Nov./Dec. 2019 OUR BROWN COUNTY

FREE

The Magazine of Fun and Fact Since 1995

R al ph E merson L ee, o n th e Ed Edge Pl ayh ouse Pl ans Wi nter Hike S eri es H olid ay H appeni ngs FIELD NOTES : Th ankf ul B eware of Falli ng R ock s

Nov./Dec. 2019

We’ll help you make this the most taste-full holiday season ever.

the magical allure of the holiday table The holiday season is upon us

once again, and the traditions observed by our dear Wild Ones are as varied as they are colorful.

But common among them is a meal shared among family and friends. Time to focus on love and gratitude for each other. Time to sit down at the table and look up from the screen.

Time to linger and savor a delicious meal made with care. And we’re here to help– not only with our fine olive oils and aged balsamic, but with complementary offerings of olives, spreads, tapenades, balsamic jams, dipping oils, salts, and unique spice blends.

Oh, and did we mention that our sample/serving sets and accessories make great gifts? ;-) Visit us on facebook or follow us on instagram for updates and recipes, specials, and share your own ideas with other Wild Ones just like you!

Located at 37 W Main next to Millerʼs Ice Cream.

(812) 988-WILD (9453) • www.thewildolive.com

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

15 TREETOP CANOPY ZIP LINES PAINTBALL • ATV BUGGY TOURS • MTN BIKING HUMMER TOURS • EVENTS • CAMPING & CABINS WEDDINGS, PARTY, EVENTS HALL

Use Code OUR BC EXCLUDES SATURDAYS 2019 AND HOLIDAYS BUYBUY YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT YOUR HOLIDAY CERTIFICATE 10% OFF GIFT CERTIFICATE 10% OFF USECode CODE GIFT GIFT 10 Use 10

eXploreBrownCounty.com

MARTINSVILLE

Brown County N

Indianapolis

Martinsville Candy Kitchen

Carmel Ridge Rd

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

Monroe Music Park & Campground

Helmsburg Sawmill Pool Enterprises

HELMSBURG

BEAN BLOSSOM

Helmsburg General Store

Sweetwater Lake

Rosey Bolte’s Uncommon Gourd Studio Vaught Rd.

Cordry Lake

Sprunica Rd. Upper Bean Blossom

Doodles by Kara Barnard

Flower and Herb Barn Farmhouse Café

GATESVILLE

Lightspinner Studio

Dining

to BL O

Artist and/or Gallery

Al’s Paint & Body

Rd.

Old SR 4

6

rove R d.

Amanda W. Mathis

MI to BL OO

46

at k Rd etre all Cree Tire Co. kside R tique M Salt n w e Bro

Cre Co. An wn Bro

Mike’s Music and Dance Barn

eXplore Brown County Abe Martin Lodge

Lil Black Bear Inn

y iner Co. W BONE n w Bro NAW Mt . Li

ber

ty R

to COLUMBUS d

d.

TO N

46

Adventure

G Co Overlook Brown Humane Dunham Lodge Society Heartland Gnaw Bone Tattoo Store & Bakery 19th Hole Bear Wallow Sports Bar Distillery

NG

BELMONT

Yellowwood Rd

Sleepy Cat Studio Ferrer Studio

Craftsman

Annie Smith Rd.

hR

lley Rd.

Salt Creek Golf Retreat

Kelp G

Green Va

Yellowwood State Forest

Cox Creek Mill

NASHVILLE

Country Club Rd

Oak Grove

Musical Entertainment

ran c

Rd.

Lodging/ Camping

Mike Nickels Log Homes

yB

Ow l Cr eek

Helm

Dr. Lisa Baker, DDS Fireplace Center

sburg

Rd

BLOOMINGTON

135

135

Val le

GTON

Trafalgar 252

The Apple Works

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

FRUITDALE

45 OMIN

Franklin

Clay Lick Rd

Lake Lemon

Martinsville

to MORGANTOWN

NASHVILLE MAP ON PAGE 6

135

TRAFALGAR MORGANTOWN

Brown County State Park

Monroe Reservoir

ELKINSVILLE Bob Allen Rd.

k Rd ton Cr

CHRISTIANSBURG

Hamil

Christi

STORY

ove r Gr

ansbu rg Rd

STONE HEAD

la Pop

T.C. Steele State Historic Site

PIKES PEAK

Homestead Weaving Studio Salem’s Good Nature Farm

JEFFERSON STREET

Village Green

Fallen Leaf Books

HONEYSUCKLE LANE

OLD HICKORY LANE

Finds

The Wild Olive

Brown Co. Art Guild

Hobnob Corner

ST SR 135 N

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

Brown Co. Winery

Head Over Heels

Heritage Candy Store

Heritage Mall

New Harmony Soap Co

Gold &Old

Redbud Terrace

IHA

Brown Co Art Gallery

Masonic Lodge

To Brown Co Recycle Center

SR 46 To Hard Truth Hills

Old

RE/MAX Team

Health For U Robinson’s at the RedbudOffice Scentual Journeys New Beginnings Boutique Austin Barber Goldilocks Salon

County Offices

Woodlands Touch of Silver Gallery

Main Street Shops

Foxfire

James R. Spear CPA

Foxfire Boutique

MAIN STREET

Spears Pottery Juls Etc. The Blank Slate Hoosier Spice Co

Our Sandwich Place

Log JJail L il Nashville Spice Co.

Weed Patch Music Company

Pioneer Village Museum

LOCUST LANE

TO Lory Winford HeresHome Studio

Courthouse

open M-F8-4

Copperhead Creek Gem Mine

Iris Garden Cottages & Suites

Brown Co Public Library

Brown Co. History Center

GOULD STREET Iris Garden Complex

Brown Co. Rock & Fossil Shop

Heavenly Biscuit

At Home in the Heartland Heartland Vacation Rentals

MOUND STREET

Hidden Valley Inn

ROBERT “BUCK” STOGSDILL WAY

TO HELMSBURG - 6 MILES

The Emerald Pencil

MOLLY’S LANE Big Woods Village

LaSha’s

Common Grounds Coffee Bar

Men’s Toy Shop

Colonial Bldg.

Carmel Corn Cottage

TO BEAN BLOSSOM & MORGANTOWN

Brozinni Pizzeria

Carpenter Hills O’Brown Realty

J.B. Goods/ Life is Good

Hotel Nashville

ARTIST DR

VAN BUREN

Ironweed

The Salvation Army

Calvin Place

Madeline’s

JEFFERSON STREET Hoosier Buddy

Thrift Shop Community Closet

PAT REILLY DR

Nashville BP

PITTMAN HOUSE LANE

Daily Grind Coffee House & Cafe

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

The Totem Post

Jack & Jill Nut Shop

Brown Co Playhouse

58 South Apparel

FRANKLIN STREET

HONEYSUCKLE LANE

Franklin Sq

Ferguson House Brown Co Pottery

K. Bellum Leather

Antique Alley

Clay Purl Yellow Door Quilt Store

Old McDurbin Gold & Gifts

Coachlight Square

Country Heritage Winery

Bone Appetit Bakery

Brown Co Inn Hotel, Restaurant and Bar

Quality Inn Brown Co Community YMCA

Bear Hardware

Brown County IGA

SR 46 TO COLUMBUS - 16 MILES

VISITORS CENTER

Brown Co Craft Gallery

Cornerstone Inn

WASHINGTON STREET

Brown Co T-Shirt Shop Moondance Vacation Homes

Nashville Gyros Fudge Kitchen

Papertrix Sweetwater Gallery

Possum Trot Sq

Wishful Simply 4 You Thinking

Back to Back

Carol’s Gifts Kiss the Cook House of Jerky Country Folks Yesteryear Old Time Photos

Artists Colony Inn

Artists Colony

Cathy’s Corner

Cedar Creek Winery

Nashville Express

Rhonda Kay’s

Out of the Ordinary and Hickory Bar

OLD SCHOOL WAY Brown County Eye Care Brown Co Health & Living

Salt Creek Park

Casa Del Sol

Nashville General Store

Craftsman

Brown Co Music Center

Seasons Lodge & Conference Center

Doodles by Kara Barnard

Lodging

Theatre

Artist and/or Gallery Rest Room Dining

Musical Entertainment Parking

COUNTY MAP ON PAGE 5

map not to scale

Nashville Indiana

N

8 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

ADVERTISER

ANTIQUES Antiques Co-op................................. 50 Cathy’s Corner................................... 15 The Emerald Pencil........................... 19 Nashville General Store................... 29 Plum Creek Antiques....................... 64 ART, ART SUPPLIES, ART INSTRUCTION B3 Gallery............................................. 3 Antiques Co-op................................. 50 Art Beyond Crayons......................... 50 Bear Hardware.................................. 46 Brown Co Art Gallery....................... 18 Brown Co Art Guild........................... 19 Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 20 Cathy’s Corner................................... 15 The Emerald Pencil........................... 19 Ferrer Studio...................................... 19 At Home in the Heartland............... 55 Amanda W. Mathis............................ 18 Papertrix............................................. 15 Rhoden Art at eXplore Brown Co.... 4 Lightspinner StudioMartha Sechler.................................. 12 Seasons Holiday Art & Craft Show.27 Sleepy Cat Studio............................. 19 Spears Pottery................................... 18 Rosey Bolte-Uncommon Gourd..... 18 Lory Winford, pastelist..................... 20 BOOKS Fallen Leaf Books.............................. 12 CLOTHING 58 South Apparel.............................. 40 Bear Hardware.................................. 46 Brown Co T-Shirt Shop..................... 29 Community Closet Thrift Shop....... 59 Finds.................................................... 61 Foxfire Boutique............................... 43 Head Over Heels............................... 59 J.B. Goods/ Life is Good................... 24 Men’s Toy Shop.................................. 29 New Beginnings Boutique.............. 42

Sleepy Cat Studio............................. 19 Spears Pottery................................... 18 Sweetwater Gallery.......................... 20 The Totem Post.................................. 12 Rosey Bolte-Uncommon Gourd..... 18 Wishful Thinking............................... 27 Woodlands Gallery........................... 30 Yellow Door Quilt Store................... 45 ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC 19th Hole Sports Bar........................ 32 Brown Co Community Band Christmas Concert............................ 51 Brown Co Music Center................... 63 Brown Co Playhouse........................ 26 Copperhead Creek Gem Mine........ 23 eXplore Brown Co............................... 4 FOOD & BEVERAGE 19th Hole Sports Bar........................ 32 Abe Martin Lodge............................. 32 The Apple Works............................... 51 Artists Colony Inn............................. 14 Bear Wallow Distillery...................... 41 Brown Co IGA.................................... 54 Brown Co Inn..................................... 31 Brown Co Winery.............................. 15 Brozinni Pizzeria............................... 41 The Candy Dish................................... 3 Carmel Corn Cottage....................... 58 Casa del Sol........................................ 58 Cedar Creek Winery.......................... 27 Common Grounds Coffee Bar........ 63 Country Heritage Winery................ 46 Daily Grind Coffee House & Cafe... 30 Darlene’s at Hotel Nashville............ 26 Farmhouse Cafe................................ 23 Gnaw Bone Country Store & Bakery............................................. 63 Gyros Food is Art.............................. 61 The Harvest Preserve......................... 3 Heavenly Biscuit............................... 40 Helmsburg General Store............... 42 Heritage Candy Store....................... 46

CRAFTS, POTTERY, GIFTS Antiques Co-op................................. 50 The Apple Works............................... 51 B3 Gallery............................................. 3 The Blank Slate.................................. 45 Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 45 Brown Co Art Guild........................... 19 Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 20 Brown Co Pottery.............................. 12 Brown Co Rock & Fossil Shop......... 23 Cathy’s Corner................................... 15 Carol’s Gifts........................................ 14 Clay Purl............................................. 21 Country Folks.................................... 14 Cox Creek Mill.................................... 23 The Emerald Pencil........................... 19 The Ferguson House........................ 43 Finds.................................................... 61 Foxfire................................................. 43 Gnaw Bone Country Store & Bakery............................................. 63 Head Over Heels............................... 59 At Home in the Heartland............... 55 Homestead Weaving Studio........... 18 House of Clocks................................. 50 Ironweed............................................ 30 K. Bellum Leather............................. 20 Kiss the Cook..................................... 14 Lightspinner StudioMartha Sechler.................................. 12 Madeline’s.......................................... 59 Men’s Toy Shop.................................. 29 Mosaic by Cindy Steele.................... 27 Nashville General Store................... 29 New Harmony Soap Co.................... 57 New Leaf............................................. 19 Papertrix............................................. 15 Rhonda Kay’s..................................... 40 Robinson’s at the Redbud............... 42 Seasons Holiday Art & Craft Show.27 Scentual Journeys............................ 42 Simply 4 You...................................... 27

DIRECTORY Hobnob Corner Restaurant............ 47 Hoosier Buddy Liquors.................... 21 Hoosier Spice Company.................. 45 Hotel Nashville.................................. 26 House of Jerky................................... 14 Jack and Jill Nut Shop...................... 61 Miller’s Ice Cream................................ 3 Nashville BP....................................... 15 Nashville Fudge Kitchen.................. 68 Nashville General Store................... 29 Nashville Spice Co............................. 67 Our Sandwich Place......................... 29 Out of the Ordinary & Hickory Bar.41.

