Homes & Lifestyles December 2016

$2.95 • December 2016 • Volume 13, No. 2

Featured Page Home 56

of South-Central Indiana

Lakeside Serenity

Country estate seeks special owners

Midcentury Modern Marvel

Historic Columbus home hosts holiday tours

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2 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

8 Upcycled Décor 16 Christmas Book 20 Midcentury Modern Marvel 28 Olympian Lilly King

20

32 Woodcarver Rhett Thomas 36 Artist Gallery 40 Hosea Home 48 Author Michael Koryta 52 Wininger Family Featured Home:

56 Lakeside Serenity

28

62 Treehouse in Jamaica 66 Color Corner Recipe:

67 Orange-Bourbon Walnut Pie ON OUR COVER: Carl and Marcy Cook’s lake home has been a special sanctuary for their family. Photo

by Kendall Reeves, Spectrum Studio.

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40 © 2016 Schurz Communications, Inc. HOMES & LIFESTYLES OF SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA is distributed bimonthly on a subscription basis. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY COPYRIGHT. Prices, specials and descriptions are accurate as of the time of publishing. This book 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 opinions and facts contained herein. All terms and conditions are subject to change. The cover, cover design, format, content and layout of this publication are trademarks of Schurz Communications, Inc.

PUBLISHER Cory Bollinger ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Laurie Ragle MARKETING DIRECTOR Shaylan Owen CONTENT/LAYOUT COORDINATOR Brooke McCluskey EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Jackie Sheckler Finch WRITERS Jackie Sheckler Finch, Joel Pierson, Michelle Ann Crowe, Pete DiPrimio, Alexandra M. Lynch, Brooke McCluskey

ADVERTISING SALES:

PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Howell, David Snodgress, Jeremy Hogan

EDITORIAL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:

ART DIRECTION & DESIGN Dennis Laffoon

Contact Laurie Ragle at (812) 331-4291 Contact Jackie Sheckler Finch at JackieSFinch@gmail.com or Brooke McCluskey at (812) 331-4289

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 3

Homes & Lifestyles

Contributors Jackie Sheckler Finch became a Hoosier more than 25 years ago when she moved to Indiana from Massachusetts for a newspaper job. She covered city government and other areas for The Herald-Times until leaving to become a full-time freelance writer. Editor of Homes & Lifestyles since its inception in 2004, Jackie is also an award-winning travel writer and author of 20 travel books. She was named the Mark Twain Travel Writer of the Year a record six times. Jackie enjoys finding the fascinating people and places that wait over the hill and around the next bend.

Growing up in Spencer is a point of pride for Michelle Crowe, who is pretty sure no place on earth can compare with the sincerity of southern Indiana. A bookworm from birth, it’s fitting that her current place of employment is a library. When she is not writing for Homes & Lifestyles, you might find her over-photographing her children’s activities, teaching Sunday school at Arlington United Methodist Church or, of course, with her nose happily stuck in a book.

Pete DiPrimio is a Bloomington transplant who was born near Pittsburgh. His favorite part about writing for Homes & Lifestyles is meeting the various homeowners and personalities. He’s an award-winning sports columnist who has written three books on IU sports, plus 21 children’s books on topics that include Tom Brady, Eli Manning, Ancient Rome, Ancient Sparta and more. In 2016 he was inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame, which he says reflects the fact that he covered his first sporting event shortly after Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden.

A California kid for his childhood years, Jeremy Hogan came to Indiana in 1997 after a series of newspaper internships that spanned the country. He first picked up a camera as boy to snap pictures of his friends, which led to a journalism career and a Pulitzer Prize nomination. Jeremy shoots photos and videos for The Herald-Times and produces his own documentary films.

Chris Howell has been a full time senior photojournalist for Hoosier Times publications since 1998. Born and raised in Bloomfield, Chris’ passion is documenting the everyday lives of people in local communities and wherever his travels take him. Away from work, Chris enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing softball and grilling in the summertime.

When not designing the pages of Homes & Lifestyles, Dennis Laffoon is the creative services manager for Hoosier Times.

He is also an ordained minister and pastor at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and winner of the City of Bloomington’s 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award. Dennis is married, with three children who bring him and his wife Rochelle much joy.

Alexandra M. Lynch thoroughly enjoys writing for Homes & Lifestyles because she gets to meet wonderful people and see fascinating homes.

Alexandra has been a writer most of her career, mostly newsletters and magazines. Now, in retirement, she finds the H&L gig suits her fine. In her leisure time, she likes to travel and take photos.

Brooke McCluskey is the content and layout coordinator for Homes & Lifestyles. She assists the editor, develops layouts and guides the production process — and does the same for several other magazines published by Hoosier Times.

In her free time, she is renovating a fixerupper home in rural Bloomington with her husband. They have two children, a dog, a cat, a snake and many woodland friends.

A lifelong Hoosier, Shaylan Owen grew up near rural Delphi. He has a background in fine arts, photography and graphic design and is the marketing director for Hoosier Times. Shaylan is a selfdescribed food nerd who has created and photographed dozens of recipes for Homes & Lifestyles since April 2009. When not working, he enjoys cooking, reading, running, traveling and the outdoors.

Joel Pierson has been a resident of Bloomington for almost two decades and is still finding things to love about the area. In addition to writing for H&L, he is a regular contributor to The Herald-Times. His interests include theater, writing, editing and audio production. He is the author of seven books, all published locally. In his rare free moments, he enjoys relaxing with wife and fellow journalist Dana and their three lovely hounds.

David Snodgress was born and raised in Bloomington. He has journalism and political science degrees from Indiana University and a master’s degree in journalism from Ohio University. He is the photography manager at The Herald-Times. He shares a log home with his wife and three children and can often be found camping and canoeing.

Our thanks to Kendall Reeves at Spectrum Studio for photos of the featured home on the cover and pages 56-61.

4 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Homes & Lifestyles

From the Editor Comments Would it be possible, please, for me to purchase a copy of your Homes & Lifestyles October 2016 magazine? As soon as I saw Lil Bub on the front cover, I knew I had to send an email and see if there is a way. I wish I could stop by but I live in Tampa, Florida. I’ve been a Bub fan for 3½ years and I am one of those fans we like to call “BUBsessed!” There are quite a few of us!

-Heather DiPaola-Maranto

Editor’s note: BUBsessed — love it! If you need a mailed copy, please call 812-332-4401 and we’ll help bring Bub to your mailbox.

B

efore the clock struck midnight on Christmas Eve, my husband Bill would kneel on the floor with his dogs to listen in case they could talk. It was a childhood tradition that Bill had grown up with and one he continued until his last Christmas Eve on earth.

As a youngster, I also had heard from my Dad and my uncles — whose ancestors came from Ireland — the tale about animals being given the gift of speech on Christmas Eve. But I didn’t know that many other people believed in it, too.

I read somewhere that the legend started in Europe and was part of a belief that the oxen and donkeys in the Nativity stable bowed down when Jesus was born. Even today in some European countries, wide-eyed children — and adults, too — will quietly creep into stables just before midnight to see animals kneel and praise the birth of Jesus.

Maybe we just want Lil Bub Bloomington’s famous feline philanthropist to keep that childhood As Seen on hope that such miracles HGTV Local realtor is can exist. No matter ‘Hunting Vintage’ what is happening in the world, no matter how bad the news, the holidays always seem to bring a measure of joy, of peace, of hope, of reflection for what we have treasured over the past year.

For this editor’s column, I was going to pen more about the special stories we have in this December issue. But we received so many wonderful written messages from various states — and many more verbal compliments — about our October cover story on Lil Bub the cat that I thought these few paragraphs are enough.

In a way, Lil Bub herself is a miracle and her “dude” readily admits that the feline with so many medical problems “is equal parts science and magic. She changes lives.”

Nothing wrong with having hope and belief during these trying times. From our staff to you and your four-footed family members, the best of holiday wishes. May miracles and the enduring hope for miracles brighten your lives as well. $2.95 • Oc tober 2016 • Volume 13, No. 1

Love this story! Did you get to pet Lil Bub? I swear that’d be more exciting to me than meeting most human celebrities.

