Sept./Oct. 2021 OUR BROWN COUNTY

Sept./Oct. 2021 FREE

The Magazine of Fun and Fact

The Toy Chest Pioneer Village Village Art Walk ChristKindl Market

dipping! we have many olive oils and balsamics to mix and innovate your own flavor creations for

wild & tasty

TIP

Pour a generous portion of our Tuscan Herb Extra Virgin Olive Oil with a small amount of our 25 Star Aged Balsamic on a plate. Sprinkle sea salt and cracked pepper on top. Serve with a sliced fresh baguette for dipping. A perfect snack to share during a fall picnic or as an appetizer before dinner. We have suggestions for many different olive oil and balsamic combos for dipping. Come on in and taste to your heart’s content!

We’ve been bringing great taste to you since 2012 from our inviting little shop in the heart of Brown County, Indiana.

We have curated a flavorful collection for your tasting pleasure with plenty to offer for foodies, the experienced cook, or the novice. It goes well beyond the high-quality olive oils and balsamics we built our reputation on. We’ve added jams, pastas, dipping oils, salsas, sauces, and much more. Come in for a tour of tastes and let us be your guide. You’ll be wild about our shop.

Shop us online from anywhere, anytime at www.thewildolive.com

www.thewildolive.com | 37 W Main Street, Nashville, Indiana 47448 | (812) 988-9453

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

Nineveh Edinburgh Morgantown 31 37 135 I-65 46 Bloomington Columbus 46 NASHVILLE 252

Monroe Music Park & Campground

HELMSBURG

BEAN BLOSSOM

Helmsburg General Store Lightspinner Studio

135

NASHVILLE Old SR 4

6

d

Craftsman Recreation

A ls . KO nta n Co all tion Re ry w Tire M . o r o e e a C B iqu n Vac . Win wn o Ant Bro ONE Co. O’ Brow rown C n w WB s B A Bro N Hill G Salt Creek Mt . Li Golf Retreat Dunham ber Friends O’ Mine ty R Campground d Bear Wallow Mainstream Distillery Fiber

MI

Abe Martin Lodge

eXplore Brown County

135

Val le

yB

Mike’s Music and Dance Barn

to COLUMBUS

Rd.

TO N

46

Musical Entertainment

46

NG

BELMONT

to BL OO

Yellowwood Rd

Ferrer Studio

Lodging/ Camping

ran ch

lley Rd.

Kelp G rove R d.

Amanda W. Mathis Green Va

Hoover Rd

Mike Nickels Log Homes

Brick Lodge

Rd.

GATESVILLE

Artist and/or Gallery

Country Club Rd

Oak Grove

Doodles by Kara Barnard

Flower and Herb Barn Farmhouse Café

kR

Rd.

Cordry Lake

Sprunica Rd.

Sal tC ree

Rd sburg

Ow l Cr eek

Yellowwood State Forest

Vaught Rd.

Dining

Helm

Dr. Lisa Baker, DDS Fireplace Center

Sweetwater Lake

Rosey Bolte’s Uncommon Gourd Studio

Plum Creek Antiques

BLOOMINGTON

The Apple Works

Antiques Co-op Art Beyond Crayons Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides

Upper Bean Blossom

OMIN GTON

Trafalgar

to BL O

Brown County State Park

ELKINSVILLE

ton Cr

CHRISTIANSBURG

k Rd

ansbu rg Christi

STORY Monroe Reservoir

ove r Gr

Rd

STONE HEAD

la Pop

T.C. Steele State Historic Site

PIKES PEAK

Hamil

to Porthole Inn

Franklin

Moon Acres Brownie’s Bean Blossom Restaurant Helmsburg Sawmill Pool Enterprises

45

South Shore Dr.

Martinsville

TRAFALGAR MORGANTOWN

Clay Lick Rd

Lake Lemon

135

to MORGANTOWN

NASHVILLE MAP ON PAGE 6

Carmel Ridge Rd

Brown N County

Indianapolis

Homestead Weaving Studio

JEFFERSON STREET

HONEYSUCKLE LANE

OLD HICKORY LANE

Hoosier Artist Gallery

Fallen Leaf Books

Miller’s Ice Cream The Candy Dish The Harvest Preserve B3 Gallery

The Wild Olive

Brown Co. Art Guild

Moonshine Leather

ST SR 135 N

Village Green

MOLLY’S LANE Big Woods Village

Common Grounds Coffee Bar

Iris Garden

Head Over Heels

Heritage Candy Store

Heritage Mall

Juls Etc.

Spears Gallery

New Harmony Soap

Homes on a Limb

Main Street Shops

Woodlands Foxfire Gift & Home Gallery Foxfire Boutique

Naughty Dog Books

Weed Patch Music Company

Log JJail L il

Pioneer Village Museum

MAIN STREET Brown Co. Winery

The Nashville House

Courthouse

Copperhead Creek Gem Mine

Iris Garden Cottages & Suites

Complex Brown Co. Rock & Fossil Shop

Trolly’s

GOULD STREET

Brown Co. History Center

Brown Co Public Library

Gold &Old

Redbud Ter.

Health For U Scentual Journeys Kenne’s Corner Stop

Old

RE/MAX Team

Office

County Offices

Touch of Silver

LOCUST LANE

to Lory Winford Fine Art Heres Home Studio

Colonial Bldg.

Men’s Toy Shop

Carmel Corn Cottage

Heavenly Biscuit

MOUND STREET

ROBERT “BUCK” STOGSDILL WAY

TO HELMSBURG - 6 MILES

Michael’s Flowers

Zieg LeDoux & Associates

J.B. Goods/ Life is Good

TO BEAN BLOSSOM & MORGANTOWN

Brozinni Pizzeria

Carpenter Hills O’Brown Realty

North House

Hotel Nashville

46

IHA

Brown Co Art Gallery

Masonic Lodge

SR

ARTIST DR

VAN BUREN

The Salvation Army

Precise Books & Payroll

Brown Co Massage

The Totem Post

Jack & Jill Nut Shop

Brown Co Playhouse

58 South Apparel

JEFFERSON STREET Hoosier Buddy

Thrift Shop Community Closet

Nashville BP

PITTMAN HOUSE LANE

PAT REILLY DR

Calvin Place

Schwab’s Fudge

New Leaf Amy Greely

Life is Good JB Goods

VAN BUREN ST SR 135 N

SR 46 TO BLOOMINGTON - 16 MILES

McGinley Insurance

Franklin Square

HONEYSUCKLE LANE

FRANKLIN STREET

The Ferguson House Bistro & Bar

Clay Purl Brown Co Pottery

Antique Alley

Old McDurbin Gold & Gifts

Country Heritage Winery

Bone Appetit Bakery Nashville Spice Co.

Brown County Inn

map not to scale

Theatre

Dining

Rafters

Brown Co Health & Living

Larry Sanchez • Misty Sanchez

Brown County Eye Care Blue Elk Family Clinic

Brown Co Music Center

Seasons Hotel & Event Center

Salt Creek Park

Casa Del Sol

Doodles by Kara Barnard

Craftsman

Artist and/or Gallery Rest Room

Lodging

Musical Entertainment Parking

COUNTY MAP ON PAGE 5

Nashville General Store & Bakery

Quality Inn Brown Co Community YMCA

Bear Hardware

Brown County IGA

N

Nashville Indiana

Coachlight Square

WASHINGTON STREET

Brown Co Craft Gallery

Cornerstone Inn

SR 46 TO COLUMBUS - 16 MILES

Visitors Center

Nashville Fudge Kitchen Brown Co T-Shirt Shop Moondance Vacation Homes

Sweetwater Gallery Gyros Healing Hearts & Memory Making

Possum Trot Square

Carol’s Gifts The Toy Chest House of Jerky The Wise Woman Yesteryear Shoppe Old Time Photos Wishful Thinking Back to Back

Artists Colony Inn

Artists Colony

Emerald Pencil

Nashville Express

Rhonda Kay’s

Out of the Ordinary and Hickory Bar

OLD SCHOOL WAY

8 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2021

ADVERTISER

ANTIQUES Antiques Co-op................................. 64 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 30 The Emerald Pencil........................... 22 FallFare............................................... 22 Moon Acres........................................ 66 Michael’s Flowers.............................. 18 Plum Creek Antiques....................... 68 ART, ART SUPPLIES-INSTRUCTION Antiques Co-op................................. 64 Art Beyond Crayons......................... 64 B3 Gallery............................................. 3 Back Roads Studio Tour................... 36 Bear Hardware.............................63,68 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 30 Brown Co Art Gallery....................... 18 Brown Co Art Guild........................... 19 Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 25 FallFare............................................... 22 Ferrer Studio, Art by Dixie Ferrer... 19 HeresHome StudioLory Winford Fine Art....................... 19 Hoosier Artist Gallery...................... 23 Lightspinner Studio-M. Sechler..... 24 Nashville General Store & Bakery.. 31 Amanda W. Mathis............................ 19 Rhoden Art at eXplore Brown Co.... 4 Spears Gallery................................... 22 C. Steele Art....................................... 69 Rosey Bolte-Uncommon Gourd..... 18 Village Art Walk................................. 23 BOOKS The Emerald Pencil........................... 22 Fallen Leaf Books.............................. 63 Naughty Dog Books......................... 29 Restaurant Sampler Collection...... 67 Wise Woman Shoppe....................... 46 CLOTHING 58 South Apparel.............................. 52 Back Roads Studio Tour................... 36 Bear Hardware.............................63,68 Brown Co T-Shirt Shop..................... 46 Community Closet Thrift Shop....... 47

Wise Woman Shoppe....................... 46 Wishful Thinking............................... 12 Woodlands Gallery........................... 47 ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC Brown Co Music Center................... 51 Brown Co Playhouse...................45,63 Copperhead Creek Gem Mine........ 65 eXplore Brown Co............................... 4 Nashville Express.............................. 67 Porthole Inn....................................... 60 FOOD & BEVERAGE Abe Martin Lodge............................. 15 Apple Works....................................... 64 Artists Colony Inn............................. 27 Bear Wallow Distillery...................... 44 Brown Co IGA.................................... 61 Brown Co Inn..................................... 14 Brown Co Winery.............................. 26 Brownie’s Bean Blossom Rest......... 46 Brozinni Pizzeria............................... 52 The Candy Dish................................... 3 Carmel Corn Cottage....................... 30 Casa del Sol........................................ 46 Cedar Creek Winery.......................... 13 Common Grounds Coffee Bar........ 13 Country Heritage Winery................ 44 FallFare............................................... 22 Farmhouse Cafe................................ 56 The Ferguson House Bistro & Bar.. 50 Gyros Food is Art.............................. 12 The Harvest Preserve......................... 3 Heavenly Biscuit............................... 56 Helmsburg General Store............... 67 Heritage Candy Store....................... 31 Hoosier Buddy Liquors.................... 27 Hotel Nashville.................................. 61 House of Jerky................................... 46 Jack and Jill Nut Shop...................... 13 Miller’s Ice Cream................................ 3 Nashville BP....................................... 65 Nashville General Store & Bakery.. 31 The Nashville House......................... 22 Nashville Fudge Kitchen.................. 72

Foxfire Boutique............................... 57 Head Over Heels............................... 47 J.B. Goods/ Life is Good................... 26 Kenne’s Corner Stop......................... 53 Men’s Toy Shop.................................. 31 CRAFTS, POTTERY, GIFTS Antiques Co-op................................. 64 Apple Works....................................... 64 B3 Gallery............................................. 3 Back Roads Studio Tour................... 36 Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 13 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 30 Brown Co Art Guild........................... 19 Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 25 Brown Co Pottery.............................. 24 Brown Co Rock & Fossil Shop......... 65 Carol’s Gifts........................................ 23 Clay Purl............................................. 53 The Emerald Pencil........................... 22 FallFare............................................... 22 Foxfire Gift & Home.......................... 57 Head Over Heels............................... 47 Healing Hearts &Memory Making.60 Homes on a Limb.............................. 23 Homestead Weaving Studio........... 18 Hoosier Artist Gallery...................... 23 Kenne’s Corner Stop......................... 53 Lightspinner Studio-M. Sechler..... 24 Men’s Toy Shop.................................. 31 Michael’s Flowers.............................. 18 Moon Acres........................................ 66 Moonshine Leather.......................... 18 Naughty Dog Books......................... 29 New Harmony Soap......................... 49 New Leaf............................................. 19 Rhonda Kay’s..................................... 52 Scentual Journeys............................ 53 Spears Gallery................................... 22 C. Steele Art....................................... 69 Sweetwater Gallery.......................... 25 The Totem Post.................................. 12 The Toy Chest.................................... 29 Rosey Bolte-Uncommon Gourd..... 18

DIRECTORY Nashville Spice Co............................. 71 Out of the Ordinary & Hickory Bar.53 Porthole Inn....................................... 60 Rafters................................................. 45 Salt Creek Golf Retreat.................... 51 Schwab’s Fudge................................. 47 Seasons Hotel & Event Center........ 59 Trolly’s................................................. 30 The Wild Olive..................................... 2 FURNITURE Antiques Co-op................................. 64 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 30 Moon Acres........................................ 66 Plum Creek Antiques....................... 68 C. Steele Art....................................... 69 HARDWARE Bear Hardware.............................63,68 HATS Head Over Heels............................... 47 Moonshine Leather.......................... 18 JEWELRY B3 Gallery............................................. 3 Back Roads Studio Tour................... 36 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 30 Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 25 Foxfire Boutique............................... 57 Hoosier Artist Gallery...................... 23 Juls Etc................................................ 26 Kenne’s Corner Stop......................... 53 New Leaf............................................. 19 Old McDurbin Gold & Gifts............. 13 Rhonda Kay’s..................................... 52 Spears Gallery................................... 22 The Totem Post.................................. 12 Touch of Silver Gold & Old.............. 26 LODGING/CAMPGROUNDS Abe Martin Lodge............................. 15 Artists Colony Inn............................. 27 Brick Lodge........................................ 61 Brown Co Health & Living............... 69 Brown Co Inn..................................... 14 Brown Co KOA................................... 47 Cornerstone Inn................................ 15