Schwab’s Fudge................................. 51 Seasons............................................... 13 The Wild Olive..................................... 2 FURNITURE Antiques Co-op................................. 50 The Ferguson House........................ 43 At Home in the Heartland............... 55 Robinson’s at the Redbud............... 42 HARDWARE Bear Hardware.................................. 46 HATS Head Over Heels............................... 59 K. Bellum Leather............................. 20 JEWELRY B3 Gallery............................................. 3 Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 20 Cathy’s Corner................................... 15 Ferguson House................................ 43 Finds.................................................... 61 Foxfire................................................. 43 Juls Etc................................................ 24 LaSha’s................................................ 20 New Leaf............................................. 19 Old McDurbin Gold & Gifts............. 61 Rhonda Kay’s..................................... 40 Seasons Holiday Art & Craft Show.27 Spears Pottery................................... 18 The Totem Post.................................. 12 Touch of Silver Gold & Old.............. 24

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 9

LODGING/CAMPGROUNDS Abe Martin Lodge............................. 32 Artists Colony Inn............................. 14 Brown Co Health & Living............... 65 Brown Co Inn..................................... 31 Cornerstone Inn................................ 12 Creekside Retreat............................. 47 eXplore Brown Co............................... 4 Heartland Vacation Rentals............ 54 Hidden Valley Inn............................. 24 Hotel Nashville.................................. 26 Iris Garden Cottages & Suites......... 23 Lil Black Bear Inn B&B...................... 57 Moondance Vacation Homes......... 46 Quality Inn......................................... 42 Salt Creek Golf Retreat.................... 32 Seasons............................................... 13 PET PRODUCTS Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 45 PHOTOS B3 Gallery............................................. 3 Spears Pottery................................... 18 Yesteryear Old Tim Photos.............. 27 REAL ESTATE Carpenter Hills o’ Brown Realty..... 59 RE/MAX-Marg & Brenda.................. 65 RECREATION eXplore Brown Co............................... 4 Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides................ 47 Salt Creek Golf Retreat.................... 32 SERVICES Al’s Paint & Body............................... 64 Dr. Lisa Baker, DDS........................... 40 Bear Hardware’s Bagged Trash....... 64 Brown Co Eye Care............................ 64 Brown Co Health & Living............... 65 Brown Co Humane Society............. 47 Brown Co Tire & Auto....................... 64 Brown Co Visitors Center................. 33 Brown Co Community YMCA.......... 65 Dunham Plumbing........................... 65 Helmsburg Sawmill Inc/ Pool Enterprises Inc.......................... 58

IN Seamless Guttering..................... 64 Keyed IN Property Mgt.................... 65 McGinley Insurance (Farmers)........ 64 Julia Mueller, hypnotherapist........ 25 Nashville BP....................................... 15 Rambling Dog Design - SIGNS....... 65 Austin Barber, Goldilocks Salon..... 42 James R. Spear, CPA.......................... 25 Waltman Construction Co............... 64 SHOES Head Over Heels............................... 59 K. Bellum Leather............................. 20 New Beginnings Boutique.............. 51 The Totem Post.................................. 12 SPECIALTY SHOPS Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 45 Brown Co Rock & Fossil Shop......... 23 Brown Co Pottery.............................. 12 Clay Purl............................................. 21 Fallen Leaf Books.............................. 12 Fireplace Center................................ 58 Head Over Heels............................... 59 Health For U....................................... 65 House of Clocks................................. 50 House of Jerky................................... 14 K. Bellum Leather............................. 20 Kiss the Cook..................................... 14 Men’s Toy Shop.................................. 29 Nashville Spice Co............................. 67 Papertrix............................................. 15 Weed Patch Music Company.......... 58 Wishful Thinking............................... 27 STAINED GLASS Sweetwater Gallery.......................... 20 WEDDINGS Artists Colony Inn............................. 14 Hotel Nashville.................................. 26 OTHER Brown Co Humane Society............. 47 Health For U....................................... 65 Mike Nickels Log Homes................. 42 Flower and Herb Barn...................... 65

Contents 16 The Goat Conspiracy ~by Bob Gustin 22 Field Notes: Thanful ~by Jim Eagleman 28 Playhouse Plans

36-38 Calendar of Events 39 Holliday Highlights 44 Winter Hike Series

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

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

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

Paige Langenderfer is a freelance writer and communications consultant.

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

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

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.

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

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.

~by Jeff Tryon

34-35 Photos ~by Michele Wedel*

Contributors

~by Chrissy Alspaugh

48 Life is Good at JB Goods

~by Paige Langenderfer

52 Ralph Emerson Lee ~by Julia Pearson

56 Beware of Falling Rocks ~by Mark Blackwell 60 Sampler: Heavenly Biscuit

62 Oak Ridge Boys Christmas ~by Ryan Stacy 64-65 Brown County Info Pages

66 Santa Laws

Cover: The Goat Conspiracy

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.

~by Simon Schonemann-Poppeliers OUR BROWN COUNTY 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 Singing Pines Projects, Inc. copyright 2019

*Michele Wedel is a photographer and visual imaging artist in Nashville. She is the house photographer for the new Brown County Music Center. She grew up visiting the area and moved here six years ago. She finds inspiration for her art in the natural beauty of Brown County and in the variety of amazing people that live here. You can view more of her work on Facebook at Michele Wedel Photography

10 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

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>.

Special thanks to Kara Barnard and Gunther Flumm for their contributions this issue.

Thanks, Mom, for making it happen!

Coloring Contest Win $20

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

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

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 11

The Totem Post ~Since 1952~

• 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

Lightspinner STUDIO

Martha Sechler Unique Watercolors Mixed Media Gourd Art

4460 Helmsburg Rd. Nashville, IN • 812-988-7379 Open whenever home. Call ahead.

12 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

Guess Photo Win $20 WHERE IS IT? Call (812) 988-8807

The first person to call gets the prize money.

Leave a message with the specific location of the Mystery Photo, your name, and phone number.

Lodge & Conference Center

Located across from the NEW Brown County Music Center

• Balcony Balcony Rooms Rooms

Last issue’s photo was a witch-looking tree on State Road 135 North near Nashville.

Charity Eck was the first to guess.

Subscriptions make great gifts

SUBSCRIBE One Year’s Subscription for $15 —for postage and handling.

• Restaurant Restaurant • Lounge Lounge

Name:

Address:

• Enclosed Enclosed Pool Pool • Conference facility for up to 500 people 560 State Road 46 East, Nashville, IN

812-988-2284 • SeasonsLodge.com

Send with check or money order to:

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

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 13

Artists Colony Inn & Shops

the

Inn & Restaurant

A Charming 19th Century Style Inn and Restaurant

125 S. Van Buren St. • Nashville, IN NEW LOCATION

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

812-988-0600 • 800-737-0255

artistscolonyinn.com

Carol’s Gifts

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

Jerky Seasonings & Dips • Peanuts

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

Nashville, IN • (812) 988-1592

Since 1981

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

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

Kitchen Gadgets • Aprons Rothchild Farms Terrapin Ridge Farms Savannah Cinnamon Products Coffees • Teas Dozens & Dozens of Cookie Cutters

Dunn Spiritual Products and Puzzle Pieces Flags • Mailbox Covers • Cards

Locally Handcrafted Pewter Christmas Ornaments

.

Kiss the Cook • Country Folks

125 S. Van Buren St. • Artists Colony Shops • Nashville, IN

125 S. Van Buren St. • Nashville, IN Upstairs Artists Colony Inn Shops (Elevator available) 812-988-0426

Open 363 Days • 812-988-6388

14 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

WINERY WINER WINE RY RY

y

Brown County

Find what you love…

Love what you find

1 3 Y ea r Anniversa r

· AWARD WINNING QUALITY WINES SINCE 1986 ·

Dynamic classes and demo table.

Artistic Rubber Stamps For cardmaking, & Scrapbooking collage & altered art The newest items and techniques!

Receive

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

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

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

(812) 988-2002 www.papertrix.com

Fresh In-Store Donuts

Broasted Chicken 812-988-1822

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

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 15

The Goat Conspiracy

~by Bob Gustin

Josh Jackson (holding Bear Plachy Jackson), Tonya Plachy, Nicole Schonemann, and Mark Veldman. photo courtesy of Simon Schonemann-Poppeliers

T

he Goat Conspiracy formed about five years ago when two Bloomington couples decided they were ready for a change in careers and lifestyles. The coconspirators were looking for sustainability, a slower and simpler pace of life, getting in touch with where food really comes from, and the notion of getting back to the earth.

They found it on 46 acres at 6022 East Kent Road in Brown County, near the T.C. Steele home, which now features about 130 Nigerian dwarf goats, a cheese processing center, free-range chickens, and a vacation rental home.

Tonya Plachy and Josh Jackson were both working at Bloomingfoods in Bloomington and Nicole Schonemann was their neighbor.

The fourth person in the conspiracy is Nicole’s partner, Mark Veldman. They’ve been

16 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

Goat yoga session at the farm. courtesy photo

Bear Jackson frolics with some of his favorite goats. photo by Bob Gustin

joined by the children of Josh and Tonya, Bear, age three, and Lynx, who is four months old.

But perhaps the most important members of the conspiracy are the goats themselves, and the human partners joke that sometimes it’s hard to tell which species is really in charge.

“The conspiracy is that we all work for the goats,” Tonya said.

Learning to be goat farmers was not easy. The coconspirators were primarily self-taught from how-to books and workshops. Other local farmers also provided some schooling.

Josh said some of the education was problem solving, which sometimes involved trial and error, with help from Google and YouTube.

The Goat Conspiracy sells goat cheese, of course.

And goat milk soap. But they also offer goat yoga, goat landscaping, and loan out their goats for social events such as birthday parties and library celebrations.

“They’re very efficient little creatures,” Tonya said.

Just like people, goats all have different personalities, she said. Some like to stay in their family groups, some

are especially friendly towards humans, while others are stand-offish. Some are dog-like and some have personalities more like cats.

The conspiracy works because the humans all have their individual strengths, share the workload, and have found support from the community and friends. Mark is the businessman and handles their booth at the Bloomington Farmers Market. Josh is a goat herder, handyman, and does farm maintenance. Tonya is the “goat whisperer,” milker, and goat midwife. Nicole makes the cheese and soap, and manages the vacation rental cabin.

Josh explained that goat landscaping involves renting out some of the goats to clean an overgrown property of unwanted weeds.

The area is defined by an electric fence, then goats are let loose. He said goats especially love invasive plants like honeysuckle, poison ivy, multiflora rose bushes, and woody stalks.

Things come full circle when goat manure is used to fertilize the soil and help crops or lawns grow.

Second-year goats are the landscapers, and young goats are used for in yoga classes.

Nicole said the animals can be therapeutic when they interact with people, bringing a peaceful feeling.

“It’s good for the goats too,” Tonya said. “We take care of the goats and the goats take care of us.”

Their website offers a succinct explanation of why they do what they do: • Sustainability: The business is built on principles of sustainability and low environmental impact.

• Community: Developing and nurturing the farm community and contributing to the broader community of farmers and consumers of local food.

• Education: Sharing knowledge of farming and production through workshops and community engagement.

• Animal Welfare: Making sure the animals (goats, chickens, cats and dogs) have good lives on the farm. Much of the animals’ food is grown on the farm.

