Adventure Indiana | Winter 2011 by Hoosier Times Inc.

FREE SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA’S OUTDOOR ADVENTURE MAGAZINE

WINTER 2011

‘Perfect’ Winter Fun

Northern Indiana ski slopes offer all-ages snow activities pg. 4

Hiking

hunting

christmas

We have everything you need to get started! Quality Rental Equipment & Clothing Professional Instruction Special Programs for Kids A huge day lodge offers a great place to grab a bite to eat or steaming hot specialty coffees & hot chocolate. Don’t miss Arctic Blast Tubing... 700 ft of Snow Covered Adventure!

(812) 723-4696 www.paolipeaks.com

Welcome to Daviess County! UPCOMING SEASONAL EVENTS

December

January

February

March

Dinky’s Christmas Auction December 3rd Dinky’s- Cannelburg 812-486-2880

Special Horse & Tack Auction New Years Day, January 1st Dinky’s Auction Center Cannelburg 812-486-2880

Building Material Auction February 18, 2011 Dinky’s Auction Center Cannelburg 812-486-2880

Southern Indiana Spring Draft Horse, Carriage and Machine Auction First Wednesday through Friday in March 7th through 9th Dinky’s Auction Center Cannelburg 812-486-2880

Daviess County Christmas Parade December 3rd 812-257-5575

Dinky’s Midwinter Driving Horse Sale Veale Creek Third Saturday in Jan. 21st It’s a wonderful Life Radio Show Dinky’s Auction Center December 9th, 10th & 11th Cannelburg Veale Creek Theater on Hwy 57 812-486-2880 812-254-5262

Dinky’s Farm Machine Auction Dinky’s Auction Center Cannelburg 812-486-2880

Haiti Benefit Auction Third Saturday in March March 19, 2011 Dinky’ Center Cannelburg 812-486-2880

For locations, time and more information call 812-254-5262.

For all-season fun, bookmark If you want to find out how friendly OR www.daviesscounty.net now. Daviess County folks are, call 1-800-449-5262

SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA’S OUTDOOR ADVENTURE MAGAZINE Winter 2011

‘Perfect’ Winter Fun

Camo, Ammo, and Paint

A Giving Feast

Snowbound

Deer ONE HUNDRED

plunging into the new year

ho-ho-home for the holidays

Publisher E. Mayer Maloney, Jr. Editors Jackie Sheckler Finch Kathryn S. Gardiner kgardiner@hoosiertimes.com 812-331-4289

Northern Indiana ski slopes offer all-ages snow activities

Shoot ‘em up paintball-style at Nashville retreat

Hunters share venison to help feed the hungry

Annual winter hike makes cold days a hot activity

Mitchell hunter sets sights on a goal

Bloomington woman starts a brisk annual ritual

New cabins in Santa Claus provide warm Christmas memories

Advertising Angie Blanton angie@tmnews.com 812-277-7243 Marketing Brooke Toole McCluskey bmccluskey@hoosiertimes.com 812-349-1400 On the cover: Perfect North Slopes Courtesy photo Design by Andrew Lehman

©2011 Schurz Communications, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY COPYRIGHT. Prices, specials and descriptions are accurate as of the time of publishing. This publication or parts thereof may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. Advertising information has been provided by advertisers. Schurz Communications, Inc. does not make any representations as to the opinions and facts contained herein. All terms and conditions are subject to change. The cover, cover design, format and layout of this publication are trademarks of Schurz Communications, Inc.

w w w. a d ve nt ur ei n d.c o m

‘Perfect’ Winter

Courtesy photos

Fun

Northern Indiana ski slopes offer all-ages snow activities By Jackie Sheckler Finch

And (tubing) is an activity for everyone. You don’t need to be athletic, young or coordinated. You just need to enjoy fun.” — Chip Perfect

t sounds like the script from some Hollywood movie. Chip Perfect and his father Clyde were working in the barnyard of their family farm in Lawrenceburg when a stranger pulled up. The visitor said he was doing a college project and had been studying topographic maps to identify the best slopes for skiing in Indiana. And he declared the Perfects’ farm hill as being, of course, “Perfect.” The Perfects knew that their farm slopes had snow long after the snow on other hills had melted. But the family didn’t know anything about the skiing business. They quickly set out to learn and decided to give the ski business a try. That was 32 years ago. “The business is doing very well,” said Ellen Perfect, wife of Chip Perfect, president of Perfect North Slopes. “We have experienced growth every year.” Clyde Perfect retired 11 years ago and now spends his winters in Florida.

