Homes & Lifestyles February 2018

$2.95 • Februar y 2018 • Volume 14, No. 3

Griffin Realty featured home page 60

of South-Central Indiana

homesandlifestylesmagazine.com

Everyday Life New Monroe County history book celebrates bicentennial with photos of ordinary people

Sharing History

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2 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

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7 Cord Cutting 9 Friendly Design 15 Off the Beaten Path STORY: 21 COVER Everyday Life

9

29 Bronze Age 34 Oh, Fudge 40 Ocean Air 45 In the Quilt Room 50 Artist Gallery

34

55 Sharing History 60

Featured Home from Griffin Realty

62 Travel: Mardi Dog 66 Recipe: Lover's Brunch

55

ON OUR COVER: The mail must get through!

This photo is from a new book celebrating the bicentennial of Monroe County. See more great photos from the book on page 21. Photo courtesy Indiana University Press.

© 2018 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

Don’t miss an issue of Homes & Lifestyles! $15 (plus (annual subscription) tax) 6 Issues visit us online at homesandlifestylesmagazine.com or mail subscription to: SUBSCRIPTIONS, Homes & Lifestyles 1900 South Walnut Street, P.O. Box 909 Bloomington, IN 47402

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Laurie Ragle MARKETING DIRECTOR Shaylan Owen CONTENT/LAYOUT COORDINATOR Andrew Lehman, Clearbrook Creative EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Jackie Sheckler Finch WRITERS Jackie Sheckler Finch, Pete DiPrimio, Alexandra M. Lynch, Brooke McCluskey, Kathy Jonas, Joel Pierson, Michelle Crowe

ADVERTISING SALES:

PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Howell, David Snodgress, Jeremy Hogan, Rich Janzaruk

Contact Jackie Sheckler Finch at JackieSFinch@gmail.com or Andrew Lehman at (812) 331-4276

ART & DESIGN DIRECTOR Marie Canning, Clearbrook Creative

Contact Laurie Ragle at (812) 331-4291 EDITORIAL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:

February 2018 • 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.

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 a 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 HeraldTimes and produces his own documentary films.

4 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

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.

After moving to Bloomington from southern California several years ago, Marie Canning has finally come to call Bloomington home. She designs the pages of Homes & Lifestyles among other projects at the Herald-Times and Clearbrook Creative. When not in work mode, Marie relishes the times she spends with her four children and enjoys quiet times with PJ, her significant other.

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

He has a background in graphic design, but enjoys painting in his free time at his Bloomington home. Free time is at a premium though, as he and his wife are proud parents of two young children.

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.

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.

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.

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 recently retired from working as the photography manager at The HeraldTimes. He shares a log home with his wife and three children and can often be found camping and canoeing.

Brooke McCluskey is a freelance writer for H&L Magazine. In her free time, she is renovating a fixer-upper home in rural Bloomington with her husband. They have two children, a dog, a cat, a snake and many woodland friends.

Kathy Jonas contributed the story on page 29.

Jane Daniels of Jane Daniels Photography contributed photos of the featured home on page 60.

Homes & Lifestyles

From the Editor Comments Lyle and I are so thrilled with your article!!! Thank you so much. It was a pleasure working with you as always.

-Kerry & Lyle Feigenbaum

As an avid golfer, I was quite pleased to read Pete DiPrimo's article about the renovation of the IU golf course. A fair treatment of a long overdue situation. Thank you. I hadn't seen your magazine before and I was enthused.

-Mark Taubensee Tall Trek

Bloomington doctor has top-of-the-world adventure

By Pete DiPrimio

Photos courtesy Rick Weidenbener

C

limbing Mount Everest wasn’t happening.

Let’s get that straight. Bloomington doctor Rick Weidenbener wasn’t about to push that top-of-the-world envelope.

But a trip to Nepal?

Check.

A nine-day hike to Everest’s base camp, which has an elevation of 17,600 feet smack in the middle of the mighty Himalaya Mountains?

Darn straight.

Along the way, Rick and the members of his hiking group experienced the world’s most dangerous airport, spectacular scenery, lots of cows (Nepal is primarily a Hindu nation and cows are considered sacred), 19 hours of flying, lack of sleep, Kathmandu power lanes so tangled they resembled a “rat’s nest,” snow, ice, giant boulders and enough adventure to last a lifetime.

Or, at least, until the next idea gone wild emerges.

“I didn’t have a ‘Bucket List,’” insists Rick, an orthopedic surgeon, “or if I did, it only was one deep.

“This was it.”

Rick and Mitch, a friend from medical school, had considered a trip to the upper reaches of planet Earth for three years. They’d done a lot of camping and hiking out west over the years, and were ready for something bigger and bolder—with this stipulation: “We had zero interest in climbing Everest,” Rick says.

In August of 2016, consideration became implementation. They booked the trip as part of a wilderness medical society tour. Last May, it became reality. They completed the hike of a lifetime—and got sports medicine lectures each night as a continuing education bonus.

“It was great for 100 reasons, including the physical part, the big thrill and the cultural part,” Rick says. “You get to be good friends with a number of the people.”

W

hen I edited Brooke McCluskey’s excellent article about Monroe County’s 200 years of history and Monroe County Historical Society’s new book, I was fascinated and wanted to learn more.

Why did people settle here? Why did they stay? What made Monroe County and Bloomington so successful? What sets this area apart even today on its 200th birthday?