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 9

eXplore Brown Co............................... 4 Friends O’ Mine Campground........ 53 Hills O’ Brown Vacation Rentals..... 63 Hotel Nashville.................................. 61 Iris Garden Cottages & Suites......... 65 Moondance Vacation Homes......... 56 North House...................................... 61 Quality Inn......................................... 30 Salt Creek Golf Retreat.................... 51 Seasons Hotel & Event Center........ 59 MUSEUM/HISTORY Brown Co History Center................. 46 PET PRODUCTS Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 13 PHOTOS B3 Gallery............................................. 3 Hoosier Artist Gallery...................... 23 Spears Gallery................................... 18 Yesteryear Old Time Photos............ 56 REAL ESTATE Carpenter Hills o’ Brown Realty..... 67 RE/MAX-Marg & Brenda.................. 70 RECREATION eXplore Brown Co............................... 4 Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides................ 64 Salt Creek Golf Retreat.................... 51 SERVICES Amish Roofers................................... 27 Arnold Asphalt.................................. 68 Dr. Lisa Baker, DDS........................... 52 Kara Barnard Lessons....................... 12 Bear Hardware’s Bagged Trash....... 68 Blue Elk Family Clinic: Dr. Larry Sanchez........................... 69 Misty Sanchez- Mental Health..... 70 Brown Co Convention & Visitors Bureau.................................. 21 Brown Co Eye Care............................ 68 Brown Co Health & Living............... 69 Brown Co Massage........................... 65 Brown Co Tire & Auto....................... 68 Brown Co Community YMCA.......... 70 Dave Carlile Heating & Cooling...... 69

Dunham Plumbing........................... 70 Healing Hearts &Memory Making.60 Helmsburg Sawmill Inc/ Pool Enterprises Inc.......................... 70 IN Seamless Guttering..................... 69 Mainstream Fiber Networks........... 69 McGinley Insurance (Farmers)........ 69 Michael’s Flowers.............................. 18 Mike Nickels Log Homes................. 66 Nashville BP....................................... 65 Precise Books & Payroll.................... 68 Rambling Dog Design - SIGNS....... 70 Zieg LeDoux & Assoc........................ 68 SHOES Head Over Heels............................... 47 Moonshine Leather.......................... 18 The Totem Post.................................. 12 SPECIALTY SHOPS Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 13 Brown Co Rock & Fossil Shop......... 65 Clay Purl............................................. 53 Fireplace Center................................ 67 Head Over Heels............................... 47 Healing Hearts &Memory Making.60 Health For U....................................... 69 House of Jerky................................... 46 Michael’s Flowers.............................. 18 Men’s Toy Shop.................................. 31 Moonshine Leather.......................... 18 Nashville Spice Co............................. 71 Sweetwater Gallery.......................... 25 Weed Patch Music Company.......... 30 Wishful Thinking............................... 12 WEDDINGS Artists Colony Inn............................. 27 eXplore Brown Co............................... 4 Hotel Nashville.................................. 61 OTHER Amish Roofers................................... 27 Health For U....................................... 69 Flower and Herb Barn...................... 70 Mike Nickels Log Homes................. 66

Contents

Contributors

Bob Gustin worked as a 12 WHERE IS IT?

reporter, photographer, managing editor, and editor for 13 SUBSCRIBE daily newspapers in Colorado, Nebraska, and Indiana before 16 Pioneer Village retiring in 2011. He and his wife, Chris, operate Homestead ~by Julia Pearson Weaving Studio. She does the weaving while he gives studio tours, builds small looms, and 24 Village Art Walk expands his book and record collections. ~by Boris Ladwig Joe Lee is an illustrator and 28 Christkindl Market writer. He is the author of The ~by Boris Ladwig History of Clowns for Beginners and Dante for Beginners and 32 Music All Around Us illustrator of six other titles, including Dada and Surealism ~by Jeff Tryon for Beginners, and Music Theory for Beginners. He is an editorial 34 Artist DeMaris Gaunt cartoonist for the Bloomington Herald Times, a ~by Bob Gustin graduate of Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Clown College, and a veteran circus performer.

37 Back Roads Studio Tour ~by Bob Gustin Jeff Tryon is a former news editor of The Brown County 38-39 PHOTOS by Tom Preston* Democrat, a former region reporter for The Republic, and 40-41 CALENDAR a former bureau chief for The Huntsville Times. Born and 42 Bill Monroe Bluegrass Fest raised in Brown County, he currently lives with his wife, 43 Collector’s Showcase Sue, in a log cabin on the edge of Brown County State Park. He is a Baptist minister.

43 2020: COVID the Musical Jim Eagleman is a 40-year 48 Chris Thile Interview veteran naturalist with the IN ~by Ryan Stacy DNR. In retirement, he is now a consultant. His program 54 The Toy Chest “Nature Ramblings” can be heard on WFHB radio, the ~by Chrissy Alspaugh Brown County Hour. He serves on the Sycamore Land Trust

58 FIELD NOTES: Beech board. He enjoys reading, hiking, music, and ~by Jim Eagleman birding. Jim and his wife Kay have lived here for more than 40 years.

62 Less is Fewer ~by Mark Blackwell Ryan Stacy and his wife recently moved to Pennsylvania 68-70 INFO PAGES and continues to stay

Cover: Biking in the State Park ~by Cindy Steele 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

connected with our Brown County. He appreciates good movies, good food, and enjoys cultural events. His other interests include reading, photography, and playing music.

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>.

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.

Julia Pearson wrote for a Franciscan magazine for ten years and served as its human interest editor. She and husband Bruce now reside in Lake Woebegone Country for life’s continuing adventures. Julia enjoys traveling and visiting museums of all types and sizes, with her children and grandchildren.

Boris Ladwig is a Columbusbased journalist who has worked in print, online and TV media in Indiana and Kentucky and has won awards for features, news, business, non-deadline news, First Amendment/community affairs and investigative reporting.

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.

*Tom Preston’s love of photography began in middle school. He helped setup the dark room at Lawrence North High School and gained experience as the newspaper photographer. He moved to Brown County in 2012 and captures the area’s landscape and tranquility. He portrays the natural beauty that others might miss. See his images on Instagram—color images: @tompreston7771_ud and black and white: @tompreston_bnw—and on Facebook.

copyright 2021

10 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Thanks, Mom, for making it happen!

Coloring Contest Win $20

Publisher’s choice. Send to this address by October 20.

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

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 11

WHERE IS IT?

Guess Photo to Win $20 Be the FIRST to leave a message identifying photo location along with your name and phone number to WIN!

Celebrating 20 Years

FREE in-store demos!

Old School Way and Pittman House Lane

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

812-988-8807

Stay safe and here’s to a great reemergence.

IS

Delicious!

Our own Tzatziki sauce recipe, made from scratch Free samples • Local Delivery Available <Most items under $10> gyrofoodnashville.com • Gyros Food

S. Van Buren & Old School Way • Possum Trot Sq. Look for the sidewalk signs • (812) 318-0840

The Totem Post ~Since 1952~

Last issue’s was of the shed at the entrance of Nashville General Store. James Mullen guessed it first.

12 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

• Genuine Native American Jewelry • Zuni Fetishes • Sterling Silver Jewelry • Copper Jewelry 78 S. Van Buren St. • Minnetonka Moccasins Nashville , IN • Pendleton • Knives 812-988-2511 ~Open all year~ TheTotemPost.com

SUBSCRIBE!

C Cinnamon Salted Roasted Nuts Almonds R d Roasted & Pecans Daily Cashews, Fancy Mi Mix, P Pepitas, it Peanuts Delicious Candies - Homemade Fudge Mail Orders - 812-988-7480

S.Van Buren (Shopper's Lane) Nashville

Old McDurbin Gold & Gifts 50%

For the cost of a fancy coffee drink once every two months, you can have Our Brown County sent to your mailbox. That pays for postage, supplies, and processing time. Subscriptions make good gifts to family or friends, too.

SUBSCRIBE

One Year’s Subscription for $20 (six issues)

Customized

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

Name: N

Blue building in Antique Alley S. Jefferson St. • Nashville, IN

Address:

Mail with check or money order to:

38 Franklin St. E. | Nashville, IN | drinkatthecreek.com | Open Every Day

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

COMMON GROUNDS

BONE APPETIT BAKERY For Dogs

COFFEE BAR It’s like a coffee shop in a living room

• Premium, all-natural treats since 1997 • Over 20 varieties from low-fat to grain-free • Gourmet and seasonal snacks, too

(with things to amuse you)

Hot, Cold & Frozen Drinks • Selection of Teas Froothies (our fruit smoothies) Famous for Cheesy Eggs & Toast • Pastries • Quiche 66 N. Van Buren, Nashville (Molly’s Lane behind the red door) Opens 8:00 am M-Sat; 9:00 am Sun (Closed Wed) 812-988-6449

Get a FREE Sampler bag of natural dog treats with $10 purchase and this ad.

DOGS WELCOME! (812) 988-0305

Open 7 days 211 S. Van Buren St. (behind Visitor Center)

www.barkingood.com

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 13

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

14 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

(812) 988-2291

41 Exceptional Accommodations in the heart of Nashville

including

The Lodge at Cornerstone and our off-site vacation rental

Cabin 360 www.CornerstoneInn.com rest@cornerstoneinn.com 812 - 9 8 8 - 0 3 0 0 54 East Franklin Street

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 15

Pioneer Village History & Heritage A

~by Julia Pearson

utumn is a special time to put down the guidebooks and Google suggestions and simply follow your nose to the northeast corner of Nashville. There behind the Brown County Courthouse and directly across the street from the Brown County History Center is the Pioneer Village, a collection of nineteenth-century log buildings filled with interesting items from Brown County’s attics.

On the weekends during the months of May through October, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the cozy looking buildings spring to life with demonstrations of heritage crafts and docents ready to converse about the lifeways and history of the bygone era. No admission fees! But donations will always be gratefully accepted.

Special tours can be arranged by calling the History Center at (812) 988-2899.

The grounds are open year-round for interested visitors to see the construction of the buildings up close, sit down on one of the benches and rest their feet, or pose for special photographs.

16 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

photos by Cindy Steele

The smoke fire of the blacksmith shop and resounding ping of hammer “smiting” against anvil draws you to the blacksmith workshop. A vital fixture of every crossroads community in Brown County in centuries past, the blacksmith provided nails and hinges for building, tool repair, as well as horseshoes. The smithy’s shop is a living illustration of the schoolchildren immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, “The Village Blacksmith.” And children coming home from school/Look in at the open door; they love to see the flaming forge./and hear the bellows roar. The blacksmith shop has been restored by volunteers, with the doors completely remade with suitable findings made by master blacksmith, Jim Jesse.

Beside the blacksmith shop is the small white clapboard medical office of Nashville’s native son, Dr. A.J. Ralphy, who was born in 1854. He is noted for making house calls to patients. Of his obstetrics services, he did not lose a baby or mother. Restored to its original condition, Dr. Ralphy’s office is furnished with his medical books, instruments, furniture, and some of his taxidermy specimens,

including a golden eagle over the examination table. The building was moved to its present site in 1976 from New Bellsville.

On the other side of the blacksmith shop is the pioneer cabin, where you can pull up a threelegged stool and play a game of checkers on the front porch. The interior is a bountiful exhibit of an early household, with an inviting hearth outfitted with cooking utensils: a kettle hung on a fireplace crane to keep hot water ready; footed cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens for slow roasting venison or rabbits and squirrels; an early hand-crank coffee

bean roaster as well as a footwarmer. The bedstead has crossed rope to hold the mattress. The rope itself had to be tightened often so that the people sleeping together didn’t sag into the center of the bed. “Good night, sleep tight” comes to mind. And “Don’t let the bedbugs bite” refers to the mattress of straw-stuffed ticking that has become inhabited by insects seeking a home. An old remedy for bedbugs was to mix the straw with dried chestnut leaves.

The Brown County Historical Society was gifted with old smokehouse logs, which volunteers happily Continued on 20

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 17

HOMESTEAD WEAVING STUDIO

Visit homesteadweaver.com for remote shopping Handwoven Rugs & Clothing

by Chris Gustin

Brown County Art Gallery 2021 Events & Exhibits BROWN COUNTY ART GALLERY FOUNDATION PRESENTS

Yarn • Looms • Supplies • Classes

Southeastern Brown County 6285 Hamilton Creek Road Columbus, IN 47201

812-988-8622

Open 11 to 5 most days CALL AHEAD Open daily in Oct. for Back Roads Tour

WILLIAM McKENDREE SNYDER

an exhibition of work by one of Brown County’s earliest artist visitors

AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 26 EXHIBIT · OPEN HOUSE · PROGRAM

The First to Come

Sponsored by Laura and Walter Jolly

BROWN COUNTY ART GALLERY

COLLECTORS’

SHOWCASE

Flowers

OCTOBER 2 – NOVEMBER 14 BROWN COUNTY STATE PARK

Indiana’s Crown Jewel A two-year exploration by artist Tim Greatbatch

EXHIBIT · TOUR · PROGRAMS

Complete schedule of events and workshops online at

BROWNCOUNTYARTGALLERY.ORG

CORNER OF MAIN STREET & ARTIST DRIVE · NASHVILLE, IN 812.988.4609 · FREE ADMISSION · FREE PARKING shop online: bcartgalleryonline.org

OPEN DAILY WITH COVID-19 PROTOCOLS IN PLACE

MOONSHINE LEATHER C

O

M

P

A

N

Y

Handcrafted Leather Goods · Made in the USA 812.988.1326 · moonshineleather.com

38 SOUTH VAN BUREN · NASHVILLE, IN 18 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

FERRER STUDIO Art by DIXIEE FERRER

Mixed Media Paintings Classes

Visit Ferrer Studio on the Back Roads Tour

Amanda W. Mathis

photo by Michele Wedel

Originals, Prints, and Cards

Nashville, IN | 812-988-1245 | www.DixieFerrer.com |

Dixie Ferrer

Also represented by Brown County Art Guild

NEW LEAF

Open Daily • Call for Hours • 812-320-0747 220 Kelp Grove Rd. • Nashville, IN • amandamathisart.com Also represented by Spears Gallery and the Brown County Art Gallery in Nashville

Lory y Winford Fine Art

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

Studio and gallery visits by appointment • Pastelist inspired by nature’s colors

HeresHome Studio

15 N. Johnson St. Nashville, IN (next to Brozinni Pizzeria)

916-804-2484 • hereshomestudio@gmail.com

Lory Williams Winford

© 2021 Brown County Art Guild, Inc.