When Perfect North Slopes opened, the attraction off Ind. 1 drew about 500 skiers on a good day. Now as many as 250,000 skiers, snowboarders and snow tubers each year have found their way to the slopes where about 150 head of cattle and 30 horses once roamed. Located in the southeastern corner of Indiana, Perfect North Slopes is 100 acres of tree-lined trails and open slopes with skiing for all abilities. It offers 23 trails, a 400-foot vertical drop and 11 lifts. “We have one of the largest snowmaking systems in the Midwest, along with one of the biggest grooming fleets to keep the snow in top shape,” Perfect said. “For the past nine seasons, we have offered snow tubing to our guests ... We recognized in 2002 that some people wanted to enjoy the snow but weren’t committed to learning to ski or snowboard.” Now Perfect North has one of the largest tubing operations in the nation Continued on page 6

Winter 2011

Courtesy photos

Continued From page 5

with 23 tubing lanes, 1,200 tubes and two carpet lifts that take riders and their tubes back up the hill. “It’s like oldfashioned sledding but quicker, easier, faster and safer,” Perfect said. “And this is an activity for everyone. You don’t need to be athletic, young or coordinated. You just need to enjoy fun.” Perfect North Slopes also has a rental shop with hundreds of skis, snowboards, helmets and even ski pants for rent. A large food service area serves hot food and snacks. The annual opening date depends on the weather, but last season Perfect North Slopes opened on Dec. 9 and closed on March 13. “We are seeing more people entering the sport every year,” Perfect said. “We offer free beginner lessons and a wide variety of season passes that make it a reasonable hobby/sport for people to enjoy. They can get a pass

that suits their schedule and how often they want to ski. Many of our customers visit one to three times a week.” With the economic downturn, more people have been visiting attractions closer to home, Perfect said. “Here, they can come and enjoy the day and drive home at night and not incur additional travel, lodging and food costs.” In addition, snow sports are a great family activity and an ideal way to get exercise. “This is something they can do in the winter when many people become sedentary and don’t get much exercise,” Perfect said. “It is also an activity that the family does together, not just the kids doing something and the parents sitting and watching them ... It is a great way for families to stay connected and make memories together.” For more information: Contact Perfect North Slopes at www.perfectnorth.com.

Winter 2011

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Camo, Ammo, Shoot â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;em up paintball-style at Nashville retreat By Joel Pierson

and Paint

Photo by Patrick Petro

Winter 2011

A lot of people think it teaches violence. It doesn’t. It actually teaches communication skills, leadership, team-building.” — Albert Caluya

Photo by Bob Forgas

Carved in Stone And Powdered with Snow!

The great outdoors is even greater during the winter in Limestone Country! Thanks to the limestone terrain, we’ve got sledding hills, hiking trails, hidden geocaches and one of the best state parks around. So warm up with some hot cocoa and head out to Limestone Country on a winter day. (We’ve also got some cozy spots to relax and spend the night, too!)

1-800-798-0769

limestonecountry.com 533 W Main Street Historic Downtown Mitchell, IN

dventure Indiana took to the treetops in our Fall 2010 issue by riding the ziplines at eXplore Brown County at Valley Branch Retreat. The Retreat has many more entertainment opportunities, including everyone’s favorite shoot-’em-up—paintball. So we came back to Valley Branch to talk with Albert Caluya, manager of the paintball facility, to see what they have to offer. Their paintball course is made up of 10 outdoor scenario fields (featuring things like crashed airplanes and cars), tactical training grounds, and speedball fields. Players can engage in variations on classic games like capture the flag or indulge in anti-terrorist, Secret Service, battlefield, and even Terminator scenarios. The course is open yearround, but it takes a real die-hard to brave the ice and snow of the winter months. Then there’s the tank. The course has a four-wheeler that’s been modified to look like a tank. Participants can pay $10 to ride in it, while their friends shoot at it, trying to hit little buzzers and score “damage.” The vehicle has two paintball guns on top and will soon feature a Nerf rocket-launcher. They’re even planning on adding a gun that shoots liquid paint out of it.

