though perhaps at a slower pace. One of the advantages that area has is an established sewer system, which saves the cost of building individual septic systems. Vornholt, a member of the county’s Visitors and Convention Bureau’s marketing committee and past president of the Brown County Economic Development Commission, said he feels the growth is a result of a need that has been there for some time, but has not been feasible previously. He says part of the reason for the area’s growth is an active real estate market. He also thinks economic activity will continue to expand between Nashville and Columbus, spurred in part by development Big Woods ‘ Hard Truth Hills on the east side of Nashville. 

created by hand

local artisans

E S T

1 9 7 8

BROWN COUNTY

A unique cooperative gallery featuring fine arts and crafts by local and area artists

62 E. Washington St. · Nashville, IN 47448 Open Daily 10 am - 5 pm except major holidays

JOIN US FOR A GRAND RE-OPENING CELEBRATION SEPTEMBER 15 & 16

BrownCountyCraftGallery.com 812.988.7058

CELEBRATING

BCCraftGallery @BCcraftgallery

HOOSIER BARN & TABLE

Making custom furniture and home décor from reclaimed barn wood and timber Antique tools shop • Nashville like it used to be 165 N. Van Buren St. Nashville, IN (north end of town) 812-597-5444

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 37

photos by Tom Preston

calendar Brown County Playhouse Mellencougar Sept. 8 Platinum Girls Sept. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 EPIC Great Artists from ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s Oct. 4, 6, 11, 18 | Nov. 10 Starring Eric Brown, Jenn Cristy & Band The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 | Nov. 2, 9 Starring Ross Martinie-Eller, Eric Brown, Michael Schulbaum Dylan: The Times are still a-changin’ Oct. 13 Starring Michael Schulbaum Working Class Heroes Oct. 20 Classic Rock American Made! Starring Eric Brown & The L Street Band The 4 Dimensions Oct. 5 4 Genres, 4 Decades, 4 Performers The King Oct. 27 A Tribute to Elvis Presley The Rocky Horror Picture Show Oct. 27, 11:00 pm Costume Contest FIRST RUN MOVIES ON THE BIG SCREEN Check website for schedule 70 S. Van Buren St. 812-988-6555 www.BrownCountyPlayhouse.org

Melchior Marionettes “Comedy Cabaret on Strings” Sept. 1, 15 “The Slightly Haunted Puppet Theatre” Sept. 29, 30 | Oct. 6, 7, 12, 13 (1, 2, 3,4, 7 pm), 14 (1, 2, 3 pm), 19, 20 (1, 2, 3, 4 pm), 21 (1, 2, 3 pm), 26 (1, 2, 3 pm), Oct. 27 (1, 2, 3, 4 pm), 28 (1, 2, 3 pm) 1:00 and 3:00, more times in Oct. Free Popcorn! Tickets $5 S. Van Buren St. Downtown Nashville

Chateau Thomas Winery Sept. 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 8 Sept. 14 Sept. 15

Frank Jones & Jeff Foster Ross Benson Brad Kleinschmidt & Casey Harshbarger Live Music Gary Applegate & Joe Rock

The schedule can change. Please check before making a trip. Sept. 21 Amanda Webb Band Sept. 22 Cari Ray & Shakey Legs Sept. 28 Bakersfield Bound Sept. 29 Dave Miller Oct. 5 Robbie Bowden & Carolyn Dutton Oct. 6 Live Music Oct. 12 Paul Bertsch Trio Oct. 13 Frank Jones & Jeff Foster Oct. 19 Impasse Oct. 20 Craig Thurston Duo Oct. 26 Cari Ray, Singer/Songwriter Oct. 27 Copilots (Chuck Wills) Music Friday and Saturday 7:00-10:00 812-988-8500 www.ChateauThomas.com

19th Hole at Salt Creek Golf Sept. 1 Night Owl Country Band Sept. 7 Speed City Spoilers Sept. 8 Common Ground Sept. 14 Doug Dillman Sept. 15 Bodhi Coffel Sept. 21 Karaoke Sept. 22 Dan Kirk Band Sept. 28 Two for the Show Sept. 29 Past Tense Oct. 5 Dave Miller Oct. 6 Karaoke Oct. 12 Opal Fly Oct. 13 Dan Kirk Oct. 19 Acre Bros Oct. 20 Past Tense Oct. 26 Sudden Impact Oct. 27 Two for the Show Halloween Bash www.SaltCreekGolf.com 812-988-7888

Brown County Inn Open Mic Night every Wed. Sept. 1 Top Shelf Sept. 7 Vuko Sept. 8 The Blankenship Band Sept. 14 Seldom Surreal Sept. 15 Homemade Jam Sept. 21 Zion Crossroads Sept. 22 Live Music Sept. 28 The Acre Brothers Sept. 29 The Acre Brothers Oct. 5 Sean Lamb Band Oct. 6 Sean Lamb Band

40 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Oct. 12 The Movin’ Hips Oct. 13 The Acre Brothers Oct. 19 Homemade Jam Oct. 20 Flea Bitten Dawgs Oct. 26 Zion Crossroads Oct. 27 Top Shelf 800-772-5249 www.BrownCountyInn.com

Mike’s Dance Barn Regular shows feature Mike’s band Smooth Country performs most Saturdays Mondays lessons at 6:30 Sept. 1 Guest Band Four Square Oct. 13 Grass Hounds and more Oct. 19 Terry Lee Rock a Billy Oct. 27 private party 812-988-8636

Indiana Red Barn Sept. 1 An Infamous Campout with Jeremy Garrett Sept. 8 Edison Farewell Sept. 14 Jeff Bodart Stand-Up Sept. 15 Rumourz-Fleetwood Mac Experience Sept. 29 HomeBrew Festival Oct. 5 The Tillers Oct. 12 2nd Annual DeadBarn Grateful Dead Music Festival Oct. 20 The HenHouse Prowlers 71 Parkview Road https://redbarn-jamboree.ticketleap.com

Trails End and the Panhead Saloon Sept. 1 Labor Day Hog Roast The Dan Kirk Band Sept. 8 Live Music Sept. 15 Joey Thomas Group Sept. 22 Hamilton Creek & Doug Dillman Sept. 29 Wrong Side of Dixie Oct. 6 Homemade Jam Oct. 13 Alias Oct. 20 The Fairland Ramblers Oct. 27 Big Halloween Bash - costumes Dallas Cole Band 4646 S. SR 135 812-988-1385 Facebook: trailsendandthepanheadsaloon

Big Woods Pizza Sept. & Oct. every Thursday, 7:00-9:00 Sept. 1 Calabash 8:00-10:00 Sept. 15 Quafftoberfest Rally in the Alley 3:00-9:00 Check Facebook for latest music bookings

Night Flight Zip Line Tours at 44th Bill Monroe Hall of eXplore Brown County Fame & Uncle Pen Days Fest