Featuring handcrafted jewelry by owner Amy Greely

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

The Guild.

Fine Art by Fine Artists.

CARL GRAF ART COLONY ARTIST

A FOUNDERS EXHIBITION

GALLERY AND MUSEUM 48 S. Van Buren Street Nashville, IN 47448

SEPTEMBER 11 - OCTOBER 31, 2021

812 988-6185 BrownCountyArtGuild.org Down an Autumn Road by Carl Graf

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 19

String band performing at the 2019 Gathering.

PIONEER VILLAGE continued from 17 and magically reassembled on the Pioneer Village grounds. A wooden lock fashioned by Jim Kelp has fascinated visitors who study it up close.

The immense double-wide “dog-trot” log museum is the anchor of the Pioneer Village.

With hand-hewn logs more than 60 feet long, the loft is over two rooms with a center passthrough, or dog-trot. This magnificent log structure was discovered in Jackson County

by James Voland while rabbit hunting. It was reassembled in its present location as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project in 1935.

Used as a community building in its rebirth, it was handed to the county and then to the Historical Society in 1962. Today one room is the “Loom Room” with an impressive display of early textile production tools. Demonstrations are provided by members of the Pioneer Women. Master spinners and weavers, Barbara Livesey and Sarah Noggle, are often in the Loom Room on Sundays. (Hint to visitors: ask Barbara to tell you about dyeing with indigo). Items made by the Pioneer Women are available for sale in the gift shop of the History Center. The other room houses the “Tool Shop,” with many of the exhibited wood working and farm tools coming directly from Brown County pioneer families.

20 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Postcard of the Old Log Jail postmarked 1910. courtesy Indiana Album

The old log jail, star of postcards since the time of photography, was restored several years ago.

Bird Snider and his crew replaced the logs that were deteriorating and put on a new roof. Visitors will be impressed with the hand-craftsmanship used in these repairs.

The annual Gathering at the Pioneer Village, closed last summer by the COVID pandemic, is scheduled to take place September 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additional activities on the grounds will include rope making, candle dipping, and a kettle of ham and beans cooking over the bonfire, cornbread on the side. The old cider press will be pulled out and put into service. A string band will provide a homegrown soundtrack to this much appreciated special event. 

Create Magical Holiday Memories in Brown County!

Stroll through a quaint village adorned with twinkling lights. Shop for one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts you can’t find anywhere else. Savor old-fashioned treats and hot chocolate by the fireplace in your cozy cabin.

Start a new holiday tradition by visiting Brown County this Christmas, the perfect time of year to create magical memories.

For help planning your trip, call 812-988-7303, or visit BrownCounty.com

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 21 BVB-0294-Fall 2021 Our Brown County Ad-7.25x9.25-FNL.indd 1

8/19/21 1:32 PM

49th

Nashville United Methodist Church

Rain or Shine!

Breakfast & Lunch at The Village Café Children’s Games at Noon

Sponsored by Brown County Rotary

Unexpected Treasures We Made It Books My Oh My! We Love Pie Antiques & Collectibles Silent Auction/Art Boutique • Plants Nature’s Bounty Children’s Games Live Entertainment And a whole lot more!

GIFTS, CARDS, BOOKS, & SURPRISES

Saturday, October 2

Village Café Opens at 8 am • Activities: 9 am to 3 pm

On the Village Green Main & Jefferson Streets • Nashville, Indiana

36 West Franklin Street at the trolley stop • Nashville

“Every FallFare Dollar is a Gift to Someone in Need.”

EST 1927

Brown County’s Most Historic Restaurant Serving our famous fried biscuits and apple butter, fried chicken and other traditional favorites all made in our own kitchen from scratch.

Come check out our Old Country Store, beautiful new patio, expanded menu and HOHENBERGER BAR 15 South Van Buren Street 812-988-4554 www.nashvillehousebc.com

22 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

LOCALLY HANDMADE FINE CRAFTS

Over a Decade in Downtown Nashville BESIDE THE NASHVILLE HOUSE RESTAURANT

812.988.1286 • Spearspottery.com • facebook.com/Spears-Gallery

Carol’s

GIFTS

HANDMADE

Fine Art & Crafts

Established 1981

Glass Baron Hand-blown Glass Jim Shore Collectibles • Lori Mitchell Figurines Inner Beauty Ornaments • Painted Ponies

Lang Graphics Calendars & Paper Goods Billy Jacobs Prints Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks Blue Mountain Greeting Cards Handmade Soap & Bath Bombs Wind Chimes • Music Boxes • Children’s Books

Discover fine art and crafts by talented local artists for wearing, collections, gifts, home or office decor.

Halloween & Christmas Gifts & Décor 45 S. JEFFERSON ST. NASHVILLE, IN 47448 812-988-6888

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

HOOSIERARTIST.NET

Arts Village Brown County ART VENUE

Every item in our store is

HANDMADE IN NASHVILLE Specializing in:

• Live Edge Hardwood Benches • Candles • Tables • Sun Catchers • Custom Signs • Cutting Boards • Serving Trays • Soap Many other beautiful items Digitally Carved Signage Custom Work Available Customized Wedding Gifts

Hand-poured Candles Made in our store 59 East Main Street (Old School Way Alley) Nashville, IN 812-322-3120 • homesonalimb@gmail.com

ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS • BUSKERS MAKE & TAKE ACTIVITIES

APRIL–OCTOBER 4–7 PM April 23 May 28 June 25 July 23 August 27 Sept. 24 Oct. 22 4THFRIDAYARTWALK 812.320.0872

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 23

The Village Art Walk ~story and photos by Boris Ladwig

O

n a recent Friday in Nashville, a busker strummed his guitar and sang Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson,” as artists in the Village Green Building around the corner painted a landscape and demonstrated a spinning wheel.

The Fourth Friday Art Walk, an all-volunteer program that aims to entice new and repeat visitors to peruse local galleries and shops, will have two more dates this year, Sept. 24 and Oct. 22. The

The Brown County Art Guild.

self-guided walks, from 4 to 7 p.m., offer visitors an opportunity to browse an ever-changing palette of paintings, photos, sculptures, and other creative expressions of Brown County artists. Participating galleries offer tourists early artist masterpieces and contemporary works.

The walks feature music, live art demonstrations, and a scavenger hunt that prompts participants to search for a hidden treasure and rewards successful hunters with a gift.

Lightspinner Studio Martha Sechler Unique Watercolors Mixed Media Gourd Art

4460 Helmsburg Rd. Nashville, IN • 812-703-3129 Open June thru December — Call Ahead

24 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Carole Ricketts-Corey at B3 Gallery.

On a recent Friday, Carole Ricketts-Corey demonstrated a spinning wheel in the B3 Gallery, while only a few feet away Megan Russell was painting a landscape.

Down street, at the Brown County Art Guild, guests wandered among paintings that emphasized Brown County’s natural beauty.

Visitors also can get art-related lessons, such as origami making or glass blowing.

“There’s just all kinds of little things you can do to enhance your experience,” said Melanie Voland, president of the Nashville Arts and Entertainment Commission.

The walks also elicit a sense of camaraderie among the artists, bring more tourists to Nashville, and help the artists sell more of their works, she said.

Some local enthusiasts participate in the walk every time. Others drop by occasionally. The walks have no official starting point.

People can start wherever they like.

“There’s something for everyone,” Voland said.

Roberta Chirko, gallery manager at Brown County Art Guild, said the number of walk-related visitors varies with the seasons, with fall typically generating the biggest groups, coinciding with the height of tourist season. The guild usually closes at 5 p.m., but for the Art Walks stays open until 7.

Chirko said the later hours tend to draw a different crowd and include more people on dates or couples taking their time to stroll through the Guild’s two floors.

“It’s a totally different vibe from the daytime,” she said.

The walks had to be canceled during part of 2020 because of the pandemic, and this year, health concerns have forced organizers to alter the format somewhat and skip some of the usual enticements, such as wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres.

However, Voland said participating galleries want to make sure the Art Walk tradition continues. 

Mosaic Mirrors • Pottery Fabric Wallhangings

158 Old School Way in Nashville • 812-988-0449 Open Fri.–Sun. Now thru September • Thurs.–Mon. in October

local artisans

Sweetwater Gallery Stained Glass • Paperweights

created by hand

Megan Russell at B3 Gallery.

E S T

1 9 7 8

BROWN COUNTY

Fine arts and crafts by local and area artists View their work on Facebook & Instagram See something you want?

Message us!

Gallery Open 10 am – 5 pm Seven Days a Week call 812.988.7058

62 E. Washington · Nashville, IN · BrownCountyCraftGallery.com

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 25

in Nashville, IN

172 N. Van Buren Street AND

102 S. Van Buren Street (Calvin Place)

www.JBGoods.com • 812-988-0900

Brown County

WINERY WINER WINE RY RY

· AWARD WINNING QUALITY WINES SINCE 1986 ·

49 years of quality service in Brown County

Complimentary Tastings · Two Tasting Rooms WINERY IN GNAWBONE

4520 State Road 46 East · Nashville 812.988.6144

VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE

East Main & Old School Way 812.988.8646

OPEN DAILY

Monday-Thursday 10 – 5 · Friday & Saturday 10 – 5:30 · Sunday 11 – 5

Wine & Wine-related Gifts · Gourmet Foods Outdoor Seating · Gift Cards · Online Ordering

BrownCountyWinery.com 26 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

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

www.amish-roofers.com

AMISH ROOFERS

TM

“Best Quality, Best Price Roofers in Town!”

Metal & Shingles 812-650-2475

Hoosier Buddy Liquors

the

Inn & Restaurant

A Charming 19th Century Style Inn and Restaurant

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.

• 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

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.

284 S. Van Buren • Nashville, IN (next to Subway) 812-988-2267 M-Th 8am-10pm • Fri. & Sat. 8am-11pm NOW OPEN SUNDAYS Noon-6pm Follow us on Twitter @HoosierBuddy1

As always, Hoosier Buddy Liquors reminds you to celebrate safe—don’t drink and drive.

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 27

Lisa Hall, Mark Schmidt, and Gregory Fox.

A new Brown County Tradition

ChristKindl Market December 3 & 4

W

~by Boris Ladwig

ith hot, spiced wine, delectable treats and solemn music, some Brown County business leaders hope to usher in a new tradition this year with a Europeaninspired Christmas festival that they hope will attract more tourists, support local artists and businesses, and reinvigorate Nashville’s sense of community.

The inaugural Christkindl Market, on December 3 and 4 around Coachlight Square, will feature family-friendly entertainment, artists, music, vendors, contests, and food for locals and tourists.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will delight children, while an angel will walk the square to encourage people to take their minds off the world’s challenges.

“We need community like we’ve never needed it before,” said Lisa Hall, a member of the event’s steering committee and a Brown County Playhouse board member.

Hall conceived of the idea and garnered the support of Brown County Chamber of Commerce President Gregory Fox, who recruited

28 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Mark Schmidt, with whom he co-owns Nashville Spice Company. Hall convinced Hanna Estabrook, former Playhouse executive director, to organize the live entertainment.

Hall said the event will complement other Brown County holiday activities, including the Brown County Community Foundation’s Stuff a Stocking drive and the Salvation Army’s Holiday Light Parade.

The Christkindl Market will feature lots of local artists whose businesses have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic lockdowns. The organizers said they are collecting grants to enable the artists to participate free of charge.

The event, which the local organizers said was inspired by similar markets in Chicago and Carmel, also aims to extend the Brown County tourist season, which tends to fall off sharply after Thanksgiving. Organizers hope the festival gives tourists a reason to stay longer or to come back.

Schmidt is designing, painting, and constructing 16 7-foot-tall nutcrackers that will be displayed around the square and in front of businesses.

The organizers hope businesses in town will get into the spirit by offering holiday specials and participating in decorating contests so that the event can benefit shops, hotels, and restaurants across town. Schmidt and Fox, for example, will sell a special blend of spices to be mixed into locally produced wine to be heated as a traditional German Glühwein, or mulled wine.

Continued on 37

A family-owned, independent bookstore Specializing in: Bookish Gifts, Puzzles, and New Books for Readers of All Ages

Fall Hours: Monday through Saturday10 am to 5 pm

Indiana’s Oldest Toy Store

Play for All Ages • 10,000+ items in the store All the best in games, puzzles, dolls, crafts, science kits, and more.