Photo by Patrick Petro. Inset photo by Bob Forgas Caluya says with a knowing grin, “We’re looking for ways to make it a little different, a little more exciting.” Individuals and groups are welcome, and the sprawling grounds have room for as many as 110 players at a time. Paintballers can bring their own guns, paintballs, and safety equipment or rent from eXplore Brown County. “All of our rentals are semi-automatic guns, Piranha PMIs. People can bring pretty much anything except automatics or reactive triggers,” Caluya says. “Safety equipment can also be brought or rented, but masks must be worn at all times.” Two types of memberships are available. A basic membership entitles members to discounts on paint and air, plus free or discounted play on Saturdays and Sundays. A VIP membership earns additional benefits. Membership is not required to use the facility. A daily admission fee allows players allday play, including rental of the paintball gun, mask, and 500 rounds of ammo. As with any sport, safety is paramount. One to three officials, who are certified in CPR and first aid and can assist in a medical

Winter 2011

emergency, referee each paintball game. And lest you think those emergencies abound, Caluya says that paintball is one of the safest sports in the world, with the lowest percapita injury rate of any team sport. “A lot of people think it teaches violence,” Caluya says. “It doesn’t. It actually teaches communication skills, leadership, teambuilding. I’ve been playing since 1988; that’s 23 years. The paintballs can sting a little when they hit, but a lot less than getting tackled by a football player.” Players’ masks must stay on their faces at all times while on the field. The paint is water-soluble, making it a lot easier to get out of clothes and hair than oil-based paints of old. Participants are encouraged to wear casual clothes in dark colors, with old boots or tennis shoes. Minimum age to play is eight years old if accompanied by an adult or 10 years old unaccompanied. For first-timers or paintball pros, Valley Branch Retreat is an ideal spot to play. As Caluya tells it, “We’re family-oriented. We love groups; we love individuals. We try to make it fun for everybody.”

eXplore Brown County 2620 Valley Branch Road, Nashville, Ind. 812-988-7750 www.explorebrowncounty.com The Longest, Fastest, Tallest Zips in Indiana!

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A Giving Feast

Kenny Waldrip of KW Custom Deer Processing. Photos by Bob Forgas

Hunters share venison to help feed the hungry By Jackie Sheckler Finch

longtime hunter, Kelby Waldrip says that he and other hunters can quickly get enough deer to stock their family freezers for the year. But other folks aren’t quite as lucky. “I enjoy being in the outdoors, being unplugged for a while. No Blackberry, no email, no cell phone. It’s a major stress reliever. Harvesting a deer is a bit of a bonus,” Waldrip said. “A lot of guys do their hunting at the beginning of the year, fill their freezers and want to continue to hunt. But they don’t want to waste the deer they harvest.” Or sometimes hunters don’t have a way to store an abundance of meat, Waldrip added. That’s why Waldrip and many others contribute to a nationwide program called Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. The organization encourages

hunters to give deer to participating meat processors who prepare the nutritious meat at a discounted rate into one-pound packages and donate it to food banks. As a hunter and a meat processor at KW Custom Deer Processing in Bloomington, Waldrip has been a member of FHFH since 2006. His father Kirby started the business in 1990 and Kelby took it over nine years ago. “I learned how to hunt from my father and grandfather and I learned how to process from my father,” Waldrip said. This year he plans to process 50 donated deer for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. “Keeping food on the table is not always easy in today’s economy,” said Brian Kollmeyer of Bloomfield Processing Inc. “The need is greater than ever now and we thought we could help do something about it. Many food pantries struggle to

get protein sources to distribute because meat is the most expensive part of a meal. Venison is a very good source of protein and all of our local food pantries have open arms ready for it.” Participants in the program for five years, Kollmeyer and his wife Mary have owned Bloomfield Processing for 12 years. “It’s an old business, been here about 50 years,” he said. Last year, Kollmeyer processed 72 donated deer and plans to do 100 this season. It is estimated that one deer can feed 200

people. “Last year we got close to 4,000 pounds that we ground and packed in onepound chubs,” he said. “That is a substantial amount of meat and all of it stays in our local area.” Local chapters of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry have fundraisers and accept donations to help pay for the processing. “We don’t charge the full amount for the processing. We cut them a big break on every deer that we process, but we can’t do all that work for free,” Kollmeyer said. All hunters have to do is bring the legally tagged deer to any participating meat processing plant. The plants are USDA or health department inspected and there is no charge to the hunter. “It’s a wonderful program and we enjoy working with it,” Kollmeyer said. “It

helps eliminate some of the abundance of deer that we have and helps feed people.” Not only is venison a low-fat and low-cholesterol protein, it is also tasty meat, Waldrip and Kollmeyer said. “Most people like venison,” Kollmeyer said. “When we first started doing this program, some people said they didn’t like it or had never eaten it, but we are finding that more people are eating it now. It’s a valuable asset to help feed hungry people.”