One quote in particular that Brooke included in her article keeps running through my mind: “The bicentennial is not just one topic,” says Susan Dyar, Monroe County History Center executive director. “It’s many stories. It’s your story. It’s my story. It’s a personal journey for everyone.“ I came here from Massachusetts almost 25 years ago for a newspaper job and expected to stay a couple of years. I knew why I came and why I remained. But was that the same for other people? Surely other people must have other stories. And what has made Monroe County so attractive that people choose to live here?

Rick with tip of Mt. Everest over his right shoulder.

46 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • October 2017

In honor of the two-century celebration, we plan to run a story about Bloomington and Monroe County history in each Homes & Lifestyle issue this year. We hope to delve into some of the research about the people, places and things that have left an Look for this icon on stories about Monroe County's 200 year history. indelible mark on our hometown.

October 2017 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 47

The photographs for the story about mountain climbing by Rick Weidenbener were great. It is not something I think I will ever be able to do but I certainly enjoyed reading about it and seeing those beautiful photographs. Thanks for sharing it.

-Martin Cooper

I still can’t make up my mind about UFOs but I do want to visit Roswell sometime and learn more. My Dad used to quote Shakespeare when we talked about unlikely happenings: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

Hope you will find our stories interesting. When I was telling my grade school grandchildren Trey and Arianna that this is a special year for the place where we live, they were more interested in the present than in the past.

If it’s a birthday, they reasoned, there must be birthday cake and ice cream.

So, we are going to set aside one day for a celebration dinner including, of course, cake and ice cream. I think those long-ago settlers might be pleased.

Happy birthday to us all.

-Larry Hawthorne

What a nice article and wonderful magazine you have! We enjoyed reading it and you wrote the best story about Brian we have seen yet.

-Liz Rubel and Brian Newton

(Broomcorn Johnny)

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

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 5

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6 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

Homes & Lifestyles

Home Wise

Cord Cutting The new reality of TV

M

y, how television has evolved! From the early days where only three major stations were available—and the television day ended at midnight with the playing of the “Star Spangled Banner” as the American flag waved before your TV went to fuzzy-screen mode—to the advent of the remote control, to hundreds of stations to choose from, to the DVR and more. It’s been quite the journey.

The latest episode in the evolution of television is streaming TV. These services provide viewers with options that are less expensive than traditional TV subscription services. Over the years, viewers have come to realize they’re paying a lot of money for a lot of channels— but do they ever watch or even want those channels?

Streaming TV addresses that dilemma by allowing viewers to select services with content that is more appealing to their viewing habits.

Streaming TV is offered through many vendors like Hulu, Netflix, Sling TV, YouTube TV, HBO Go and others. Each of these services is available by subscription, and each offers its own unique packages, including programming developed specifically for that service. As mentioned, depending on the service(s) selected, users can see significant savings over traditional TV subscription service—but it’s not apples and oranges.

1

Network channels? Not so much.

While some of the services offer the major network stations, they don’t all. And some of them only offer one or two. And you may not be able to watch the shows in real time, but can stream them later.

Also, if you don’t live in a major TV market, you’ll need to check to see what’s available in your area.

2

You’ll need some additional equipment.

3

You’ll need some solid internet speeds.

In order to stream TV, you’ll need to purchase devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Google Chrome, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 or other products that support streaming services. If you want to really go all out and impress your friends, purchase an Amazon Alexa or Google Home and order up your TV shows by asking your digital personal assistant to make it so.

Because streaming services come in through the internet, you’ll want to make sure you have the best speeds available. Check with the streaming vendors to see what speeds they recommend—because no one likes spending time watching the little wheel spin while shows buffer.

According to the research firm eMarketer, a total of 22.2 million U.S. adults will have become “cord cutters” by the end of 2017, an increase of 33 percent from 16.7 million in 2016. “Cord cutters” is the term used to define people who have canceled their traditional TV services, or “cut the cord.” By comparison, the “cord nevers”—a younger demographic of TV viewers who have never subscribed to pay TV— rose 5.8 percent in 2017 to 34.4 million.

Before you decide to cut the cord, check out the options, compare costs and see if this could be your new reality TV. Article courtesy of Smithville. Smithville is a locally owned and nationally recognized expert in broadband and home automation. Smithville.com February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 7

8 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

Friendly Design

Making a house into a home with help of co-workers

By Jackie Sheckler Finch Photos by David Snodgress

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 9

L

ooking for a home with more room for their family, Jennifer and Jordan Canada started searching for a house that would fit their list of requirements. They didn’t have to look far.

“The house we decided to buy was owned by dear friends,” Jennifer says. “The price was right. The location just where we wanted. And the home was beautiful. We bought it directly from our friends.”

In August 2015, the Canadas moved into their new home on the west side of Bloomington. The fourbedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom house was built in 2005. It features a living room, dining room, family room, office, kitchen, loft and roomy two-car garage. A woodburning fireplace is a popular gathering spot.

“What my children like best about the house is the space,” Jennifer says, referring to three sons—14-yearold Connor Hickman, 17-year-old Garrett Hickman and 21-year-old Alex Hickman.

“What I like best is the location. It’s close to both our places of employment,” Jordan says, noting that he is a Bloomington firefighter and that Jennifer is manager of obstetrics at Bloomington Hospital.

A Thin Red Line Flag outside their home flies in honor of those who serve as firefighters. At its essence, the Thin Red Line is a symbol used by fire departments to show

10 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

respect for firefighters injured and killed in the line of duty.