Sept. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 When the sun goes down, headlamps and Tiki torches light the way on zip lines in the woods. If you’re scared of heights, night flights are perfect because you Tuesday Night Jam can’t see how high you are. At night, keep in Little Nashville those ears open. You can hear the wildlife. Every Tuesday 7:00-9:00 Village Pavilion Choose from two tour options. Everyone is welcome to join in 8:30 pm-11 pm (tours leave at dusk) Check Facebook for notices eXplore Brown County 2620 Valley Branch Rd. Pavilion Music Series Sept. 8, 22, 29 | Oct. 13, 20 | 5:00-6:30 | Free 812-988-7750 Live concert at corner of Main and Brown County Sippin’ Trip Jefferson Streets at the Village Pavilion Sept. 1, 8, 9, 15, 22, 29, 30 11:00 am-2:30 pm Murder Mystery Unique tasting excursion to the diverse Dinner Theatre Sept. 1, 8 | Oct. 13, 20, 27 Artists Colony Inn artisan wineries, breweries and distilleries 812-988-0600 www.artistscolonyinn.com around Brown Co. Transportation by Nashville General Store Express 812-988-7303 Village Art Walk http://browncounty.com/tours Fourth Fridays, 4:00-7:00 Free self-guided walking tour of 16th Annual downtown Nashville art galleries Bean Blossom Bikerfest www.VillageArtWalk.com Sept. 4-8, all day at Bill Monroe Music Park and Campground in Bean Blossom Nashville Farmer’s Market Music, bike rides, poker runs, field events Sun., Noon-3:00, Brown Co. Inn Parking Locally grown vegetables, herbs, flowers, 812-876-2223 http://bbbikerfest.com/ live music and more.

Bean Blossom Farmers Market Fridays, 4:00-7:00 Intersection of SR 135 and SR 45 in Bean Blossom. Produce, live music, jams, baked goods, herbs/plants, artisan crafts. www.BeanBlossomFarmersMarket.com

Village History Tours Guided, walking tour through Nashville begins and ends at the Visitors Center. Local natural history of the land, people, industry, and founding of the art colony. Progresses from the oldest settlement to the new Visitors Center. Ends with films. 211 S. Van Buren St. 812-988-7303 www.browncounty.com

46th Annual Cider Run Custom Car Show

Sept. 8,9 Brown County State Park North Gate at pool area Register at Brown Co Inn Fri. 5:00-7:00 | Sat. 7:00 am-noon Sun.“Flag Drags” at Brown Co. Dragway See some of the nicest rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks, and antiques.

Sept. 19-22 at Bill Monroe’s Music Park & Campground in Bean Blossom Four great days of bluegrass. Bring your lawn chair. Daily combo tickets available 800-414-4677 www.beanblossom.us

Betty Begonia’s Upscale Tag Sale Sept. 29, 9:00-4:00 1641 Oak Grove Rd., Nashville Group sale in a 1920s-era barn. Fabulous finds.

Fall Gathering Sept. 29, 10:00-4:00 at the Brown County History Center and Pioneer Village Pioneer craft demonstrations: blacksmithing, quilting, rope-making, spinning, weaving.

3rd Brown County Rock and Mineral Show and Swap Sept. 29, 30, Sat. 10:00-6:00 | Sun. 10:00-5:00 Brown Co. History Center 90 E. Gould St. Rock crafts, jewelry, fossils, geodes, healing crystals, minerals, turquoise, agates. Demonstrations on gold-panning, flint-knapping, and wire-wrapping. http://browncountyrock.webs.com/

Back Roads of Brown County Studio Tour Month of October | Free self-guided tour Works for sale and demonstrations BrownCountyStudioTour.com

Zip on Zombies vs. Adventure Heroes at eXplore Brown County Oct. 5-21, 26-31 | 9:00-5:00

Abe Martin’s County Picnic & eXplore Brown County has been invaded NASHCAR Outhouse Race by zombies and guides dressed as Sept. 15 W. Main St. in Nashville Hog Roast food service begins at 11:30 Race at 3:00 Games, time trials, and NASHCAR race. Proceeds benefit food, shelter, needs in Brown Co. www.wecaregang.org

adventure heroes will protect you….. unless YOU are really a ZOMBIE! (this is not a haunted trail) Groups please call to arrange hours 2620 Valley Branch Rd. 812-988-7750 Continued on 42

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 41

CALENDAR continued from 41

Brown Co. History Center

46th Fall Fare-Nashville United Methodist Church

Open Thurs.-Sun. 11:00-4:00 Archives: Tues. and Fri. 1:00-4:00, North of the courthouse

Oct. 6, 8:00 am-4:00 Village Green Main and Jefferson streets Unexpected treasures, crafts, books, PIE!, antiques & collectibles, silent auction/art, boutique, Live Music, plants. Breakfast and lunch served at the Village Cafe. Proceeds go to someone in need.

Midwest Distillers Fest Oct. 6, 1:00–5:00 at Hard Truth Hills 418 Old State Road 46 in Nashville Hard Truth Distilling Co. presents the first Midwest Distillers Fest, a craft spirits tasting experience featuring 25-30 craft distilleries with more than 100 spirits. General admission includes 20 sample tasting tickets (four tickets for a full-sized cocktail) and one free cocktail token. VIP passes include the above plus special access to limited-edition spirits and cocktails, a free bottle of Hard Truth’s cinnamon flavored vodka, access to a VIP lounge, and guided tours. Designated driver tickets are also available. Live music, food for purchase, games, and more. Non-alcoholic drinks available. After the festival you can dine at the Big Woods on-site restaurant and enjoy more outdoor music until 9 p.m. Picnic baskets can be purchased from the Welcome Center. Guests, including designated drivers, must be 21 and show ID. Rain or shine event. www.MidwestDistillersFest.com

Brown County Dragway Gatesville Road in Bean Blossom Racing every Sunday thru October and some Saturdays Gates open at 9:00 am, practice 11:00, eliminations 2:00 29th Fall Invitational Race Oct. 19, 20, 21 Black hole race, trick or treating in the pits, dancin’ on the track 812-988-6103 Track 812-988-1505 Facebook BrownCountyDragway

Features the Marie Goth Estate Collection and contemporary art by more than 40 award-winning member artists. 48 S. Van Buren St. 812-988-6185 www.browncountyartguild.org

materials available at <tcsteele.org/ programs>. Day of registration allowed. Community Paint Together Saturday, Sept. 8, 1–3 p.m. The Tilton Corner of Village Green Everyone is encouraged to contribute to the 4’ x 8’ mural representing what Brown Co. means to you. All paints, brushes and cleanup are provided. Celebrate IHA Today’s Master’s Saturday, Sept. 8, 5–7 p.m. Brown Co. Art Gallery Visitors will meet and greet IHA artists. Villagescape Plein Air Paint Out Sunday, September 9 Brown Co. Art Guild and the Village Paint out 7 a.m.–1 p.m., 2 p.m. awards Jackson’s Auction Sunday, Sept. 9 Brown Co. History Center, 90 Gould St. Seating starts at 1, Auction at 2:30