Brian Kollmeyer (left) of Bloomfield Processing and Rodger Gooding

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Winter 2011

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Snowbound Annual winter hike makes cold days a hot activity by Tara Bender

or a decade, the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau has encouraged Hoosiers to trade snow shovels for trekking poles and seek the outdoor adventure that often goes unnoticed during Indiana’s coldest months. At this year’s 10th Annual Winter Hike, visitors will have even more reasons to bundle up for the fun of it. “It’s probably my favorite event of the year,” said Jane Ellis, executive director of the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s very refreshing and rejuvenating to be out on the trail.” Families, couples, and friends of all experience levels are invited to enjoy the scenery, wildlife, and wintertime treats provided at pit stops along the way. “Boy Scouts will be doing hot chocolate at the shelter houses and will have fires going to roast marshmallows for s’mores,” said Jamie Newton, communications director of the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visitors who want to get an early start will also have a chance to enjoy breakfast with the Department of Natural Resources naturalists prior to the hike. Come snowstorm or blizzard, the Winter Hike, which features two different trails, will go on. Though the 2.75mile Woodland trail is more “scenic,” and the 3.5-mile Southern Loop is considered the “rugged trail,” Ellis said she hopes novice hikers aren’t intimidated by the labels. “You don’t have to consider yourself an experienced hiker Continued on page 16

Courtesy photos

Winter 2011

It’s nice to get bundled up and do something for fun.” — Jane Ellis

Continued From page 14

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Arts • Nature • Adventure • Winter Hike 16

to do the rugged trail,” she said. The selfguided trails will lead to checkpoints with DNR naturalists who will share facts about the park’s winter wildlife with hikers. Along with these traditional Winter Hike features, the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau has teamed up with Bloomington’s Indiana Running Company to bring a new addition to the lineup. The Frosty Trails 5K and 3K Run will coincide with the Winter Hike, giving year-round runners an opportunity to engage in some friendly competition. “Indiana Running Company had an interest in doing an event in Brown County, and we had interest in doing an event with them,” Ellis said. “I was really pleasantly surprised that they were willing to jump in and pull this event together.” Accompanying the run, Bloomington’s J.L. Waters & Co. Adventure Outfitters and Revolution Bike & Bean will be on-site with apparel and other outdoor merchandise. “We want to provide resources for those who enjoy the outdoors and have cabin fever,” Ellis said. “They want to get up and go all year. Runners run all year, and hikers hike all year.” For those who may not engage in adven-

ture activities year-round, the Winter Hike is a great place to start, Newton said. “Families enjoy it. Couples enjoy it. It’s a nice time for everyone to have an excuse to get out,” she said. Groups and individuals willing to brave the weather can register for the Frosty Trails 5K and 3K Run at inrunco.com. The Winter Hike is $1 per hiker, and no registration is necessary. Newton encourages hikers to come prepared by dressing warmly and comfortably, and Ellis’ hope is that visitors will forget about their outdoor chores for a while in the process. “When you think about it, you’re always bundling up in winter clothes to shovel the snow,” she said. “It’s nice to get bundled up and do something for fun.”

Winter 2011

For more information, go to browncountywinterhike.com. Date: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 Breakfast with the Naturalists: 7 a.m. Hiker’s Lunch Buffet: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $1 per hiker, free for children under 5 (plus $5 park admission fee per vehicle for in-state plates/$7 per vehicle for out-of-state plates) 3K and 5K run costs were not finalized as of press time

Kenny and Diana Robertson of The Deer Shoppe. Photos by Bob Forgas

DEER

ONE HUNDRED

Mitchell hunter sets sights on a goal By Jackie Sheckler Finch

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hen Kenny Robertson was a kid learning how to hunt with his father, he shot his fair share of rabbits and squirrels. But he never thought of getting a deer. “Back then, you didn’t see deer. They were extinct in Indiana,” the 72-year-old said. “If you ever did see one, it probably had a collar on it because they had brought them back into Indiana hoping they would reproduce.” An abundant species when settlers arrived in Indiana in the early 1800s, whitetail deer had been pushed to extinction. In 1934, the Indiana Division of Fish and Game (parent agency to the present Division of Fish and Wildlife) began restocking with about 400 deer, which were trapped and transferred from other states. “Now deer are everywhere. You have to be awfully careful or you’ll hit one with your vehicle,” Robertson said. “They are God’s creatures and they are beautiful, but they can be a nuisance and can be dangerous if you run into one.” Robertson estimates he was about 30 years old before he ever hunted a deer. Now he figures he has killed 99, the biggest being an 11-point buck, all in Indiana. “Soon as I get 100, I’m going to quit,” he joked. “At least that’s what I tell my wife, but I haven’t gotten those 100 yet. I’d like for my last deer to be a big buck.” A retired meat cutter—he retired from Mill Market in Mitchell in 1999 after 44 years—Robertson supplements the fam-