Continued on 21

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 17

HOMESTEAD WEAVING STUDIO Quality Handwovens

by Chris Gustin

Brown County Art Gallery Brown County’s Original Art Gallery · established 1926 ·

GALLERIES · SPECIAL EXHIBITS · CONSIGNMENT ART WORKSHOPS · PROGRAMS

Yarn • Looms • Supplies • Classes Southeastern Brown County 6285 Hamilton Creek Road Columbus, IN 47201

Open 11 to 5 most days CALL AHEAD Visit us on the Back Roads Tour

www.HomesteadWeaver.com • 812-988-8622

UPCOMING GALLERY EVENTS DECEMBER 7 · 11 AM

Uplands Winter Wine Market

Art, wine tasting and holiday goodies from all 9 wineries on the Indiana Uplands Wine Trail and local artisans

APRIL 26, 2020 · 12:3O PM

26th Annual Victorian Tea

Featuring “The Exotic World of Spices” program by Nashville Spice Company Favors · Raffle · Door Prizes Reservations Required · Call the Gallery for information and reservations

Find our complete calendar of workshops and events online

Locally Crafted Pottery • Jewelry • Photography • Wood • Fiber • More...

Downtown Nashville (S. Van Buren St. near stoplight/courthouse) • Open Daily

www.spearspottery.com • 812.988.1286 • Spears Gallery on Facebook

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

812.988.4609 · BrownCountyArtGallery.org

Amanda W. Mathis Originals, Prints, and Cards

photo by Michele Wedel

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

18 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

FERRER STUDIO

Original Paintings Prints • Classes

Sleepy Cat Studio

by DIXIE

4108 Yellowwood Rd. Nashville, IN

&

t

he gr a

Visit Ferrer Studio on the Back Roads Tour

H o m e o f Ace

in b in mice

Open by appointment | 812-988-1245 | DixieFerrer.com | Dixie Ferrer Also represented by Brown County Art Guild

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

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

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

THE GUILD. FINE ART

BY FINE ARTISTS. WELCOME TO THE HISTORIC ART GUILD • Artwork for Sale • Artisan Gift Shop • Permanent Art Collection • Special Exhibitions

© 2019 Brown County Art Guild, Inc.

Featuring handcrafted jewelry by owner Amy Greely

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

SELF PORTRAIT BY MARIE GOTH

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 19

Lory Winford Fine Art

Pastelist inspired by nature’s colors

Stained Glass • Paperweights Mosaic Mirrors • Pottery Fabric Wallhangings Work shown at Hoosier Artist Gallery in Nashville

916-804-2484 • hereshomestudio@gmail.com

Lory Winford Pastelist

Sterling Designs

by Sharon & Larry SBJ/LMJ Designs Opals by Larry • Pendants • Earrings • Bracelets • Nec klaces

812-988-0522 A variety of natural stones and colors

local artisans

A n y t hin g But Or d ina ry

New Location: 158 Old School Way Nashville, IN • 812-988-0449

created by hand

HeresHome Studio Workshops and Private Lessons Studio visits by appointment only Commission work accepted 15 N. Johnson St. Nashville, IN

Sweetwater Gallery

E S T

1 9 7 8

BROWN COUNTY

No rt h Va n B ur e n an d Mo lly’s Lan e • N ashville

Doing business for over 25 years

Featuring Leather Goods Made in Brown County

Fine Leather Goods

• Handbags • Belts • Hats • Accessories • Holsters

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

• Leather • Tools • Dye •Supplies

VISIT US IN OUR NEW LOCATION!

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

20 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

Open Year Round · 10 AM - 5 PM daily 62 E. Washington St. · Nashville, IN 47448 BrownCountyCraftGallery.com 812.988.7058 BCCraftGallery

@BCcraftgallery

GOAT CONSPIRACY continued from 17

come see us in antique alley…

92 w franklin st ¥ nashville, in ¥ 812.988.0336 tuesday - saturday 11- 5, sunday 1- 4, also tuesday evening

One of the 130 dwarf Nigerian goats ready to greet visitors. photo by Bob Gustin

• Localism: Supporting the community by selling locally and using local ingredients to provide nourishing fresh food and goods.

• A Slower More Humane Pace of Life: The business promotes moving away from the fast pace of life that tends to leave little room for community, relationships, and a conscious connection with the earth.

The Goat Conspiracy also offers a rent-a-buck service, and sell goats for pets and as 4-H projects, or to hobby farmers. Some of the older goats are sold to processors for meat. And in January, people can bring their untreated Christmas trees to an event where the goats eat the old trees and the people enjoy the spectacle. Dozens of free-range chickens provide fresh farm eggs.

Open houses are held every couple of months at the Goat Conspiracy and people who have registered can tour the farm and facilities.

Another feature on the farm is an impressive log cabin which is a tourist rental. It has a large front porch and custom interior with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and can accommodate eight guests.

More information: The Goat Conspiracy, 6022 E. Kent Road, Bloomington, IN 47401, (812) 322-2879, goatconspiracy@gmail.com. 

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

Hoosier Buddy offers more than 150 different beers, including more than 80 craft, micro, and imports.

We proudly offer a wide variety of beers from Indiana’s finest brewers.

Fine Wines:

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

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.

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 21

FIELD NOTES: Thankful

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks,” —John Muir

~by Jim Eagleman The holidays are approaching and it’s a time when we give thanks and gifts. Soon the hectic days of Thanksgiving and Christmas time will take over, full of planning and preparing for parties and gatherings with families and friends.

Giving thanks is typically offered when the grand feast of Thanksgiving is graciously prepared and enjoyed. This one-day event centers around food from pantry, garden, or freezer and is a tradition

photo courtesy Jim Eagleman

to celebrate, among other things, a bounty of goodness. I eagerly look forward to my favorite foods and enjoy them even days afterward. A cold turkey sandwich and luscious leftovers can’t be beat! I hope to pause at some point during the event and offer heartfelt gratitude to my friends, our sons with families, and our grandchildren—and certainly to my wife, my partner, and wonderful cook!

We can also be grateful for where one lives, a healthy life, a variety

22 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

of activities for a quality life, and natural places to visit. I hear this a lot. People are thankful they live here. Many consider it a gift.

Brown County’s parks, trails, and forests make this a special place.

Residents and visitors are thankful for many natural areas that have been set aside and preserved here, into perpetuity, for our enjoyment.

Friends often tell me they recently enjoyed a hike through a Sycamore Land Trust site, kayaked a public lake, or joined in a nighttime vista watch at Brown County State Park.

There are many places to enjoy.

Jane Ellis, executive director of the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau agrees, “It’s why people continue to come here.

Along with the art and things to do, it’s the exploring of nature they enjoy. We can support and promote it, and it’s always here, year ’round, in all seasons.” You can hike a new trail, canoe or fish at a quiet lake, enjoy a horseback ride, or ride some of the park’s internationallyknown mountain bike trails. “With a destination like Brown County, and with tourism its main industry, the more places to experience, both commercial or natural, the better our guests enjoy themselves,’’ says Jane.

The Brown County Hills section of the Highland Rim Natural Region includes steep, V-shaped ravines and valleys. It can claim ownership to one of the largest forested landscapes in the Midwest, with vista views of greater than 10 miles to distant horizons. It is Continued on 25

Nashville, Indiana’s #1 Fun Attraction

armhouse

COPPERHEAD CREEK

GEM MINE

Pan for Gems Fossils Arrowheads

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

Fun and Educational for All Ages

BROWN COUNTY

ROCK and FOSSIL SHOP

Homemade Soups, Salads and Garden Sandwiches

· DINNER ·

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

A small, intimate restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating

5000 lbs. of NEW Beautiful & Unique Specimens for 2018

Reservations Suggested · 812-988-2004

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

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

farmhousecafeandtearoom.com · Like us on

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

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

Unique Metal Art Studio

www.VisitBrownCounty.com

(812) 988-2422

home of

The Iron Gate

by Brad Cox Brad Cox and his wife Stephanie invite you to discover their studio and mill located along the banks of Salt Creek just 10 minutes from Nashville.

4705 Annie Smith Rd. Nashville theirongatebybradcox@yahoo.com

Hours vary.

Call ahead.

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.

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 23

in Nashville, IN

172 N. Van Buren Street AND

102 S. Van Buren Street (Calvin Place)

www.JBGoods.com • 812-988-0900

Albert C. Drake r e

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

Under new management by Heartland Vacation Rentals 812.988.9000 • 877.988.9099 201 North Van Buren St. Nashville, IN • www.hiddenvalleyinn.net

24 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

47 yyears rs off q quality service in n Bro r wn Co C unty Brown County

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

A

MIND

BODY CONNECTION

“Take your life in a New Direction!”

JULIA J. MUELLER Best Selling Author Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist

“My passion is coaching and facilitating incredible life changes at the deepest level.” * Stress Management * PTSD * Addictions * Improve Your Health * Weight Loss * Stop Smoking * Performance in ALL Areas of Your Life!

Julia J. Mueller C.Ht. • A Mind & Body Connection Executive Park North 2620 N. Walnut St. Suite 700 • Bloomington, IN 47404

941-730-3965 • www.AMindandBodyConnection.com

JAMES R. SPEAR CPA Certified Public Accountant Chartered Global Management Accountant In practice since 1983 and accepting new clients Providing Professional: TAX PREPARATION and CONSULTING FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION BUSINESS VALUATION

76 East Main Street Old State Bank Building Nashville, Indiana

812-720-7061

THANKFUL continued from 22 inspirational to stand at any vista, Hohen Point in the state park is a favorite. At any time of day or season you can look over uninterrupted forestland. It can be breath-taking and makes a person glad these views will be saved for all generations. Something incredibly important to be thankful for.

And we can be thankful for another reason—it’s good for us!

A simple walk in the woods can be rejuvenating.

Scientists have advanced theories why it is beneficial—from fresh air to lack of noise pollution.

Some even promote an apparent immune-boosting effect of a fine mist of “wood essential oils.”

A new study suggests a more powerful benefit: it’s the way trees and birds and sunsets gently tug—but never grab—at our attention. Scientists claim the benefit lies in the distinction between two types of attention: voluntary, where we consciously focus on something, and involuntary, in which something grabs our attention. Voluntary attention is crucial in daily life for cognitive tasks like remembering random digits, but it is easily fatigued. Going for a walk in a wooded area gives voluntary attention a break. The mind has a chance to wander aimlessly, and yet it is still engaged.

This recharges the brain, removes the clutter and noise of existence. We exert our voluntary attention to react or block them out, and this leaves us depleted and edgy.

Hiking trails open year ’round, with parking and trail signage, easy directions by checking websites, and all within a few minutes of Nashville, makes make me happy and thankful. I can watch for differences this winter along the trails that I didn’t see during summer, walk bug-free, with no fear of the occasional timber rattler. As a gift idea for a friend, invite them along. I might even share part of my turkey sandwich.

For maps of area hiking trails and other hiking resources, plan to stop in the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 211 S. Van Buren St., Nashville.

(812) 988-7303 <browncounty.com>.

Other resources: -Sycamore Land Trust <sycamorelandtrust.org> 4898 E. Heritage Woods Rd., Bloomington, IN (812) 336-5382 -Brown County Hills Field Office of The Nature Conservancy, <nature.org> 3478 Clay Lick Rd., Nashville, IN (812) 988-0246 -Brown County State Park (812) 988-6406, Yellowwood State Forest (812) 988-7945, <dnr.IN.gov> -Hoosier Hikers Council <hoosierhikerscouncil.org>

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 25

Thurs. 5 to 8 pm, Fri. & Sat. 5 to 9 pm

HOTEL NASHVILLE

DARLENE’S at at Hotel Hotel Nashville Nashville Upscale Dining in a Casual Atmosphere Serving Dinner with Full Bar Service Menu Features: Steaks, Seafood, Pasta, Chicken, Burgers, Appetizers, Soups and Salads

Reserve your Special Party now!

• Suites, Studios, Hot Tubs

• Conference Facilities

• Restaurant and Bar

• Weddings and Receptions

• Indoor Pool, Sauna, Whirlpool

• Special Getaway Packages

Meetings and Banquets Catering in your home or other venue Weddings and Receptions

245 N. Jefferson St., Nashville (812) 988-8400 • (800) 848-6274 www.hotelnashville.com

November 1

November 2

3 Weekends! December 6 – 22

A GOLDEN TICKET PRODUCTION

November 8

November 9

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS Live entertainment for the entire family!

BelieveTheMagicOfChristmas

Elfie Returns!

More elves, more fun, more holiday characters!

812.988.6555 · BrownCountyPlayhouse.org Showtimes, tickets & schedule online Box Office: Thursday–Sunday | 70 S. Van Buren · Nashville, IN

26 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

Movies…the latest releases

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

Sepia Old Time Color Color Black & White

145 S. Van Buren St. Nashville, IN 812-350-8806 Simply 4 You Gift Shop Simply_4_you@aol.com

Established 2001

OVER 200 BACKGROUNDS Wild West • Prairie • Civil War • Roaring 20s and more!