-Kim Schneider

Editor’s note: Thank you, Kim. Yes, I did get to hold and pet Lil Bub. Such a cuddly sweet critter.

I do believe in karma. Great story!

-MaryAnn DeSantis

Great story, Jackie! I didn’t realize Lil Bub was from Bloomington. Loved the story about the T.C. Steele Gardens as well.

-Melanie Maxwell

What an amazing story! Love it.

-Debbra Dunning Brouillette

Very sweet and inspiring story.

-Robert Bundy

Lucky kitty. So many ferals do not have such luck.

-Kathleen Walls

Great writing!

-Nina Zapala

What a wonderful, wonderful story. I’d never heard of this cat. Beautifully written, too!

-Lori Erickson

With all the bad news in the media, it was so refreshing to read your story about Lil Bub. Made my day to read about that amazing cat and the man who took a chance on her. Keep up the good news!

Featured Home

page 56

of South-Central Indiana

Also inside: • How to downsize your home • Woodworker Michael Evans • Artist Troy Kilgore • T.C. Steele gardens • Travel to Pirate Fest

-Carson Muller

Have something to say?

Maybe it’s a comment about a home or a recipe. Whatever you’d like to share, we want to hear, so drop us a line!

Letters c/o Homes & Lifestyles • P.O. Box 909 • Bloomington, IN 47402 • Or e-mail JackieSFinch@gmail.com

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 5

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6 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 7

Photos by Jeremy Hogan.

8 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Renewed Vision ‘Upcycled’ decor adds beauty without breaking the bank

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

W

hen Maria Monteilh and her family moved to Bloomington from New Orleans six year ago, they had never seen snow.

That changed in a hurry.

The family arrived Nov. 11, 2010 — just in time for a record year of snow and winter weather.

“They said it was a very rough winter,” Maria recalls. “I was excited but I was worried, too. I didn’t know if I should buy special shoes for us to wear or get special tires for my car.”

When snowflakes began swirling, Maria says, her two young daughters and rescue pup Shorty watched in delight.

“Then my daughters went sledding for the first time,” she says.

“When it is snowing, it is so peaceful. We love Bloomington and we love the four seasons here.”

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 9

10 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Living in an eastside apartment while they looked for a home, Maria and her husband Gene decided to have a Beazer Home built in the Stonechase subdivision on the west side of Bloomington. The model they chose was called the Providence and features a living room, dining room, family room, four bedrooms, study, two and a half bathrooms, mud room and two-car garage.

“You choose the style you want, then they build it for you,” Maria says. “We wanted to go with a neutral design and décor because we never know when we may have to move again and sell our house.”

As an engineer with Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center, Gene has needed to relocate the family five times in 19 years. Their two daughters — 15-year-old Alexa and 13-year-old Sofia — would like to stay in Bloomington at least until they graduate from high school.

Moving to Bloomington has brought other wonderful changes into their lives, Maria adds.

“I was a stay-at-home mom but, when

we got here, I went back to school,” she says.

“I went to Ivy Tech and became a labor and delivery nurse at Bloomington Hospital.

Doing that for two and a half years has won my heart. It is very rewarding because you are part of a very special time when a baby is born.”

Flair for Design

While decorating her own home, Maria also found herself realizing a dream to become an interior designer.

“It started because I would share pictures of what I was doing at my house and people began seeing them and asking if I could do that to their house,” she says. “I said, ‘Sure, I can do that for you.’ And I started doing it.”

Since last summer, Maria has done interior design for four clients.

“Most of my clients are nurses that I work with,” she says. “They have the ideas but they don’t have the time to decorate their homes so they ask me to do it. I can do room by room or a whole house.”

Her decorating style, Maria says, is what

she calls “upcycled” — giving new life to furniture and design pieces.

“Just because something is old doesn’t mean it needs to be thrown away,” she says. “And you can save a lot of money by upcycling pieces.”

For example, Maria points out a small buffet table in her dining room.

“I bought this for $30 and I saw one just like it in a store for $950,” she says. “Things don’t have to be new or matched. You can find really good bargains if you look for them.”

Items that have previous lives often have more character, such as a well-worn white kitchen hutch filled with favorite pieces of white china.

“I like the way it looks distressed,” Maria says.

A yard-sale window frame without glass became a focal point over the living room sofa. “I paid $5 for that,” Maria says. “Some people put mirrors behind the window but I hung small glass jars with candles in them in the bottom of the window.”

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 11

12 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

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December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 13

The living room coffee table was also created by Maria.

“I took a large flower pot and put a round piece of glass on it.”

Windows in the home don’t have curtains, Maria says, “because I like to look outside.” Bright accent pieces also are scattered throughout as a reminder of her Honduras homeland.

Personal Touches

Much of the finish work in their home was done by Maria and Gene.

“Gene put down our hardwood floor,” Maria says of the Brazilian dark cherry floor. Maria painted walls in a warm Behr Butterscotch and created a stencil for an unusual effect in the guest bathroom.

“It looks like wallpaper but it’s not,” she says. “Wallpaper can be hard to remove but this you can just paint over if you don’t want it anymore.”

For the stencil pattern, Maria found a design she liked on a website.

Gene enlarged the design in his computer and printed it out.

“Then I cut a pattern out of a cereal box and held it up to the wall and painted it,” Maria explains.

The base paint is flat Butterscotch and the design is painted in a lighter glossy paint. While she painted, Maria listened to an audiotape of “Water for Elephants” read by actress Reese Witherspoon.

“It didn’t seem to take me very long at all to get it done and I saved money by doing it myself,” she says.

For her treasures, Maria says she visits flea markets, second-hand stores and yard sales. “I love to shop and this makes my husband happy because I am shopping for other people,” she says. “When I find something at a really good price, it is like a victory and I know I will find a good home for it.”

14 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

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December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 15

16 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

No Chimney?

New book shares children’s questions about Santa, Christmas and chimneys

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Book cover courtesy Indiana University Press.

W

hen Mandy Hussey and Emily Weisner Thompson were reading through decades of letters to Santa at the Santa Claus Museum, they noticed a common concern among children. How will Santa visit my home if it doesn’t have a chimney, youngsters asked.

“This is absolutely something that kids worry about,” Mandy says. “I believe thousands of children have written in with that exact question, over time.”

Some children even offer alternate suggestions in their letters. “Santa, please use my magic key” and “We will leave the door unlocked” are two ideas written by youngsters.

“One of my favorite letters from over the years was a letter in which the child informed Santa that there was no chimney and that Santa should use the dryer vent,” Emily remembers.

So the two Hoosier mothers decided to write a book about the subject, appropriately titled “But What If There’s No Chimney?” In the book, five-year-old Ben is new to town and shocked to find his new house has no chimney. Ben looks for answers, asking his dad, friend, teacher, mailman and even his dog.

Going to the ultimate source, Ben writes a letter to old St. Nick himself in Santa Claus, Indiana. Will Santa answer and what will he say?

“Ultimately, we don’t give an answer as to how Santa gets in,” Mandy says. “The book is about believing. Santa never told us either.”

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 17

Write to Santa at his Hoosier Home Proceeds from the book will be donated to Santa’s Elves and the Santa Claus Museum in Santa Claus, Indiana. The Elves are a nonprofit organization that is more than 100 years old. The town of Santa Claus started helping Santa answer letters in 1914 and the tradition continues. Admission to the museum is free, and letters are answered free of charge.

In 2015, the Elf volunteers answered more than 22,000 letters.

“I remember one letter last year that arrived in a lumpy envelope,” says Emily Weisner Thompson, executive director of the Santa Claus Museum and Village. “It contained a pacifier with a note explaining that the little boy had given up his ‘paci’ and thought Santa could give it to another child who needed one.”

Pat Koch, the 85-year-old founder of the Santa Claus Museum — and Chief Elf — has been answering letters for more than 70 years.

Her favorite letter came in the 1990s from a second-grade student. It read simply, “Dear Santa, I want my dad to be smarter. Love Robbie” Children of all ages are welcome to mail letters to Santa Claus at PO Box 1, Santa Claus, IN 47570. Letters must be received by Dec. 21 and have a return address in order to receive a response from Santa and the Elves. Postage donations are appreciated.

Photo courtesy Santa Claus Museum.