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Dec. 3rd & 4th Jan. 28th & 29th March 3rd & 4th

ily dinner table with the deer and other wildlife that he kills. “Ninety percent of the meat we eat here at the house is deer,” he said. “We buy some chicken breasts and bacon, but venison is my favorite. Tonight we had wild boar for dinner and I imagine we will have venison tomorrow night.” An important thing to remember in preparing deer for dinner is that the freshly killed deer must be processed promptly and correctly. “You have to do it right away. You have to get it gutted and in the cooler.” In order to do that, Robertson opened his own business, The Deer Shoppe, 25 years ago. It is run with the help of his family. Located in his home, the shop has a cooler large enough to hold 85 deer. “We’ve had as many as 100 come in in one day,” he said. “Sometimes, hunters will be knocking on my door in the middle of the night because they’ve got a deer and want to get it processed.” Folks who say they don’t like venison often haven’t even given it a chance, Robertson’s wife Diana says. “Sometimes people have in their minds that venison won’t taste good so they won’t even try it. Kenny and I take deer to all our church functions—in meatloaf, chili, roasts, steaks— and people will eat it, say they love it and don’t even know what it is,” she said. “Venison is not only good to eat, it is good for you because it has no cholesterol. It is the one meat that a heart surgeon will recommend to patients.”

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Winter 2011

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Plunging into the New Year

The 2011 Polar Bear Plunge. Photos by Bob Forgas

Bloomington woman starts a brisk annual ritual By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Winter 2011

The Polar Bear Plunge is good wholesome fun. It’s a nice life-affirming way to start the New Year.” — Cindy Duffy

This page and opposite: brave 2011 Polar participants

Winter 2011

ticipants took the plunge,” Duffy said. “And about another 100 people stood around laughing at us.” With an annual theme—the last one was Hawaiian complete with grass skirts, coconut shell bras, straw hats and artificial flower leis—participants arrive bundled in winter gear. When the countdown begins, heavy coats and hats are tossed aside as people in swimming suits and sneakers hop around trying to generate some body heat before dashing down the narrow beach and hitting the water with splashes and shrieks. A few brave souls dive in or totally immerse their bodies but the goal for most is to get in and out as quickly as possible. “It’s about a minute,” Duffy said. “You want to get in there and dunk down at least up to your neck but a lot of people will dive totally under. One year my husband seemed to stay out there forever, making it look not as painful as it was.” It’s important to wear sneakers or water shoes for the spirited sprint, Duffy said.

“Your feet get the coldest and that cold water feels almost like you are running into broken glass,” she said. “Bring towels, too, for as soon as you get out you need to towel off and get back into dry clothes.” Free hot chocolate is served and all participants receive certificates of accomplishment “for bravery, valor and sheer lunacy.” T-shirts also are available but should be ordered ahead of time. No fee and no registration are necessary for the event. To help fund the fight against bladder cancer, Duffy is hoping to find sponsors for the annual Polar Bear Plunge so it can become a fundraising event, as well as a fun activity. Check local media in case the location changes this year. “We may move to Fairfax Beach because it’s getting pretty crowded on that small beach at the Fourwinds,” Duffy said. “The Polar Bear Plunge is good wholesome fun. It’s a nice life-affirming way to start the New Year.” For more information, contact Cindy Duffy at CindyDuffy@gmail.com.