“Our home is also close to Bloomington High School South where Garrett is a senior and Connor is a freshman,” Jordan says. “It offers easy access to the highway and is less crowded than on the east side where we previously lived.”

What Jennifer likes best is the dining room. “It’s the only ‘girly room’ in a house full of boys,” she says. The centerpiece of the dining room is a crystal chandelier with hundreds of delicate crystals hanging over the table in the center of the room. Long white curtains pooling on the floor at both ends of the windows and silvery candlesticks of different sizes and shapes arranged down the center of the refinished farmhouse table add an elegant, feminine touch.

As with many new homeowners, the Canadas have undertaken several major home renovation projects since buying. To upgrade the flooring, the couple installed new hardwood laminate throughout the downstairs and had new carpet installed upstairs. They also painted the interior and upgraded the kitchen with an electric stove and a stainless platinum double-door refrigerator.

To help with renovations, the Canadas chose Dan Burris to install the flooring and lighting. For painting,

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 11

they picked Charlie Reardon of Reardon Painting. “We still have more to do in the kitchen,” Jennifer says. “That is our next big project after we finish the patio.”

In their privacy-fenced backyard, the Canadas hired Derek Zimmerman from Studio Z Landscape to create a patio with a fire pit and wall for seating. “The landscape is still under construction,” Jennifer says.

Local design touch As for an interior designer, the Canadas again didn’t have to look far to find the perfect choice—Maria Monteilh. “Maria and I work together at the hospital,” Jennifer says.

“When I saw Maria’s home, I asked if she would help us make our new home feel like hers. Maria has a gift. She can reuse and repurpose very well,” Jennifer says. “She knows how to bargain hunt so it isn’t as expensive to have a different look.”

The result in the Canada home is a contemporary décor “with lots of soft

12 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

touches,” Jennifer says. “Maria did all the paint color suggestions and flooring consultation.”

For Maria, it was a labor of love. “It was a pleasure to work with Jenn,” Maria says. “I often post Instagram photos of my decorating at MariasHomeDecor and Jen became interested in the projects I had done and asked if I could help her.”

As a working mother, Maria says she knows the difficulties of finding time to decorate a home. “People nowadays are so busy and/or they know they want to change the look of their homes but they don’t really have the time or really know how to make their vision a reality. I can help with that and it is what I enjoy. What makes me happy is that Jenn and Jordan are thrilled with how everything turned out.”

For the Canada home decorating project, Maria used a combination of new furniture and pieces found elsewhere and refinished.

Plus, she suggested accent pieces to create

specific looks. “The wall décor really did put the finishing touches on the rooms.”

Plus, the décor ideas that Maria used were not ultra-expensive or difficult to find or to comfortably use, the Canadas say.

“Maria has an eye to reuse what I already had with small embellishes,” Jennifer says.

“She used my decorative plates as part of table centerpieces. She used logs of wood she found out in the yard as accents in the basket by the fireplace. Those items didn’t cost anything, they were just creatively used.”

Big changes like window treatments in every room and small touches like candles placed “in just the right place,” helped make a beautiful transformation in their home, Jordon says. “If I had to choose a favorite, it would be the décor in the family room around the fireplace. Maria created a space that is functional and beautiful. We spend all our time there, especially in the winter with the fireplace.”

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February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 13

14 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

Off the Beaten Path Bed and breakfast offer graciousness, escape from busy life

By Alexandra M. Lynch Photos by Annette Dugger

S

eeking a true getaway? Love beautiful old brick houses? Then Guthrie Meadows Bed and Breakfast is made for you.

This stately 1879 Italianate Victorian brick house built by a wealthy banker boasts 12-foot ceilings, period furniture and a pig in the family room. No kidding.

We’ve driven from Bedford to the village of Tunnelton. A helpful sign points to Guthrie Meadows house. As if from another world, the delicate tall brick house appears. We drive up the driveway and are greeted by an eager Border Collie Junie and a Standard Poodle Henry, and Annette Fultz, the hostess. We hardly have time to admire the fountain in the courtyard and the country vista from the house.

Ushered inside, we pause at the door to Annette and Doug’s family room. And there we stop in our tracks. In the family room stands a 100-pound pig. Princess Paxton is very well-mannered and makes gentle huffing snorts in our direction. She’s spotlessly clean and moves with care. Near the fireplace in the family room, she has her own tent for napping.

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 15

“She mostly likes being outside, but comes in to nap and, of course, for supper.

She knows exactly what time supper must be served,” Annette assures us. We note that this might be one of the very few B&Bs with a house pig.

We move through the simple kitchen/ butler’s pantry and into the dining room, an elegant deep red room with antique furniture. Large windows let in light and views.

“My husband Doug and I had a modern house in Bloomington, so in order to furnish this house, I went to a lot of auctions,” Annette explains. One piece, a striking carved wood corner cabinet she picked up at a consignment shop in Bedford for $300.

Throughout the house are examples of Annette’s savvy antique purchases.

A player baby grand piano plays lively tunes from the parlor down the hall. Annette is setting the table for a light lunch of salad and green bean parmesan soup, with crackers and egg salad. We chat as we enjoy

16 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

the lunch. Ice tea is offered, with a proper ice bucket and tongs. So civilized. All is served on ruby red glass lunch ware. Annette says she has collected ruby red since she was a child.