Art Colony Weekend

Brown County Art Gallery

Bucks & Does Square Dances Oct. 5 • 8:00-10:00 at YMCA The YMCA is located at 105 Willow Street

Indiana Raptor Center Live birds of prey, tours by appt. only. Wed.-Sun. 11:00-5:00 Group programs available 812-988-8990 www.indianaraptorcenter.org

Brown County Art Guild

The Brown Co. Art Guild is coordinating a celebration of our art history Sept. 7–9 More info is available at the Visitors Center or the Art Guild. Prelude pARTy Friday, Sept. 7, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Brown Co. Public Library, 205 Locust Ln. Reception is Friday, Sept. 7. $10 admission includes tours of the Brown Co. pottery and art collection, music, and a silent auction. Wine and refreshments. Proceeds support library programs and purchases of Brown Co. art. AGAIN—New art made with old stuff Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Emerald Pencil 23 N. Jefferson St. Works with found, scrounged, rescued, reimagined, and reinvented objects. Great Outdoor Art Contest Saturday, Sept. 8, 7 a.m.–4 p.m. T.C. Steele State Historic Site, 4220 T.C. Steele Rd. in Belmont. Indiana’s oldest plein air painting competition celebrates its 30th year. Gates open at 7 a.m. Artwork is judged at 2 p.m. and awards are announced at 3:15 p.m. First place and People’s Choice winners will be displayed at the Art Guild. Registration

42 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Features works by 60 contemporary artists and early Indiana masters Corner of Main St. & Artist Dr. 812-988-4609 www.browncountyartgallery.org

Steele and Shulz: “A Brown County Partnership” The Brown County Art Gallery will open a major exhibit on Friday, Sept. 14 with work from private collections focusing on T.C. Steele and Adolph Shulz. The artists’ friendship led to the founding of the Art Colony. The reception begins at 6 p.m. with food, wine, and music. Reservations at (812) 988-4609. The cost is $40. Saturday, Sept. 15, admission is $5, Sunday, Sept. 16, admission is $10 with a program by Steele expert Rachel Perry. The Steele/Shulz Exhibit continues through Oct. 28 and is free to the public. On Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. the Gallery will hold a program and book signing by Gustave Baumann expert and author Martin Krause followed by a reception with wine and food. Admission is $20 per person. All the events support the Gallery Foundation.

http://www.hardtruthhills.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HardTruthHills/

http://www.hardtruthhills.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HardTruthHills/ Sept./Oct. 2018 â&#x20AC;¢ Our Brown County 43

Nashville, Indiana’s #1 Fun Attraction

COPPERHEAD CREEK

GEM MINE Pan for Gems Fossils Arrowheads

Fun and Educational for All Ages

BROWN COUNTY

ROCK and FOSSIL SHOP

5000 lbs. of NEW Beautiful & Unique Specimens for 2018

Just North of the Courthouse 79 N. Van Buren ~ (812) 988-2422

We appreciate our loyal customers!

Our market fresh product selections are the result of your requests for the items you like best.

is located in the heart of downtown Nashville on South Van Buren Street next to Out of The Ordinary and across from the Brown County Playhouse

This season we display: Tervis Tumblers, Swan Creek, Sanuks, Woodstock Chimes, Melissa & Doug, Stony Creek Lighted Vases, Essential Oils and Diffusers, 69 S. Van Buren St. Simply Southern T’s & Accessories, Nashville, Indiana Our Favorite Handcrafted Jewelry Did we mention all the hats, scarves, and fashion jewelry?

812-988-2050 rhondakays@msn.com

You will find traffic stopping items at 58 South! Our porch review has attracted many of you already. We enjoy offering today’s fashion. You’ll find affordable items that are wearable every day or for those special occasions. Our accessories, hats, and scarves complete the outfit or add new Located in downtown Nashville fresh looks to your next to the Brown County Playhouse existing wardrobe. Our Fitflops will 58 S. Van Buren St. bring comfort to your Nashville, Indiana tired and weary feet —come hear the 812-988-8440 testimonies! fiftyeightsouth@gmail.com

58 South Apparel

44 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Motorcycle Outfitters For All Your Riding Needs

Best Prices in Town

TOP QUALITY MEN’S & WOMEN’S: • Leather Jackets • Chaps • Bags • Gloves • Conceal Carry Vests & Purses • Helmets • Eye Wear • Cleaners • Milwaukee & Z1R Boots • Rain Gear • Phone & Tech Mounts • Large Selection of Ladies Apparel • Cool Mancave Items and Everything In Between

SR 135

Brown County’s only Tattoo Studio Nashville Gnaw Bone

SR 46 4413

10% OFF

Purchase with ad!

812.988.0255 4413 St. Rd. 46 East, Nashville, IN Just 3 Miles East of Nashville in Gnaw Bone

Columbus

4413 State Road 46 East Nashville, Indiana (Gnaw Bone) Next to House of Thunder

More than 25 years experience

Tim Rupp HOURS: CLOSED Mon–Tues, Wed–Sat 10–6, Sun 12–6

I-65

Bob Martin

• First in cleanliness • First in experience • First in satisfaction

(812) 988-4054 www.HeartlandTattooCo.com

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 45

Artist Amanda Wallace Mathis is one of the founders of the tour. photos by Cindy Steele

Back Roads Studio Tour ~by Bob Gustin

or the past 20 years, folks from across the Midwest and beyond have been driving to Brown County for the annual studio tour. It’s a chance to experience firsthand two of the area’s bestknown attractions—breathtaking natural scenery and authentic arts and crafts. To celebrate the anniversary, this year’s free, self-guided tour features 32 artists at 22 studios around the county. Most studios are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but some have different hours. A brochure and map outlining specific details is available at many local businesses, the Brown County Visitors Center, or at <browncountystudiotour.com>.

The event began as a two-day studio and garden tour in June of 1999, and morphed into the current month-long October event. Now the artists share center stage with the dazzling autumn colors. Special recognition is being given this year to four artists. Primitive painter Amanda Wallace Mathis was one of the founders of

46 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

the tour, and this year her studio is hosting work by potter Larry Spears, jeweler Cheri Platter and stained-glass artist Anne Ryan Miller, all longtime participants. Each year, new artists join the tour, giving visitors a chance to experience new parts of the county and different styles of arts and crafts. This year, new artists include iron worker Jason Nickel, woodworker Pete Baxter, furniture maker Robb Besosa, fiber artist Sandy Binder, and fused glass artist B Skinner. Some are guests at other artists’ studios. Mathis’s studio is the only one which has been a stop on all 20 studio tours.