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indy Duffy tried to describe the sensation. “Beyond cold ... Like running into broken glass ... Numbing ... Tingling ... Prickling all over your body.” “It definitely clears your mind,” she added with a laugh. “For me it’s a great way to start the New Year and to celebrate life.” Already, the Bloomington woman is gearing up for the eighth Polar Bear Plunge to be held Jan. 1 at 11 a.m. at Lake Monroe with festivities starting a bit before that. “It is incredible,” she said. “It’s a rush of energy like you wouldn’t believe.” Duffy started the first Polar Bear Plunge in 2003 after being diagnosed with bladder cancer. “I had just begun cancer treatment and needed to think about something different,” she said. That first year five people jumped into the lake. “We were just going to do it ourselves. We thought we would get up in the morning and go jump in the lake. We mentioned it to a few other people and they showed up, too.” After two years of treatment and a 2005 surgery to remove her bladder and build a new one out of her intestines, plus the loss of a kidney, Duffy said she welcomes each New Year. “The Polar Bear Plunge gets you ready to face whatever the New Year has in store for you.” The freezing plunge has been held every New Year’s Day with the exception of one year when Duffy was feeling under the weather and her daughter was pregnant. The coldest plunge year registered 16 degrees below zero. “It is never going to be too cold to go in,” Duffy said. “We are ready to chip away at the ice if we need to.” New Year’s Day 2011 brought the biggest group of participants and spectators to the glacial waters of Lake Monroe at the beach behind the Fourwinds Resort & Marina. “It just sort of snowballed. About 130 par-

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Holidays

New cabins in Santa Claus provide warm Christmas memories By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Courtesy photos

Winter 2011

rightly colored lights glisten in the winter night. A Christmas tree, garland and other Yuletide décor fill the cabin. A fireplace adds a warm glow. It’s the holiday season in the tiny town of Santa Claus where 25 new Christmas cabins at Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort are waiting to help create family memories. For the special event, the campground will be open for cabin guests from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s Day. “This is something new for us. We close the campground at the end of October, but the new cabins are a great way for families to celebrate the holidays,” said Dave Lovell, marketing director for Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort. Decorated for Christmas year round, the cabins were added in June and July with another 25 cabins planned for 2012. “These are more upscale cabins with more amenities,” Lovell said. “There is so much going on in Santa Claus during the holidays and we thought the cabins would be a great way for families to stay here and enjoy the attractions.” Located in a hillside section of Lake Rudolph Campground, the cabins feature a bedroom with a king-size bed, as well as a large loft with four twin-size mattresses on one side and a queen size on the other. “The cabins can sleep up to four adults and four children comfortably,” Lovell said. Holiday rates are $140 a night plus tax. The cabins have central air conditioning and heat, plus an electric fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, three large flat-screen TVs with free cable service and free Wi-Fi, and a big deck with deck furniture and a built-in gas grill. “When you see the cabins up on the hillside with all the trees, it reminds me of something you would see in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg,” Lovell said. “We are getting really good response to them.” Opened in 1958, the campground has undergone several name changes and major expansions over the years. Located next to Holiday World Theme Park and Splashin’ Safari Water Park, Lake

Rudolph offers 244 family rentals—108 standard rental RVs, 76 king-size rental RVs, 16 super king-size rental RVs and 44 cabins. The campground also includes 188 full hookup RV sites, plus 40 tent sites with water and electric. Other campground amenities include a family pool, kiddie pool, miniature golf, fishing lake, paddleboats and kayaks, playgrounds, gem mining sluice, horseshoe pits, basketball courts, camp store, outdoor pavilion, four modern air-conditioned bathhouses, game room, two laundromats, 200 rental golf carts and a pizza and ice cream shop. A free shuttle operates between the campground and Holiday World. Constructed in 2009 as the largest campground holiday light show in North America, the $350,000 Santa Claus Land of Lights tells the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The 1.2-mile driving route through the campground features more than 300 light display pieces—35 percent of which are fully animated—plus 11 giant Rudolph story scenes, some 30 feet tall and over 100 feet wide. “They tell the story of how Rudolph learned to fly and eventually led Santa’s sleigh on that foggy Christmas Eve,” Lovell said. Guests who stay in the Christmas cabins have free admission to the light show. Nearly $16,000 in admission proceeds from the 2010 show was donated to Ronald McDonald House charities. Of course, the town of Santa Claus also offers numerous holiday activities and attractions, including The Santa Claus Christmas Store, Santa’s Ornament Shop, Santa’s Candy Castle, Santa’s Great Big LED Tree of Lights and much more. “With today’s economy, we think the new Christmas cabins provide a great alternative to stay more local,” Lovell said. “People can drive here and have a wonderful family getaway without spending a lot of money.” For more information: Contact Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort at www.LakeRudolph.com or the Spencer County Visitors Bureau at www.SantaClausInd.org.

1. Photo courtesy Perry Langley; 2., 3. and 4. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Old Farts Hike Goose Hollowâ&#x20AC;? Photos courtesy Deb Murzyn; 5. Photo courtesy Chuck and Rose Sturgis; 6. Photo courtesy Dana Trimmer

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