145 S. Van Buren Nashville, IN Next to Artist Colony Inn, behind My Red Moon

Weekdays 10–6, Sat. 10–7, Sun. 10–6

812-988-7305

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

A Longtime Nashville Tradition

The Seasons

Holiday Art & Craft Show

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

November 29 & 30, 2019 Friday 10 to 5, Saturday 10 to 4

Juried show with approximately 40 Artists and Crafters Free Admission • Free Parking Handicapped Accessible Breakfast and Lunch Available

The Seasons Lodge and Conference Center 560 State Road 46 East, Nashville, IN

Mosaics by Cindy Steele

Available at Spears Pottery in Nashville, IN (On South Van Buren Street near the stoplight/courthouse)

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 27

Playhouse Plans

~story and photo by Jeff Tryon

A

s it celebrates its 70th year, the venerable Brown County Playhouse will push ahead into uncharted waters, trying to create a successful formula of a diverse range of live performing arts productions and events for visitors and residents.

This year’s unexpected loss of the Playhouse’s first executive director, and the launching of the new music center, left the organization seeking to redefine its place in the local entertainment spectrum.

The next act for the Nashville landmark will take it back to its roots—plays staged by amateurs.

But the productions will be mounted by a local community theater group instead of Indiana University.

Acting executive director Hannah Estabrook said the

Playhouse will do less next year, but will try to do it better. “I guess ‘less is more’ is kind of the model we’re going for next year, because this year we had event after event after event. It’s not only exhausting our resources, but the community can’t support us for every event. We’re just trying to put on the best shows we can, and make sure we’re not running ourselves into the ground trying to put on a show every night.”

Since a local board has been managing the Playhouse, it has presented concerts featuring local and nationally touring musicians, plays, live radio shows, magic shows, youth musicals, nostalgia musical groups, and movies.

New board member Mark Stolle got the ball rolling in a new direction by calling for volunteers for a new amateur community theater group.

28 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

In September, Stolle announced that the new “Theatre Brown County” group will mount a production of “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” by Christopher Durang next June.

Stolle said the group also plans to produce a musical in mid-September of 2020.

He said the all-volunteer group will hold open auditions with no pre-casting of roles, and stressed that the group will need a lot of volunteer help in nonacting positions.

Estabrook said that once the June production is done, they may consider adding more plays in the fall timeline, when there are more people in town.

“We want to do live entertainment,” she said. “We’re Continued on 30

Our

SANDWICH PLACE At the corner of Main & Van Buren Street (near the stoplight/courthouse) 812.988.2355

Family Friendly Menu Cooked from Scratch Breakfast (till 11:00) • Lunch • Early Supper Open daily at 9:00 am till slow (Closed Wed. & Thurs.)

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

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

• Tanks • Jackets • Jerseys • Tye Dye

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

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

’

Luminox Watches (used by Navy Seals)

Variety of T-Shirts

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

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

Pipes, 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

Wooden Signs made in Southern Indiana

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

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

118 E. Washington St. (by the creek) Nashville, IN • 812-988-6362 Open daily 9 to 5

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

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

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 29

DAILY GRIND Coffee House & Cafe

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

188 South Jefferson St�eet in Nashville, Indiana (812) 200-3151 Free Customer Parking www.ironweedgiſts.com info@ironweedgiſts.com Bouquets, plants, gifts, balloons, cards & more

30 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

PLAYHOUSE continued from 28 not necessarily going to move away from live music.”

She said the advent of the new music center won’t necessarily impact the Playhouse.

“We’re looking at it more like a collaborative effort,” Estabrook said. “Our shows are marketed toward different groups. A 2,000-seat venue is going to serve a different audience that a 426-seat venue.

Also, it’s for-profit versus non-profit. So we are doing a lot of similar things, but I don’t think we’re affecting each other in terms of customer base. It’s actually even helping us a little bit with audience numbers.”

The Playhouse struggles to fill the house; Eastabrook has only seen a couple of sellouts in her six-month tenure. The venue does better in spring and fall.

“The music and the live shows really do well,” she said. “I wish the movies would do better…. But, I think that if we do community theater right, we could turn ourselves back into what the Playhouse originally was. I think that’s something we could move towards, but as of right now, live music shows are what works best for us.”

Estabrook said the Playhouse has had a lot of community support and has been gaining momentum over the past few months.

“We’ve had sponsors rolling in,” she said. “All of the shows were sponsored in October, either by individual donors or businesses. It’s just been really wonderful to receive and see. There are so many things that businesses can get themselves involved in—they’ve had to pick and choose.”

Over the past year, the Playhouse board conducted a strategic planning process including a “constituent survey” of about 10,000 people.

“We know that a lot of people are really passionate about the Playhouse and what we have coming in the future,” Estabrook said. “And we’re just hoping that our new direction for 2020 will be what everybody wants.”

“Hang with us, we’re getting it together, it’s just been kind of a rough transition,” she said. “But we’ve got really exciting things in store for next year.”

For more information visit <browncountyplayhouse.org> or call 812-988-6555.

You can also follow the Brown County Playhouse on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

brown County Inn HOTEL, RESTAURANT & BAR

On the corner of 135 & 46 just 3 blocks of downtown with free parking

Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week

8am to 9pm Sunday to Thursday

8am to 10pm Friday & Saturday

www.browncountyinn.com

(812) 988-2291

Nov./Dec. 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ Our Brown County 31

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

New Cabin Suites

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

• Slide • Water Channel • Fountains • Dump Buckets • Waterfall There is always something to do in Indiana’s largest State Park: Aquatic Center, Horse Back Riding, Mountain Bike Trails, Fishing, Tennis...

We have the perfect setting for any event: Corporate Retreats, Weddings, Getaways and Family Reunions, and more!

Brown County State Park • P.O. Box 547 • Nashville, IN • 1-877-Lodges-1 • (812) 988-4418 • www.indianainns.com

32 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

the holidays IN BROWN COUNTY

Celebrate the holiday season in Brown County, where holiday cheer comes naturally! With plenty of fun and festive holiday events, unique shopping, and quaint old-fashioned charm, Christmas in Brown County is a magical experience that should not be missed. This year, make it a new holiday tradition and create memories to last a lifetime!

Stuff a Stocking December 7 Tree Lighting Ceremony November 29 Christmas Log and Country Home Tour December 7 Holiday Art & Craft Show November 29, 30 Uplands Winter Wine Market December 7 Visits with Santa November 29, 30 Holiday Light Parade & Toy Drive December 7 Bean Blossom Lights Every weekend November 29 – December 28 Steele’s Country Christmas December 8 Bloomington Symphony Orchestra December 1 Oak Ridge Boys – Down Home Christmas December 10 Believe, a Brown County Christmas Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern Jukebox: A Very Postmodern December 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 Christmas December 12 Victorian Candlelight Holiday Dinners Creekside Retreat Holiday Arts and Craft Show December 14 December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 Christmas Bird Count December 14 Santa Train December 6 Phil Vassar | Lonestar December 20 Children’s Christmas Benefit Auction December 6 Sara Evans at Christmas December 21 Reindeer Romp December 7 Santa’s Zip N’ Sip December 1 – 31 SeeSanta SantaDecember at the History Breakfast with 7, 8 Center from 12-5 p.m. on November 24 & 25 and December 2 & 9!

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 33

photos by Michele Wedel

calendar Some dates not booked at time of publication.

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

Country Heritage Winery

Nov. 1 Cari Ray & The Shaky Legs Nov. 2 Gary Applegate & Joe Rock Nov. 8 “For a Song”

Singer/Songwriter Showcase Nov. 9 Frank Jones & Carolyn Dutton Nov. 15 Open Mic Nov. 16 John Whitcomb Classics Nov. 22 Steve Fulton Nov. 23 Clearwater Band Nov. 29 Frank Jones, Jeff Foster &

Carolyn Dutton Nov. 30 Frank Jones & Jeff Foster Brown County Playhouse Dec. 6 The Impasse Band Free Fallin Tom Petty Tribute Dec. 7 The Paul Bertsch Trio Nov. 1 Dec. 13 Frank Jones & Carolyn Dutton Pop Rock & Roll Dec. 14 Chuck Wills Nov. 2 Dec. 20 Open Mic The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll Piano bangin’,guitar slingin’, bass thumpin’ Dec. 21 Amanda Webb & Jeff Foster Dec. 27 Bakersfield Bound rock ‘n’ roll Dec. 28 Clearwater Band Nov. 8 812-988-8500 70th Anniversary Celebration Concert Starring Jenn Cristy, Eric Brown & Friends www.CountryHeritageWinery.com Nov. 9 19th Hole at Salt Creek Golf Believe The Magic of Christmas Music starts at 8:00 Dec. 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 Nov. 2 Karaoke w/ John D. Nov. 9 Elkins Family FIRST RUN MOVIES ON THE BIG SCREEN Nov. 16 Ryan Harrison Check website for schedule Nov. 23 South of 44 70 S. Van Buren St. 812-988-6555 Nov. 30 TBA www.BrownCountyPlayhouse.org Dec. 7 Karaoke Brown County Music Center Dec. 14 TBA Dec. 21 Clearwater Band Nov. 8 Ronnie Milsap Dec. 28 Ryan Harrison Nov. 15 Boy Band Review Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve Bash Nov. 16 The Why Store

South of 44 Nov. 23 Hard Days Night 812-988-7888 www.SaltCreekGolf.com Dec. 1 Bloomington Symphony Christmas Brown County Inn Dec. 8 Chris Isaak Open Mic Night every Wednesday 7-10 Dec. 10 Oak Ridge Boys Bluegrass Brunch every Saturday 11-2 Dec. 12 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Live Music Friday and Saturday Nights Jukebox Nov. 1 New Augusta Bluegrass Dec. 20 Phil Vassar | Lonestar Nov. 2 Bluegrass Brunch Dec. 21 Sara Evans Nov. 2 Dan Whitaker & The Dec. 31 Reverend Peyton’s Shinebenders

Big Damn Band Nov. 6 Open Mic 812-988-5323 Nov. 7 Writer in the Round www.browncountymusiccenter. com

36 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

Nov. 8 The Dan Kirk Band Nov. 9 Bluegrass Brunch Nov. 9 Blankenship Band Nov. 13 Open Mic Nov. 14 Brown County Story Slam Nov. 15 Jack Whittle Band Nov. 16 Bluegrass Brunch Nov. 16 Sean Lamb Nov. 20 Open Mic Nov. 21 Silver Sparrow Nov. 22 Clearwater Band Nov. 23 Bluegrass Brunch Nov. 23 Zion Crossroads Nov. 27 Open Mic Nov. 29 Big Daddy Caddy Nov. 30 Big Daddy Caddy Dec. 4 Open Mic Dec. 5 Writer in the Round Dec. 6 Hey Hey Dec. 7 Bluegrass Brunch Dec. 7 The Movin’ Hips Dec. 11 Open Mic Dec. 12 TBA Dec. 13 Steve Fulton Dec. 14 Bluegrass Brunch Dec. 14 J.C. Clements Band Dec. 18 Open Mic Dec. 19 TBA Dec. 20 TBA Dec. 21 Bluegrass Brunch Dec. 21 The 1-4-5’s Dec. 27 Cosmic Situation Dec. 28 Bluegrass Brunch Dec. 28 The Acre Brothers Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve Celebration

Big Daddy Caddy 800-772-5249 www.BrownCountyInn.com

Mike’s Dance Barn Mondays dance lessons with Billy Nov. 2 DJ night with Billy Nov. 9 DJ night with Billy Nov. 16 Larry McDonald Band Nov. 23 private party Nov. 29 The Marlinaires Nov. 30 DJ with Billy Dec. 7 DJ with Billy Dec. 14 Ralph Eads Band Continued on 38

Christmas in Brown County Details at ChristmasinBrownCounty.com

Tree Lighting Ceremony with Santa

Santa’s Zip & Sip

Nov. 29, 5:30 at the Brown County History Center 70 Gould Street

Dec. 1-31 at eXplore Brown County Groups please call to arrange hours.

812-988-7750

Holiday Art & Craft Show

Santa Train

Nov. 29 & 30, Seasons Conference Center Fri. 10:00-5:00, Sat. 10:00-4:00 Juried show featuring arts and crafts made by area artisans.

Santa Visits at the Brown County History Center Nov. 29 & 30, 12:00-5:00 70 Gould Street

Brown County Sippin’ Trip Times TBA Brown County Visitors Center Tasting excursion to the artisan wineries, breweries and distilleries around Brown County. Transportation provided.

Bean Blossom Lights Weekends Nov. 29-Dec. 28 At Bill Monroe’s Music Park & Campground, north of Nashville, SR 135 Lights that dance, live music, live characters, pictures with Santa.