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18 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Mandy Hussey, left, and Emily Weimer Thompson sign copies of their book. Illustrator Kate Lampke is shown in the inset photo. Photos courtesy Indiana University Press.

Birth of a Book

As a freelance writer and former staff member at Indiana University Press, Mandy knows what it takes to create a book.

She is now the marketing director at IU Health Center on the IU campus. For her part, Emily lives Christmas all year round. She is executive director of the Santa Claus Museum and Village as well as a historian and author.

Mandy and Emily had worked together on the 2015 book “Letters to Santa Claus,” a collection of letters sent by children to Santa Claus, Indiana.

“Mandy and I tossed around the idea of working on another book,” Emily says. “A children’s book seemed like the right fit.”

What the two needed was an artist to add art to their planned book story. That’s where Kate Lampe came in. Kate is a graphic design student at the University of Cincinnati with a focus on illustration and illumination. She is also Emily’s cousin.

“When I saw her post on Facebook about how excited she was to be writing a children’s book, I half-jokingly told her that I would be interested in illustrating it if she needed someone,” Kate says. “Somehow the stars aligned and it ended up working out.”

The project, Kate says, was fun, exciting and a bit hectic.

“The story definitely sparked something in my imagination that I couldn’t wait to sketch out,” she says. “I’m super happy with how turned out.”

To add an extra exciting touch to the book, the authors and illustrator include an elf named Checkermint who is hiding inside the pages.

“Some of my favorite books as a child included hidden elements or characters,” Kate says. “I think it definitely adds another layer of intrigue for both kids and parents.”

As children, the three book creators had many magical holiday seasons and family traditions.

“In our family, Santa Claus brought the tree fully decorated and he made a special trip to our house to deliver it, about two weeks before Christmas,” says Emily, whose parents still live in the home where she grew up. And it has a chimney.

“I loved that special feeling when my siblings and I woke up, walked downstairs and noticed the colorful lights glowing under the closed door of the living room. Pushing open the door, a beautiful, fully decorated tree stood tall in the corner – it was magical.”

In her family, Kate says, one of the holiday traditions is finding the pickle ornament on the Christmas tree. “First person to spot it gets to open presents first.”

Mandy’s family now collects ornaments to put on the tree each year.

“The ornaments remind us of fun times or fun stories,” she says. “For example, we went to Kauai this year and chickens chased us around the island, wo we bought a Kauai ornament with chickens on it.”

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 19

Midcentury Modern Marvel Historic Columbus home is ready for the holidays

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Photos by David Snodgress.

20 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

W

hen Xenia Miller decorated her home for Christmas, she kept in mind the true meaning of the holiday. Her famed architectural showcase was filled with some of the more than 100 nativity scenes, also called crèches, that the world traveler had collected over the years.

“Her collection truly was a very global representation,” says Erin Hawkins, marketing director for the Columbus Area Visitors Center.

“It is so interesting to see the different cultures represented in her collection.”

In her lifetime, the wife of J. Irwin Miller, former chairman and CEO of Cummins, Inc., chose nativity scenes ranging from a German Hummel set to one made in Peru of painted pottery and papermache.

“Some of the crèches were very valuable.

Others were inexpensive things she bought locally,” Erin says. “And after word got out that she collected crèches, I think many were given to her as gifts.”

Built in 1957, the 6,838-square-foot, one-story house is considered an architectural marvel.

Designed by Eero Saarinen — the architect for the St. Louis Arch — with interiors by Alexander Girard and landscape design by Dan Kiley, the Miller home has long fascinated people.

“The staggered row of hedges secluded the home from the street for many years,” Erin says.

“People knew it was here, even if they couldn’t see it, but they respected the Millers’ family privacy.”

Not only does the Columbus landmark showcase the work of leading 20th century architects and designers, it was also the home of only one family. Commissioned in 1953 by the Millers, the house was occupied by the family until J. Irwin’s death in 2004 at the age of 95 and Xenia’s death in 2008 at age 90. Both died in their beloved home.

“This was a home where a family with five children lived,” Erin says. “It shows the magic of what happens when three geniuses work together at the height of their careers. But it was built as a family home and lived in that way.”

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 21

22 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Given to All

Today, the historic J. Irwin Miller home is an outstanding museum. Donated by members of the Miller family to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the home is considered one of the finest examples of midcentury modern architecture in the nation.

For Christmas, the home is open to visitors for “Crèche the Hall” tours. Along with Xenia’s crèches, decorations include poinsettias and Murano glass Christmas trees. The dining table is adorned with festive tableware. Evening tours of the home will be a special treat this year.

“These evening tours offer the rare opportunity for people to see the Miller House after dark. Very few people have been here after dark,” Erin says. “We get to go outside and walk a way back from the house to see a lovely glowing glass box just resting up on the hill.”

The evening tours will include a musician playing holiday tunes on the Millers’ Steinway piano.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 23

24 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

“We also provide folks with warm beverages they can sip while strolling outside,” Erin says. “You can imagine how lovely it is from the outside looking in at the glowing interiors. The lighting is very different at night — dim and cozy.”

In the 1950s, J. Irwin Miller bought the 13 acres of former tobacco fields for $30,000. The house is constructed of concrete-block walls covered with grayblue slate panels, floor-to-ceiling windows and a flat slab roof. A 10-foot-wide terrace surrounds the house. The interior walls were cut out of white marble several inches thick.

The stone and glass-walled house took more than three years to build and was completed in 1957. With a tiled floor and grates for sweeping away melting snow and other residue, the garage in the front of the house doesn’t look like a garage, with doors that pull out rather than a door that pulls down.

To keep from marring the beauty of the landscape, such practical needs as garbage cans were buried in the ground with a secure metal cover over them and an opener activated by foot. Inside the home, a dramatic cylindrical fireplace suspended from the ceiling with a terrazzo fire pit offers a view in the round.

Around the Pit

The first of its kind, the “conversation pit” in the living room was Saarinen’s solution to the “inevitable slum of legs” created by a room filled with furniture. The pit was created to be an intimate “room within a room.”

Recessed below the floor level and accessed by four steps with no railing, the pit allows beautiful clear views to the outside through windowed walls. That lack of furniture legs is evident throughout the home.

The dining table itself serves as an artistic centerpiece. Saarinen’s 96-inch round table is made entirely of marble with a lighted base. In the middle of the table was a brass pump for a water fountain where Xenia would often float live flowers.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 25

26 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

The bedrooms themselves are simple and small by today’s standards. The three girls each had a bedroom, the boys shared one, plus the children had a central activity room where they played games and socialized.

In the unpretentious master bedroom, a control board by the bed made it possible to adjust lights, heat, television and doorbell all with the push of a button.

Even after half a century, the house created by three masters of their craft seems cutting-edge modern. However, even more importantly, it still has the sense that a family lived here and left behind many memories.

“None of the Millers live here anymore,” Erin says. “For the first time in 100 years, there is not a Miller in Columbus … But we do have this impeccably beautiful home where they once lived.”

For more information, contact the Columbus Area Visitors Center at 812-378-2622 or columbus.in.us.

You can also check times and dates of tours — including evening tours — at imamuseum.org/ visit/miller-house.

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December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 27

Barrier Breaker ‘Fearless’ Olympian Lilly King makes her hometown proud

By Pete DiPrimio

L

illy King refuses the wallflower role. She will speak her mind when necessary, kick tail whenever possible and make a difference at every turn.

Would you expect anything less?

Lilly is an Olympic gold medalist and an Indiana University swimming superstar with a well-developed sense of right and wrong, a knack for speaking the truth and a refusal to lose perspective or big-time races.

So if the sophomore has to rock the sports world again as she did in last August’s Rio Games, brace yourself.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing that I’m the poster child for clean sports now,” she says. “If I’m going to be the poster child for anything, then that’s a good thing.”

Oh. One other thing.

“I’m looking to break more barriers.”

For those who spent the summer living in a cave above the Dead Sea, Lilly rocketed

28 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

to international sports acclaim with her dynamic swimming and tell-it-like-it-is honesty.

“She’s a gunslinger,” IU swim coach Ray Looze says. “She has no fear. She’s not afraid of anybody. She has laser focus. We could all learn from that.”