Annette remembers serving the green bean soup at her restaurant Soup’s On in Bloomington. She said the restaurant and a cookbook she wrote were the highlights of her life. Then she and her husband went for a drive in the country and came upon the old Victorian in Tunnelton. It was 2012.

“Our life changed again,” says Annette. “The house was a mess, but I loved it, and Doug loved the 130 acres. We came here with nothing but our jukebox.”

Restoring a treasure

Thanks to Tim Cowden who purchased the brick Victorian in 1990, many of the restorations were already started. He tuckpointed the 12-inch thick brick walls, added four bathrooms, put a slate roof on the house and saved the barn by lifting it up

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 17

18 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

The B&B is booked all the time.

We have had guests from Australia, Denmark, Los Angeles to West Virginia and frequently from Chicago and northern Indiana.

ice v r e S l a erci Comm H

Cooli eating,

ng, and

Plumb

Trusted Since

1946

ing

-Annette Fultz

and replacing the foundation. Doug continued the barn restoration and it is now a wedding barn and event venue.

“We have been holding weddings for two years,” says Annette. “We were thinking of stopping the wedding business for a while. But the last four weddings were beautiful.”

Laughing she says, “I think we have finally figured out how to do the wedding venue—it has been a learning process. The B&B is booked all the time. We have had guests from Australia, Denmark, Los Angeles to West Virginia and frequently from Chicago and northern Indiana.”

In addition to the house and barn, there’s a trail with a creek. Games, rocking chairs and hammocks are available in the barn as well as a telescope for stargazing.

The two rooms available to guests feature stately wood bedroom furniture, mostly antique, large windows and ample bathrooms with elegant fixtures and décor.

The rooms are nicely represented on the lovely Guthrie Meadows B&B website: www.guthriemeadowsbandb.com Annette comments, “Yes, I learned how to design a website.” (Her talents are many.)

In the morning, Doug and Annette prepare “a savory and delicious breakfast to start your day. A sample breakfast menu is fresh fruit, basil and tomato frittata, bacon, sausage and our French toast with blackberry butter. Our own fresh duck eggs are offered when available.”

After breakfast, you might like to go visit the miniature horses and the dwarf goat in the barn. Or you might wish to go for a drive to see the mouth of the long railroad tunnel carved through rock that is the namesake of the town of Tunnelton.

Someone will tell you about the mysterious lantern lights in the tunnel at night, the sign of the ghost of a railroad worker who was decapitated. Yes, Tunnelton is colorful.

Back at the house, time for fond farewells. Annette has been known to win over doubtful guests who couldn’t believe that such graciousness exists so far off the beaten path. The hospitality, good food and relaxed setting made them believers.

Princess Paxton looks forward to seeing you.

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February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 19

20 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

Everyday Life

New Monroe County history book celebrates bicentennial with photos of ordinary people Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles celebrating Monroe County’s bicentennial. Look for more articles delving into the 200 years of Monroe County’s history throughout every 2018 issue of Homes & Lifestyles.

By Brooke McCluskey

Photos courtesy Indiana University Press

Hoagy Carmichael always drew a crowd.

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 21

H

ilary Fleck’s

entertainment, food

favorite

and health.

photo in the

“Everyone has a

book “Monroe County:

childhood,” Hilary

Everyday Life in Indiana”

says. “Everyone

has a hint of humor.

needs to get

In the grainy old shot,

around. These are

an unnamed Monroe

experiences everyone has.”

County man stands in the

The Monroe County History Center’s executive

foreground pretending to prop his arm on a train in the

director, Susan Dyar, sits nearby and nods her head.

background.

“Times change,” Susan says, “but we are all still the

It’s the kind of funny photo you’d easily see on

same. Seeing these photos gives us a grounding in the

Instagram or Facebook nowadays, but it was taken many

world.”

decades ago. And herein lies the simple brilliance of the Monroe County Historical Society’s new book: It’s about

Still life

ordinary folks doing day-to-day things.

Indeed, it’s fascinating to see how much has changed

Everyday choices

over the years, yet how much remains the same. A photo of an Indiana University dorm room from the

Flipping through the book, it’s clear that hundreds

1930s could have been taken yesterday, based on what’s

of photos were gathered to create it. In fact, Hilary, the

in the scene: IU banners, framed photos, a bed, a pair of

Historical Society’s collections manager, started with

friends.

thousands of options.

“The hairstyles may have changed, but I can still

Coworkers and volunteers helped her sort and

relate to these photos,” Hilary muses.

categorize them, editing the collection down to about

Readers will also see Monroe County streets and

600. When she discovered the book would have room

shops that look eerily familiar, with a few distinct

for only about 300 photos, Hilary had to make tough

differences. An exterior shot of the Johnson’s Creamery

decisions about what to include. How did she choose?

building is from the days when it was an actual working

“It was hard,” she acknowledges. “It helped to divide it

creamery, packed with dairy workers. Karst Farm Park

into chapters and organize it by daily life.”

is pictured in 1900, when it was home to the Monroe

The book includes chapters about everyday

County Poor Farm.

experiences like childhood, school, work, transportation,

“I hope people remember these places,” Hilary says.

22 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 23

“Moore’s Pharmacy isn’t here anymore. CVS is the new version.”

Susan agrees. “If it sparks conversations

between generations, that’s a very good thing.”

Many photos are of unknown people at

unknown times, just doing something simple or quirky that sparks curiosity about their lives.