She is a primitive painter. Though she has painted in the impressionist style of well-known art colony painters such as T.C. Steele, she said she is more comfortable in the primitive style, and that’s what she does best. Mathis believes that one thing which has made the tour a success is the fact that many of the working artists in Brown County live and practice their arts in rural areas. “We need to keep the working artist in the forefront,” she said, “because that’s what’s going to keep us going. This (the studio tour) is one way we do it.” Platter, one of the founders and a former president of the tour, said tour participants have had good and bad years, depending on the economy. But she said many artists demonstrate their craft during the tour, and visitors love to see where the work is done. Some artists allow visitors to participate in the making of the products. She said pottery was her first love and Platter produced fine porcelain work for years, but her products evolved to silk scarves and finally to jewelry. A knee and two shoulder replacements led to the changes in her art form, since pottery involves heavy lifting for the clay and a complicated setup at shows. “I went from mud to silk to silver,” she jokes. Now she uses “metal clay” to produce jewelry. That’s a pure silver powder that is mixed with water and a binder, then rolled out, embossed and shaped, and fired with a torch or in a kiln. Many of the same skills she used as a potter transfer to the jewelry work. Nature has always been the inspiration for Platter’s work. She painted leaves and flowers on her pottery and the same on her silk scarves. Now the same features show up in her jewelry. “It’s a whole new life,” she said of jewelry making. Platter enjoys seeing minerals and stones in their natural state at gem shows, then seeing them transformed to jewelry. Spears, a potter who was on the first tour and all the tours for the first decade, said he stopped offering his studio as a tour stop when he and his wife, Jan, opened a retail store in Nashville, and turned his home studio into primarily a workshop. He said the tour was initially Jan’s idea. She said they had lived in southern Brown County for about a year and met artists who worked and lived in rural areas of the county. She thought the tour would be fun for both artists and visitors. Nashville business owners Ellen Carter and Andy Rogers both provided support for the early tours, she said. Larry decided to participate as a visiting artist this year because of the 20th anniversary. “I hope it goes another 20 years,” Jan said. 

“Smack Dab in the Heart of the Village” Nashville, Indiana

Located just North of the Courthouse across from Big Woods Restaurant and Brewery

www.VisitBrownCounty.com

(812) 988-2422

The Iris Garden rests comfortably in the heart of the village of Nashville. Simply walk out of your door to explore the wonderful shops, restaurants, wineries, and breweries without having to drive anywhere.

VICTORIA GOURMET

BRIDGEWATER

SPICES

CANDLES

CLOTHING ... and more! Peace Frogs Apparel,

onePhone: of a kind giis, and more! --------Grand Opening Labor Day Weekend, ! Corner of Franklin and Jefferson, Nashville, IN Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 47

NEW LEADERSHIP BY VISION, NOT CRISIS

LOWER TAXES & DEBT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

www.BIRKEMEIER4BC.com

END THE BUDDY SYSTEM, PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY Paid for by Birkemeier for Brown County

Dom Flemmons Grammy Award Winner

Pick Birkemeier Fun Raiser

Founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops

Oct. 28th Indiana Red Barn

Tickets & Info: birkemeier4bc.com Paid for by Birkemeier for Brown County

BEAN BLOSSOM Restaurant

Helmsburg GENERAL STORE

Good Food, Good Service, Good Prices

All-You-Can-Eat

Catfish on Friday Nights Daily Specials Breakfast Served All Day

Bean Blossom SR 135 North • 988-1147 Open 7 days a week

Accepting Visa, Mastercard & Discover cards

LLemon Shake-ups Sh k Hot Dogs • Sausages •Brats Hickory-Smoked Pork BBQ COUPON Buy One BBQ Meal Deal Get One HALF OFF North Van Buren and Gould Streets in Nashville Indiana • 812-988-4273 48 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

New, Spacious Look Inside. New Owners: Sharon & Leonard Richey Pizza & Wings, Groceries, Ice Large Selection Domestic/Craft Beer & Wine LOTTERY, Tobacco Products Camping Supplies, Live Bait & Tackle Hunting & Fishing Licenses Check Station, Firewood State Road 45 and Helmsburg Road Intersection • (812) 929-7797

The Ferguson

House

• Holiday Decor • Swan Creek Candles • Home Accessories • Fashion Jewelry • Garden Accents • Iron Decor • Man Cave and more…

78 West Franklin Street • Nashville, IN • 812-988-7388 www.FoxfireBoutique.com

Fashion Apparel Jewelry and Purses 59 East Main Street, Suite B • Nashville, IN • 812-988-8707

Foxfire • Gifts and Home Decor • Kitchen Accessories • Personalized and • Baby Gifts Memoriam Gifts • Holiday Decor • Swan Creek Candles • Garden Decor

59 East Main Street, Suite A • Nashville, IN • 812-988-8707 Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 49

44th Annual

Hall of Fame Uncle Pen Days Festival September 19–22, 2018

Tom T. Hall and Miss Dixie. courtesy photo

~by Mark Blackwell

raditions are good things. They come in all types and sizes. Everybody has some personal traditions— things they do in particular ways on particular days. Then there are the big traditions like national holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and the Fourth of July. Communities have traditions as well. Brown County can claim several; the Spring Blossom Parade, the Back Roads Studio Tour, and Tuesday Night Jams at the town square. One of my favorites is the one started by Bill Monroe forty-four years ago. It’s the annual Hall of Fame and Uncle Pen Days festival. Mr. Bill established his Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum as a tangible reminder of and tribute to the musicians who helped develop and disseminate the music that he originated. This year is special in that there are two nominees, Tom T. Hall and his wife, Miss Dixie. Tome T. Hall has been involved with Country/Bluegrass music since he was a teenager. He has had his own band, been a radio announcer but he is best known for being a top-notch songwriter.

50 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. photo by Cindy Steele

He wrote “Harper Valley PTA,” a number one hit for Jeannie Riley back in 1968. And then went on to write the songs, “A Week in the County Jail,” “(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine,” “The Year Clayton Delaney Died,” and many, many more. And it is for his ability to write great narrative songs that he is known as The Storyteller. He has won a Grammy Award and a Country Music Association Award. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and this year he will be in the Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum. You can visit the Hall of Fame and Museum as a ticketholding attendee of this year’s festival. But free admission to the museum is not the only extra you get with a ticket— there are also workshops on various instruments and performance techniques that go on throughout the four days of the festival. Another benefit of the festival is that you can get up close and personal with some of the greatest musicians in Bluegrass music like Bobby Osborne, David Davis, Michael Cleveland, Doyle Lawson, and The Grascals up at the shelter on top of the hill. I always enjoy getting to say “Howdy” and