For two weeks Lilly became one of the most famous people on the planet, joining superstar swimmers Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky, world’s fastest man Usain Bolt and universe’s biggest public relations disaster Ryan Lochte.

She won two goal medals — in the 100-meter breaststroke and as part of the 400 medley relay — as part of perhaps the greatest swim team in history. Swimmers won 33 of the United States’ 121 overall Olympic medals.

Lilly’s finger wag — a response to Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova, who was

twice penalized for performance enhancing drugs, flashing the “number one” sign after winning her 100 breaststroke semifinal — became the stuff of legend.

“You’re shaking your finger number one,” Lilly said on national TV, “and you’ve been caught for drug cheating. I’m just not a fan.”

That got the world’s attention. Then Lilly, who says she performs better under pressure, ratcheted up the showdown stakes by staring down Efimova as they prepared to start the finals. The Russian ignored her.

“I wanted to see if she would look back at me,” Lilly says. “I know I’m not the most talented swimmer physically. I knew that, growing up, I would have to put in the work to become the best. I have a good mental game. Staring people down, that’s something you wouldn’t think a girl would do. That’s a key thing for me.”

Photos by AP Photo/Michael Sohn.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 29

In the race, Lilly rallied to win in an Olympic record at 1:04.93. Efimova was second with 1:05.50.

Later, Lilly spoke out against all athletes who have used performance enhancing drugs, including U.S. sprinting medalist Justin Gatlin, saying “I’m not the sweet little girl.

That’s not who I am.”

Impressive?

Darn straight.

Crushing It

“She was just speaking her mind,” fellow IU gold medalist Cody Miller says. “She said what everybody else was thinking.

“We’re not going to hide it or run away from it. There were people missing out on Olympic finals because of others who didn’t deserve to be there. Lilly showed you can do it the right way.

“We’re all so proud of her. She’s awesome. She crushes it.”

Ray Looze, also a Team USA swimming assistant coach, embraces the crush.

“It was a good vs. evil situation,” he says. “I’m so angry with what sometimes happens in sports. You want to believe if you work harder than somebody, you have a chance to beat them. But to have somebody cut corners and take a PED (performance enhancing drug), it’s just not right. To have to swim against somebody like that, and then to beat them, that was like vindication to the 10th exponent. Everybody felt that. It worked out. Thankfully, the right person won.”

Still, Lilly took heat for speaking out. Russians blitzed her via social media, calling her, among other things, a “savage.”

Some American columnists were critical, including the Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins.

“The Russian backlash has been quite interesting,” Lilly says. “I try not to let it get to me. It’s been a little frustrating, but I know I’m right on everything I said, so it doesn’t bug me too much.”

Lilly took a stand even if it came as a surprise to the world … and to herself.

“I had no intention of planning to speak out,” she says.

“They kind of caught me in the ready room wagging my finger. That was me being me. After the race, I went to my NBC interview and Michele Tafoya asked me about it, and it came out.

“I didn’t think I said anything horrible. I still don’t. I was just speaking my mind and it went from there.”

Back at Home

Lilly’s bigger-than-life impact hasn’t swelled her ego. She returned to IU and classes — the first was gymnastics as part of her physical education major — a few days after the Olympics, didn’t strut around campus in Team USA attire and carried her pair of gold medals in a plastic Target shopping bag.

That Target trip showcased her popularity. People recognized her, hugged her and took pictures of her.

“That was a little weird,” Lilly says. “I feel the same. I know life’s not the same. But I feel like the same me. Nothing’s really changed too much.”

Photo by Chris Howell.

30 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

The Olympics’ life-changing power hit the Hoosiers’ medal-winning contingent hard. Like Lilly, Cody won a pair of medals — one gold, one bronze. Other medalists were high jumper Derek Drouin, diver Michael Hixon and swimmers Blake Pierogi and Kennedy Goss.

“Nothing for anybody who went to that meet will ever be the same because you’re forever an Olympian,” Lilly’s coach says. “Life is just different for all of us. Learning how to handle that success is going to be pretty important — and using it for their families, themselves, their schools.

That will be what we hope that they can do.”

So now Lilly prepares for another college season and a chance to defend her NCAA titles in the 100- and 200-yard breaststrokes. She will face a favorite’s pressure in basically every college race she enters for the rest of her career.

But she also faces a twist. After winning amid Olympic spectacle, the average college meet could be a letdown.

“Just coming back from any international meet, let alone the Olympics, is going to be difficult motivationwise,” Lilly says. “I know I’ll have certain races against certain people I’ll be excited for, but if we have an easy (dual) meet … I’m not going to go best times or anything.”

But however she goes, one thing is certain: Lilly King won’t go quietly.

Photo by AP Photo/Michael Sohn.

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32 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Variety Act

Performer-turned-woodcarver says his art is another way of entertaining

By Joel Pierson

T

here’s more to Rhett Thomas than meets the eye. When you first talk to the 41-yearold co-owner of Thomas Treehouse Gallery and Gifts in Nashville, you find a soft-spoken woodcarver and small business owner, but get him talking and you realize he’s seen some things and had some opportunities most people don’t get. Bring up the subject of show business, and you’ll get the real picture of just how much Rhett has done over the years.

He grew up in Long Beach, Calif. and went to high school there as well — when he wasn’t surfing, of course. In his formative years, his primary interest and passion involved the theatrical community. At a young age, he gained a lot of experience as a singer and dancer.

“When I left high school,” he says, “I performed all throughout Los Angeles. I met my wife, Wendi, in a show. She was an actress and singer. We started performing together, and we realized we wanted to get married. So we got married in our early 20s and started to perform our own show in L.A. for about a year. Then we started having children, and it’s hard to raise a family and be on stage.”

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 33

Family life suited the pair and they went on to raise six children together, the most recent born in 2016. They managed to continue performing, and it took them all over the country. They lived in at least 10 states because of show business commitments. A significant stop for them, and one that would have a huge impact on all aspects of their lives, was Branson, Mo., known for its musical and visual arts.

It was there that Rhett met artist and woodcarver Peter Engler — the first artist in Branson to set up shop on the main music strip in town more than 40 years ago.

“I would go to his shop in between shows, when I was singing and dancing. Peter knew I wanted to carve, so one day he put a bunch of tools in front of me. I wanted to get my foot in the door, hoping he would do something like that. He was such a nice guy, and when he did that, it was such a shock. I had looked up to him for years.”

Taking Form

And so the two began working together, with Peter training Rhett in the art of woodcarving.

“He says you need to become your own and find who you are. You watch and be inspired by the things he would say.”

That watchful inspiration went on for about five years, as Rhett continued performing in shows in Branson. Rhett and his brother Ross appeared on stage as the Thomas Brothers, a variety act featuring everything from country to old-time rock to Broadway.

“That’s where we started,” Rhett says of his L.A. days, “performing with Sandy Duncan, Gavin MacLeod. Those were the types of people we performed with when we were young.”

Two years ago, the time came to move the family to Indiana, primarily because Wendi’s family lived close by. Rhett had been on the road performing between four and six months a year since the two got married, and they needed a place to settle down. They now live in Columbus and work in Nashville.

The couple learned about the popularity of gift shops while living in Branson, and they saw opportunities in Nashville. The first step was to find a venue — which one of their daughters did, and which they named Thomas Treehouse Gallery and Gifts.

As Rhett explains, “When we started here, we knew it would take a year or two to get the shop settled … While we’ve done that, we’ve brought the Osmonds out from Branson to the Brown County Playhouse; I did perform with them in

34 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

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in it is unique and handcrafted, work that is made in the U.S., within five to eight hours of the shop. We want to keep it real. If it’s wood, it’s real wood. If it’s pottery, it’s real pottery, made by hand, not mass-produced — whether it’s cookware, cutting boards, candles, jewelry or spoon rings. I hope people come in here and feel like they’ve walked into history. People have put their heart and soul into each individual piece that’s here.”

The business’ five-year plan includes welcoming the work of more than 100 artists.

Rhett envisions having artisans in house on a rotating basis, answering customers’ questions.

Thinking about this phase of his life, Rhett reflects, “As we’ve gotten a little older, I realize that life for us is about being able to be settled and have a home and have our children involved in what we do. It’s not about being on Broadway anymore. It’s about doing what you enjoy doing and working hard at it — making something worthwhile for people to come and see.”