125 S. Van Buren St • Nashville, IN (in the Artists Colony Shops Complex) (812) 988-2817 • www.BrownCountyToyChest.com $5 flat rate shipping on $50+ orders

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 29

Weed Patch Music Company Your favorite lil’ music store in Brown County, Indiana

Brown County Antique Mall Antique Store since 1972

58 E. Main St. Nashville (by courthouse) 812-200-3300 www.weedpatchmusicshop.com

Over 10,000 square feet in three buildings

Filled with antiques, jewelry, pottery, china, glass, furniture, artifacts, primitives, books, collectibles, and home decor.

Musical instruments for all ages and skill levels

Offering affordable instruments to inspire the beginner and locally handcrafted beauties to awe the professional

Lessons, workshops, and more...

More than 76 dealers • We buy and sell

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

Relax in Beautiful

Brown County, Indiana

This award-winning hotel offers a quiet getaway with free breakfast, complimentary high-speed Internet, heated indoor pool, fitness room, and whirlpool suites.

Walking distance to Brown County Music Center. Trolley available to downtown Nashville.

51 W. Chestnut St. • State Road 46 • Nashville, IN 812.988.6118 • 800.4CHOICE www.choicehotels.com

CARMEL CORN COTTAGE Assorted Ice Cream Bars New Popcorn Flavors

Double Dipped Bacon Popcorn Pickle Popcorn

Lemon Shake-ups 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

Accepting Visa, Mastercard & Discover cards

30 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Sweet Treats

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

Free Samples

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

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

812-988-6011 • CarmelCornCottage.com

Nashville’s Unique Dining Experience (1800s Cabin) BREAKFAST & LUNCH

Jams, Jellies, Preserves, Specialty BBQ, Chicken Salad, Soups, Pit Ham 118 E. Washington St. Nashville, IN Linen, Rugs, Candles, Curtains, Stitcheries Cinnamon Rolls, Cobblers, Cookies, Brownies 812-988-6362 • Open daily 9 to 5 Gluten Free Items, Coffees and Cappuccino Antiques, Billy Jacobs Prints nashville general store and bakery nashgenstore812

’

Variety of T-Shirts

Things you can live Thi li without... ih but b who h wants to!

Old Colonial Bldg. 60 N. Van Buren St. Nashville, Indiana•812.988.6590 menstoyshop@yahoo.com•Visit us on Facebook

Tobaccos and Premium Cigars

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

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

Luminox Watches (used by Navy Seals)

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

We ship everywhere!

Fresh Homemade Fudge Old-Fashioned Candies Candy by the Pound Cream Filberts/Mothballs Rock Candy • Jelly Belly Chocolates/Turtles Pucker Powder Sugar Free

Ask about our Wedding Favors and Fundraising with Fudge

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 31

Chuck Wills, Rick Clayton, and Frank Jones.

Music All Around Us ~by Jeff Tryon

F

or a town it’s size, Nashville has an amazing variety and availability of good music.

But the local music scene isn’t always just laid out on a platter for you—sometimes you have to seek it out.

The Brown County Inn (BCI) is a good place to start. They have embraced live music, creating several regular opportunities like their Thursday night Hill Folk Music Series, the Saturday Acoustic Brunch, and an open mic night on Wednesdays.

Who will you see when you go out seeking live music in Nashville? It’s a good mix of old favorites and new talents, folks from around these parts, and musical wanderers who pass through every now and then on their latest orbit.

Recent players at the Hill Folk Music series have included Gordon Bonham, Kenan Rainwater, Will

32 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Scott, and the delightfully offbeat Troubadours of Divine Bliss.

Gordon Bonham is one of Indiana’s premiere blues guitarists, singers, and songwriters and a longtime Brown County favorite.

Brown County born and raised singer-songwriter Kenan Rainwater plays in two bands you might encounter locally—The Indiana Boys and Spilt Rail.

He is a driving force in the online presentation of local music and musicians.

The BCI’s Saturday Acoustic brunch features a rotating cast of musical treats like The Hammer and the Hatchet, Silver Sparrow, and Kade Puckett, among many others.

The Hammer and The Hatchet features John Bowyer and Jayme Hood, playing and writing country, Americana, bluegrass, and folk music together.

Silver Sparrow is a duo of locals Sam Herrin and Dave Sisson.

Kade Puckett is a guitarist and vocalist who holds the 2013 Indiana State Fingerstyle Contest title. His huge musical repertoire includes jazz, rock, country, blues, and funk. Oh, and he happens to be very funny.

The BCI’s Corn Crib Lounge has a long history of being a weekend rock and blues nightspot. It has also been home to a ukulele festival that draws players and enthusiasts from around the world.

Another great place to find live local music is the Country Heritage Winery at the southern end of Van Buren Street near the Visitors Center.

The intimate spaces—inside or out on the porch—make for close-up personal connection with performers including homegrown locals like Robbie Bowden and Frank Jones.

We recently saw Bowden and old friends Carolyn Dutton and Stephanie Walker out on the patio at the winery.

Jack Whittle Trio.

Dutton is a marvelous fiddle player and Bowden a reliable crowd-pleaser.

The following week, Frank Jones brought his amazing voice, guitar, and repertoire to the inside performance space at the winery, where he was joined on stage by Chuck Wills and Rick Clayton.

Big Woods Pizza up on North Van Buren Street offers live music on Tuesdays, and Hard Truth Hills usually has live music on the weekends, either indoors or out back at their sprawling campus out on Old State Road 46.

The still-new 2,000-seat Brown County Music Center brings in all kinds of touring national acts, and the Brown County Playhouse hosts a lot of live music.

The Playhouse regularly features musical reviews like “Summer of ’69” and “Respect” and tribute bands like “Margaritaville” and “Tribute to Elvis.”

Then there is the granddaddy of them all, the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Festival in Bean Blossom, which has added events like the John Hartford Memorial Festival, a Blues Fest, and the Hippy Hill Deadfest to their list of happenings.

On weekend afternoons, a trip down to the historic Story Inn will be rewarded with live music from the likes of Will Scott, Zion Crossroads, or Lou Stant.

The live music situation in Nashville and Brown Continued on 36 Kade Puckett.

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 33

DeMaris Gaunt and the Back Roads of Brown County Studio Tour A

~story and photos by Bob Gustin

rtist, poet and writer DeMaris Gaunt has lived in Brown County for only about three years, but her roots here run deep.

Long before she built her home and Mud Horse Art studio at 1515 Tanglewood Lane, she had connections to the unspoiled natural beauty and nurturing artist colony which characterize the area.

Her great-grandfather, Ora Chitwood, was a former Brown County sheriff and county commissioner who owned and developed land around what was to become Lake Lemon. And as a child, her father Charles Henderson, a builder and former mayor of Greenwood, brought the family on many trips to Nashville and Brown County State Park, particularly Ogle Lake.

34 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

“My dream in life was to be an artist and live in the woods,” she said.

Though she said she is still not “plugged in” to all of the local arts community, due partly to the lockdowns caused by the coronavirus last year, she looks forward to being a part of the Back Roads of Brown County Studio Tour, going on the whole month of October. The free, self-guided tour features 28 artists in 20 studios across the county.

Named after a childhood friend of her mother’s, DeMaris attended Herron School of Art and Design, and is divorced from caricature artist Paul Gaunt. Their son Will, 13, lives with DeMaris and is a budding artist himself. Her other children are Jayden, 28, who has a husband J.R., three children,

and a degree in psychology from Purdue; and Isaac, 21, a junior at Florida Gulf Coast University, studying communications/acting.

Though her main source of income is her stained glass and pyrography (wood burning and colored pencil) creations, she has published a novel, Two Doors, and writes a poetry blog.

“Poetry is my counselor, my therapy. Everything dark and sad inside of me is released when I write poetry.”

She likens poetry to the “maple syrup of literature,” taking feelings, emotions, and events and boiling it down to its essence.

“You’re left with something powerful and meaningful,” she said.

Gaunt said she is equal parts visual artist and writer, which satisfy the same creative urge. But she knows she will never make a living off writing.

Her artwork includes mosaics, mirrors, stained glass pieces, wood burned designs, leather pouches and bags, glass sculptures, jewelry from recycled objects, and freehand line drawings.

She began working with stained glass in 1994, while doing an internship at a stained glass studio in Greenwood. That inspired her and set her on a path of creativity.

She first worked from patterns, but said she soon abandoned that and now only does original designs.

“I only create from something I’ve drawn and

designed myself,” she said, and that’s one of the luxuries of having her own home/studio. “I can evolve. I have a wonderful space to try new things and fail or have accomplishments.”

One of her accomplishments is a recent commission to make seven glass sculptures to be given as trophies in the Indiana Governor’s Art Awards.

Success has been a combination of luck and hard work, Gaunt said, along with inspiration, which can be hard to define.

She doesn’t know where the designs come from.

Anything from random spilled liquid to the beauty of nature can lead to a new creation. “I’m drawn to visually impactful shapes and colors.

“It’s likely people get inspired by nature,” she said, because we’ve evolved to appreciate a landscape.” She also found inspiration in modern art and architecture during a recent visit to New York City. “I simply love to draw shapes, forms, and lines that are pleasing to the eye, and hope it’s pleasing to the beholder as well.”

Her studio name comes from a Native American children’s story called “The Mud Pony” she used to read to her daughter.

A poor young Native American boy wanted a pony so badly he made one out of clay. He loved it and cared for it as if it were real, and it helped him cope and survive after he was separated from his parents.

One day, he woke up and the mud pony was gone, but a beautiful white horse was in its place. Together, he and his horse found their lost tribe, and later, the boy became a great warrior. The story ends with the boy grown up, the chief of his people. He believes his mud pony helped him achieve these great things, and he gives thanks to his spirit.

“It was a beautifully illustrated book and I loved the story. The family lore is that we are part Cherokee, and I’ve also always loved horses, so I decided to call my business Mud Horse Art.” Her studio will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every day in October except Mondays. Though many studios are open seven days a week, individual artists set their own times.

“It’s a wonderful way to meet people and connect,” she said. “You can tell them about what you do, and it’s fun.

“It’s a beautiful thing.”

For more information contact DeMaris Gaunt at (317) 902-9272, <demarisgaunt@gmail.com>, <mudhorseart.etsy.com>. 

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 35

20 STUDIOS 27 ARTISANS The Hammer and The Hatchet.

MUSIC ALL AROUND US continued from 33 County is somewhat fluid and changeable. Many places will feature occasional live music, including the Nashville House, The Farmhouse Cafe, and the 19th Hole sports bar out at the Salt Creek Golf Retreat.

Sometimes, you just have to have your antenna up and be on the lookout for where live music is likely to be happening. It is everywhere. The whole place is crawling with musicians of every kind.

It is common to come upon buskers singing on a street corner in Nashville. Be an encourager and supporter of the arts. Toss a few bills into that old beat-up guitar case. Someday soon, you may see them up on stage, under the lights, adding joy and harmony to the general wonder of a visit to Brown County.  Robbie Bowden and Friends.

Check out the Back Roads of Brown County website and social media pages for more about the artists and their work Back Roads of Brown County Studio Tour BrownCountyStudioTour

36 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

BACK ROADS OF

F

Brown County Studio Tour ~by Bob Gustin

rom solid chunks of stone to fragile slivers of glass, The Back Roads of Brown County Studio Tour is back with a full contingent of artists this year.

The 23rd annual free, self-guided tour is going on the whole month of October as artists and craftsmen open their studios and workspaces to visitors amidst the glorious spectacle of autumn leaves.

The tour features 28 artists in 20 studios, including contemporary artists and craftsmen, many of which will be doing demonstrations. Some offer hands-on experience to visitors wanting to take part. Work can be purchased directly from the artist who created it.

The tour began in 1998, and visitors this year will find old favorites on the tour, along with several artists who are on it for the first time.

The tour is designed to broaden public understanding of the arts in Brown County, which has been an art colony for more than 100 years, and is recognized as one of Indiana Cultural Districts.

The T.C. Steele State Historic Site, commemorating one of Brown County’s early artists, is a stop on the tour, offering discounted admission for Back Roads tour participants. All other stops on the tour are free of charge.

“The tour is a wonderful way to spend a beautiful autumn day visiting local studios in the backcountry of Brown County,” said Lory Winford, vice president of the tour. “Artists open up their

CHRISTKINDL continued from 28 Chef Carrie Douglas, an instructor at C4 Columbus Area Career Connection, will create and sell German desserts, cider, and chocolate.

Fox said he hopes the event will bring out multiple generations to have a good time around the holidays and that the inaugural event will prove so successful that it launches a Brown County tradition.

studios and share their talent and craft with interested visitors.”

Though the tour was officially called off in 2020 due to restrictions caused by the coronavirus, a handful of artists continued to hold open studio hours in October. This year, the tour has made a strong return, with a variety of artists and their guests.

This year’s artists include Kathy Sparks, fiber art; Sidney Bolam, stone carving; Ann McCann, weaving; Juliette Herwitt, painting; Jean Haley, fiber art; Martha Sechler, watercolor and gourd art; Jason Nickel, blacksmithing; DeMaris Gaunt, stained glass; Scott and Jill Stowers, woodworking, food and soap; Amanda Mathis, primitive painting; Evan Knox, jewelry; Dixie Ferrer, mixed media art; Joy Sims, glass art; Lori Morgan, handpainted barn quilts; M.K. Watkins, painter; Mary Burkhart, wooden decor and stone carving; Sarah Noggle, weaving; Sarabeth Noggle, prints and drawings; Robb Besosa, handcrafted furniture; Lory Williams Winford, pastel art; Brad Cox, metal art; Susan Showalter, photography and jewelry; Sandy Binder, alpaca fiber art; Chris and Bob Gustin, weaving; Pete Baxter, woodworking; and Martha Hall Bowman, jewelry and painting.