having a little conversation with some of my Bluegrass heroes—and just about anybody who plays good Bluegrass is a hero to me. Some of the “heroes” showing up this year, besides the ones I’ve already mentioned are; Karl Shifflet and the Big Country Show, Blue Highway, Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time, Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys, Larry Sparks, and many more. In addition to talking to my favorite performers, I also enjoy saying “Howdy” to the folks I meet at Bean Blossom. It’s always good to meet new people and it’s pretty easy to make new friends—we already have Bluegrass in common. Speakin’ of makin’ new friends, I highly recommend staying at the campground. Brown County has some very nice hotel and motel accommodations, but the campgrounds are where the fun is. And the fun doesn’t stop just because the last band of the day has left the stage. If you play a guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle or bass it’s not hard to find an impromptu camp-site band to jam with. And if you don’t play an instrument the bands are happy if you just show up with a pair of ears and a little enthusiasm. I think that a lot of the improvements to the campgrounds over the years were done just to make it a little easier on the “jammers.” I mean after you have been up all day listening to top tier Bluegrass from the concert stage, attended a few workshops, eaten your way down Vendor’s Row, and then played “Blue Moon of Kentucky” with a pick-up band until the wee hours, you shouldn’t have to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. No, it makes more sense to just climb into your tent, camper or RV knowing that you can get a hot shower right there in the campground when wake up. Not only are hot showers available but you can get electrical hookups, potable water and a dump station or your RV or camper. For the younger crowd or those hardy souls who just like to rough it, there are primitive camp sites (but you can still get a hot shower and clean water). And if you wind up forgetting something the park has a dandy little camp store. I know I’m probably forgetting to say something but just get your ticket(s)—they’re only $25 for Wednesday, $30 for Thursday, and $35 apiece for Friday and Saturday or you can come for the whole 4 days for $130. Camping is a little extra. Go ahead and give ‘em a call at 800-414-4677 or go online at <BeanBlossom.us> to make your reservations. It’s my favorite ease into autumn tradition and it can be yours, too. 

MARTINSVILLE CANDY KITCHEN * Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor * A Longtime Family Tradition Hand-Made Candy Canes Hand Shakes Floats Sodas Banana Splits ~ 24 Ice Cream Flavors ~

46 N. Main St. • Martinsville, IN • 765-342-6390 On the Square in Historic Downtown Martinsville Follow us on Facebook

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 51

come see us at our new location…

Lodge & Conference Center 92 w franklin st ¥ nashville, in ¥ 812.988.0336 in the heart of antique alley

TUESDAYS: Tex-Mex served in the bar 5–8:00 p.m. SUNDAYS: Fried Chicken Buffet 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

• Balcony Rooms

• Restaurant • Lounge

• Enclosed pool

• Conference facility for up to 500 people

560 State Road 46 East, Nashville, IN 812-988-2284 • SeasonsLodge.com 52 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Artisan Guilds of Bloomington Art Show and Sale Bloomington Spinners & Weavers Guild Local Clay Potters’ Guild Indiana Glass Guild Friday, November 2, 2018 • 4pm–9pm Saturday, November 3, 2018 • 9am–5pm Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center 302 S. College Ave., Bloomington, Indiana facebook.com/artisanguilds

brown County Inn HOTEL, RESTAURANT & BAR

On the corner of 135 & 46 just 3 blocks of downtown with free parking Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week 8am to 9pm Sunday to Thursday 8am to 10pm Friday & Saturday

www.browncountyinn.com (812) 988-2291

Sept./Oct. 2018 â&#x20AC;¢ Our Brown County 53

en p O w

Gnaw Bone Creek Trading Post General Store • Antique Mall

New Owners • New Ideas • Come See Us! PRIMITIVES • ANTIQUES

Tons of Items for Your DIY Projects! Visit Picker’s Alley • 1000s of Items

Creekside Cabins Now Open 7 Days a Week 9 am to 7 pm Tent Camping $8

5515 St Rd 46 East • Gnaw Bone • 10 minutes from downtown Nashville • 812-718-1852

Award Winning Indiana Wines = Enjoy

outdoor seating at Gnaw Bone location = Complimentary Wine Tastings = Shipping to select states

Village of Nashville East Main St. and Old School Way

Winery in Gnaw Bone

Voted one of the Best Winery Experiences in Indiana!

4520 State Road 46 East Nashville

Fruit Wine of the Year [\ Double Gold Winner

PASSPORTS STAMPED HERE

VOTED #1 ON TRIP ADVISOR

BrownCountyWinery.com · 812-988-6144 · 812-988-8646 OPEN DAILY | Monday–Thursday 10 am-5 pm | Friday & Saturday 10 am-5:30 pm | Sunday · 11 am-5 pm 54 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

The Log Inn The spaciousness of The Log Inn, located close to Little Nashville, makes for a comfortable, convenient accommodation you wont want to leave. You’ll love the natural wooded setting with a beautiful view from the deck. Enjoy the large hot tub after you spend the day shopping in the village or hiking in the Brown County State Park that is less than a mile away. • Log Cabins • Game Rooms • Pet Friendly • Hot Tubs • Private Pools • Lake Fronts Call, Book Online, or Stop in! 812.988.6554 • 30 Washington St. • Nashville, IN Like and Follow Us! MoonDanceVacationHomes.com

Fun, Geeky Goodness!

Apparel & Accessories Comics, Toys, & Collectibles Pop Culture Themed Backpacks & Cold Weather Gear $1 Comic Books Licensed Socks Seasonal Holiday Items Two Little Shops in Heritage Mall 41 S. Van Buren St. • Nashville, IN

Hoosier Hooch Premium Flavored Moonshines

Your Headquarters for the Great Outdoors • Camping Supplies: • Fishing Tackle Tents, Camping Lights, • Horse Tack Sleeping Bags, Grills, • RV Replacement Parts Fire Starters, Coleman Heaters and Lanterns, • Bulk Mulch Cooking Utensils and Top Soil We Fill Propane Tanks

Salt Creek Plaza • Nashville

(812) 988-8888

www.BearHardware.com • YETI Coolers Dealer

Mon.–Sat. 7:30am–7:00pm Sun 10:00am–4:00pm

BEAR WALLOW dist i ll e r y

Makers of distilled spirits using locally grown grains in an old-fashioned copper still

Tours and Tastings Gnaw Bone Bourbon Famous for our Moonshine Shake-Up Cocktails

4484 E. Old State Road 46 Gnaw Bone (Look for the signs) (812) 657-4923 • www.bearwallowdistillery.com Mon.–Thurs. 11–5, Fri.–Sat. 11–6, Sun. 12–5

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 55

Elkinsville The Town that Was

~by Julia Pearson

essages from the gravestones can be found in the Elkinsville Cemetery, one of God’s acres in Brown County. There are about one hundred fifty burials, with names like Stogdill, Lutes, Shirell, Wilkerson, and White etched in the sandstone markers. Some date back to the mid-1800s. Infant burials with birth and death dates just days apart, or young siblings laid side-by-side, tear at the hearts of the most casual visitors. Elkinsville is known as “the town that was.” A once thriving community founded at the foot of Browning Mountain in the 1850s, it was evacuated by eminent domain in 1964 by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to make way for the Lake Monroe Reservoir. It bears the name of one of Brown County’s earliest settlers, William Elkins, who arrived in the area just as statehood was granted to Indiana. The town of Elkinsville prospered, trading to the south and west, in the valley that would one day be covered by the water of Lake Monroe. The first store was opened by Butcher and Bennington. Soon after, a church, one-room school, and post office appeared in the community, and then a blacksmith and carpenters arrived. In its early days, fur trading was a booming business, as was logging and timbering. Weston A. Goodspeed noted in his 1884 history book, County of Brown, Indiana, “The bottoms about Elkinsville are rich and productive with the wealth of the lacustral silt deposited by torrents down the hillside.” Saplings from the forests thick with hickory provided barrel hoops. White oak was used in car stock and for automobile top stays. Sassafras roots were dried and shipped to New York through the US mail. Lumber and

56 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Sarah Elkins, 1929.