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that. Next year, we’re planning to bring a couple more shows out to the BCP. As the shop is more secure, we’ll be able to do more shows.”

Beyond Rhett’s own work, the Thomas Treehouse has more than 45 artists represented, including six other woodcarvers.

The owner’s personal style favors pieces of one to three feet in length.

“Right now I’m doing a tribute to women through time, to highlight their accomplishments. I’d like to continue doing that for the next couple of years. I’m working on Queen Esther right now. The art I like to create has motion and tells a story of something that means a lot to me.”

Running the shop fulfills a long-standing dream of bringing artists together from all over the region, giving them a place to display their wares and helping them make money by doing what they love. Rhett gives Wendi much of the credit for its success.

“She’s the biggest reason why this is working. She’s doing finances, merchandise orders — that stuff takes hours and hours every week. It’s definitely a joint venture.”

As for the wares, Rhett says, “One of the main attributes of the shop is that everything

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December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 35

Homes & Lifestyles

Artist Gallery

Jim Grabski Watercolor impressions “The Garden” triptych art 28” x 64” Original paintings will be on exhibit at the Venue Fine Art & Gifts at 114 South Grant Street in Bloomington.

812-339-4200 Venue.Colman@gmail.com 812-345-4717 biotic51348@mypacks.net

Martina Celerin “Friends in the Garden” Martina Celerin creates wall sculptures that fuse weaving and felting techniques using reclaimed and recycled materials to tell the story of her life.

See exhibits “Changing Seasons” until Mar. 1, 2017 at Bloomington Bagel Co. - The Shoppes, and “Memories of Summer” Dec. 1 2016 to Feb. 1 2017 at Bloomington Bagel Co. - 113 N Dunn, Bloomington.

812-219-0647 info@martinacelerin.com martinacelerin.com martinacelerin.blogspot.com

Marilyn Greenwood “The Wave” is an Australian opal pendant with amethyst and spinel accent stones, set in silver.

Hand-fabricated, one-of-a-kind pieces using unusual gemstones and fossils set in gold and silver.

P.O. box 163 Clear Creek, Ind. 812-824-6184 marilyngreenwood.com Represented at By Hand Gallery in Bloomington, Ind. and at Spears Gallery in Nashville, Ind. 36 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Tom Rhea Paintings in gouache “Bob Dylan” 6” x 9” Intimate portraits of family, home, vacations or special events.

Memorialize a moment or a treasured photograph with a reasonably-priced commission for a painting, drawing or print.

1019 East Wylie Street Bloomington, Ind. 47401 812-336-8335 tomrhea31@comcast.net tomrhea.com

Sara Steffey McQueen “Red Sky” Linoleum carving artist proof Originals, cards and prints at By Hand Gallery in Bloomington, Ind. Represented at the Hoosier Artist Gallery in Nashville, Ind. 812-320-0695 sarasteffeymcqueen.com

Suzanne Halvorson Handwoven scarf 9” x 72” Suzanne Halvorson’s work is available at By Hand Gallery in Bloomington. suzannehalvorson.com

Jim Halvorson Ceramic landscape mirror with bamboo inlay 10” x 12” Jim Halvorson’s pottery is available at By Hand Gallery in Bloomington and Brown County Craft Gallery in Nashville, Ind. halvorsonstoneware.com Photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 37

Homes & Lifestyles

Artist Gallery

Cheryl Duckworth “Gray Arabian” 16” x 24” watercolor Cheryl paints in watercolor and oils, and often uses her horses and pets as inspiration — as well as the surrounding countryside of Monroe County. See her work at Hoosier Artist Gallery in Nashville and at her home studio, which will be open to the public Sat., Dec. 3 for the Lampkins Ridge Studio Holiday Tour.

812-334-8421 cherylgreggduckworth.com

Christina Knipstine “Trinity Spectrum” 10” x 12” Smalti glass, indian glass bracelets, tumbled glass Commissioned work in stained glass and smalti glass. Currently accepting commissions for home or office.

812-876-9804 christinaknipstine@yahoo.com glassmoonmosaics.com

Stephen G. Phillips Metal sculptor “Red Chair #6” 26” x 60” x 26” Steel chair with red powder coated surface features a handpolished stainless steel bird.

Brazil, Ind. 812-446-1610 studio47designs@aol.com studio47designs.com

James B. Campbell Sculptor and painter “Tumbling Currents” 47.5” x 29” Acrylic, mixed media on wood Bloomington, Ind. 812-333-4577 campbellarts.net

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December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 39

Salvation on Brigadier Boulevard World travelers create home and sanctuary in Bloomington

By Michelle Ann Crowe

40 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

S

ome people see obstacles, while others see opportunities. It doesn’t take long to learn Wanda Hosea is solidly in the second category.

For example, she was once assigned to service on a tugboat. It was 1976 and for the first time the Navy was actively putting women in service positions on ships. Wanda quickly learned swabbing the deck was not her long-term life goal.

“That convinced me I wanted to go back to school,” she remembers.

Getting more education set her up to experience another area of opportunity.

“There are lots of men in the engineering field,” she says. “Being a women of color in a male-dominated world showed me the need to be able to navigate well in order to advance. Now I understand that was just one way the Lord was preparing me.”

As it turns out, navigating obstacles is a life theme for Wanda — personally, professionally and geographically. After her naval service was complete, government work brought her to Bloomington and the Naval Sea Systems Command, Crane Division.

Photos by Jeremy Hogan.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 41

42 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Crane connections eventually helped her travel east to the Washington Navy Yard in 2000, where she sailed headlong into a career Marine on a housing mission.

Growing up in Gary, William Hosea had been to Beaufort, South Carolina and Kanoehe Bay, Hawaii, but says he had never set foot in Bloomington, Indiana. He likes to think Wanda’s original one-year assignment on the East Coast was purely for his benefit.

“She moved to Virginia to meet me,” he says with an expression so sincere it takes just a moment to catch the humor underneath.

Their chance meeting in an apartment leasing office was 16 years ago. Since then Wanda and William have married and built three houses together in two different states. Their most recent project is just one year old, and located in a Bloomington neighborhood they have called home for almost a decade.

Moving to Monroe County was an easy choice when retirement beckoned.

“I wanted to be close to my grandchildren. They were growing up too fast,” says Wanda, who raised her family in the area during her years at Crane. With Indiana roots, William had family nearby as well — not that he needed convincing to move.

“It has always been exciting for me to go to a new place. Every two or three years I was moving and I loved every minute of it,” he says, referring to years of traveling the world as a Marine tactical air controller.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 43

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44 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

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The Midwest may not offer the same level of excitement as the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier duty assignment William fondly recalls was, “the most fun I had in out of 30 years of service,” but building new homes does offer its own challenges.

Take the unique eyebrow arch on their welcoming front porch, topped with a triplepaned shed dormer. Inspired by a home show model, Wanda’s vision for the exterior had no connection to her preferred interior layouts — but that didn’t deter her, or her builder.

Working from Wanda’s “dream book,” the Hosea’s 4,400-square-foot floor plan evolved as a comfortable and elegant downsizing solution to their former six-bedroom family home.

Although more than ready to have less square footage to care for, William and Wanda agreed that space for family was not something they could compromise.

“We always want to make sure family have a place to come,” Wanda says when explaining her need for at least two guest bedrooms.

When family — seven children and 10 grandchildren — descends, the central, twosided fireplace is a hub for activity.

“When the grandkids come in, they run around the beams,” says Wanda. “They see that open space and they just run.”

Topping the open space are unique glass transoms — another obstacle turned into opportunity. Wanda wanted French doors, but it was not practical to achieve, so instead pillars and transoms visually separate the spaces while still allowing traffic flow.

Just off this area is a front-facing office for William. He uses the space to plan for his favorite retirement activity: weekly hosting responsibilities for the WFHB radio show, “Bring it On.” Addressing issues of interest to the African-American community, it is just one way William is an active advocate. Another is his role with the Montford Point Marine Association, a group that works to preserve the legacy of the first African-Americans to serve in the Marine Corps.