Some studios are open every day in October, but individual studios set their own hours, so days and hours vary. Details are available on maps available at the many stores, restaurants, and lodging spots, or you can download a copy from <browncountystudiotour.com>.  The organizers are still looking for sponsors who can buy in at levels between $250 and $5,000, which will include event name integration and brand presence in the marketing campaign. For information, interested sponsors can email Hall at <hall@glorygirlproductions.com>. Donations are tax deductible and will be handled through the Playhouse, which also will sponsor the entertainment stage. 

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 37

photos by Tom Preston

Calendar Brown County Playhouse Sept. 10-13 & 17-19 Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike Sept. 24 Respect-Women of Rock n’ Soul Sept. 25 Wasting Away in Margaritaville Sept. 30 & Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 Jenn & Eric: Simply Acoustic, Simply Amazing Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Hall of Fame Oct. 2 & 16 The King Oct. 15 & 16 Melchior Marionettes The Slightly Haunted Puppet Show 1:00 and 3:00 shows 70 S. Van Buren St. 812-988-6555 www.browncountyplayhouse.org

Brown County Music Center Sept. 11 Halestorm Sept. 18 Hotel California :

A Salute to the Eagles Sept. 23 The Price is Right Live Sept. 24 LeAnn Rimes Oct. 3 Chris Thile Oct. 5 Melissa Etheridge Oct. 9 Clay Walker Oct. 13 Christopher Cross Oct. 15 Free Fallin’:

Tom Petty Tribute Oct. 16-17 Broadway Fright Night Oct. 22 Brian Wilson 812-988-5323 www.browncountymusiccenter.com

Country Heritage Winery Sept. 3 Sept. 4 Sept. 10 Sept. 11 Sept. 17 Sept. 18 Sept. 24 Sept. 25 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. 8 Oct. 9 Oct. 15 Oct. 16 Oct. 22

TBD Robbie Bowden & Friends Coner Berry Band Rhythm & Wine Band Open Mic Night Ross Benson Bob Palindrome Stant & Moore Bakersfield Bound Gary Applegate-Joe Rock Coner Berry Band Robbie Bowden & Friends Open Mic Night Speed City Spoilers Hubie Ashcraft

The schedule can change. Please check before making a trip.

Oct. 23 Isaac & Haymond Oct. 29 TBD Oct. 30 Ross Benson Music 6:00-9:00 Fri. & Sat. 225 Van Buren St. 812-988-8500 www.countryheritagewinery.com

Brown County Inn Wed. Open Mic Night 6:00-9:00 Thurs. Hill Folk Music Series 6:00-8:00 Sat. Acoustic Brunch Noon-3:00 HILL FOLK MUSIC SERIES: Sept. 2 Will Scott and Chuck Wills Sept. 9 JC Clements, Jason Blakenship,

David Sharp Sept. 16 Dietrich Gosser Sept. 30 Megan Palmer Oct. 7 Will Scott and Ross Benson Oct. 14 Tyrone Cotton Oct. 21 Silver Sparrow Oct. 28 The Hammer and The Hatchet 51 State Road 46 East 812-988-2291 www.browncountyinn.com

19th Hole Sports Bar Sept. 4 Karaoke Sept. 11 Tyler Poe Sept. 18 Darrin Scott Sept. 25 Forest Gras Oct. 2 Karaoke Oct. 9 Past Tense Oct. 16 Darrin Scott Oct. 30 Forest Gras 2359 State Road 46 East 812-988-7888 www.saltcreekgolf.com

Hard Truth Hills THURSDAYS MUSIC CONCERT SERIES 5:00-8:00 Sept. 2 Tracy Thompson Sept. 9 Scott Coner Sept. 16 Bob Schneider Sept. 23 Coot Crabtree Sept. 30 Scotter Hanes SEPTEMBER CONCERT SERIES Sept. 3 Jan Belle and Friends 7:00-10:00 Sept. 4 TBD Sept. 5 TBD 1:00-4:00

40 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Blackjack Davey and the

Rhythm Kings 6:00-9:00 Sept. 10 Tic Tac Flow 7:00-10:00 Sept. 11 Scott Gould 1:00-4:00

Isaac Rudd Band 7:00-10:00 Sept. 12 TBD 12:00-3:00 Sept. 17 Rich Hardesty 7:00-10:00 Sept. 18 Bob Palindrome 11:00-2:00

Indy Island Party 7:00-10:00 Sept. 19 TBD 12:00-3:00 Sept. 24 Rhonda Funk 7:00-10:00 Sept. 25 Scott Clay 1:00-4:00

Meager Kings 7:00-10:00 Sept. 26 TBD 12:00-3:00 418 Old State Road 46 812-720-4840 www.hardtruthhills.com

Story Inn Sept. 3 Dave Sisson 2:00-5:00 Sept. 4 Will Scott 2:00-5:00 Sept. 5 Zion Crossroads 4:00-7:00 Sept. 10 170th Birthday 5:00-9:00

Nate 5:45-7:45 Sept. 18 Stant & Moore 2:00-5:00 Sept. 19 Will Scott 2:00-5:00 Sept. 19 Paint & Sip 3:45-6:45 Oct. 3 Doug Dillman 12:00-3:00

Zion Crossroads 4:00-7:00 Oct. 9 Will Scott 2:00-5:00 Oct. 10 Nick Dittmeier 2:00-5:00 Oct. 16 Stant & Moore 2:00-5:00 Oct. 17 Will Scott 2:00-5:00 Oct. 23 Will Scott 2:00-5:00 Oct. 31 Nick Dittmeier 12:00-3:00

Foxxy Lady Music 4:00-7:00 6404 SR 135 S. 812-988-2273 www.storyinn.com

Nashville House Music Series Live Music Fri., Sat., Sun. 6:00-9:00

Big Woods Pizza Live Music Tues. 5:00-8:00 44 North Van Buren St. 812-988-6004

Mike’s Music & Dance Barn Mon. Line Dancing w/ Billy 6:30-9:00 2277 State Road 46 812-988-8636 www.mikesmusicbarn.com

Nashville Farmer’s Market Sundays 11:00-2:00, Brown Co. Inn parking lot at State Road 135 & 46 intersection. Local produce, herbs, bedding plants, flowers, food.

Pioneer Village Gathering Sept. 18, 11:00-3:00 | Pioneer Village Crafts, ham & beans, string band.

BucCornEar Festival

Sept. 18, 11:00-4:00 Jackson Twp Fire Dept Murder Mystery Dinner Come celebrate pirates, popcorn, and fire Sept. 11 & 18, Oct. 2, 9, 16 & 23, 6:30-8:30 prevention. Games, prizes, food, and fun.

Artists Colony Inn restaurant Free admission. Small donation for games.

105 S. Van Buren St. 812-988-0600 4831 Helmsburg Rd. in Helmsburg www.artistscolonyinn.com 812-988-6201

Village Art Walk Fourth Fridays, 4:00-7:00 April-October. Free self-guided walking tour of downtown Nashville art galleries

Pioneer Village Tours Sat. & Sun. 11:00-3:00 Free to attend. Donations appreciated.

Brown County Dragway 480 Gatesville Road in Bean Blossom Races take place on weekends through October, weather permitting Check Facebook for schedule 812-327-6968

Great Outdoor Art Contest Sept. 10-11 | T.C. Steele Historic Site Oldest plein air painting competition in Indiana. T.C. Artwork judged Sept. 11 at 3:00 and awards given at 4:00.

4220 T.C. Steele Rd. in Belmont 812-988-2785

6th Annual A Taste of Art Sept. 17 | Seasons Conference Center 5:00-Live Fine Art Auction starts 7:30 Wine, ‘Shine, & beer tastings, silent auction. Charity fundraiser for Rotary.

560 State Road 46. www.rotaryclubofbrowncounty.org

Fallen Leaf Books Haunted Author Event Sept. 18 | 1:00-4:00 Klara Lee Sweet, author of Haunted Bloomington, IN, will share stories and sign books.

45 S. Jefferson St. 812-988-0202

Bill Monroe Bean Blossom Bluegrass & Uncle Pen Fest Sept. 17-25 | Bill Monroe’s Music Park Bluegrass legends and favorites plus local bands. Music, food, vendors.

5163 N. SR 135 812-988-6422 https://billmonroemusicpark.com/

Good People Good Times Music Festival Sept. 24 & 25 | Explore Brown County 10th Anniversary Celebration Bands, artists, workshops, kid activities 2620 Valley Branch Road www.gpgtmusicfest.com

Betty Begonia’s Upscale Tag Sale Sept. 25, 9:00-4:00 1641 Oak Grove Rd., Nashville Group sale in a 1920s-era barn.

Fabulous finds.

Brown County Rock and Mineral Show and Swap

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

Collector’s Showcase Indiana’s Crown Jewel: Brown County State Park Oct. 1-Nov. 14, Brown County Art Gallery See page 43 for schedule 812-988-4609 BrownCountyArtGallery.org

49th Fall Fare-Nashville United Methodist Church Oct. 2, 8:00 am-3:00 | 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. Kids games.

Proceeds go to someone in need.

Midwest Distillers Fest Oct. 2, 2:00–6:00 | Hard Truth Hills 418 Old State Road 46 in Nashville A craft spirits tasting experience featuring 15+ craft distilleries. Live music, food for purchase, games, and more. Must be 21. www.MidwestDistillersFest.com

Brown County EPIC Mountain Bike Festival Oct. 8-10 | Brown County State Park Camping, demos, food trucks, a beer garden, group rides, games, raffles, live music, a postride BBQ. Proceeds go to HMBA. www.hmba.org

Sept. 25, 26 Sat. 10:00-6:00 | Sun. 10:00-4:00 Brown Co. History Center 90 E. Gould St. Rock crafts, jewelry, fossils, geodes, crystals, Friendly Forest Trick or Treat minerals, turquoise, agates.

Oct. 22,23, 29,30, 7:00-9:00 http://browncountyrock.webs.com/ Jackson Twp Fire Dept. Free candy bags.

Snacks and drinks available for purchase.

Brown County Volunteer Costumes encouraged. $1 per child, adults free with child.

Fire Department Fish Tent 4831 Helmsburg Rd. in Helmsburg Starting Sept. 25 at courthouse lawn Sat. and Sun. through Oct. 8:00am-6:00pm 812-988-6201 Hot fish, cold drinks, apple cider, french fries, and hot dogs.

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 41

Bill Monroe Bean Blossom Bluegrass and Uncle Pen Festival Sept. 17–Sept. 25

T

he annual Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival traditionally held in June is being combined with the annual Uncle Pen Fest for nine days of bluegrass music. This year the festival begins on Friday, September 17 and continues daily through Saturday, September 25.

Bluegrass music has been a staple at Bill Monroe Music Park and Campground in Bean Blossom, Indiana. The history of the park dates back to 1941 when the Brown County Jamboree was held under a tent on Sunday evenings. The spirit and the music of Bill Monroe lives on each year during the largest running bluegrass festival in the world.

Bluegrass legends Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers; Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass; Junior Sisk; Larry Stephenson; Larry Efaw & the Bluegrass Mountaineers; Rickey Wasson; Ralph Stanley II & the Clinch Mountain Boys; and Larry Cordle will entertain bluegrass lovers.

Bluegrass favorites The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys; Kenny and Amanda Smith; Dale Ann Bradley Trio; The Grascals; Williamson Branch; Steve Thomas & The Time Machine; The Farm Hands; The Roe Family Singers; Bobby & Teddy Cyrus; Lindley Creek; Miss Megan and Luke McKnight; and Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road will also be performing.

Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. courtesy photo

42 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Larry Sparks. courtesy photo

New to the festival this year will be the addition of local and regional bluegrass performers Flat Broke; The Grasshounds; Hoosier Tradition; Mountain Laurel; Cedar Grove; Deeper Shade of Blue; Blue Flame; Southern Wind; The Hammer & The Hatchet; Open Highway Bluegrass Band; Bannister Family Bluegrass; Alex Leach Band; and Not Too Bad Bluegrass Band.

Each year a committee nominates and selects a noted bluegrass performer to be inducted into the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame which is in the park’s Bill Monroe Museum. This year two people will be inducted, “Stringbean” David Akeman and Ricky Skaggs. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 25 at 8 p.m. on the main stage.

The Bean Dinner, an annual favorite free to all attendees, will be held on Tuesday, September 20.

Tickets are available in advance or at the gate.

Three types of tickets are available for this year’s Bean Blossom Bluegrass & Uncle Pen Festival: 9-Day pass, 4-Day pass, and Single-Day tickets.

Onsite camping is available for primitive tents, and RV sites with electric and water are there for big rigs and all types of campers, vans, and buses.

Bill Monroe Music Park is pet friendly, you can bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers.

Parking is free, gates open at 10 daily.

Visit <BillMonoreMusicPark.com> for a complete schedule and ticket information. Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground is located at 5163 N. State Road 135, seven miles north of Nashville, in Brown County, Indiana. (812) 988-6422 <info@billmonroemusicpark.com>. 

2020: COVID the Musical

Indiana’s Crown Jewel: Brown County State Park A two year exploration Oct. 1–Nov. 14

Tim Greatbatch. photo by Paige Langenderfer

B

rown County Art Gallery’s Collector’s Showcase 2021 presents 91 spectacular paintings by a single living artist, Tim Greatbatch.

It celebrates the park’s 100th anniversary, and it’s an exhibit you can take home as the paintings are for sale. Part of the proceeds benefit the Gallery Foundation. Visitors receive a full color souvenir catalog.