Elkinsville school children, 1946.

logs provided income through making of crossties for the expanding railroads during the late 1920s and 1930s. The little community was always poor in material wealth, but rich in spit and spirit. Spring rains would flood Salt Creek, wiping out crops and cancelling school. Everyone had their own vegetable garden of immense sizes. Home canning stocked cellars with literally hundreds of quarts of beans, tomatoes, tomato juice, corn, peaches, apple butter, pickles, grape juice, and jellies for sandwiches to fill school lunch pails. Children rose voluntarily with the sun to get the weed pulling chores done before the heat of summer days set in. Hazelnuts,

Frank M. Hohenberger photos courtesy The Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

The Browning store, 1946.

hickory nuts, and walnuts were plentiful for families and neighbors. Women shared cuttings with each other to get herbs and flower beds established. They shared a healthy way of life, which was good since medical attention was several miles away. In the 1900s men traveled to nearby towns for employment so that children could be raised in the proverbial warm arms of the townsfolk and the natural beauty of the countryside. Jobs in manufacturing were had in Columbus at Cummins and Arvin. Surrounding Bloomington were many stone mills and quarries. Nashville had a limited number of service type jobs. Winter called for neighbors to donate labor to shovel out ditches to drain water from the roadways. Saturday nights in the summertime were the best. Merchants paid for a free outdoor movie in Freetown. Folks brought their surplus eggs and farm produce to sell and bought items they needed. Battery powered radios provided a news source until electricity was available in 1948. Employment could be found in construction work, or at Bessire Orchards and the Randsburg Tree Farms. The Bohall family made baskets. The Elkinsville school closed in 1958 and students then went to Van Buren School. The Van Buren High consolidated that same year with Nashville High School and the first combined class of seniors graduated in the spring of 1959 from Nashville High School. In the 1940s and early 1950s the growing communities of Bloomington and Indiana University required a greater water supply. Lake Lemon could not

cover the need, so the Department of Natural Resources and the US Army Corps of Engineers decided to dam up Salt Creek in the area of Harrodsburg and make Lake Monroe, the state’s largest man-made lake. The first step was the Flood Control Act of 1944, which authorized construction for dams for flood control. Authorization by law was given on July 3, 1958 to start building the reservoir. Purchasing land and homes was started the following year. Lake Monroe and dam were built in 1960 and the lake started holding water in 1964. A memorial to the families who had to leave Elkinsville is at the old cemetery. It is engraved with this epitaph: That day we moved, we’ll never forget As goodbyes were said and the sun was set. Never again in these hills we’ll roam But in our hearts, this is always home. “May Our Enchanted Valley Give You Peace” Elkinsville is located 18 miles from Nashville, south of the Brown County State Park. Taking State Road135 to Story, it becomes the Elkinsville Road at the Story Inn. Since 1987, former residents’ families and friends come back to Elkinsville for a reunion held at the foot of Browning Mountain. Heritage and nostalgia are the order of the day and a table-bending pitch-in supper to please all tastes.  Recommended reading for those wishing to learn more about Elkinsville: County of Brown, Indiana,1884, by Weston Arthur Goodspeed. Elkinsville, Indiana The Town That Was, 2000, by Robert Cross, Oliver and Nancy Deckard. The Dusty Road Leads to Elkinsville, 2002, by Robert E. Cross.

Brown County

History Center Displays and Exhibits

Pioneer Village Museum

Bringing Brown County’s Past to Life

Looking for event space? or more info 812-988-2899 Open Thurs.–Sun. 11–4, Archives: Tues. and Fri. 1–4 North of the courthouse • Donations welcome

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 57

Visit

Morgantown 10 miles north of Nashville on scenic State Road 135 Sales . Repair . Watch Batteries

75 W. Washington St., Morgantown, IN 46160

www.TheClockConnection.com Like us on Facebook Open Tue-Fri 11-5pm & Sat 10-2pm Closed Sun & Mon 812-597-5414 . houseofclocks@att.net

ANTIQUES CO-OP 129 W. Washington St. • Morgantown, IN 46160

Colonel Vawter Day September 15, 2018

(In the old hardware store building)

Country Primitives Advertising Antique Garden Old Paint Early Smalls Open 6 Days (Closed Mon.)

Furniture, Art Architectural Elements Pottery The Odd and Unusual and A General Line Like us on Facebook

(812) 597-4530

Layaway Available

ART Beyond Crayons Creativity beyond the classroom Pick your • Art Lessons for All Ages Palette: • Group Painting Parties

• Birthday Paint Parties • Home Schooled Instruction

Judy D. Wells • owner, K–12 Licensed Educator • judydenisewells@gmail.com 59 S. Marion St. • Morgantown, IN • (317) 403-7147 Flexible hours including weekends and evenings

58 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

d Awakenings Cafe e w e r B BREAKFAST

& LUNCH

Subs, Paninis, Salads, Soups, Wraps Open Monday–Saturday 6 am–2 pm

340 E. State Road 135 • Morgantown, IN • 812-597-3033

All New Guest Rooms and Suites with Kitchenettes

Restaurant Serving Lunch & Dinner Daily and also Breakfast Sat. & Sun.

Wine-Down Wednesday

Book Your Meeting, Banquet, or Reception at our Conference Center

2450 State Road 46 East, Nashville, IN Close to Salt Creek Golf Course, Brown County State Park www.creeksideretreat.net Toll free 844-4RETREAT (844-473-8732)

GRANDPA JEFF’S

Trail Rides

Every Wed. 6–8 pm

1/3 OFF select wines and music by Jeff Foster

• Soups • Salads • Sandwiches • After Five Menu • Fine Wines Breads, Pastries, and Danish Baked Here Daily

Center of Nashville Main and Van Buren Streets Open Daily • (812) 988-4114 HobnobCornerRestaurant.com

Hoosier Buddy Liquors Cold Beer, Fine Wines & Select Spirits Cold Beer:

Hoosier Buddy offers more than 150 different beers, including more than 80 craft, micro, and imports. We proudly offer a wide variety of beers from Indiana’s finest brewers.

Fine Wines:

Hoosier Buddy is a wine-lovers type of store. With more than 200 wines to choose from, we’ve got something for everyone. Check out our “Affordable Imports” and “90+ Point” selections.

Relax on a journey with Grandpa Jeff. ff. Take in the scenery and wildlife. No two rides will ever be the same —sunny summer days, fall colors, winter snowfalls, spring blossoms. Trail Rides, Pony Rides, Hay Rides Cattle Drives, and Custom Excursions

At least one hour notice. Trail Ride Reservations can be made by phone, e-mail, or through our website.