Inspiring his work in this room is memorabilia from his time in service, presented to him by Wanda upon his retirement as Master Gunnery Sergeant.

Arranged for display in a custom case are awards, medals and photos that tell the story of his military career.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 45

46 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

HOO HOO

Wanda’s Sacred Space

Wanda’s space has a different tale to tell, but one with a history as well. She shares that, “in every house we have built, I have had a separate place where God and I would meet.”

On Brigadier Boulevard, that space is a finished room over her garage.

“This is my sanctuary. We call this my secret place,” she says when climbing up its back stairway.

Wanda divided the area into three intentional activity zones — mind, body and spirit. With an attached bathroom, workstation, library, exercise equipment and prayer nook, it is easy to see why Wanda suggests she might be able to “live up here.”

From her personal upper room, Wanda is able to contemplate not only the opportunities of her past, but her dreams for the future. Her current goal in progress is obtaining a master’s degree in divinity to support her role as elder at Lighthouse Community Church. While officially retired from all things related to the Navy, Wanda is still very much hard at work.

It’s her experience that in both the military and ministry there are some who feel women don’t belong. Now she combines professional and personal strengths to chart a new course.

“It’s a whole new career for me,” she says. “I want to make a way for women in ministry by showing them how to navigate the process.”

As so often in her life, Wanda is looking toward the horizon with excitement for what is next.

“My desire is to help women, through the word of God, transform their lives. I want my house to reflect the name of Hosea, which means ‘salvation.’” she says.

Then Wanda voices her ultimate goal: “I want my house to be a saving station.”

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December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 47

Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part Q&A with local writer Michael Koryta, who is the author of many best-selling books.

Photo by Jonathan Mehring.

48 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Fiction Fits Hoosier author Michael Koryta finds fun in the unexpected

By Pete DiPrimio

T

he line snakes deep into Barnes & Noble. For best-selling author Michael Koryta, this is a very good thing.

Fans brace for this book-signing opportunity. Some, such as a former English teacher and a neighbor who is also a member of the Indiana University basketball staff — director of basketball administration Jayd Grossman — Michael knows. Some he doesn’t.

All are welcome.

“Great to see you,” he says to a woman, with a smile. He remains, amid New York Times acclaim, a Bloomington guy at heart … and in home.

“There’s no reason that I have to live here,” he adds, “but I really like the town, the cost of living and the equality of living. It’s a perfect fit.”

That fit finds Michael seated at a table surrounded by stacks of his new book, “Rise the Dark.” A man approaches with a copy.

“I’m excited to read this,” the man says. “I read the last one.”

That would be “Last Words,” the first in Michael’s Markus Novak private investigator series.

This event opens a five-day book-signing blitz that follows with stops in Carmel, Phoenix, Houston and Tampa. It’s designed to maximize sales, visibility and fan interaction.

All of that matters. Even in this brand-yourself era, when Twitter and Facebook are often the tools of choice, Michael prefers a more personal touch. Book signings are a perfect opportunity.

“I appreciate you taking the time,” Michael says to the man. “I know you have other things to do.”

The 33-year-old Michael draws fans with a knack for character-driven thrillers that span crime mystery to supernatural creepy.

Honors include the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for his novel, “Envy the Night,” as well as the Great Lakes Book Award and nominations for Quill, Edgar and Shamus awards for mystery fiction.

One book, “The Prophet,” made the New York Times best-seller list, and is optioned as a movie.

Michael writes without outlines, which means he doesn’t always know how a book will end or how it will get to the end. This allows for maximum creativity and, sometimes, maximum rewrite. He delves deeply into book research, reflecting a background that includes being a Herald-Times reporter and a private detective.

He spent the summer of 2016 in Maine researching his next book, which will be his 13th published novel and his third in the Markus Novak series. He’d rather experience a place than Google-search it. If that means taking survival training in Virginia wilderness or participating in big-cat rescues or exploring caves, he’s all for it.

Q: What is it about fiction writing that drives you?

A: From a work perspective, I don’t think it can be beat. I’m getting paid to make things up. If you want to do that, it’s either fiction or politics. I chose fiction.

Q: Do you have an ultimate book you’d like to write?

A: I’ve never been asked that question before. The answer is yes, absolutely. There is a story that I have been thinking about writing, but I’ve been holding off since before my fifth book was published. I think I will get to it pretty soon — maybe once the next book is done. Of course, I’ve said that a few other times.

Q: What kind of book will it be?

A: It would be more of a true story than anything else I’ve written before. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve held off on it. I’m trying to figure out how to handle that in fiction terms or shift into journalist mode and write it as non-fiction. It would be based on a true crime story. At this point I’m pretty committed to it being strictly fictional, but never trust me when I say that.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 49

Book jacket photos courtesy Michael Koryta.

Q: How would you write it as fiction?

A: It would be taking elements of the true story and creating a new world and characters around them. There has always been that temptation to write a non-fiction true-crime book, because I liked being a reporter, and the idea of doing a book-length piece of journalism appeals to me. I might still do that, but it won’t be that story.

Q: You have sometimes killed off main characters.

What is that like?

A: You don’t do it lightly. If you do it right, then it should hurt. You want to be in a place where you have connected emotionally with those characters. If the writer is not emotionally connected, then the audience won’t be. With the major characters I’ve killed off, I could tell you things about the day and the moment when I wrote those scenes.

I couldn’t come close to replicating that with the start of writing a book.

The days when I’ve written the death scenes of major characters stand out to me. I can actually remember the details of the writing, the time of day, the weather, all of that. It sounds funny, but it’s really an emotional thing to part ways with a character with whom you’ve spent so much time, particularly someone who has fought hard and made difficult decisions.

Killing off a character in “The Prophet” probably left the most readers upset. For me, that’s probably my most vivid experience as a writer — killing off a character that I really wanted to live. I understand that it sounds strange to hear that. A lot of readers might think you have this total control and that you can’t be surprised and hurt by killing off your own character, but in my experience, you are very engaged.

Q: Does not having an outline make the act of killing off a character more painful and surprising?

A: That’s a great point. If I knew where I was going with it, then I would spend six to seven months building toward one of those events. Instead, it can sneak up on me. I can go into a week, sit down and expect the book will look a certain way by Sunday, and then on Saturday I see it’s taken a hard left or right turn from what I expected.

That makes the whole process a lot more fun. That’s where I find the real joy in writing.

Photos by Jeremy Hogan.

50 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

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52 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Built for Construction Wininger family helped build Bloomington

By Alexandra M. Lynch

T

he name Wininger has been associated with the Bloomington construction business for nearly a century.

Founded in the 1920s by Henry Wininger, a master carpenter, the company had early success. In the 1950s, Henry was joined by his son, Tim Wininger Sr. In the late 1970s, Tim joined forces with developer Eric Stolberg to form Wininger/Stolberg Group, known for developing the Renwick neighborhood and many other properties in Bloomington.

During the 1980s, Tim’s son, Tom, joined the Wininger legacy of building, then in 1994 began one of his own businesses, Wininger Construction, Inc. In 2005, WS Homes was created, managed by Eric’s son, Aaron, and Tim’s son, Tom. The duo built many homes in Renwick and other communities in the Bloomington area. Tom is now focused on Wininger Construction, Inc. and continuing to build value in residential and commercial properties of Monroe and surrounding counties.

This family was built for construction.

“I never considered doing anything other than construction,” Tom says. “I enjoy what I do. I am blessed to have an occupation that I love, and I look forward to continuing work with my great team as we move into future projects.”

The Wininger Construction offices are located at 1605 South Walnut St. in Bloomington in a bungalow the company renovated. Renovations and remodels are a significant part of Wininger Construction’s business.

Their expertise goes far beyond basic construction and includes planning for structural components, drywall installation, HVAC, plumbing, flooring, cabinets and even finishing touches like granite countertops. Although they are often associated with Bloomington, they tackle jobs in Brown, Lawrence, Monroe and Bartholomew Counties.

Photos by David Snodgress.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 53

54 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Part of the Family

Karin Kiefer is the company’s operations manager and has been with the Wininger businesses since 2001.

“The company has been through a lot of changes. Tom Wininger and his team at Wininger Construction are doing well.