For example, in a full-page photo opposite the Acknowledgments page, a young boy wears a tailored suit with a puffy bow tie. He holds his bicycle in one hand, with his other hand perched jauntily on his hip. Balanced on the bicycle seat is a teddy bear that seems thrilled to be going for a ride.

“Not every photo has a huge amount of information with it,” Hilary says. “An essay book is not what we wanted. We wanted a photo book. We wanted people to be able to flip through this with their families.”

The ‘Big 200’ The publication of the book is part of a county-wide celebration happening in 2018 as Monroe County turns 200 years old. A bicentennial is a big deal, and the Monroe County Historical Society will host a gala, share special collections and honor the county’s rich history.

Still, it would be a mistake to think of the bicentennial—or the book—strictly as a celebration of the past, Susan says. History is a living thing.

“The bicentennial is not just one topic,” Susan says. “It’s many stories. It’s your story. It’s my story. It’s a personal journey for everyone.

Doing this book… It’s not just about repeating the same stories again. It’s about telling new stories of everyday people.”

To purchase the book, visit IUPress.com or stop by the Monroe County History Center at 202 E. 6th Street.

24 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 25

26 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

In honor of the bicentennial, the Monroe County History Center is featuring special collections like: 5 VILLES AND A BURG—Explore the nonBloomington towns of Monroe County: Ellettsville, Stinesville, Unionville, Smithville, Kirksville and Harrodsburg.

BREAKING THE COLOR BARRIER: Bloomington’s Firsts—Celebrate AfricanAmericans in our community through milestones and personal artifacts.

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 27

28 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

Bronze Age

Sculptures of IU basketball legends grace Assembly Hall

By Kathy Jonas

Photos by Jeremy Hogan

S

culptor Brian Hanlon made some anonymous trips to Bloomington after he had been commissioned to sculpt five massive bronze pieces for the south lobby of the renovated Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

“Being there as a tourist is important to me,” says Brian, official sculptor of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. “I went to campus on my own to walk in the historic buildings and get a feel for the basketball tradition.”

Starting his career as a liturgical artist, Brian—from Toms River, New Jersey— understands that basketball is somewhat of a religious experience in Indiana and at Indiana University.

“The reverence in Assembly Hall is like a church.” He says getting the feel anonymously helped him design pieces of art complementing the architecture of the space and celebrating the storied history.

The artwork was funded with a large donation by Juanita and Bill Beach of New Albany, Indiana. The Memories Collection also includes five granite monuments in the Ken Nunn Championship Plaza outside Assembly Hall. Future sculptures are anticipated.

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 29

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While the sculptures honor the university’s the only coach in both the national basketball and collegiate baseball halls of fame. five national championships, they also pay tribute to historical figures Everett Dean, Branch McCracken and Bill Garrett. That was the intention of the university committee McCracken and Garrett are standing next charged with honoring to each other in another the illustrious past of the sculpture, representing the IU basketball program, university’s groundbreaking according to Jeremy Gray, decision to open its Senior Assistant Athletic basketball roster to Garrett, Director. a Shelbyville High School Jeremy said Dean is “Mr. Basketball,” whose considered the “Father of three-year IU career Indiana Basketball.” Before shattered a decadeshis arrival as a freshman long Big Ten and wider from Salem, IU’s basketball “gentlemen’s agreement” record within the Big Ten not to use Africanand even the state was American players. dismal. Dean changed IU President Herman B. that as the school’s first Wells, persuaded by leaders All-American, then, taking The statue of Everett Dean. in the African-American over at age 26 as coach community in Indianapolis of the school’s first Big Ten basketball titlethrough coach McCracken, ignored the winner. And, he did it in baseball, too. He is rule, and Garrett graduated in 1951, an All-

Breaking barriers

Statue of Isaiah Thomas’s layup against North Carolina.

American and IU’s career record holder in both scoring and rebounding.

Bob Hammel, Sports Editor of The HeraldTimes from 1966 to 1996, says despite the decision to integrate basketball at IU, Garrett never played with or against another AfricanAmerican during his entire college career. But Bob also points out the segregation rampant in the Big Ten conference was also widespread in other conferences across the United States.

“Bill Garrett’s 1948 breakthrough was IU, Big Ten and college basketball’s ‘Rosa Parks Moment,’” he says. “It deserves far more historic recognition than it has been given.”

“It is so important to remember those who made a difference outside of athletics,” says Brian, who recently completed a sculpture of Jackie Robinson installed this year at the Rose Bowl, commemorating Robinson’s football career at UCLA—where he won letters in four sports. Robinson, of course, was the first AfricanAmerican player in major league baseball.

Garrett’s family was visibly moved by his likeness when the statues were unveiled in the The statue of Branch McCracken and Bill Garrett.

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 31

Steve Alford and Keith Smart in a piece called “The Shooter and the Shot.”

fall of 2017, according to Jeremy.

“I think they might have been expecting a bust,” he says.

Perfect season Another sculpture at Assembly Hall is called “Celebrating Perfection,” which honors the historic 1975-76 team of Bobby Wilkerson, Kent Benson, Scott May, Quinn Buckner, Jim Crews and Tom Abernethy. To state the obvious, that iconic team ended the season with a perfect record, the last unbeaten national men’s champion. In 2013, a national NCAA poll named it the greatest March Madness team of all time.