In addition, work by the early colony called “The Long View” will look back over a century of vistas.

Schedule of Events: Oct. 1 VIP Tour with the artist.

First chance to buy. $25. Food and wine 6 p.m.

Reservations required.

Oct. 2 Grand Opening Barbeque 5:30 pm Food, beer, and wine. Music and some history by Jon and Zelton Kay. All exhibits open. $15. RSVP requested, pay at the door.

Oct. 3 State Park Memories Hear and share tales of the park with artist Tim Greatbatch and longtime park naturalist Jim Eagleman. Plus cookies. All exhibits open. 2 p.m. $5 donation at the door.

Oct. 30 Postcards from the Park The story of tourism in Brown County as seen in postcards from the past. Folklorist and IU Professor Jon Kay will tell the tales. All exhibits open. 2 p.m. $5 donation at the door. 

at the Brown County Playhouse Nov. 12–14 and 19–21

T

he Brown County Playhouse Management, Inc. commissioned award-winning playwright, Ashton Wolf, to create, write, and score a new play called 2020: COVID the Musical, about the fallout from the coronavirus.

Scheduled for November 12–14 and 19–21, 2021.

A mysterious narrator who seems to have otherworldly powers takes six characters of diverse background on an emotional musical journey as they recount their experience having lived in the new “normal” world of COVID-19 and the fallout from the global coronavirus pandemic.

This musical exposé is presented in a concert-like setting as a series of songs, each of which are introduced by a narrator of no particular origin. Occasionally, a brief vignette is presented prior, or after, a song to explain the narrative and through-line of each musical composition.

Poignant songs, funny songs, and heartwrenching musical compositions drive this latest work by playwright Ashton Wolf who has had an astonishing career in the theatrical arts. This is Wolf’s 12th musical and will be his 10th to be produced on the stage.

Wolf covers the gamut with a variety of musical styles, all the while, telling the tale of one of the most unbelievable years in human history; stories of human agony, confusion, pain, and anger but also stories about the powerful and resilient side of the human spirit with songs like, “My Angel—My Kitty, and Me,” “Into the Light,” “Quarantine Tango,” and “In My Daddy’s Eyes.”

From the poignant to the sublime and even sometimes hysterical, there’s the Jimmy Buffett-like “Maybe Tomorrow,” the power ballad “As Beautiful as You,” and the wildly raucous “Ain’t no Toliet Paper Blues.” 21 songs take the audience on a roller coaster ride of emotion while revealing a heartfelt message of peace, love, and hope.

Songs by Ashton Wolf will delight people from all walks of life. With powerful ballads, hard driving rock songs, rap, and traditional musical theater compositions, “2020” has something for everyone, with Broadway-worthy songs by an emerging powerhouse in the theatrical arts. Ashton Wolf is at his best with 2020: COVID the Musical.

Visit the Brown County Playhouse’s website <BrownCountyPlayhouse.org> or call (812) 988-6555 for more information about upcoming shows. 

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 43

Wine Tasting Daily Choose from multiple Award Winning Wines!

Patio & Indoor Seating Gift Shop Live Music Every Friday & Saturday 6-9 pm S. Van Buren & Washington, Nashville IN 44 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

812.988.8500

countryheritagewinery.com

Lots of LIVE choices.

We have a great variety of theater and music programming!

Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike

RESPECT The Women of Rock n’ Soul

Wasting Away Again in Margaritaville

Jenn & Eric: Simply Acoustic, Simply Amazing

Hall of Fame

The KING

September 10-13 & 17-19

Sept 30 & October 7, 14, 21 & 28

September 24

October 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29

September 25

October 2 & 16

Tickets on Sale!

November 12-14 & 19-21 To celebrate our resilience during challenging times, award-winning playwright Ashton Wolf has created a new production for the Playhouse.

SPONSORED BY

812.988.6555 | BrownCountyPlayhouse.org Showtimes, tickets & schedule online

Across from the entrance to the BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER located inside

Hotel & Event Center

www.seasonslodge.com w.seasonslodge.c 812-988-2284 Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 45

p o h S w e N

with many locally-crafted items

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

Hand-poured Soy Candles • Wax Melts Goatsmilk Soaps • Hand-blended Looseleaf Teas Crystals, Collectible Books, Decor, and more...

145 S. Van Buren St. in Nashville • Look for the pyramid on top www.wisewomanshoppe.com • rachelle@wisewomanshoppe.com

Jerky Seasonings & Dips • Peanuts

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

Nashville, IN • (812) 988-1592

houseofjerkybrownco.com

Brown County

AAuthentic Mexican Cuisine Family Owned and Operated

History Center Displays and Exhibits

Pioneer Village Museum

•Daily Specials •Kid’s Menu

FULL BAR AVAILABLE 812-988-4535 Carry Out Available COACHLIGHT SQUARE 101 E. Washington St. one block east of S. Van Buren St. (in front of the high school) in downtown Nashville

Bringing Brown County’s Past to Life North of the courthouse • Donations welcome

Looking for event space? or more info 812-988-2899 Open Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat. 11–4, Archives: Tues. and Fri. 1–4 Pioneer Village open Sat. & Sun. 11–3

Brownie’s Featuring some of your old favorites and some tasty new ones Dine In or Carry Out

Design Your Own or choose from Ready Made Garments Hundreds of choices! • Something for all ages and sizes 5730 N State Rd 135 • Bean Blossom • 812-720-3743 Daily Specials • Breakfast till 2:00 7 am to 8 pm Owners Evelyn Allen Mulherin and Brian Baker

46 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

• 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

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

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

s

Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 to 5:00 Fridays 9:00 to 2:00

HATS HA ATS • FOOTWEAR • ACCESSORIES

Like us on Facebook at Brown County Community Closet, New

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

Brown County

KOA

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

Open April–October

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

A mile from the new Brown County Music Center

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

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 47

Chris Thile Interview “Having never been to Nashville, Indiana before, I anticipate getting to see my music by the light of those sparks that fly when an artist meets an audience for the first time.”

Brown County Music Center Show October 3

photo by Josh Goleman

~by Ryan Stacy

G

ood news for the music world—Chris Thile doesn’t have COVID. At least he didn’t when we spoke in August: Thile was at a testing site when I called him, waiting for his results.

“It’s Thile,” I heard him tell the nurse who asked his name. “T-H-I-L-E.” Which apparently didn’t ring a bell, because nobody there replied with “Chris Thile, the multiple-Grammy-winning mandolin prodigy? Who released two albums before he finished high school? Who’s worked with Allison Krause, Bela Fleck, and Yo-Yo Ma? Who took over hosting duties on public radio’s hit show Prairie Home Companion? That Chris Thile?”

Yep, that would be Chris. And fortunately for all of us, he’ll be very recognized when he plays the first date of his new tour on October 3 at Brown County Music Center. Fans from all over the region are prepared to be captivated by Thile’s material from Laysongs, his latest album, which he created during the 2020 shutdown.

After his opportunities to perform live evaporated thanks to the pandemic, Thile and his family headed upstate from their home in Brooklyn to regroup. In the small town where they rented a house, there happened to be a recording studio inside an old church building, which he felt Continued on 50

48 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 49

CHRIS THILE continued from 48 drawn to immediately. He jumped at the chance to stay productive, collaborating with his environment to bring a new batch of highly introspective songs into the world.

“This record felt like I sat down to conjure something, and in the act of conjuring, it sort of opened up a rich vein of channeling,” Thile recalls. “I wanted to make a record that considers the religious impulse, and walks all around that. It’s a record full of questions.” Fresh insight into himself and his music came with the new territory. “Being deprived of other voices to listen to helped me realize the extent to which I’d been taking [them] for granted,” he says.

The October show will be Thile’s first time playing here, and he’s excited—to experience the beauty and creativity Brown County is known for, and because the format will also be a first for him.

On this tour, Chris will be presenting Laysongs the same way he recorded it: just him and his mandolin. The big difference being, of course, that instead of the vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows of the empty church, his audience will be hundreds of people, each with their own stories and expectations.

No problem at all, says Chris: the uncertainty of how his bare-bones performance will translate at a venue designed for grandness and spectacle is part of the tour’s appeal. “This record starts with the question ‘What shall we sing now, when we gather together?’” he explains. “I love the thought that we get to take a crack at answering that at each of these solo shows. I realized I need that collaboration [with the audience]. You’re going to see a very grateful and humbled mandolinist onstage.”

What you won’t see on this tour, however, is a typical mandolinist. Over a lifetime of dedication to his instrument, Chris has explored its possibilities from just about every angle. Born in southern California, Thile says he was just two years old when he first knew he wanted to play music. “It was at a pizza place in north San Diego county,” he tells me. “This guy named John Moore led a bluegrass band there. I remember loving the mandolin, but I’m pretty sure I loved it because he played it.” Chris had to wait until he was five to get a mandolin of his own, and as a steady stream of records and sold-out shows can attest, he hasn’t stopped playing it yet.

50 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

After releasing a few albums of traditional-sounding music as a kid, he broke big with Nickel Creek, a Grammy-winning progressive bluegrass trio he formed with two local friends. And as Thile’s songwriting talent and performance evolved and expanded, so did his circle of collaborators. He’s played Carnegie Hall with the Punch Brothers, another of his groups. His less regular fellow travelers have included Brad Mehldau on piano, Edgar Mayer on bass, and an impressive roster of others.

But make no mistake: despite performing alone on this tour, Chris Thile will be no less thrilling at Brown County Music Center than at any other point in his career. “I want expectations to be exceeded,” he says. “I’ll always be up there trying to surprise myself, exceeding my own expectations. Having never been to Nashville, Indiana before, I anticipate getting to see my music by the light of those sparks that fly when an artist meets an audience for the first time.”

You can get tickets and details for all Brown County Music Center shows at <BrownCountyMusicCenter.com> and <Ticketmaster.com>. 

Brown County Music Center

Sept. 11 Sept. 18

Halestorm Nov. 6 Three Dog Night Hotel California : Nov. 7 Mary Chapin Carpenter, A Salute to the Eagles Marc Cohn, Shawn Colvin Sept. 23 The Price is Right Live Nov. 9 Jason Bonham’s Sept. 24 LeAnn Rimes Led Zeppelin Evening Oct. 3 Chris Thile Nov. 11 John Hiatt & Oct. 5 Melissa Etheridge The Jerry Douglas Band Oct. 9 Clay Walker Nov. 13 Old Crow Medicine Show Oct. 13 Christopher Cross Nov. 30 Carrot Top Oct. 15 Free Fallin’: Dec. 4 Warrant & Hero Jr. Tom Petty Tribute Dec. 5 Kenny G Oct. 16-17 Broadway Fright Night Dec. 9 38 Special & Oct. 22 Brian Wilson The Dane Clark Band Nov. 5 Craig Dec. 22 Big g Morgan g g Bad Voodoo Daddy Willie Nelson Apr. 25, 2022 Gordon Lightfoot – Postponed, new date TBD

Tickets & Details for all shows at: BrownCountyMusicCenter.com & Ticketmaster.com

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 51

Established in 2005 — Always a trendsetter

You will find traffic stopping items at 58 South!

Today’s fashion

AUTHENTIC NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA

A family-friendly pizza place PIZZA • SALADS • CALZONES

wearable every day or for special occasions Our accessories, hats, and comfort shoes complete the outfit or add new fresh looks to your wardrobe.

Fit and affordability for missy and younger-thinking shoppers.

58 South Apparel 58 S. Van Buren St. • Nashville, IN

Located in downtown Nashville next to the Brown County Playhouse 812-988-8440 • fiftyeightsouth@gmail.com

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

We appreciate our loyal customers!

Our market fresh product selections are the result of your requests.

Flags, Yard, & Porch Decor Woodstock Chimes • Spinfinity ..

Tervis Tumbler • BruMate Swan Creek • Dixie Belle Paint Willow Tree • Sharon Nolan Melissa & Doug • Ty Plush Jeeps T’s • Simply Southern Bobble Heads • Boglins!

Located in the heart of downtown Nashville next to Out of The Ordinary and across from the Brown County Playhouse

Did we mention all the hats, scarves, and fashion jewelry?

Rhonda Kay’s 69 S. Van Buren St. • Nashville, IN 812-988-2050 • rhondakays@msn.com

52 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Open Daily at 11 a.m.

Open Year-Round for Lunch & Dinner

Fresh made to order starters, salads, sandwiches and house specialties

Brown County’s only “Husband Day Care”

Guinness on tap • Full bar • Specialty drinks • Bloody Mary • Islander • Margarita

Full menu available in Bar • Large TV Out of the Ordinary Restaurant & Hickory Sports Bar

61 South Van Buren St. • Nashville, IN Across the street from the Brown County Playhouse

(812) 200-1999 •

OutOfTheOrdinaryRestaurant

Two Shops in the same Complex 92 w franklin st • nashville, in • 812.988.0336

sunday 12-4, tuesday—saturday 11-5, Tuesday evening 6:30-8:30 come see us in antique alley, next to brown county pottery online store: claypurl.com

Hand-Poured Soy Candles Wax Melts Incense & Essential Oils

Hand-Made Home Decor Boutique Clothing Jewelry & Gifts

Located in the Redbud Terrace Shoppes 146 East Main Street in Nashville

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 53

The Toy Chest K

Owner Hilary Key.

~story and photos by Chrissy Alspaugh

eeping her business open while its doors were COVID-closed was not how Hilary Key planned to celebrate The Toy Chest’s 50th Anniversary.

But Hilary and her husband, Danny, have proved they are not defined by setbacks.

Through success, failure, silent struggles, and becoming parents, these masters of reinvention continue thinking outside of the toy box to bring their dreams to life.