Believe, The Magic of Christmas Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 Brown County Playhouse. A one-of-akind holiday show. browncountyplayhouse.org

Brown County Music Center Christmas-theme Shows Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Dec. 10 Dec. 12 Dec. 20 Dec. 21

Bloomington Symphony Chris Isaak Oak Ridge Boys Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Phil Vassar | Lonestar Sara Evans

Dec. 6, around 8:30 p.m. in Helmsburg Santa arrives by train on the Indiana Railroad. Children and adults are invited to board the train and visit with Santa.

Also, many other Christmas and cartoon characters. Fun for the whole family.

Stuff a Stocking Dec. 7, 11:00-5:00 Children receive a stocking and collect treats from Nashville merchants.

Holiday Lights Parade and Toy Drive

Breakfast with Santa at the Brown County Inn Dec. 7 & 8, 8:30-11:00 Enjoy the Inn’s hearty breakfast buffet while the kids visit with Santa. Drawings for gifts, a hot chocolate bar, and more.

Uplands Winter Wine Market Dec. 7, 12:00-7:00Brown Co. Art Gallery Holiday winery experience featuring nine Indiana Upland wineries

Brown County Community Band Christmas Concert Dec. 8, 2:30 at the Brown County High School Auditorium Snow date Dec. 15

Steele’s Country Christmas

Dec. 7, 6:00 Floats travel through the Village of Nashville. Bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to the local Salvation Army.

Dec. 8, 1:00 to 4:00 T.C. Steele’s State Historic Site Experience the holidays at the House of the Singing Winds as the Steeles did in the early 1920s. Visit by Santa.

Children’s Christmas Benefit Auction

Victorian Candlelight Holiday Dinners at Story Inn

Dec. 7, 6:00 (doors open at 5:00) at Out of the Ordinary Restaurant Proceeds from auction items are used to buy items for Brown County Children.

Christmas Log and Country Home Tour

Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 5:00-9:00 Special meal with candles and oil lamps.

Staff dresses in Vitorian attire.

Creekside Holiday Craft Show

Dec. 7, 10:00-5:00, Town of Nashville Self-guided tour of log homes decorated for the holidays. Learn history.

Dec. 14, 10:00-5:00 at Creekside Retreat 2450 State Road 46 East Features handmade items from local artisans.

20th Reindeer Romp

Christmas Bird Count

Dec. 7, 1:00 Brown Co, State Park Nature Center 8K run or a 5K run/walk

Dec. 14, 8:00 Brown County State Park Nature Center Put on by the Audubon Society Beginner birders welcome

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 37

CALENDAR continued from 36

Annual Chocolate Walk Nov. 9, Downtown Nashville 10:00-5:00 Sample yummy chocolate treats while strolling through the village of Nashville.

Proceeds go to Brown Co. Humane Society. Tickets $30 812-988-7362 bchumane.org

The Abe Martin Bazaar

T.C. Steele Visitor Center

Nov. 9, 11:00-4:00 Brown County History Center 90 East Gould Street north of the courthouse. Local craftsman and artisans displaying their work.

4220 T.C. Steele Rd. Nashville, IN (Belmont) 10-5 daily (closed Mondays) 812-988-2785 www.tcsteele.org

Brown Co History Center

11-1, 2:30-4:30 daily (Closed Tuesdays) 5718 State Road 46 West, Nashville, IN (Belmont) 812-764-4980 www.zoo-opolisexoticpettingworld.com

Open Tues., Wed., Fri., & Sat.11-4 Archives: Tues. and Fri. 1-4 www.browncountyhistorycenter.org

Zoo’Opolis Exotic Petting World

Brown County Children’s Auction 42

years ago a group of Brown County locals gathered on the liar’s bench in downtown Nashville and discussed a way to ensure that all kids in the Brown County school system have warm clothes for winter. They came up with the idea to gather goods from local merchants and hold an auction, and the Brown County Children’s Auction was born.

This group called themselves the “No-Name Committee” and each year since that time, the auction has been held on the first Friday in December and all proceeds continue to be used to provide clothing for children in need. The annual auctions have provided

more than $620,000 in clothing and helped many Brown County children.

The auction will be held on Friday, December 6 , starting at 6 p.m. at Out of the Ordinary Restaurant in downtown Nashville. The auction will feature donated art, crafts, antiques, donated items from local merchants, gift certificates for local restaurants, hotels, and many outside organizations including Holiday World and the Cincinnati Reds. Locals donate home baked cookies and prizewinning brownies. There is always something special to bid on.

All proceeds are used to purchase clothing for local

38 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

children in need. We are now collecting donations and those items can be dropped off at Out of The Ordinary, The Brown County Visitors Center, or at PNC Bank. Cash donations can be made at any of the local banks in Nashville. If you would like to have items picked up or if you have questions, please call (812) 320-2601.

This is a fun event and you can complete your Christmas shopping in one evening. There is a special group of big supporters known as the “Ladies from Indy” that have been attending the auction and donating for many years. Join them on December 6 and help to ensure that all children in Brown County have a very Merry Christmas. 

Brown County Holiday Highlights

B

rown County offers many opportunities for giving, shopping, and sharing memorable traditions during the holiday season. Here are a few highlights.

The Christmas season kicks off on November 29 at the Brown County History Center with visits with Santa during the afternoon and the Tree Lighting Ceremony in the evening. Music and refreshments will be provided.

The Seasons Holiday Art & Craft Show will be held on November 29 and 30 at the Seasons Conference Center providing a large selection of juried handmade work.

Bean Blossom Lights is an interactive Christmas experience at the Bill Monroe Music Park, offered weekends starting November 29 and running through December 28.

Santa is celebrating his 30th Annual Santa Train ride to Brown County on Friday, December 6 at 8:30 p.m. in Helmsburg. The Indiana Railroad brings Santa and his characters to visit with families.

Saturday, December 7 is full of fun activities for all ages including Stuff a Stocking, the Christmas Log and Country Home Tour, the Holiday Light Parade & Toy Drive, and the Uplands Winter Wine Market.

The 6th Annual Stuff a Stocking event is hosted by the Brown County Community Foundation. Ticket holders receive a commemorative Christmas stocking and a map to Nashville merchants for treats, ornaments, and toys. You can purchase advance discounted tickets online at <browncountygives.org> or on the day of the event. Call (812) 988-4882 for more information. A sell out is expected.

The Christmas Log and Country Home Tour is a self-guided tour of five local homes and a Catholic church, all decorated for the holidays. A shuttle service will be provided. Proceeds go toward History Center programming.

The 3rd Annual Uplands Wine Market brings wines from all over

Indiana to the Brown County Art Gallery from noon to 7 p.m.

Downtown Nashville will be decked out with lights covering floats for the Holiday Light Parade & Toy Drive. Bundle everyone up for this parade beginning at 6 p.m., overseen by the Brown County Chamber of Commerce.

Visitors and locals can bring new unwrapped toys to the Light Parade, to fill Santa’s sack for less fortunate families. The Salvation Army will collect these offerings and distribute them to Brown County homes.

The Creekside Retreat Holiday Arts and Crafts Show takes place on December 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring a variety of handmade items from local artisans.

Other holiday events include a live musical production of Believe, a Brown County Christmas at the Brown County Playhouse, the Reindeer Romp at the Brown County State Park, breakfast with Santa at Brown County Inn, zip lining at eXplore Brown County, a Steele’s Country Christmas, and Christmas shows at the new Brown County Music Center. 

For more information stop by the Brown County Visitors Center or visit <ChristmasinBrownCounty.com>.

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 39

“A Lil’ Taste of Heaven” SERVING BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

Featuring Fabulous:

You will find traffic stopping items at 58 South!

Our porch review has attracted many of you already.

We enjoy offering today’s fashion. You’ll find affordable items that are wearable every day or for those special occasions. Our accessories, hats, and scarves complete the outfit or add new fresh looks to your existing wardrobe. Our Fitflops will bring comfort to your tired and weary feet—come hear the testimonies!

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

Biscuit Biscuit Sandwiches Sandwiches Homemade Homemade Biscuits Biscuits and Sausage and Sausage Gravy Gravy Cinnamon Cinnamon and and Pecan Pecan Rolls Rolls Bottomless Coffee and Ice Tea

812-720-3440

165 N. Van Buren St. • Nashville, IN Open 7am until 2pm 7 Days a Week!

Delivery within a mile radius when available Pet-friendly patio

Find us on Facebook at Heavenly Biscuit Inc.

We appreciate our loyal customers!

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

This season we display: Flags & Gazing Balls, Dog & Cat themed items, Tervis Tumblers, Swan Creek, Woodstock Chimes, Melissa & Doug, Stony Creek Lighted Vases, Simply Southern T’s & Ivory Ella, Lizzie James and Katie Lofton, Our Favorite Handcrafted Jewelry

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

40 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

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

(812) 988-4054

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” Back Door Alley Entrance

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

More than 25 years experience

AUTHENTIC NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA

A family-friendly pizza place PIZZA • SALADS • CALZONES

140 W. Main Street • (812) 988-8800

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

(812) 778-9730 •

OutOfTheOrdinaryRestaurant

Hoosier Hooch Premium Flavored Moonshines

BEAR WALLOW dist i ll e r y

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

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

In the heart of Nashville by the Village Green area at the intersection of Main and Jefferson Streets.

4484 E. Old State Road 46 Gnaw Bone (Look for the signs)

Dine-In or Carry-Out

(812) 657-4923 • www.bearwallowdistillery.com

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

Mon.–Thurs. 11–5, Fri.–Sat. 11–6, Sun. 12–5

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 41

REDBUD TERRACE SHOPS 146 East Main Street • Nashville, IN

• Robinson’s at the Redbud • New Beginnings Boutique • Scentual Journeys Fresh Homemade Fudge Old-Fashioned Candies Candy by the Pound Cream Filberts/Mothballs Rock Candy • Jelly Belly Chocolates/Turtles Pucker Powder Sugar Free We ship everywhere!

New retail at

• Health For U • Austin Barber Shop • Goldilocks Salon

A new, refurbished, and re-imagined small furniture and home accents store with a garage-gas-oil room for guys

41 S. Van Buren St. Nashville, IN (in the Heritage Mall)

robinsonsredbud.com 317-292-8113

812.200.1077 HeritageCandyStore@gmail.com

Helmsburg GENERAL STORE

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

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

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

Relax in Beautiful

Brown County, Indiana

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

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

51 W. Chestnut St. • State Road 46 • Nashville, Indiana

812.988.6118 • 800.4CHOICE www.choicehotels.com 42 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

The

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

78 West Franklin Street • Nashville, IN • 812-988-7388

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

Foxfire • Gifts and Home Decor • Kitchen Accessories • Personalized and • Baby Gifts Memoriam Gifts • Holiday Decor • Swan Creek Candles • Garden Decor 59 East Main Street, Suite A • Nashville, IN • 812-988-8707 Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 43

~by Chrissy Alspaugh ikers soak in the splendor of Brown County State Park every spring, summer, and fall.

But nature explorers are missing perhaps the park’s most spectacular season if they’re not visiting in winter, said Patrick Haulter, the park’s interpretive naturalist.

The park’s upcoming annual 8-part winter hike series will use some snow-covered scenery, tasty treats, and just a little Brown County lore to lure hikers away from their fireplaces and into their boots this winter.

“Think about it: hiking in the winter, there are no insects, no heat, no poison ivy, and— everyone’s favorite—no snakes!” Haulter laughed. “In the summer, everyone flocks to the park’s vistas. But in the winter, there is no vegetation on the trees, and the whole park is a vista. You can see the old roadbeds from when the park connected a bunch of little villages. You can see where residents used to live. If you haven’t seen the park in the snow, you haven’t seen the park.”

Haulter, a Louisville native, described visiting Brown County State Park as a child as “magical.” What he didn’t expect about later working there was the history and more than a few legends that came with it. Haulter will share some of the best stories in this year’s winter hikes, all of which will begin at 11 a.m. at the Nature Center, unless otherwise noted.

Several hikes will require carpooling to the trail head. * Dec. 21 – Hike to Kelp Village A 1.5-mile walk that will begin at Strahl Lake.