Brian says he has a picture in his mind of a piece including Coach Bob Knight, possibly with Knight standing behind the players. “It tears me up that someone who accomplished so much is holding on to such angst,” he adds. “I would have enjoyed having Bob within those figures.”

Knight was contacted about being

32 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

included in the project, but declined, and the university respected his wishes, according to Jeremy. His story is included in the text describing the years he led the basketball program at IU. Another piece, “The Shooter and the Shot,” immortalizes the athletic prowess of Steve Alford and Keith Smart from the 1987 championship season. Alford is depicted taking a jumper and Smart initiating the shot that made history against Syracuse in 1987. Ironically, Brian says he was working in Syracuse at the time he was sculpting Smart.

“When I pulled out the clay figure of Keith Smart I was met with dead silence,” he recalls with a laugh.

One of the most famous photographs in IU history was the model for the fifth sculpture of Isiah Thomas making a layup in Indiana’s victory over North Carolina in the 1981 National Championship.

That Rich Clarkson photo was featured in Sports Illustrated. His IU photos during

that season and others in the Knight years are prominent in Cook Hall, adjacent to Assembly Hall.

Brian, a self-proclaimed sports enthusiast who ran cross country in college at Monmouth University, is adept at not only realistic depictions of human anatomy and movement, but capturing minute facial expressions and clothing details such as the knee pads worn by Dean. Keep in mind that each player and coach featured weighs about 1,200 pounds and is about nine feet tall.

The fact that sculpture has the capability of erasing differences between people also inspires Brian, who would rather move people than divide them. He’s happy to learn that IU fans are taking lots of photos with the statues and interacting with them as they were intended.

“There are no velvet ropes,” adds Jeremy.

“We want them to be touched and the subject of photos as fans visit Assembly Hall.”

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February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 33

Oh, Fudge Nate’s Candy Jar a sweet family business

By Jackie Sheckler Finch Photos by Jeremy Hogan

T

he sweets at Nate’s Candy Jar are heavenly delicious.

In fact, the family business may have been touched by an angel.

Back in 2000, Alyssa Rice was having a tough time.

Her mother had died unexpectedly of an aneurism. One day, a friend named Nancy Hunt suggested that Alyssa’s two young sons come to her house to help her make homemade caramels.

“They brought some home and I said, ‘These are the most delicious caramels I’ve ever had in my life.’ They really were,” Alyssa says.

Not long afterwards, oldest son Nathan’s school was having a fundraiser to buy playground equipment during the annual Gosport Lazy Days. “Nathan suggested we make caramels so we did and we raised an unbelievable $3,000,” Alyssa says.

The family also came up with a special name for their candy. At Nathan’s suggestion, the name became a combination of the first initials of their names—N (for Nathan), A (for Alyssa), T (for father, Tom) and E (for youngest son, Evan).

When folks began asking for more of those homemade caramels, a business was born.

Alyssa had worked with her father at Gosport Manufacturing Company before starting a family so she had good business background. She also dreamed of creating a candy store like she had known as a child. The result was Nate’s Candy Jar in downtown Gosport.

Tom Rice makes caramel at Nate's Candy Jar. 34 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 35

36 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

More than caramels

To be successful, however, Nate’s Candy Jar had to sell more than just those famous caramels. “I had to teach myself how to make candy,” Alyssa says. “At one point we were making over 40 types of chocolate.”

Hoping to introduce their candy to a wider market and to help pay for the growing boys’ college education, the family began selling their products at craft fairs and festivals around the state. Then they added larger events like expos and fundraisers for hospitals where a percentage is then given to their volunteer groups.

“We do around 50 shows a year,” Alyssa says.

“We were really busy with that and the store.”

Along the way, Alyssa began noticing how people liked to eat their fudge. “I saw that many people like to eat smaller pieces. Not a big chunk,” she says. “So I decided to put the fudge in cups, smaller amounts, more of a single serving where you could eat it with a spoon sort of like an ice cream cup.”

The fudge cup became a huge success.

“Our business has really taken off.”

Fido’s Fudge

Then came a new product that no one in the family saw coming—Fido’s Fudge. “It was a huge surprise about four years ago,” Alyssa says with a laugh. “We had no idea that was going to happen.”

What happened was that Alyssa had taken some of Nate’s vanilla fudge home for her boys when they had friends staying overnight.

She also bought the family dog, Roxy, some very expensive dog treats.

However, the Golden Doodle dog turned her nose up at her treats. She was more interested in what the boys had. “I thought I’ll put a little of that fudge on her treat. She loved it.”

One taste wouldn’t hurt Roxy but Alyssa wanted to be sure any future samplings would not be harmful to dogs so she started researching fudge and dogs on the Internet and made a few calls to Purdue University who referred her to a state chemist. “I found out that most of the products we are using in our fudge are not toxic to dogs. We had to make sure any traces of chocolate or caffeine were taken out.”

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 37

38 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

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candy seasons of the year—Valentine’s Day. One of the Valentine’s Day favorites is wine-infused fudge. “We have some great local wineries in Southern Indiana and I love to come up with different tastes using wine in our fudge,” Alyssa says. “Dark chocolate raspberry wine fudge is our best seller.”

Although she never planned to be a candy maker when she was a child, Alyssa says that it does seem a loving tribute to her family.

“My great-aunt Virginia lived in Orleans and she always made chocolates for our family gatherings. I loved that candy and asked if she would give me her recipes and she did.”

Alyssa also has used her great-grandmother’s chocolate fudge recipe as well as oldfashioned candy recipes from other ladies of Gosport.