Hilary, a 31-year-old mother of two, is in her seventh year as owner of The Toy Chest, a specialty toy store in the Artists Colony Shops complex. She and Danny also own The Allison House, an 1876 Victorian mansion that hosts up to 14 guests in the heart of Nashville. Danny also launched and serves as managing broker at Brown County Real Estate.

Here’s a little bit about how they’ve made it all work.

54 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Question: You guys are involved in such diverse businesses. Talk about your roles outside of the toy store?

Hilary: The Toy Chest is where my heart is. I love and believe strongly in the power of play. Between having a family and a job I absolutely love, I don’t want my attention split in too many other directions.

Q: Was the pandemic your biggest challenge as a business owner?

Hilary: It has been a tumultuous seven years, so the biggest challenge is hard to pin down. I was most affected financially by the 2016 construction on SR 135. At that time, I still viewed the store’s success as subject to whatever tourism made it through my doors.

In 2017, we learned a larger company was taking over the site of our Bloomington location of The Toy

Chest, so we had 30 days to relocate. I also had roughly 30 days left in a pregnancy, so we had to make the difficult decision to close.

COVID-19 has presented challenge after challenge, but by 2020, I was ready to attack each with everything I had. Despite constant demand for creativity, difficult decisions, and very, very long hours, I felt better equipped to face COVID than some of the challenges that preceded it. I’m glad it didn’t occur earlier in my tenure.

Finally, I spent three of the past seven years battling fertility issues, so it was hard to be fully engaged mentally through those times. It’s hard to face challenges silently, so that background battle was significant.

Q: How did you keep The Toy Chest open during quarantine, when your doors were closed?

Hilary: The fact that I don’t want a new job—and neither does my amazing manager, Emily Stone— pushed the two of us to do whatever we needed to do, for however long we needed to. I couldn’t have

managed it without her support, or my husband pulling more weight at home, the most dedicated returning staff I could have imagined, social media giving our new offerings visibility, and the fact that I went into the pandemic with a functioning retail website and solid knowledge of how it worked with my point-of-sale system. And I couldn’t have paid my bills without the extreme support from our customers.

New customers came out of the woodwork and remain loyal today. Multiple existing customers spent thousands of dollars with us last year and are now friends. Thousands of people shared our social media posts and sent their family and friends to us. I was regularly in tears thinking about the support we were getting from our local community and the larger Toy Chest community that had been building for 50 years.

Q: The lease on your second Bloomington location of The Toy Chest was set to renew during the pandemic, and you found yourself closing again. Is that something you’ll revisit?

Hilary: At this point, I’m more focused on mobile options. I really want to buy a multi-functional vehicle to make into a play-mobile that could take play concepts or the store itself on the road. We could use it when making free deliveries (a pandemic addition that we’ll probably continue forever), to make pop-up stores for events, or load it with crafts, games, obstacle course equipment, etc. and go to a customer’s location for parties.

Q: What other dreams do you have for the store?

Hilary: Seven years ago, I had jumped into the retail world, and it was hard to think of expansion in any manner other than more retail or manufacturing.

Ideas such as opening play spaces, offering courses to teach parents the importance of play, and expanding through programs pushed from our online store are what I spend more time on now. We’ll always have the Nashville store, but expansion might not mean more brick and mortar.

Q: What makes you most proud, reflecting on your time with The Toy Chest?

Hilary: The relationship we’ve built with our customers and our community. There have been moments when we have had to make tough decisions, take stands on controversial situations, and ask our customers for support. I know now that our employees are a very strong unit and that our customers are here for us, believe in what we have to offer, and want to see us succeed. 

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 55

Printers Lane Place “A Lil’ Taste of Heaven”

Serving Breakfast and Lunch Featuring Fabulous:

Biscuit Sandwiches Homemade Biscuits and Sausage Gravy Cinnamon and Pecan Rolls Full Breakfast Menu Including:

Omelettes and Pancakes Bottomless Coffee and Ice Tea

165 N. Van Buren St. • Nashville, IN • 812-720-3440

Fully Renovated 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom Downtown Nashville Pet Friendly Wi-Fi & YouTube TV * Log Cabins * Game Rooms * Pet Friendly * Hot Tubs * Private Pools * Lake Fronts

CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR HOURS

Call, Book Online, or Stop in!

Delivery within a mile radius when available Pet-friendly patio

812.988.6554 • 30 Washington St. • Nashville, IN Like and Follow Us! MoonDanceVacationHomes.com

Find us on Facebook at Heavenly Biscuit Inc.

Farmhouse

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

Homemade Soups, Salads and Garden Sandwiches

· DINNER ·

Sepia Old Time Color Color Black & White

OVER 200 BACKGROUNDS

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

5171 Bean Blossom Road · Just 15 minutes from Nashville

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

A small, intimate restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating

812-988-7305 • 145 S. Van Buren Nashville, IN

Reservations Suggested · 812-988-2004

Next to Artist Colony Inn, Back-to-Back Complex

OPEN 11 to 5, sat. to 6 • NOW SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

56 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

LUNCH: DAILY · 11–4 PM DINNER: TUESDAY–SATURDAY · 5–8 PM

farmhousecafeandtearoom.com · Like us on

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

Foxfire

Gift & Home • Gifts and Home Decor • Memoriam Gifts • Swan Creek Candles • Kitchen Accessories • Baby Gifts • Holiday Decor • Garden Decor 59 East Main Street, Suite A • Nashville, IN • 812-988-7388 Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 57

Field Notes: American Beech

M

~by Jim Eagleman

y dad knew my weakness for chewing gum and used it for gentle bribes and coaxing. As a kid accompanying him on his vet calls to rural Pennsylvania farms, I witnessed a lot of interesting things—calves being born, lots of kittens, a cool milkhouse—and I hated to leave each farm. To announce our departure, a fresh piece of Beech-nut Gum was offered. I tore into the foil wrapper, folding the gum over and over. Those first mouthfuls of almost peppery sweetness were heaven!

During a trip to a distant farm my dad took us to the Daniel Boone Historic Homestead. He always tried to create memorable experiences for me. He told me to read anything inside the cabin I could share with my classmates. By the cabin door was a photo of a carved piece of bark with the inscription, “D. Boone ciled a bar on this tree in 1760.” The museum lady reported that the carving was on a beech tree. I wondered if the carved beech tree was used to make my favorite Beechnut Gum. With any mention of the American beech tree, no matter how scientific or informal, I recall

58 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

those times with my dad. Author Wendell Berry calls it the “significance of place.” Things first learned accompanying the experience, sensory things like hearing or smelling, and where, are deeply connected to our recall. They are just as important as the actual experience.

The American Beech, Fagus grandifolia (edible large leaves), is found from Nova Scotia, southwest to northern Florida and into eastern Texas. Paleobotanists tell us that at one time the beech was found throughout most of North America and could still occupy this range. But, because of the ice ages they disappeared from the western two-thirds of the continent.

The smooth, gray bark, almost elephantlike skin in appearance, and the saw-toothed margins on simple leaves with parallel veins, are trademark features of the American Beech.

Triangular nuts on mature trees (40 years and older) are covered in spiny husks that darken into fall. These nuts are part of the forest’s mast crop which includes walnuts, acorns, and hickory nuts, feeding people and wildlife. The beechnut flavor I recall in the gum was not from the beech nut oil, but from two mints, spearmint or peppermint.

I continue to look for the edible nut crop each year at my favorite, big, beech trees. The trees cycle anywhere from two to eight years, requiring my return to see if it is an “on” year. What we see in beautiful beech flooring and furniture has been crafted by expert wood workers. In its rougher form it is preferred by woodstove owners because of its high density and good wood burning qualities.

Reaching a height of 80 feet and taller, the American beech is often the tallest tree in the forest. Strikes by lightning and open wounds are common. The cambium layer, located just inside the bark, keeps it vital despite the inner, non-living heartwood core that rots, resulting in a hollowedout base. It is often used by wildlife as a den site and food source.

Take a walk through any Brown County woodland and you will find the American Beech tree is a prominent member. It is associated with sugar maple, occasionally musclewood, and shrubs like viburnum and highbush cranberry. The forest complex of beech-maple is often compared to another association, oak-hickory, and the two occur in the Midwest temperate zone. They are usually close with similar understories and herbal layers. It’s the oak-hickory grouping that is more economically valued by commercial foresters and it’s these trees, mostly oaks, that we see loaded on logging trucks.

You might come across a beech tree with deep incisions of heart-shapes and initials during your trailside hike. It’s the smooth, gray bark of the American beech tree that is most chosen by pocketknife carvers. When they are asked, “Where else might you carve your initials?”—”On the sandy beach!” should be the reply. I do not condone the practice of defacing trees. This destructive practice is harmful. We all agree the beech tree with its smooth gray bark looks far more beautiful and natural without deep scars and cuts.

My annual fall ritual is to sit under some beech trees in my woods as the leaf drop continues. Leaf litter from the beech and other trees cover the mast crop that squirrels find. I suspect what they leave behind the doe and her twin fawns will find. Beech leaves turn from summer green to autumn golden, then winter tan. Winter winds will rattle leaves on the beech tree’s branches that retain next spring’s bud.

I’ve always been a fan of the beech. 

Hotel & Event Center Located across from the Brown County Music Center

Balcony Rooms Coming soon:

N Outdoo a ty a a

Conference facility–up to 500 560 State Road 46 East, Nashville, IN 812-988-2284 • SeasonsLodge.com Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 59

Celebrating 65 Years Southern Indiana’s Oldest Live Music Venue Family Friendly Dining Room

Fried Catfish • Pizza Steaks • Chicken Ribs • Full Bar Just 10 minutes from Brown County J

LAKE L AKE L LEMON EMO ON 8939 E. South Shore Dr., Unionville, IN Portholeinn.com • 812-339-1856

port hole inn

There for You in Times of Celebration and Healing • Professional Scrapbooking • Memorial Gifts • Sublimation Projects • Custom Projects/Services

"We can craft it for you or help you do it."

Owner Melana Rambo

• Shadowboxes • Paper Displays • Scrapbooks • Scrapbook Supplies • Pet and Military Packages

BACK ROOM AREA WITH TABLES AND CHAIRS Classes / Game Nights / Guest Artists / Craft Projects Available for private rental Tuesdays and after shop hours for up to 12 people.

Great for parties, meetings, craft projects, and game nights.

173 S. Van Buren St. ~ Possum Trot Square ~ Behind Nashville Fudge Kitchen and across from Old School Way restrooms Shop 812-988-6923 • Cell 636-303-7012 • mrambo@healingheartsmemorymaking.org • Facebook HHMM.Rambo

60 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Brown County Getaways

HOTEL NASHVILLE

BRICK LODGE

NORTH HOUSE

Suites, Studios, Restaurant & Bar Hot Tubs, Indoor Pool, Whirlpool Weddings & Receptions, Special Getaway Packages

Accommodates 8 Guests, 2 Bedrooms & 2 Baths Game Room w/Pool Table, Cable TV, DVD Player Full Equipped Kitchen, Central Heat & Air Gas Fireplace, Outdoor Hot Tub, Gas Grill

Accommodates 8 Guests, 3 Bedrooms & 2 1/2 Baths Cable TV, DVD Player, Fully Equipped Kitchen Central Heat & Air, Electric Fireplace Secluded Hot Tub, Gas Grill

245 N. Jefferson St. | 812-988-8400 |800-848-6274 www.hotelnashville.com

1878 N. State Rd. 135 | 812-988-6429 www.bricklodge.com

194 N. Van Buren St. | 812-988-6429 www.northhousegetaway.com

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

text NA SHV

t

Ever-Growing Selection of Gluten-Free Products

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO GET THE WEEKLY AD Brown County IGA

990o0

ILLE

0

30 Hawthorne Dr. • Nashville • East SR 46 at light • 812-988-4546 Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 61

Less is Fewer

C

~by Mark Blackwell

ommunicating these days seems to be getting harder and harder. Know what I mean? The fact that people even ask that question proves my point. Conversely, when a point is not clear or a wrong word or phrase is used in a conversation, people will often make the statement, “You know what I mean.”

I usually don’t, but it does get me to thinking about what is happening to our ability to understand each other.

In the Bible there is the story of the “Tower of Babel.” The story begins with everybody speaking the same language, getting along good, and working at building an old testament version of a skyscraper. But after a while, a curse is levied and they are all made to speak new and different languages.

Well, the next thing you know, nobody knows what the next feller is saying, and that brought about some serious misunderstandings and general confusion. The whole tower constructing project came to a screeching halt. And that is exactly the sort of predicament I believe we’re cursing ourselves into.

My analysis of the current situation leads me to think that there are several reasons for folks to have their own language.

The first is geography. When a group of people reside in a specific locality it makes sense for them to develop and share common language. That way they can be pretty sure of who belongs in that locality and who don’t. Also, it makes it easier to wage war on folks who talk funny [civil wars and some revolutions excepted].

Then there is evolution—languages, in general, don’t stay static. If you don’t believe it, just try reading Beowulf or The Canterbury Tales. Also, the evolution of language is helped along by the different generations and sub-cultures of speakers wanting to put their particular “brand” on it.

And that brings us to the subjects of slang and jargon.

Slang denotes what the younger generations bring to their native tongue and jargon is what other sub-cultures do to it. It is a way to claim ownership of language and a way of defining an in-group. Who doesn’t want to be hip, hep, cool, and groovy? Slang is also a part of language that is under constant renovation.

What was once “far out” and “mind-blowing” has become “awesome” and “epic.” Going back to my Biblical analogy—“aware” begat “hip” and “hip” begat “woke”—and on it goes.