They’ve built numerous houses, some in the Renwick neighborhood, and completed many remodels, mostly kitchens and bathrooms.”

The company has three employees and a large group of subcontractors.

“We have good subcontractors and vendors. Several have worked with the Wininger family’s companies for many years.”

Karin notes.

In addition to Tom and Karin on staff is Jim Miller, production assistant, who has handled the coordination of suppliers and subcontractors since 2007. Jim works with a list of familiar names for anyone who lives in the Bloomington area — businesses like Bounds and McPike, All Seasons HVAC, Stewart Electrical and Black Lumber, just to name a few.

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Karin admires her boss, Tom Wininger.

“He’s a hard worker — a good, honest guy. He’s laid back, so he doesn’t get frazzled easily. He does a good job. He’s very busy and doesn’t take much time off.”

The business tackles a variety of projects around the area, some that come from homeowners who want custom living solutions, and some that arise from community need or even tragic circumstances. The company recently rebuilt burned-out apartments on South Rogers Street in Bloomington.

No matter the job, Wininger brings its decades of experience to each project. The company’s goal, which its family of employees keeps in mind at all times, is spelled out on the Wininger Construction website: to maintain the core principles of honesty, hard work and attention to detail — and to deliver total peace of mind.

Karin thinks back on the hundreds of home projects she has seen develop over the years.

“The most popular remodels are kitchens, then bathrooms and living areas,” she says.

“The challenge is that everyone sees HGTV, so we find people have lots of ideas about their project. Sometimes their budgets don’t match their ideas. Our job is to find a solution they will be happy with.”

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56 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Lakeside Serenity

Beautiful country estate seeks special owners

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

W

hen Carl and Marcy Cook were newlyweds, they would drive past a beautiful country estate on their way home from Tulip Road Church in Bloomfield.

Barely visible from the road, the remarkable French Country-style brick home had an expansive front lawn, a lake and a long private driveway.

What a wonderful weekend getaway this would be, the Bloomington couple daydreamed. Even though they hadn’t set foot inside, the Cooks knew the vistas must be spectacular, the home must be spacious and the place must be peaceful and serene.

Ah, what a special sanctuary it would be, the couple mused. But someone already lived there and no “for sale” sign was out front. So the Cooks continued driving and dreaming.

“Then we heard a rumor that it might be for sale,” Carl says. “I said, ‘Let’s find out.’ So we did and, about a year later, we bought it.”

Located three miles north of Bloomfield, the Greene County home was built around 1992 and had belonged only to the original owners.

“It was their dream home,” Carl says. “It seems to have everything you would want. No other house we have seen is as pretty as that one.”

However, since purchasing the Lake House retreat in 2009, the Cook family has grown and family life has become quite busy.

“We have only been out here four times this year,” Marcy says, showing a visitor around the magnificent home. “We used to come out here on weekends but now our daughters have so many activities going on that we spend our weekends doing those things.”

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 57

58 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Carl and Marcy know that a house needs to have someone living in it to make it a home, so they are considering selling the Lake House to someone who will love it as much as they do.

“I must say selling it is not something we need to do or we have to do. But if you are not using something, you really don’t need to keep it,” Carl says. “We are thinking about selling it because someone should live in the house and we don’t anymore.”

Spectacular Setting

Approaching the residence on a .37-mile paved driveway, it is obvious this is a special place. A large American flag flutters in the breeze in the circular turnaround. Two lovely leaded glass front doors open to reveal a striking three-story winding staircase with a huge glittering crystal chandelier in the entryway.

The Cooks added new crystal light fixtures throughout the home, as well as hardwood floors and carpet, plus major bathroom renovations. The four-level home has a basement, main level and upstairs, as well as a finished attic and storage galore on every level. In the basement is the mechanical room, oversized den with pool table, kitchenette, gas fireplace and full-size bathroom.

“The pool table and custom couch will probably stay. A lot of the furniture probably will,” Carl says. “That couch is absolutely perfect.”

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 59

The main level of the house has an open two-story family room with fireplace, kitchen and master bedroom with fireplace and huge windows that look out on the wooded estate.

“We don’t have curtains at any of the windows because the views are so wonderful,” Marcy says. “We didn’t want to cover them up.”

The master bath has a claw foot tub, walk-in shower with decorative glass surround and his-and-hers walk-in closets on each side.

“Each bedroom in the house has its own private bath,” Carl says.

The second floor has the girl’s bedrooms with private baths, plus a guest bedroom. The finished attic was a surprise gift from Marcy to Carl their second year in the house.

“He said it would be nice to finish the attic and have a work room up here where he could work and look out the window,” Marcy says, standing by the engineer’s desk with its spectacular view of the landscape. “But he has been so busy that he hasn’t been able to use it.”

A delightful “movie cave” below the attic was where Carl would sit in his big recliner and his youngest daughter would lounge in her tiny recliner to watch cartoons.

Quiet Comfort

As an engineer, Carl points out the highly efficient and whisper-quiet geothermal heating and cooling system.

“The furnace and air conditioner don’t make any noise at all when they kick on,” he says. “We completely redid it and it is a

60 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

great feature. The loops go under the lawn and out to the lake and it has tremendous geothermal capacity. You set it at one temperature and leave it there and that is the temperature the house stays all year round. It is magic.”

An attached three-car garage has a shop area on one side. A detached three-car garage has an overhead apartment which is currently rented. A surfaced tennis court, screened-in gazebo and big swimming pool are out back.

“I love the pool. You can’t match that setting for a pool,” Carl says.

“As we speak, we are building a pool that is virtually identical at at our Bloomington home.”

A sparkling clear 3.5-acre lake has a pier and small beach and is home to catfish, smallmouth bass and bluegill.

“The lake is 18 to 20 feet deep so it doesn’t get much algae and it stays clean,” Carl says. “It has some giant catfish in it.”

Walking out to the lake, Marcy carries a cup of fish food and hands one to a visitor. When she starts sprinkling fish food on the water, huge catfish begin appearing, their open mouths quickly gobbling up the food.

“We have a grey eckert and a bald eagle,” she says. “Canadian geese will stop by.”

Memories. Memories.

“It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you are the only people in the world,” says Carl.

Adds Marcy, “We will never find another place like this. We have had so much freedom out here. It is a very special place.”

Interested in owning this special home? Contact Tod Wesemann at 812-322-3926.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 61

Homes & Lifestyles

Take a Trip

Treehouse in Jamaica A winter getaway in the natural beauty of Negril

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

62 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

W

eather was yucky at my Hoosier home.

Cold rain, dreary, no sunshine for days.

But, oh, what a difference a five-hour flight made.

Landing in Montego Bay, I was welcomed by a greeter who whisked me through long security lines, led me to a comfortable private lounge where a cold Red Stripe beer waited, then escorted me to my shuttle ride to Sunset at the Palms.

Now, that is the way to start a trip.

I’ve been to Jamaica quite a few times but never enjoyed the hassle-free Club Mobay expedited service at the airport. I would have been stuck in long lines but my Club Mobay guide, Tajay, took a shortcut through immigration, customs and security.

That is what Club Mobay in Montego Bay is all about — making a Sunset at the Palms Resort guest feel like a VIP. And it was just a hint of what lie ahead at the end of my 90-minute ride to the all-inclusive, adults-only resort.

The ride itself was enjoyable. I was the only passenger in the big comfortable car and driver Wayne talked just enough, pointing out landmarks as he drove. Once we got out of Montego Bay and the roadside gauntlet of souvenir sellers — everything from hats to drinks to sugarcane sticks and boiled shrimp — the countryside was beautiful. The farther we got from the big city, the more rural and lovely the scenes outside my window became.

Then we arrived at Sunset at the Palms. My, how guests are pampered. A waiter handed me an icy tropical rum drink as I quickly checked in and was led to my home-away-from-home — a treehouse.

Sleeping in the Trees

Now, I’ve stayed in some glorious and unusual places but this was my first time to sleep in a treehouse. Since it was still early afternoon and I don’t eat airport food, I walked across to Sunset at the Palms’ private beach, where they were grilling jerk chicken. Very tasty.