“Memories are important and a lot of people grew up with someone in the family making candy for them,” Alyssa says.

“Something that comes from the heart, something that is made with love is a memory that you don’t forget.”

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In fact, the chemist was so intrigued that he paid a visit to Nate’s Candy Jar to watch the fudge making process. The result?

“He said I have a really great dog treat here. I just changed the fudge to be more dog friendly,” Alyssa says. “Fido’s Fudge is made by dipping our special-made fudge onto a custom-made dog biscuit. We also offer gluten free. Fido’s Fudge comes in peanut butter, bacon, cheese and vanilla.”

Fido’s Fudge has a picture of Roxy on the container. “This is not dog food. It is a treat, a dessert for your dog,” Alyssa says. “It’s a gourmet dog treat and it has taken off like crazy. Roxy won’t eat any other dog treat. She turns up her nose at them.”

A yearly donation from some of the proceeds of Fido’s Fudge is donated to the Owen County Humane Society. “It’s our way to support a local charity doing such good work.”

Today, Nathan is 26 years old and works in the family fudge business. Evan is 24 and a strength and conditioning trainer in Fort Wayne.

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February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 39

Ocean Air

New salt cave offers relaxation, therapeutic benefits

By Jackie Sheckler Finch Photos by Alex McIntyre

40 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

Owners, and husband and wife, Chris Martin and Laura Chaiken in the lobby at the Bloomington Salt Cave.

L

ean back, close your eyes. Breathe the salty air. Hear the whisper of the wind. Imagine the surf rolling in to caress the shore. Seems like a leisurely day on some faraway beach.

But it’s not. It’s in downtown Bloomington.

“It’s maybe the closest you can get to the ocean without actually going there,” says Laura Chaiken.

On this bone-chilling day, Laura and her husband Chris Martin are welcoming visitors to their new business—Bloomington Salt Cave, where folks can schedule time to enjoy the restorative salt air microclimate in the man-made room.

“When people leave here, they seem so happy and relaxed,” says Chris. “It’s like they’ve had a chance to slow down and reboot. They come out smiling.”

So, how did a salt cave end up in Indiana and who discovered the therapeutic benefits of inhaling salt air anyway?

To start with the history first, halotherapy—derived from the Greek word “halos” which means “salt”—is an alternative medicine which makes use of salt.

“Halotherapy has its origins from the salt mines of Europe and Russia,” Chris says.

Although mining jobs were known to be extremely dangerous, salt miners rarely suffered from colds, respiratory ailments or lung diseases. “Researchers began looking into why salt miners had such healthy lungs and they discovered it was because the miners were breathing micro-sized particles of salt while they worked in the mines,” Laura says.

To share the health benefit with others, Dr. Feliks Boczkowski opened the first underground salt health facility at Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland in 1839. People with respiratory problems quickly began heading to salt mines for treatment.

Then, about 25 years ago, Russian medical experts discovered a way to duplicate the dry salt microclimate of a salt mine. The result was indoor reproductions of salt mines. Although halotherapy is relatively new to America, the concept has quickly caught on and that is how Laura and Chris discovered the benefits.

“Our daughter lives near Ashville, North Carolina, where they have a salt cave,” Laura says. “We decided to give it a try to honor my father who had died a year earlier. He was an adventurer, always willing to try something different. He would have loved the idea of a salt cave for natural healing.”

Their salt cave experience was so positive that the Indiana couple decided they wanted to share the benefits of a salt cave with others. “We could breathe better. We slept better. Our spirits were uplifted,” Laura says. “There are now therapeutic salt caves all over the world and we thought Bloomington would be a good place for one.”

Creating the cave

After thorough research, the couple learned how to construct a salt cave and found an ideal location at 115 North Madison Street. Luckily, Chris is a talented artist and carpenter who was able to do most of the construction work on the salt cave himself.

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 41

“We had four tons, 8,500 pounds, of pink Himalayan salt delivered,” Laura says. “The heated floor is covered three inches thick with pink Himalayan salt pebbles. The walls are lined with one-inch-thick tiles of Himalayan salt rock.”

Chris built wooden frames to hold the wall tiles and crystals so that lights can shine through the salt. He also created a rock-style cave ceiling illuminated with 500 delicately twinkling lights. “It makes you feel like you are on a beach looking at a starry night sky,” Laura says.

Guests can sit on yoga blankets on the floor or lean back in zero-gravity chairs. “You tip the chair back so that your feet are the same level as your heart,” Laura says. “It minimizes the strain that gravity takes on your body.”

The chairs are adjustable so that a user can choose the perfect comfort level. Soft music plays in the background when Laura closes the doors to the 225-square-foot pink-hued room. She dims the lights and starts a halogenerator. The machine grinds pharmaceutical grade sodium chloride into a mist and filtrates it through a vent in the room with a pleasant whooshing sound.

After each 45-minute, $25 session is complete, a system filtrates the air out in 10 minutes so every new session has fresh salt air, creating an anti-bacterial microclimate.

The salt cave can accommodate up to six people and can be rented for birthdays, anniversaries, girlfriend getaways, family get-togethers or other gatherings.

Public events planned include yoga sessions, story time and guided meditation. Children are welcome and can play with toys in the salt pebbles while parents relax.

“We have wooden spoons and dinosaurs that children like to play with,” Laura says. “There are no harmful side effects and salt therapy is beneficial to children, too.”