Select Spirits:

Hoosier Buddy offers an ever expanding array of top-notch spirits. Our whiskey category alone includes more than 75 different choices. Whether you’re looking for a Single Barrel Bourbon or a Single Malt from Islay— we stock them. Grandpa Jeff personally trained our horses to take exceptional care of your family and friends of all ages.

call or text www.GrandpaJeffsTrailRides.com cell (812)272-0702 info@GrandpaJeffsTrailRides.com 5889 S. Skinner Rd. Morgantown, Indiana

284 South Van Buren (next to Subway) Nashville, IN 812-988-2267

Follow us on Twitter @HoosierBuddy1 As always, Hoosier Buddy Liquors A reminds you to celebrate safe —don’t drink and drive.

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 59

The Sampler

Brown Bike

Eatery and Drinkery

he new Brown Bike restaurant, perched on the corner of Van Buren and Gould streets in a newly renovated space, is well on its way to a big success. There is nothing the Sampler enjoys more than dining al fresco, out in the fresh air, and the bulk of the seating at Brown Bike is on metal patio tables with large umbrellas which are spread across the deck. Seated comfortably in the shade of a big umbrella, one is able to take in the whole panorama of visitors at play in downtown Nashville, enjoy the breezes of a beautiful day, and contemplate a stimulating and appealing offering of victuals and libations. All of the menu categories reference bicycling. But first, a frosty libation! Brown Bike has a delightful array of cocktails which seem perfectly suited before, during, or and after a light and tasty repast on the veranda. There’s a good selection of cold beer and a handful of wines. But their signature “Coasting Cocktails” include spiked Italian ice with tequila or vodka, Limoncello lemonade, Bourbon ale— whiskey, ginger ale and a splash of lime, or an Aperol spritz—Prosecco, Aperol and club soda over ice with an orange slice. There are appetizers on offer, “Pedal Starters,” including pita chips with roasted red pepper and feta dip or white queso and black bean dip and batter-dipped fried cheese curds with house garlic aioli or avocado ranch dressing.

“Healthy Ride Salads” include a Bean Blossom Salad served with house-made avocado ranch or Greek vinaigrette dressing or a Cog Salad featuring crispy chicken bites, hard boiled eggs, bacon with blue cheese crumbles, and grape tomatoes with avocado ranch dressing. The mainstay of the menu are the “Destination Sandwiches”: hamburgers, a chicken sandwich, a deep-fried grilled cheese, yummy things in pita pockets, and an Italian Beef. Mrs. Sampler chooses the Brown Bike Burger. You can get one, two, or three four-ounce patties of locally raised, grass fed, non GMO, non antibiotic or hormone given ground beef, served with crinkle cutter fries, baked beans or a cucumber salad. There’s a Greek chicken pita with sliced tomatoes, feta cheese, kalamatra olives, lettuce and tzatziki sauce, and the fascinating Cheese Frenchie— grilled cheese coated in a “special mixture” and deep fried. I came for the Italian beef sandwich, of which the menu states, “Dad’s

60 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

reputation rides on his 60-year old recipe!” You may think of this sandwich as a French Dip, but that largely depends on what you call the bread upon which it is served. Is that a French baguette or an Italian-style roll? Either way, the sandwich has nothing to do with France or Italy. Two different Los Angeles Restaurants claim to have invented the French Dip in 1908, and 1918. There are also multiple claims for the creation of the Italian Beef sandwich in Chicago in the 1930s. Of course, it being an Italian beef, the au jus (“with juice”) is called “gravy.” It can be served hot, topped with Italian giardiniera or sweet, with sautéed green peppers. Brown Bike slow-cooks choice, trimmed, paper-thin sliced beef for hours in their kitchen, piles it on an eight-inch roll, and serves it either dry with broth on the side, or wet soaked with that delicious brown gravy.

You can add provolone cheese or house made giardiniera, an Italian relish made of pickled vegetables in vinegar or oil. I choose the dry option with gravy on the side for dipping, and eschew any toppings, including the traditional spicy mustard. I want to taste that good beef. The sandwich arrives heaped up and piping hot, gravy on the side, which allows one to control the wetness of each particular bite. It is delightfully delicious and every bit as good as advertised and anticipated—a yummy mouthful of tasty, tender beef. As usual, we are too well satisfied to “Brake for Desserts,” which might have included a crunchy caramel pecan brownie topped with homemade gelato or an authentic made-fresh-daily, real fruit Italian ice that is dairy free, gluten free, fat free, cholesterol free, low calorie, with no preservatives, dyes, high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors. They also allow you to make your own s’mores tableside, which seems not only dangerous and slightly unhinged, but more work than I am willing to devote to dessert, sweet tooth notwithstanding. The Brown Bike opens daily at 11:00 a.m.

DOUG HARDEN continued from 17 might not be able to fill a stadium, they certainly can draw enough fans to fill the Maple Leaf. Some of his dream bands to see at the new hall include The Doobie Brothers, John Mellencamp, and Alison Krauss. All those bands today include musicians Harden has played with at some point in his bluegrass career. He recorded and toured with six bands over three decades and picked strings on hundreds of stages throughout the U.S. and Canada, including at the Grand Ole Opry and the Library of Congress’ Coolidge Auditorium. For about five years, he toured more than 40 weekends per year. Harden’s experience as a touring musician and architectural designer uniquely qualified him to design the new concert hall for Brown County. The two-story structure will boast an inviting wooden entry hall, breathtaking views of 100 acres of Brown County hills, and top-notch lighting, sound, and visual sight lines between every seat and the stage, Harden said. It’s Harden’s best attempt to give back to his hometown. “It just makes me glad to think we’re giving a direction for Nashville,” he said. “And for other developers, who I truly believe will come.”

BROWN COUNTY

Hometown Proud Local Grocery Store Serving Beautiful Brown County Since 1975! • Certified Angus Beef • Large Beer and Wine Sections • Organic Grocery • Dairy • Picnic Supplies • Produce • Full Service Bakery/Deli • Frozen • Custom Cake Decorating • Wine • Custom Deli Trays, Veggie Trays,

Ever-Growing Selection of Gluten-Free Products 30 Hawthorne Dr. • Nashville • East SR 46 at light • 812-988-4546 Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 61

CARMEL CORN COTTAGE New Oriental Ice Cream New Popcorn Flavors

AAuthentic Mexican Cuisine Family Owned and Operated •Daily Specials •Kid’s Menu

Double Dipped Bacon Popcorn Pickle Popcorn

Sweet Treats

FULL BAR AVAILABLE

Butter Toffee Chocolate Delites Chocolate Coated Bacon Strips Carmel Coated Bacon Strips

812-988-4535 Carry Out Available

Free Samples

Show this ad & receive a FREE small drink or Caramel Puff with popcorn purchase.