The village peaked in population between the late 1800s and the early 1920s and was comprised of a tavern, church, school, post office, and residences, Haulter said. As the community dispersed, the park purchased properties, he added. Hikers will see photos and maps of the village, as well as relics including building foundations, roads, a bridge, and a cellar. * Jan. 1 – First Day/Vista Voyage Hike A 2.3-mile unguided hike to some of the park’s most stunning vistas. Participants can hike at their leisure between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

photo courtesy DNR

H

44 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

Winter Hike Series

The park will provide interpretive stations highlighting furs of winter animals and tree bark identification, and hikers also can enjoy hot chocolate and a bonfire. * Jan. 18 – Hike to the Lake That Never Was A 2-mile hike through several water crossings to the Taylor Hollow Dam site. The 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps construction project was abandoned for unknown reasons.

The dam, hidden in the woods, would’ve created a lake nearly as big as Ogle Lake, Haulter said. Construction photos will be shown. * Feb. 1 – Winter Dog Hike A scavenger hunt-style hike throughout the park trails and contest for best pet-owner costume. Hikers will compete for points by finding codes shown on maps; many other codes will be hidden. Participants can begin as early as 9 a.m., and

all tally cards must be turned in no later than 3 p.m.

Prizes will include an annual state park pass and a night’s stay in Abe Martin Lodge’s pet-friendly room. * Feb. 8 – Hike to the Boulder in the Tree A rugged 2-mile, off-trail hike. Haulter said hikers will enjoy an “absolutely gorgeous” area that’s usually inaccessible to the public, as well as the hike highlight, a boulder lodged 20 feet up in a tulip tree.

“We have no idea how it got there,” he said. “It’s a neat mystery.” * Feb. 22 – CCC Ruins/Deserters Cave Hike A 2-mile trek that begins with an easy hike to the remains of bunk and shower houses, stair cases, and more from the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps camp; followed by a rugged hike to Deserter’s Cave, where a group of Civil War soldiers from Nashville reportedly hid overnight while the Union Army sought to stop them from becoming Confederate soldiers. The route allows hikers to leave after the camp visit if they choose. * March 14 – The Curious Quarry Hike A rugged 4-mile hike to the quarry where the Civilian Conservation Corps gathered sandstone to construct the park’s Abe Martin Lodge, shelter houses, saddle barn, bridges, and more. * March 28 – Hike to the Ten O’clock Line Nature Preserve A moderate 2.5-mile hike to one of two of the park’s nature preserves. The Ten O’clock Line Treaty was signed in 1809 by William Henry Harrison, then governor of the Indiana territory, and Little Turtle, a Miami Indian chief, for the acquisition of 3 million acres of American Indian lands. Native Americans distrusted surveyors’ equipment, so the treaty boundary was drawn by the shadow cast at 10 a.m. on Sept. 30. The nature preserve surrounding the line at the park boasts pristine examples of uplands, ravines, and floodplains, providing habitats for rare plants, animals, and the state threatened yellowwood tree. Haulter will discuss early Indiana history.

Hikers are encouraged to watch the park’s Facebook page for meeting point updates and weather-related announcements. Participants should dress appropriately for the terrain and weather and bring their own snacks and drinks. Non-aggressive dogs are welcomed but they must be on a leash (no longer than six feet) at all times. Only park gate fees apply for each hike. No sign-ups are required. The Abe Martin Lodge will offer hikers lunch discounts after each hike. 

The

Yellow Door QUILT STORE

We are a little quilt shop with BIG IDEAS! The fabric we feature is happy and bright.

We also carry quilt kits and can ship them to you.

Tues.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. 12:30ish–4:30ish

Antique Alley • 81 S. Jefferson St. • Nashville, IN 954-591-5955 • yellowdoorquiltstore.com

Signature Spice Blends • BBQ Rubs • Smoked Salt Smoked Garlic • Unique Spice Blends BBQ Sauces • Hot Sauces • and more...

We never use preservatives, anti-caking agents, artificial flavorings, or MSG. 41 South Van Buren Street • Nashville, IN Inside the Heritage Mall 812-603-8329 • www.hoosierspicecompany.com

The Blank Slate Local Art and Goods

We also carry a Full Line of Locally Made CBD Products: Tinctures, Pet, Gummies, Body Products 41 S. Van Buren St. Nashville, IN Inside Heritage Mall www.facebook.com/theblankslategallery

BONE APPETIT BAKERY For Dogs

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

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

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 45

2 Hearthstones

Your Headquarters for the Great Outdoors CAMPING SUPPLIES: Tents, Camping Lights, Sleeping Bags, Grills, Fire Starters, Coleman Heaters & Lanterns, Cooking Utensils

Your gateway to the great outdoors.

Explore the beauty of Brown County on a casual walk or a more adventurous jaunt. 2 Hearthstones is right on the Scarce O’ Fat Loop connecting with Yellowwood State Forest trails.

• Fishing Tackle • Horse Tack • RV Replacement Parts • Bee Keeping Supplies • Maple Syrup Supplies • Pet & Livestock Food • Antiques

• Log Cabins • Hot Tubs • Game Rooms • Private Pools • Pet Friendly • Lake Fronts

We Fill Propane Tanks

WE SELL & DELIVER BULK MULCH & TOPSOIL Salt Creek Plaza • Nashville (812) 988-8888 • www.BearHardware.com

Call Book Online, or Stop in!

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

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

Wine Tasting Daily Choose from multiple Award Winning Wines!

Patio & Indoor Seating Gift Shop Live Music Every Friday & Saturday 7-10 pm S. Van Buren & Washington, Nashville IN 46 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

812.988.8500

countryheritagewinery.com

All New Guest Rooms and Suites with Kitchenettes

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

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

GRANDPA JEFF’S Restaurant

Trail Rides

Serving Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Wine-Down Wednesday

Every Wed. 6–8 pm

1/3 OFF select wines and music by Jeff Foster

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

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

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

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 47

Life is Good at JB Goods ~story and photos by Paige Langender

J

Owners Josh and Jake Patrick at the North Van Buren Street location.

ake and Josh Patrick look forward to Brown County’s busy season every year. This year, however, has been the most challenging season yet. Their father and business partner, Mike Patrick, died in May and this is their first busy season without him.

“I knew it was going to be hard, but it’s even harder than I expected,” Jake said. “Not only do we miss him, but a lot of people don’t know that he passed away, so we end up telling the story multiple times a day and reliving that pain.”

In addition to the grief, the workload has increased significantly for the two brothers who own and operate the two J.B. Goods Life is Good stores in Nashville, along with two employees.

“We are wearing a lot of hats these days,” Josh said.

“But dad taught us a lot and we hope to continue his legacy.”

48 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

The most important thing their dad taught them, Josh said, was about work ethic.

“He worked hard and taught us to work hard too,” he said. “He also taught us how to have fun with the customers and help them find what they need. He really was retail magic.”

Mike also served for many years as a board member and a leader of the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau, initiating some significant changes in advertising and visitor services.

Jake, Josh, and their dad opened their first Nashville business in 2000. It was an outdoor retail store called Hilltop Hiking Company. They sold Life is Good merchandise, along with several other product lines.

“Life is Good was our best selling line,” Jake said.

“And we really liked the outdoor focus and the simplicity and positive messages the company featured on the products.”

Soon after opening Hilltop Hiking Company, the three approached Life is Good owners Bert and John Jacobs about opening a store exclusively devoted to Life is Good products. When the store opened in September of 2001, it was the very first and only Life is Good retail store in the country.

Not long after opening that store, the Patricks decided to open a second store devoted to Life is Good children’s products – it was also the first and only of its kind in the nation. They also opened an online retail store before Life is Goods and handled a majority of all national online sales.

“Business really took off,” Jake said.

“People really liked the simple designs with words and images that just make you smile.”

Today, nearly two decades after opening the stores, Josh and Jake still love what they do. And while the simple and positive message of the company remain the same, the Life is Good product line has grown significantly.

“The 2001 catalog was 25 pages. The most recent catalog was 125 pages,” Josh said. “We sell 90 percent of the items in the catalog. One of the things I like most is trying to fit all of the items into these two stores.”

Jake said he likes the entrepreneurial aspect of the business.

“I like that we are in control of our own destinies,” he said. “I also like being a part of our customer’s lives.

People come back every year to see us. We have seen numerous generations of families come through. It is fun to see families who come back each year and really enjoy the products.”

The messages and images on the products also play into Jake’s personal interest in the outdoors.

“As kids we spent a lot of time in Brown County hiking and mountain biking,” Jake said. “The Life is Good people are so creative and really good at coming up with great products.”

Along with t-shirts (the most popular product) the store also sells hats, mugs, pajamas, Frisbees and more.

The brothers said picking a favorite Life is Good quote is hard because they are all so great, but Jake really likes “Hike more, worry less,” and Josh likes “Music is what color sounds like.”

The two J.B. Goods stores are located at 172 North Van Buren Street and 102 South Van Buren Street. They are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. You can learn more by visiting their website, <jbgoods.com>. 

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 49

Visit

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

75 W. Washington St., Morgantown, IN 46160

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

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

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

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

(812) 597-4530

Layaway Available

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

• Birthday Paint Parties • Home Schooled Instruction

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

50 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

Colonel Vawter Day every September

Brown County Community Band

Christmas Concert

For the Holidays

Apples are our specialty, but we also offer a wide variety of preserves, honey, baking mixes, and delicious condiments.

December 8 · 2:30 pm Brown County High School Auditorium (SNOW DATE DECEMBER 15)

Shawn Bentz · Director LE

BRATI

N

G

C

20 E

YEARS

• Quality fresh Christmas trees • Apples shipped anywhere in USA • Unique gifts and Holiday decor • Customized fruit and gift baskets • Special order Holiday baked goods

BrownCountyCommunityBand.com Like and Follow us for events and updates

Enjoy our fresh, from scratch, homemade baked goods. Cozy up to a warm apple dumpling la mode near our fireplace.

Visit our Fudge Shop and Ice Cream Parlor.

317-878-9317 8157 S. 250 W. Trafalgar, IN www.apple-works.com Open Daily 9 am to 6 pm thru Dec. 23

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 51

Ralph Emerson Lee on the Edge

Ralph Emerson Lee at the White Oaks Studio in Brown County. courtesy of Richard L. Lee

A

~by Julia Pearson

rizona writer, Jeanine Wright Smith, uncovered the story of one of Brown County’s artists, Ralph Emerson Lee in January 2001.

Following the death of her father, Smith had stepped in to provide her mother with needed respite. While sorting through things in a small bedroom, mementos, and photographs immersed her in family history. A cassette tape labeled Lorenzo Wright was nestled in the drawer of the bedside table.

Lorenzo was her beloved grandfather and a man of legendary character.

Lorenzo was two years old when his father was killed by Geronimo’s band in Arizona. His mother, Sonora, was left with three small children and a two-week old infant. By age twelve, Lorenzo purchased his own team of horses and wagon, earning 75 cents a day hauling freight for military posts. He also did odd jobs and worked in the mines to support his family.

In 1904, he married Theresa Hope Goodman, and they moved to Bisbee, Arizona where he had a dual commission as deputy sheriff and state cattle inspector—the start of a 25 year career in law enforcement.

All this passed through Jeanine Wright Smith’s mind as she slid the cassette into the car tape deck on her way home. She heard her grandfather’s own voice telling of two incidents. One story was about his being kidnapped by a prisoner. The second relates the 1917 capture of the Brisbane Gray-Cap Bandit.

52 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

Intrigued, Smith went to the Arizona state archives and found the prison record for the bandit. His name, Ray Emerson, was crossed out and records showed it was Ralph Lee from Indiana.

Mordecai B. Lee and May Dora Yeagley’s son, Ralph Lee, was born in 1894 in

“Bird Study.” courtesy of Jeanine Wright Smith

Indianapolis. Following a divorce and with her four children in tow, May Lee relocated to a Brown County property homesteaded by the Lee family prior to the Civil War. On the night of his ninth-grade graduation, Ralph Lee, broke into the O.U. Mutz hardware store to steal guns and ammunition. While escaping he shot and severely wounded William Goodin, town marshall.

After being caught, Lee spent two years at the Indiana Reform School for Boys in Plainfield. Upon release he engaged in a streak of thievery in Brown, Johnson, and Bartholomew counties. Arrested and

Lee’s painting of Will Rogers. courtesy of Johnson County Museum of History

deposited in the county jail in Columbus, Lee crushed the skull of the constable with an iron bar while escaping.

Stopping in a field near Markle to unearth $11,000 of his buried booty, 20-year-old Lee headed west. In Washington Lee was convicted of forgery, but escaped on his way to the Washington State Reformatory. In Arizona, he served two years behind bars as the “Bisbee GrayCap Bandit.” Upon release, he broke parole and returned to Indiana. With a forged WWI Honorable Discharge Certificate while appearing before a Bartholomew County circuit court judge, Lee begged for leniency for earlier Indiana crimes.