Jargon is, primarily, the creation of professions and other sub-cultures. It linguistically defines a boundary between practitioners of various corporate and/or religious ideologies and the hoi polloi. However, jargon is defined by the hoi polloi as mumbo-jumbo. Even the riffraff have their version of jargon.

I can understand the idea of slang and jargon, it’s wanting to be in an “in” group—one of the team, so to speak. What bothers me is what I call linguistic laxity.

Continued on 66

62 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

PRESENTED BY BARNES & THORNBURG, LLP

November 12-14 & 19-21, 2021.

Introducing 2020: COVID the Musical. It’s the tale of one of the most unbelievable years in human history. 21 songs will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotion, while revealing a heartfelt message of peace, love, and hope.

Produced by Brown County Playhouse Management, Inc. and Ashton Wolf.

Production directed by Ashton Wolf. Music & lyrics and book by Ashton Wolf.

812.988.6555 BrownCountyPlayhouse.org

Sept. 18 + Nov. 6 Author Events From 1 to 4 pm

SEPT. 18 • Haunted Bloomington IN Author Klara Lee Sweet details Bloomington’s haunted history. She writes of school spirits and downtown haunts; tales of haunted portraits, ghost children, suicides, graveyards, and more.

She travels frequently with her husband to experience ghost tours and collect folklore.

NOV. 6 • Encyclopedia of Haunted IN Nicole Kobrowski is the author of 22 books including the paranormal, history, and textbooks.

Nicole and Michael Kobrowski give ghost tours throughout Central IN. They investigate in many areas including spirit photography, electronic voice phenomenon, and automatic writing.

Old, New, Used and Rare Books Journals • Sketchbooks Handmade Greeting Cards Local Postcards 45 S. Jefferson St. • Nashville, IN 812.988.0202 • fallenleafbooks.com Open 7 days a week 10 am to 5 pm

Your Headquarters for the Great Outdoors CAMPING SUPPLIES: Tents, Camping Lights, Sleeping Bags, Grills, Fire Starters, Coleman Heaters & Lanterns, Cooking Utensils • Fishing Tackle • Horse Tack • RV Replacement Parts • Bee Keeping Supplies • Maple Syrup Supplies • Pet & Livestock Food • Antiques We Fill Propane Tanks

WE SELL & DELIVER BULK MULCH & TOPSOIL Salt Creek Plaza • Nashville (812) 988-8888 • www.BearHardware.com Mon.–Sat. 7:30am–7:00pm • Sun. 10:00am–4:00pm

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 63

Visit

Morgantown

GRANDPA JEFF’S

Trail Rides

10 miles north of Nashville on scenic State Road 135

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.

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

ANTIQUES CO-OP 129 W. Washington St. • Morgantown, IN 46160 (In the old hardware store building)

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

Pick Your Pumpkin • Sip a Cider Slush

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

(812) 597-4530

Layaway Available

Country Store | Sample 20+ Varieties of Apples From Scratch Bakery | Apple Dumplings Pies and more Pies! | Fudgery | Cider and Slushes

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

64 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Live Music and Food Trailers every weekend in September and October Kids Corral | Cable Slide | Super Slide Bamboo Maze | Old McDonald’s Farm FALL HOURS: OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 9AM–6PM

8157 S 250 W. Trafalgar, IN Visit us on Facebook for Happenings

317-878-9317

www.apple-works.com

Brown County Michael Rebman

Nashville, Indiana’s #1 Fun Attraction

COPPERHEAD CREEK

GEM MINE

Certified Therapist

Pan for Gems Fossils Arrowheads

Fun and Educational for All Ages

BROWN COUNTY

ROCK and FOSSIL Chair Massage: $25 • Table Massage: $75

104 S. Jefferson St. • Nashville, IN 47448 browncomassage.com

812-988-4447

SHOP

5000 lbs. of NEW Beautiful & Unique Specimens for 2021

Just North of the Courthouse 79 N. Van Buren ~ (812) 988-2422 online at www.BrownCountyRockShop.com

Fresh In-Store Donuts “Smack Dab in the Heart of the Village” Nashville, Indiana

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

www.IrisGardenLodging.com

Broasted Chicken

(812) 988-2422

812-988-1822

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.

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

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 65

5902 N. State Rd 135

An Eclectic Shop

6 miles North of Nashville

Hand-poured Soy Candles

VINTAGE Furniture

DECOR Unique Finds

Fall is Coming and She is bringing

Moon Acres Candles

LESS IS FEWER continued from 62 There is in language a sort of shorthand made up of proverbs, adages, and just plain old sayings.

In English these things have been appropriated from what were common sources of culture and knowledge. There was a time, not too long ago, that people who spoke English got much of their education from sources that included Ancient Greek philosophers and playwrights, the Bible, Shakespeare, and a whole gaggle of nineteenth century authors and poets.

It is these sources that tell us “not to cry over spilt milk” and to not “count our chickens before they hatch.” Shakespeare, single-handedly, contributed more than 1700 words and phrases to the English language. “All that glitters is not gold,” “It’s Greek to me,” and “strange bedfellows” are now common elements of speech. But it has come to my attention that people are starting to mix these sayings.

Lately, I have been hearing things like, “don’t burn your bridges until you get there” and “there’s more than one way to swing a cat.” And I’ve heard people in the media say, “He tried to saddle the fence.”

Now, I will be the first to admit, that there are times when you can intentionally mix metaphors for humorous effect but that means relying on your audience to know what the original adage is and what it means. One such philosopher who excelled at this was “Abe Martin.”

Abe was the creation and mouthpiece for author Kin Hubbard and waxed philosophical from our own

66 Our Brown County Sept./Oct. 2021

Brown County. Most of Abe’s sayings didn’t make it into the popular lexicon but should have. Like this one: “He who hesitates is saved.” And “A friend is like an umbrella. He’s never there when you want him, an’ if he is he’s broke.” And “People that can’t sing never refuse.”

I wish that all the visitors to the county might acquaint themselves with Abe and his sayings because you can’t really know the character of Brown County without knowing him.

I will end this little essay with one more of Abe’s observations that I rely on: “Nobuddy kin talk as interesting’ as th’ feller that’s not hampered by facts er information.” 

Building Fine Log Homes for over 40 Years HONESTY • INTEGRITY • HANDCRAFTED QUALITY

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

Helmsburg GENERAL STORE

THE FIREPLACE CENTER

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

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

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

State Road 45 and Helmsburg Road Intersection • (812) 929-7797

NASHVILLE EXPRESS

Looking for a good place to eat?

Curious about the dining scene?

Historical His Hi st tor oric ical al Sight-seeing Sig igh ht t-s -see ee ein iin ng Tours To T our urs of of Nashville Na as sh shv hv vill ille il le

Kiid K ds s 5 & Under Un nd de er r Ride Ride ide FREE id FR F REE EE d! Kids All aboar

The

Restaurant Sampler Collection Now on sale at:

Fallen Leaf Books Brown County Visitors Center Also available on

Amazon.com

Support local business

Hills O’ Brown Realty

Kathryn Richardson Debbie Fleetwood Branch Manager

Broker

812-327-7462

812-327-6862

25 minute narrated historical and informational tour with a scenic loop along Old State Road 46

also service to Seasons, Brown County Inn, Quality Inn Board at Fearrin’s Ice Cream Depot Corner of Van Buren & Franklin Streets

Annette Hardin

Kathryn & Donna Team

Bob Kirlin

812-321-2048

812-327-7462 317-418-2320

812-720-0222

Broker

812-988-6690

Available for field trips, business functions, private tours

Brokers

Broker

Phil Shively Team The Scroggins Team Brokers

Brokers

812-325-2290 812-322-0378

812-327-3865

The real estate market is Buyers are looking! We need listings!

Call us TODAY!

Brooke Zavela

Libby Zeigler

317-665-4763

812-345-8979

Broker

Broker

HOT!

812-988-2227 • 158 N. Jefferson St., Nashville, IN • callcarpenter.com

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 67

INFO PAGES

• Individual Income and Business Taxes • Business Set Up • Business Financial Statements • Payroll Preparation and Payroll Taxes

Locally owned since 2010 138 S. Jefferson St. Suite C • P.O. Box 953 Nashville, IN 47448

ACCOUNTING / TAX PREP

ACCOUNTING & PAYROLL

68 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2021

ASPHALT

Plum Creek Antiques Open-Air Market Bean Blossom • Fruit Jars • Garden Art • Furniture • Iron Things, • Lots of Junk and more 5 minutes north of Nashville (intersection of SR 135 & SR 45) (812) 988-6268

$2 Bag • Salt Creek Plaza • Nashville Mon.–Sat. 7:30 am–7:00 pm, Sun 10:00 am–4:00 pm

Tax Preparation, Tax Planning, Bookkeeping, and Payroll

(812) 988-2865

bruce1040@sbcglobal.net 64 W. Gould St. • P.O. Box 565 • Nashville, IN

Brown County Tire TIRE &

AUTO Repair

24 hr. Wrecker Service

812-988-8473

27 Salt Creek Rd (Intersection SR 46) Nashville

One-of-a-kind Designs

Mosaic Tables and Small Paintings Available at Spears Gallery in Nashville, IN South Van Buren Street next to the Nashville House 812-988-1286

EYE CARE

BAGGED TRASH DROP OFF

ANTIQUES

812-360-2477

AUTO - TIRE, REPAIR, TOW

ARNOLD

& ASSOCIATES INC.

ART

ASPHALT

(812) 988-4031 • www.precisebooksandpayroll.com

ZIEG LeDOUX

Checking eyes in Brown County for over 50 years!

50 Willow Street • Nashville, IN 812-988-4937

INFO PAGES

Sept./Oct. 2021 • Our Brown County 69 Continued on 70

Indiana Seamless Free Estimates

Gutter Cleaning and Leaf Cover Available

Matt Hunter

HEALTH

GUTTERING

GUTTERING 812-344-4167

Quality Workmanship since 1992 Fully Insured

Dr. Sanchez MD Board Certified Family Practice Behavioral Health Services

Nashville, IN • 812-200-8265

HEATING & COOLING

HEALTH CARE

INSURANCE YOUR CATEGORY

HEALTH & LIVING

812-465-COOL (2665) 24 HOUR SERVICE FINANCING AVAILABLE Generac Authorized Dealer FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1999

www.firstcalldave2save.com

Salt Creek Medical Arts Building • Check us out on Facebook

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER

“Call Dave 2 Save”

Your Ad Can Appear Here

Reach thousands of readers for just $70 an issue (6 a year)

(discounts for multiple issues)

Contact Cindy at ourbrown@bluemarble.net or call 812-988-8807

Continued from 69

INFO PAGES

70 Our Brown County • Sept./Oct. 2021

The RE/MAX Team is Your Brown County Team

Logging to Lumber ~ Custom Log Home Lumber Packages ~ Posts ~ Beams ~ Rafters ~ Barn Siding ~ Board & Batten ~ Firewood ~ Mulch ~ Sawdust ~ Buyers of Standing Timber

REAL ESTATE

Pool Enterprises, Inc.

CSSS, CDPR

Broker/Owner Cell: 812-360-4083 margd@remax.net 812-988-4485 www.MargAndBrendaTeam.com

helmsburgsawmill@gmail.com • facebook.com/helmsburgsawmillinc

10 Artist Drive, P.O. Box 1609 • Nashville, IN 47448

• Mulching - Seeding NEED HELP? • Weeding - Pruning • Tree / Shrub Planting • Fences - Walkways • Retaining Walls • Mowing / Trimming (812) 988-7232 • Flower / Herb Beds

We Can Do It All!

Complete Landscaping/ Design Services

Licensed Plumbing Contractor since 1981 Bonded • Insured #CO89000011

Repair, Remodel, Pump Service, Water Conditioning, Drain Cleaning, Water Heaters

YOUR CATEGORY

Dunham Plumbing Co., Inc. PLUMBING

Marg DeGlandon

www.helmsburgsawmill.com

812-988-6161

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

LANDSCAPING

LOGGING - LUMBER

Helmsburg Sawmill Inc.

BLUE ELK FAMILY CLINIC Mental Health Counseling

Misty Sanchez LMHC-A and Mr. Bojangles

Call or walk in to schedule appt. • 812-200-8265

Salt Creek Medical Arts Building • Check us out on Facebook

Your Ad Can Appear Here

Reach thousands of readers for just $70 an issue (6 a year)

(discounts for multiple issues)

Contact Cindy at ourbrown@bluemarble.net or call 812-988-8807

812-988-0248 • Nashville, IN

All Types of SIGNS by CHRIS A. SHUSTER

BROWN COUNTY YMCA FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

BUY 1 GUEST PASS, GET 1 FREE 1 per person, expires 12/31/21

Swimming Pool Fitness Center Gymnasium Exercise Classes

Personal Training Swim Lessons Day Camp Climbing Wall

812-988-9622 • www.browncountyymca.org

SIGN MAKER

WELLNESS

Open at 5:30 a.m. Mon.–Fri.

• HOMES • BANNERS • BILLBOARDS • STORE FRONTS

BOATS • TRUCKS • MURALS • LOGO DESIGN •

SIGNS THAT DELIVER: Digital Print & Vinyl to Hand Lettered, Carved & Gilded

812-822-2933 • RamblinDogDesign@gmail.com

nashville Spice c o.

OVER 500 SPICES, RUBS & BLENDS Gourmet Jams & Sauces · Mustards · Hot Sauces Artisan Salts & Sugars · Beekman 1802 · Kitchen Gifts & Accessories

NashvilleSpiceCompany.com 227 S. Van Buren Street · Nashville, IN · In Coachlight Square 812.200.1069

Scan to shop!

We ship worldwide!

175 S. Van Buren St. Nashville, IN 47448