Look for the red & white building at the north end of town

812-988-6011 • CarmelCornCottage.com

COACHLIGHT SQUARE 101 E. Washington St. one block east of S. Van Buren St. (in front of the high school) in downtown Nashville

Brown County

KOA

Building Fine Log Homes for over 40 Years

>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<

Open April–October

2248 State Road 46 East • Nashville, IN Minutes away from fine dining, shopping, museums, live entertainment, and theater

Info: 812-988-4675 • Reservations: 800-562-9132 www.browncountykoa.com

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • HANDCRAFTED QUALITY

3497 Clay Lick Road • Nashville, IN • (812) 988-2689

Nashville General Store & Bakery Nashville’s Unique Dining Experience (1800s Cabin)

Jams, Jellies, Preserves, Specialty Linen, Rugs, Candles Curtains, Stitcheries Antiques, Billy Jacobs Prints

118 E. Washington St. (by the creek) Nashville, IN • 812-988-6362 Open Sun.–Thurs. 9–5, Fri. 9–6, Sat. 9–7

Breakfast and Lunch BBQ, Chicken Salad, Soups, Pit Ham Cinnamon Rolls, Cobblers, Cookies, Brownies Coffees and Cappuccino

NASHVILLE GENERAL STORE EXPRESS SHUTTLE Reserve the Nashville General Store Express for your charter needs.

62 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

Welcome to a Happy Place!

THE FIREPLACE CENTER

Complete line of: • Wood Stoves and Inserts • Gas Stoves and Inserts • Fireplaces Your first step to Energy INDEPENDENT LIVING

•Brown County Souvenirs •Garden Flags •Yard Art Old and Young Love this Shop! Jackson Creek Village •Haitian/Mexican Metal Art across from Casa Del Sol •T-Shirts •Toys •Chimes on Washington in Nashville •Concrete Statuary •Collectibles (812) 988-2725

812-336-2053 1-800-344-3967 1210 W. 2nd St. Bloomington BloomingtonFireplaces.com

Our

SANDWICH PLACE

Locally built instruments and affordable student models meticulously displayed, making this little music store a destination point in Brown County Lovingly owned and operated by

At the corner of Main & Van Buren Street (underneath the Nashville House) 812.988.2355

Family Friendly Menu Cooked from Scratch

Kara Barnard and Kristin Thompson

Breakfast (till 11:00) • Lunch • Early Supper

musicians, instructors and instrument adoption specialists

Open daily at 8:30 am till slow (Closed Wed. & Thurs.)

58 E. Main Nashville, IN—Look for BANJO by courthouse

Build your own sandwich, burgers & dogs, daily specials Tex-Mex menu items, delicious desserts

812-200-3300 • www.weedpatchmusicshop.com

158 N. Jefferson Nashville, IN 47448

visit callcarpenter.com

Hills O’ Brown Realty

Front Porch to Back Deck... We’ve got you covered Call us to list your home today!

TOM VORNHOLT

KATHRYN & DONNA TEAM

ERIN ENGELKING

DEBBIE FLEETWOOD

PENNY SCROGGINS

BOB KIRLIN

PHIL SHIVELY TEAM

317-989-3323

812-327-7462 317-418-2320

812-318-5179

812-327-6862

812-327-3865

812-720-0222

812-325-2290 812-322-0378

Branch Manager

Brokers

Broker

Brokers

JANET GASKINS

Administrative Assistant

812-988-2227

Sept./Oct. 2018 • Our Brown County 63

Come to Gnaw Bone for some tasty BBQ

T Open for Lunch and Dinner • Wednesday–Sunday 812-988-5810 • SugarCreekBBQco.com • Wed.–Thurs. 11–8, Fri.–Sat. 11–9, Sun. 11–7

4359 State Road 46 East • Nashville, IN 47448 10 minutes from downtown Nashville. Look for the flags on the south side of the highway.

Melchior Marionette Theatre “Comedy Cabaret on Strings” September: 1, 15

Free Popcorn! Tickets $5

“Slightly Haunted Puppet Theatre”

(sold 15 min. before show) Showtimes 1:00 and 3:00 extra times in October Westside of S. Van Buren St. Downtown Nashville

September: 29,30 October: 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28

800-849-4853 • www.melchiormarionettes.com

A Wonderful Mix of Old, New, Used and Rare Books

45 S. Jefferson Street · Nashville, IN 812.988.0202 · fallenleafbookstore.com Sun–Fri 11 am – 5 pm · Sat 10 am – 5 pm

Journals · Sketchbooks Handmade Greeting Cards Local Postcards

There’s a wine for any palette! Free tasting of our locally made wines. You can choose from bold dry reds to refreshing whites and sweet fruit wines.

38 Franklin St. E. (Near the train) Nashville, IN (812) 988-1111 • cedarcreekwine.com Open 7 days a week 12 pm to 5 pm

64 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2018

he Brown County Playhouse is filled with top musical entertainment this fall. EPIC: Great Artists of the 60s and 70s The 60s and 70s ushered in an era of popular music that extended the boundaries of rock and roll. Jenn Cristy and Eric Brown, of One Pulse Entertainment, star in this live concert experience featuring music from The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Mitch Ryder, Pink Floyd, Elton John and many other memorable performers. There is something for every music lover. More upcoming 2018 One Pulse Entertainment shows at Playhouse include The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Dylan: The Times are Still a Changin’, Working Class Heroes, The 4 Dimensions, The King, and Between You and Me. Mellencougar This show is a tribute to America, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and John Cougar Mellencamp. Mellencougar is made up of a group of musicians from the Illinois/Wisconsin scene. Their appreciation of the music of the Heartland, and specifically John Cougar Mellencamp, gained the respect of many fans and musicians. This performance features Brown County resident Toby Myers, a celebrated bass player for years with the Mellencamp band. Platinum Girls Produced by Brown County-based Golden Ticket Productions, this show was first presented at the Palace Theatre back in 2011/12. Then it was remounted at the Playhouse in 2013 where it was the Playhouse’s highest selling show of that year. Now re-worked with five new original songs by Co-Producer Russell Moss, this musical is back for a final staging before advancing to off Broadway sometime in the near future. The story surrounds three women who once had a hit on the charts. Nowadays, their claim to fame is less than ideal, and they long to recapture those glory days. Planning the comeback concert of their lives, they hope the stars will align for them once again. The show stars Jennifer Simms, Suellen Swaney, and Christine Hignight Long. Season tickets are on sale at box office or on the website. Patrons can purchase a Flexpass and choose 6 shows from September to December. Season ticket holders receive a discount of 30% plus reserved seating. Call the ticket office (812) 988-6555, Thursday through Sunday or visit <browncountyplayhouse.org>. Beer, wine and mixed drinks sold in the auditorium during both movies and live shows. 

Over 25 authors signing!

coloring

ys a w a e giv

area

prizes

readings

events

s count

dis

th 3 1 r e b o t c O

m p 4 10am

w o d a e M n n u D on the IU Bloomingt

hosted by

on campus

Sept./Oct. 2018 OUR BROWN COUNTY

Articles inside

Snakes Alive!

Brown County Back Roads Studio Tour

Maple Leaf Dream

Snakes Alive!