Captivated by the outlaw Lee’s story as told by her grandfather shortly before his death, Jeanine Wright Smith researched archival records in Indianapolis. There were thousands of clippings about Lee from the Indianapolis Star. He was arrested over and over, escaping thirteen times. When convicted of grand larceny in Indianapolis, Lee was sent to the Indiana Reformatory in Pendleton and served time with John Dillinger. They escaped in April of 1923, with Lee returning and escaping again in May. In July 1924, the fugitive Lee was identified by all eye-witnesses of the murder of Speedway storekeeper, Abner Peek.

A string of escapes, arrests, and incarcerations continued. Given to dark manifestations of his creative genius, Lee ran a counterfeiting plant while serving five years in a state prison in Tennessee. In 1932, Lee was turned over to federal authorities. Complications from wounds during a shootout landed Lee in the Springfield, Missouri Federal Prison Hospital in 1938, where new approaches to rehabilitation were implemented. It was Continued on 55

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 53

$

50 OFF

any new reservation with code: BrownCounty

Offering a diverse selection of unique properties located near Brown County State Park, Yellowwood State Forest, Brown County Music Center, Indiana University and Monroe Reservoir 812-345-1739 • 165 N. Van Buren St. Nashville, IN info@heartlandvacationrentals.com heartlandvacationrentals.com

BROWN COUNTY Hometown Proud Local Grocery Store Serving Beautiful Brown County Since 1975!

See us for Thanksgiving and Christmas TURKEY DINNERS with all the sides

text

Fruit and Veggie Trays Made to Order

• Certified Angus Beef • Large Beer and Wine Sections N A SHVI LLE • Picnic Supplies to • Full Service Bakery/Deli 99000 • Custom Cake Decorating • Organic Grocery • Dairy • Produce • Frozen • Wine

• Ever-Growing Selection of Gluten-Free Products

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO GET THE WEEKLY AD Brown County IGA 30 Hawthorne Dr. • Nashville • East SR 46 at light • 812-988-4546 54 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

RALPH EMERSON LEE continued from 53 here that Lee began painting classes. He also “found religion” with Jessie Edna Edwards, the prison minister.

After almost forty years a prisoner or fugitive, Lee was paroled for the final time in December of 1946.

He and Jessie Edwards married in Indianapolis in May, 1947. They set up housekeeping in Brown County, with Lee pursuing his art and generally melting into the hills’ artist colony. With a “tough on crimes” climate in Marion County by the new Prosecuting Attorney, George Simmons Dailey, the Indianapolis Star reported that during the night of August 10, 1949, a posse surrounded Ralph and Jessie Lee’s studio-home and taking Ralph Lee into custody for Abner Peek’s murder twenty-five years before.

His Brown County neighbors would have none of this. Ralph Lee was not the same man that committed the heinous act a quarter century gone by, and forgiveness was the force brought to the courtroom where he sat with his devoted wife and 81-year-old mother. Lee spoke for two hours in his own defense, pointing out that he had advertised his name to sell his paintings. After 38 days in the Johnson County jail, Judge Barnette released Ralph Lee, who returned to a happy reunion with his wife. Ralph and Jessie Lee thanked all for their support and “landslide of brotherly feeling” in a letter published in The Franklin Daily Star.

Ralph Lee received commissions for military paintings and individuals for American Legion Posts, and he received state and national awards for poetry and art. Two of his “Surrender Paintings” are in the American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis.

After Jessie Lee’s death in 1955, Ralph married Jenny May Trisler. In 1973 Ralph died from pancreatic cancer.

Ralph and Jessie are buried in the Nineveh Christian Church Cemetery in Johnson County.  Lorenzo Wright captured Ralph Lee, the Brisbane Gray-Cap Bandit in 1917.

In 1928, he moved to Florence, Arizona where he was appointed Warden at the State Penitentiary.

He quieted a prison riot involving 300 inmates, raising his arms in the midst of flying benches, seats, plates, and food and demanding order.

Custom and Upcycled Furniture Handmade Textiles and Home Accent Décor Apparel and Accessories Industrial and Rustic Traditional and Elegant Time Redefined...

At Home with Heartland 317-869-5400 165 N. Van Buren St. Nashville, IN

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 55

Beware of Falling Rocks

~by Mark Blackwell

B

ack in the last century, I took a trip to the “promised land,” also known as California. Having grown up listening to the Beach Boys, Dick Dale, and Jan and Dean, I had developed an overwhelming desire to brave the wild surf. I wanted to play “Beach Blanket Bingo” and race my “409” all the way to “Dead Man’s Curve.”

As it turned out, I was much better at wiping out than I was at hanging ten.

I left L.A. and headed north to look for and look at the Redwood trees in Yosemite National Park.

When I arrived at Yosemite my concept of paradise underwent a radical revision. From the moment I entered I was enthralled by the magnificence of the scenery. I had read about Yosemite before I got there and was a little afraid that the park might be a bit over-hyped. I was totally bowled over by the beauty of Yosemite Falls, the majesty of Half Dome, and the big trees.

56 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

To find oneself in a grove of Sequoias is to experience an involuntary and total sense of humility. If you really want to find yourself, I suggest spending some time amongst living beings that are 300 feet tall and can live to be 3,000 years old. That feeling I got has not left, although it has been more than fifty years since I last walked among those giants.

It was that feeling that got me wondering about how I could move into a place like that. I was under the impression that the only folks who got to live inside the park would be park rangers.

Later on, I saw some cabins throughout the valley and I started asking around. I found out that there were some families that hadn’t sold their properties when Yosemite was established. So, it was possible.

Fast forward another 30+ years and I find myself looking for a new place to live. Brown County is beckoning. I had friends who lived in the county for many years and one friend had a nice patch of ground INSIDE Yellowwood State Forest. That friend said that he would be willing to sell me some ground.

I built my cabin by the side of a road that was little more than a two track with a fair amount of weeds growing up the center. The first time my brother visited me, he asked if the county highway department mowed my road or did I have to do it myself.

I finally had my piece of paradise.

I was under few illusions about living in the woods. I knew there would be snakes. I knew that I would have to invest some labor in getting firewood. I knew that I could never have another pizza delivered. I also knew that my cabin was only a mile or so from what, at the time was a minor tourist attraction; the “Rock in the Tree,” or “Gobbler’s Rock” as it was also known.

What is the Rock in the Tree you may ask?

Well, I’ll tell you, it was a 400-pound boulder perched forty feet up in a Chestnut Oak tree. It was discovered some time in the latter part of the last century by a couple of back country turkey

hunters, hence the name “Gobbler’s Rock.” It was quite a local sensation.

People who hiked in to see it marveled at how a rock that size could have found its way up in a tree. There were newspaper stories written about it. TV stations sent news crews down to the forest to document the phenomenon. And curious hikers showed up on my front porch to ask directions on how to get to it. There were so many visitors that I handed out trail maps I got from the state forest headquarters.

Folks young and old would stop by and ask how to get to the rock and how far was it. About the same time, I started getting hikers coming up from the south, asking if they missed the trail for Gobbler’s Rock. I had people sitting on my porch, drinking my Gatorade, eating my granola bars, and getting into heated discussions about just how a rock that size could get that far up in a tree. I began to recognize that there was a down side to being the last outpost of civilization close to a tourist attraction.

I have often wondered about those people living in Yosemite and whether they had similar problems.

After some years of being an unofficial Yellowwood Forest Information and Rescue outpost, nature intervened. One spring day, a big storm blew in and the tree with the rock came down. And after that, the stream of tourists and hikers trickled down to a fare-thee-well.

If you ever have a hankering to see the “Rock on the Ground” look me up. I know how to get there. 

Lil Black Bear Inn B&B

Natural ECZEMA RELIEF

TĬĉĦ˘ŜĆê˘ŜĆĬšŔÃĦæŔ˘Ĭÿ˘êàƇêĥÃ˘ ÃĦæ˘ŋŔĬŎĉÃŔĉŔ˘ŔšƋêŎêŎŔ˘ŸĆĬ˘ÃŎê˘ ĀêŜŜĉĦĀ˘Ŏêğĉêÿ˘ÿŎĬĥ˘ĉĦƏÃĥĥÃŜĉĬĦʨ˘ ĉŜàĆĉĦĀʨ˘ŔŸêğğĉĦĀʨ˘àŎÃàĜĉĦĀ˘ÃĦæ˘ ßğêêæĉĦĀ˘ŔĜĉĦ˘šŔĉĦĀ˘ĬšŎ˘ŎêĀĉĥêĦ˘ Ĭÿ˘_ÃŜšŎÃğ˘ ĬÃŋʨ˘ ŋŎÞ˘ÃĦæ˘ Ãğĥʧ

20% OFF Ħž˘eĦê˘EŜêĥ

Breakfast Bre Br Bre rea ak akf kffa k ast as sstt Daily Daily Da illy ly

Your Home away from Home On three acres with a pond, grill, firepit, hot tub, and large patio

Close to Nashville and Columbus • Kid and Pet Friendly

8072 State Rd 46 East • Nashville, IN • 812-988-2233 lilblackbearinn.com • lilblackbearinn@gmail.com

ʒʖ˘'ʧ˘^ÃĉĦ˘ ŜŎêêŜ˘ÃŜ˘eğæ˘ àĆĬĬğ˘°Ãž _êŽŜ˘ŜĬ˘ Ćê˘'æšàÃŜêæ˘eŜŜêŎ

ŸŸŸʧĦêŸĆÃŎĥĬĦžŔĬÃŋʧàĬĥ Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 57

FOREST MANAGEMENT SERVICES Buyers of Standing Timber We take pride in our logging practices.

Helmsburg Sawmill, Inc./Pool Enterprises, Inc. Family Famil ly owned and operated since 1973

812-988-6161 • helmsburgsawmill@gmail.com • www.helmsburgsawmill.com

AAuthentic Mexican Cuisine Family Owned and Operated

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

Kara Barnard and Kristin Thompson

musicians, instructors and instrument adoption specialists

•Daily Specials •Kid’s Menu

FULL BAR AVAILABLE 812-988-4535 Carry Out Available

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

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

CARMEL CORN COTTAGE

THE FIREPLACE CENTER

812-200-3300 • www.weedpatchmusicshop.com

Assorted Ice Cream Bars New Popcorn Flavors

Double Dipped Bacon Popcorn Pickle Popcorn

Sweet Treats

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

Free Samples

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

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

812-988-6011 • CarmelCornCottage.com 58 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

Complete line of: • Wood Stoves and Inserts • Gas Stoves and Inserts • Fireplaces Your first step to Energy INDEPENDENT LIVING 812-336-2053 1-800-344-3967

1210 W. 2nd St. Bloomington BloomingtonFireplaces.com

Gifts for home and happiness

Show this ad

Get $3 OFF

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

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

Women’s boutique, kids and teen clothing, men’s clothing, and household items

Head over

Heels

Selling gently used items to benefit Brown County.

Accepting clothing and household item donations.

• Minnetonka • Stetson n • Tilleyy Hats • Merrell

Look for the sign

s

Open ALWAYS on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00 to 5:00 (weather permitting)

HATS HA ATS • FOOTWEAR • ACCESSORIES

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

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

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

812-988-2227

158 N. Jefferson

Nashville, IN

Kathryn Richardson Branch Manager 812-327-7462

Debbie Fleetwood Broker 812-327-6862

Kathryn & Donna Team Brokers 812-327-7462 317-418-2320

Scroggins Team Brokers 812-327-3865

Bob Kirlin Broker 812-720-0222

Phil Shively Team Brokers 812-325-2290 812-322-0378

Tom Vornholt Broker 317-989-3323

Janet Gaskins Administrative Assistant 812-327-6862

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 59

Heavenly Biscuit THE SAMPLER

I

Will there be biscuits in heaven?

t has come to my attention that many people engaged in the business of selling breakfast to the general public don’t have the slightest idea how to make biscuits and gravy.

Growing up here in Southern Indiana, I always assumed that everyone knew what biscuits and gravy were and what separated the good from bad.

It’s one of those things—like an omelet or béarnaise sauce—that is so simple and yet so easy to get wrong.

I notice that restaurants have taken to using preprepared biscuits, and not even the good frozen ones that you bake yourself, but the pre-baked, mealy, hard, dry, crumbly sub-biscuits that come on a cardboard tray.

Sometimes, they don’t even bother to heat them up!

Luckily for me, there’s a new restaurant in town, up on North Van Buren Street, called “Heavenly Biscuit,” and I am very pleased to announce that they, for one, know what real biscuits and gravy are.