I like that the beach is across the street from the rest of the resort. It made my treehouse room seem even more secluded. A guard is always there to stop traffic and escort Sunset at the Palms guests to the beach. The two-mile-long, crescent-shaped beach has an array of nonmotorized water sports for use. The private beach is very clean and uncrowded, with servers making the rounds to see if drinks or snacks are needed.

Photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 63

For basic info, Sunset at the Palms offers 85 treehouse-style guestrooms and suites on 10 acres of lush landscaping. My room had a big bathroom, large bedroom and wonderful balcony with a daybed. Plantation shutters on the windows and white drapes fluttering over the French doors to the balcony created an exotic feel.

My room also had air conditioning — which I never used because the island breeze from the large screened windows was delightful — plus satellite TV, ceiling fan, safe, hair dryer, phone and complimentary WiFi. A small fridge was kept stocked with complimentary beer, soft drinks, water and juice.

For folks who want more room, the resort also has split-level suites where you descend from a master bedroom to a sunken salon with sofa bed. Each suite boasts two full bathrooms and two private verandas.

For dining, Sunset at the Palms has three restaurants, plus the beach bar and grill. It also has a swim-up bar in the outdoor swimming pool and a martini bar where Kirk the bartender will concoct a special Bob Marley cocktail and share the recipe if you want to make one at home. The Blue Coffee Bar specializes in Jamaica’s renowned Blue Mountain Coffee, noted for being one of the best in the world.

A tennis court, exercise facility and spa also are available at the resort. I had a massage at the spa and it was top-notch, with birdsongs and a gentle rain that started and stopped almost as if on cue during my massage.

Peaceful Getaway

Guests seem to be a wide variety of ages and nationalities.

Several were honeymooners. One older couple stays at least once every year.

“Many of our guests are repeat guests and that is a great honor for us,” says Carol Slee, senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Some guests would take tours around Jamaica each day, returning in time for dinner and evening entertainment. I left the resort only once, taking a shuttle one evening to Rick’s Café to watch the sun go down and to marvel at those legendary cliff jumpers. The sunset was sensational. The 35-foot cliff jumpers — including the professional ones who do it from a higher 80-foot platform for $20 — were crazy.

What I remember most from my heavenly stay at Sunset at the Palms was the serenity. I’ve stayed at other all-inclusive Jamaican resorts and they are what they are — loud, party-filled, drink-soaked and sleep-deprived. I enjoyed them as well. Those resorts definitely serve a purpose and have happy guests.

But Sunset at the Palms was a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. To see the natural beauty of Jamaica, to stroll along the resort’s pristine beach and pathways lined with plants and flowers and bird feeders — the resort has been honored for its environmental protection. To sit on my private porch and hear the birds and frogs serenade. To savor fresh local cuisine served by friendly, hospitable staff. And, most of all, to sleep in treehouse luxury. I certainly hope to be one of those repeat guests.

Learn more about a vacation at Sunset at the Palms by visiting thepalmsjamaica.com.

64 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

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Homes & Lifestyles

Color Corner

Shadow Benjamin Moore’s 2017 Color of the Year

By Laura Brzegowy, Bloomington Paint & Wallpaper

S

exy, regal and a little bit rock and roll were the first words that came to mind when I learned of Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2017. Not only is it a huge departure from last year’s creamy white, it marks the beginning of a departure away from the gray trend that North America has so fervently held on to for the last six years. Whether you choose to accent, blanket an entire room, or paint a piece of furniture with it, Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year, Shadow, is a winner.

In general, purples enjoy universal appeal, which ensures Shadow will be a big hit. Not only is it deep and bold enough to carry a masculine room, it’s mysterious and sexy enough to accent a feminine décor as well.

Ellen O’Neill, creative director at Benjamin Moore says, “Shadow is a master of ambiance. It ebbs and flows with its surroundings, and light brings it to life. Rich, royal amethyst can fade into the soft lilac-gray of distant mountains or morph into lustrous coal. Indulge in your mysterious side. Let Shadow set the mood.”

What may not be readily apparent upon first inspection is how versatile this color truly is. In fact, there’s little it can’t be successfully combined with. To please true aficionados, Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year is always accompanied by an entire collection of on-trend colors. This curated list of 22 mixand-match shades can be used to create any number of unique looks. For this reason, Shadow will turn heads for many years to come.

For those not quite sure that Shadow truly is a malleable color, I’ve studied the entire trend collection extensively. Not only does Shadow find a perfect fit with cool colors, other purples, pastels, deep shades, and jewel tones, it’s equally gorgeous with warm and earth tones. How many other colors can you think of that enjoy that kind of versatility?

If your home is filled with creams, camels, tans, and browns, consider utilizing Shadow as an accent to your current palette.

Pastel lovers could welcome Shadow in with textiles to add both color and texture. If jewel tones are your favorites, this year’s hue will be a natural addition to your décor. What if purple is your favorite color and it’s already reflected in your home? Reflect upon layering various depths and qualities of purple throughout your space, and then add a bit of Shadow.

There’s no denying that Benjamin Moore’s color professionals hit this year’s entire color collection out of the park. Be on the lookout for furnishings and accessories in these gorgeous colors, and enjoy that we’ve finally turned the tide back to color.

It’s pretty exciting that a hue that can be used in so many beautiful ways has made its way to the forefront of interior design. Viva la Shadow!

66 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • December 2016

Homes & Lifestyles

Recipe

Not-So-Humble Pie

This orange-bourbon walnut pie with black pepper crust and tart cherry topping turns the traditional pecan pie on its head.

Recipe and photo by Shaylan Owen

Ingredients: Spiced walnuts: 1 pound walnut halves and pieces 1/4 cup brown sugar 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons orange juice 3/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom Crust: 1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed and cold 1/2 cup spiced walnuts, chopped 2 tablespoons bourbon 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon orange juice 3/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt Filling: Remaining spiced walnuts, coarsely chopped 4 large eggs 1/2 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup light corn syrup 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 1/2 tablespoons bourbon 1 tablespoon orange juice Zest of two oranges

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon Tart cherries (optional): 1 cup tart cherries, pitted 2 tablespoons red wine 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 tablespoon orange juice 1 tablespoon water 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger Pinch salt

Instructions: Begin by making the spiced walnuts. In a large skillet over medium heat, toast walnuts, tossing frequently, until they begin to brown lightly and smell fragrant.

Remove nuts and add butter. Melt and continue to heat until solids turn golden brown and smell nutty.

Return walnuts to skillet and toss to coat in butter, then add spices and sugar and toss again. Add orange juice and stir until the resulting syrup coats walnuts.

Spread walnuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow to cool.

Prepare crust by combining bourbon and orange juice and chilling. Process spiced walnuts in a food processor until finely ground, then add flour, brown sugar, salt, and pepper and pulse to combine. Add cubed butter and pulse several times, until the butter is evenly distributed. Add cold bourbon and orange juice and pulse just until the dough comes together,

then remove plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

On a well-floured surface, roll chilled dough into a circle about 3 inches larger than a deep pie dish, then transfer to the pan. Trim pie crust to about 1 inch longer than sides of pan, then lift edge, fold outward, and tuck excess inside side of pie dish, leaving an even double-thick crust at the top. Crimp crust as desired, dock bottom of pie crust evenly with a fork, then return pie dish to refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make filling by whisking together all ingredients — except walnuts — until evenly combined. Spread chopped walnuts in bottom of chilled pie crust, then pour filling mixture over top.

Filling should rise to just below crimped edge — if using a shallow pie pan, reduce amount of walnuts slightly and discard any remaining pie filling. Do not overfill the pie crust.

Bake pie for 30 to 40 minutes, rotating pan halfway through, until filling has mostly firmed up. The pie’s center should have an internal temperature of 200 degrees when done. If crust begins to brown too much before filling has set, cover pie loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking. Allow pie to cool completely before serving.

Also before serving, prepare tart cherry topping.

Stir cornstarch and water together in a small bowl and set aside. Heat remaining ingredients together in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Simmer cherry mixture until liquid reduces by about one third, about 10 minutes. Add cornstarch mixture and stir to combine. Continue cooking cherries until liquid becomes thicker, then set aside to cool. Serve cherries over each slice of pie. Tip: For a Hoosier flavor profile, replace about one quarter of the walnuts with Indiana black walnuts.

December 2016 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 67

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