Open from 8 to 2 daily and 7 to 2 on weekends, Heavenly Biscuit is a regular breakfast mecca, with a menu featuring everything that’s good for the morning meal.

60 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

It starts with the biscuits, of course. They are hand-made and freshly baked at the store every morning. Big, fluffy and delicious, they are the perfect platform for a mind-boggling number of possible toppings; bacon, egg, sausage patty, ham, country fried steak, fried chicken, and even egg whites, or a grilled tomato.

Of course, I know I am going to order the biscuits and gravy, but also some sides; maybe fried “taters” with onions, eggs cooked any way, or a delicious hash brown casserole.

Mrs. Sampler has a bit of a sweet tooth, which may explain why she is so darned sweet, but I can see right away she is fixated on the giant, sticky, sweet-smelling cinnamon roll. I convinced her to also get a pecan roll since, purely for professional reasons, you understand, I will need to sample some of her pastry.

There’s also banana bread, an English muffin, a croissant, or just plain toast.

Amazingly, there is a bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon, tomato and onion—a big city treat

all the way out here in the wilds of Indiana! There’s also a “healthy alternative” of egg whites and grilled tomato on wheat toast.

There’s nothing like a stack of flapjacks first thing in the morning, and Heavenly Biscuit offers “Marci’s Pancakes,” two full-size buttermilk or a four-piece short stack.

Heavenly Biscuit serves a limited lunch menu with several great sandwiches—grilled cheese, grilled or fried chicken sandwich, homemade chicken salad, and a BLT. Also on offer, a delicious half-pound Black Angus burger that is the basis of their “Hangover Helper,” a big juicy burger topped with cheese, bacon, grilled onions, jalapenos and an over-easy egg. That is going to either cure you or send you back to your bed—one or the other.

They also offer a nice vegetarian soup of the day served in a bread bowl.

My biscuits and gravy arrive at the table, steaming hot and delicious. The first bite is, well, heavenly! At last, somebody who gets it right!

Fluffy, fresh-baked, handmade biscuits covered with creamy, white, sausage laden gravy.

While my more refined partner lingered daintily over her sweet rolls and coffee, I pounced on the savory breakfast delight with vigor.

The business motto down at Heavenly Biscuit is “A Lil’ Taste of Heaven” and, while none of us can be certain what awaits us in the great beyond, it seems likely that those of us who have been called according to the purpose will there know the supreme joy of perfectly-made biscuits and gravy.

But why wait?

After lapping up the blessed breakfast offering, I nibbled a bit on the pecan roll which was, if not heavenly, certainly divine.

I was starting to write a little bluegrass tune in the back of my head. I could almost hear the clawhammer banjo and the guitar line skittering along like a coon hound crossing a log. I could hear the thumping bass line and that high lonesome whine of three men singing in tight harmony; “Will there be biscuits in heaven?

“Or will we only feast upon the Word?”

“I hope they have grandma’s fried chicken,” “That surely was a heavenly bird…”

I finished my milk, drank my coffee, and soaked in the ambience. And I was profoundly satisfied. 

funky resale 84 S. Honeysuckle Ln. (behind Miller’s Ice Cream) • Nashville, IN • 812-720-1726 LOCAL • HANDMADES • VINTAGE • RESALE findsbrowncounty findsfunkyresale findsfunkyresale.com

Our own Tzatziki sauce recipe, made from scratch

IS

Delicious!

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

Old McDurbin Gold & Gifts 50%

Customized

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

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

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

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 61

Oak Ridge Boys Down Home Christmas courtesy photo

~by Ryan Stacy ince Gill. Tanya Tucker. Clint Black. Some of country music’s biggest names have come through the “other” Nashville since the Brown County Music Center opened its doors this past August, and the hits keep coming. On December 10, legendary Country Hall of Famers the Oak Ridge Boys bring their Down Home Christmas show to town, and long-time Oaks fans—and fans of Christmas in general—won’t want to miss this celebration of great music and the seasonal spirit.

One stop among twenty-eight on the current tour across the nation, the show at the BCMC features the multiple-Grammy, CMA, and Dove winners doing what they love most: performing for an audience with a deep connection to the Oak Ridge Boys’ brand

V

62 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

of country and gospel. The group’s lineup (Duane Allen, lead vocal; Joe Bonsall, tenor; William Lee Golden, baritone; Richard Sterban, bass) is the longest-running in their forty-five-plus year history together, and the same one that recorded the Oaks’ biggest hits.

Hits that you’re sure to hear on December 10, says Richard, who put the famous “Oom Papa” in the quartet’s smash single “Elvira.” “We’ll play a good number of our country songs, and then do a Christmas set,” he says. Newer songs on the Down Home Christmas tour come from the album of the same name released in October, as well as 2018’s 17th Avenue Revival.

Both the newest albums were produced by another award-winner: Dave Cobb, who works out of Nashville, Tennessee’s RCA Studio A. “Dave’s got such

an appreciation for the gospel sound,” says Richard.

The Oak Ridge Boys fell in love with the way Cobb was able to capture the intimacy of a live gospel performance, he says, and they credit him with this quality as it comes through on the new Christmas album.

At some point in the show there’s a “rocking chair” part of the show that allows the group to simply talk to the audience, sharing Christmas memories and thoughts about what the holidays signify for them individually. “That’s very important to us,” Richard says. “We want people to know what the true meaning of Christmas is.”

The Oaks’ stop in Brown County holds a special significance for Richard. “We played the Little Nashville Opry a bunch of times,” he says, referring to the longtime country music mainstay that burned down in 2009. “It’ll be great to get back to Brown County and check out the new venue.”

For more information on the Oak Ridge Boys’ December 10 performance at the Brown County Music Center, visit <browncountymusiccenter.com> or call (812) 988-5323. 

Gnaw Bone

Country Store & Bakery

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

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

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 63

BROWN COUNTY

Brown County Tire TIRE &

AUTO Repair

24 hr. Wrecker Service

812-988-8473

27 Salt Creek Rd (Intersection SR 46) Nashville

AUTO COLLISION, REPAIR, TOW

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

BAGGED TRASH DROP OFF

AUTO - TIRE, REPAIR, TOW

ANTIQUES

64 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

AL’s PAINT & BODY COMPLETE COLLISION REPAIR

Inc.

Full Service Mechanical Garage 24 Hour Towing–Big or Small, We Do it All 1814 State Rd. 135 N. • Nashville, IN 47448 812-988-7518 • 812-325-9209 (after hours)

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

Owens-Corning Preferred Contractor

Licensed and Insured • 15 years total replacement warranty for roofs available Roof Coatings, Metal/Shingle Roofs, Remodels, Power Washing and Sealing, Barns, Garages, Decks, Siding, Windows and Doors, and all construction needs and services!

EYE CARE

CONSTRUCTION

WALTMAN CONSTRUCTION CO.

50 Willow Street • Nashville, IN

Don Waltman (812) 327-1994

812-988-4937

GUTTERING

waltmanconst@aol.com References Available

INSURANCE

Checking eyes in Brown County for over 50 years!

Indiana Seamless GUTTERING All Colors • Free Estimates Quality Workmanship Vinyl Siding and Soffit

Ron Bishop (812) 606-0915

INFO PAGES

Nov./Dec. 2019 • Our Brown County 65

HEALTH

HEALTH & LIVING

VALUABLE COUPON

CARDON - EXPERT SENIOR LIVING SOLUTIONS

812-988-9890 • 146 E. Main St., Nashville Mon.–Sat. 10–5 • facebook.com/healthforu1604

PLUMBING

LANDSCAPING

Dunham Plumbing Co., Inc. Bonded • Insured #CO89000011

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

812-988-0248 • Nashville, IN The Marg and Brenda Team is Your Brown County Team

Keyed IN Property Management Property management for rentals for a month or longer.

Let us find a rental for you or manage your property.

Licensed Plumbing Contractor since 1981

TEAM REAL ESTATE

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Complete Landscaping/ Design Services

Let us find your next door.

Must have coupon for discount. Expires 12/31/19.

Indiana Amish Natural Chickens and Indiana Raw Honey sold here! Also, Bison and Elk.

REHABILITATION • LONG TERM CARE • MEMORY SUPPORT

We Can Do It All!

Save ve $2 $ $2.00 2 00 on Roll-On Roll-On, Gel Gel, Spray (4 (4, 16, 16 or 32 oz.) oz

HEALTH FOR “U”

www.BrownCountyHealth.us

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

Limit 1.

Brenda Longtin CSSS, CDPR

Marg DeGlandon CSSS, CDPR

Associate Broker Cell: 812-360-3889 • shaht@mibor.net

Broker/Owner Cell: 812-360-4083 • margd@remax.net

Call for listings or free estimates.

812-720-7022

812-988-4485 • www.MargAndBrendaTeam.com 10 Artist Drive, P.O. Box 1609 • Nashville, IN 47448

All Types of SIGNS by CHRIS A. SHUSTER

BROWN COUNTY YMCA

• 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

WELLNESS

SIGN MAKER

Open at 5:30 a.m. Mon.–Fri.

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

BUY 1 GUEST PASS, GET 1 FREE 1 per person, expires 12/31/19

Swimming Pool Fitness Center Gymnasium Exercise Classes

Personal Training Swim Lessons Day Camp Climbing Wall

812-988-9622 • www.browncountyymca.org

Santa Laws I

n our Brown County we have laws we passed because of Santa Claus for one thing it’s the time of year when country folks go hunting deer and so you see that is the reason at this time of year and season any deer we see that fly we cannot shoot them from the sky nor any fat guy in a sleigh until way after Christmas Day! On Christmas Eve when we retire if in your chimney there’s a fire why everyone around here knows if you burn Santa’s boots and clothes your friends and family all can tell that any point in court is moot you’ll lose your case, he’ll win his suit no matter what your lawyer claims our laws protect Saint Nick from flames!

And by that chimney hung with care we put our socks and stockings there but we admit that he could tell they had that sorta country smell …so county-wide when as a whole we all received a lump of coal and ’round each sock, tied by a rope a box of scented laundry soap we in Brown County made a pact to pass a “Clean Sock–Clean Air” act!

And milk and cookies on the table must say plainly on the label just for Santa late at night 66 Our Brown County • Nov./Dec. 2019

for others like to take a bite and think that they might get away but Santa’s got your DNA that’s when you find there is a price if you’ve been naughty or been nice since you will never know or not if there were presents you ain’t got!? …and that’s why parents stop and pause then eat them treats for Santa Claus!

And yet in truth we must be fair there’s folks what say he isn’t there so in their minds he doesn’t exist and passing laws they all insist seems to be a waste of time and constitutes a Christmas crime but we have other kinds of proof than reindeer tracks upon our roof!

Like take for instance by the tree he leaves those gifts there all for free which most folks find is kinda funny ’cause where’s this old guy get his money and why do gifts from Santa’s bag have “Made in China” on the tag? …so what became of all those elves that made those toys and stocked his shelves and why would Santa wanna rob those little folks that do that job?

So it should come as no surprise Brown County helped them unionize and had to pass those union laws protecting elves from Santa Claus!? …Congress wouldn’t do it!

—Gunther Flumm

January 2020 — — visit visit us us inin our ournew newlocation locationininCoachlight CoachlightSquare!

Square!

January 2020

Over 400 400 Spices, Spices, Rubs Rubs && Blends Blends Gourmet Gourmet Jams, Jams, Sauces Sauces && Mixology Mixology Gift Gift Baskets Baskets && Box Box Gift GiftSets Sets

58 58 East East Main Main Street Street ·· Nashville, Nashville,Indiana Indiana 812.200.3400 812.200.3400 ·· Open Open Year Year Round Round· ·Order OrderOnline Online

NashvilleSpiceCompany.com NashvilleSpiceCompany.com Like Like and and follow follow us us for for store store updates updates

Coming Coming Spring Spring 2020!

2020!

artisan artisan home home store store 3400-101119 OBC 2019 inside back cover ad.indd 2

10/16/19 4:44 PM

Nashville

Fudge Kitchen

…so much more than fudge!

Our shop is bursting with flavor!

WATCH US MAKE…

Our Creamy Fudge · Gourmet Popcorn All Natural Gelato · Seasonal Treats An old-fashioned candy store loaded with all of your favorite treats!

We have the largest selection of Fudge, Popcorn, Candies, Ice Cream and Gelato in Brown County, Indiana.

{ Old Fashioned Since 1983 } ! line e N O er her Ord Anyw ! d hip S orl e W W e h in t

175 South Van Buren · Nashville, IN 47448 812.988.0709

NashvilleFudgeKitchen.com

FREE BOX OF REGULAR POPCORN with this ad