The salt cave entry shop also carries skin care products made with Himalayan salt and essential oils, plus Himalayan salt lamps, massage stones, salt bath soaks and other gift items.

Since opening on Aug. 3, 2017, Bloomington Salt Cave has been given a warm welcome by the community.

“We’ve had people in here from ages 2 to 80,” Chris says. “We’ve had a lot of repeat guests which really makes us happy. They find a session in the salt cave so beneficial that they keep coming back. That’s the best compliment.

42 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

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44 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

In the Quilt Room Dee Morris is cheerfully obsessed with quilting

By Brooke McCluskey Photos by Jeremy Hogan

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 45

I

t’s not hard to guess what’s swirling around in the thoughts of Dee Morris. As she goes about her day— cleaning, doing laundry or driving around town— part of her mind is always on quilts: colors, fabrics, patterns. She moves the pieces around in her head, arranging and rearranging, until she’s ready to piece them together for real.

“I’m addicted to quilting,” she laughs. “I design in my head, all day long.”

And what designs they are. Dee’s quilts aren’t traditional layouts with diamonds or stars. They’re free-flowing masterpieces, reminiscent of watercolor paintings. She’s inspired by abstract art, the environment, even fabric she just happens to see someone wearing.

Dee’s interest in quilting took shape in in the early 90s, at a now-closed shop called the Quilter’s Patch in Unionville.

“They taught us how to make traditional quilts,” she recalls. But traditional wasn’t quite her thing. After a few years, she began to wonder if a different style might suit her better.

“My husband Frank suggested that I make a watercolor quilt. They’re a type based on impressionism and watercolor paintings.” The flowing layout and saturated colors appealed to Dee, and her signature style was born.

By 1996, she had registered her business, DLogical Quilts, with the state of Indiana. She began to do commissioned pieces and sold quilts at Elements, a store in Bloomington, for 16 years until the owners retired.

46 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

Since then, she’s continued to build her business through an active shop on Etsy.com. Some customers purchase quilts made entirely from Dee’s imagination, and others make special requests for certain fabrics or colors.

“A woman from California asked about having a quilt with a custom color border. She wanted teal, which comes in various shades, so I asked her to send a photo.

I took the iPad out shopping and found the right color.

She was very pleased with it. And that’s what I always want—for the person to be pleased.”

The quilting room

Inside Dee’s home sits the magical place where all the pieces come together: her quilt room. It’s a quilter’s paradise, full of color and texture. Everything is right within reach.

“It’s fabulous,” she says. “We used to live in a small apartment when I started quilting, and working on a kitchen table didn’t go so well.”

What makes a perfect quilt room?

“It’s wonderful to have light and space,” says Dee. She enjoys being able to spread out her designs and come back to them day after day. Sometimes, with a fresh eye, she sees pieces she wants to move or colors that don’t seem quite right.

The room has a sewing table and an ironing board that’s always out, ready to press quilting fabrics. Nearby there’s a stack of—believe it or not—pizza boxes.

“I store small pieces of fabric in them,” she says. “I went

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 47

In quilting, you can do whatever you want. I like that freedom to do what I want. And I’m lucky— I make them, and people buy them.

I’m very fortunate.

48 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

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Dreaming of designs

Even as she works on a current project, Dee is always thinking about the next quilt ahead. She feels it’s important to keep an eye out for inspiring things, because you never know when a small scrap of fabric will inspire a big idea.

That happened in 2016, when she traveled to the garment district in New York City. Seeing theatrical fabrics and highend textiles left a lasting impression and contributed to her designs ever since.

“I’m going to make a paper-pieced quilt where I sketch or draw the pattern first,” she

says. “That’s a little different from the usual watercolors I’ve done. Hopefully it will look like an abstract painting.”

YOUnique Studio

Dee is also branching out into making scarves. She had a moment of inspiration one ordinary day, just standing next to the washing machine.

“I kept thinking about what I could do with all the scraps I have. Then suddenly I thought: ladies’ scarves. They’re about 60 inches long and 6 inches wide. The back of each one has black velvet, so when you put it against your skin, it’s soft and warm.”

This kind of flexible thinking is what keeps Dee interested in quilting. She says she’ll never run out of ideas.

“In quilting, you can do whatever you want. I like that freedom to do what I want.

And I’m lucky—I make them, and people

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buy them. I’m very fortunate.”

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around to shops and got clean pizza boxes.”

The boxes allow her to sort and store fabric in an organized way.

The biggest and best part of her quilt room is a homemade drafting table that belonged to her father. It’s the ideal spot for trying out new ideas and designs.

“Everything I need for quilting is all in one place,” she says. “It’s very conducive to work.”

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 49

Homes & Lifestyles

Artist Gallery Marilyn Greenwood Rose cut Ruby, Watermelon Tourmaline and faceted Ruby Pendant in sterling silver with gold accent beads.

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

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Cheryl Gregg Duckworth Martina Celerin "Guacamole" Martina Celerin creates wall sculptures that fuse weaving and felting techniques using reclaimed and recycled materials to tell the story of her life.

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50 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

'Vera' Acrylic 25”X36” Original paintings in oil, acrylic and watercolor. Many of Cheryl’s paintings are of her own pets from her small farm, such as this cat portrait. Other paintings of sunsets, flowers and birds can be seen at Hoosier Artist gallery in Nashville, Indiana.

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Dawn Adams "Light Calligraphy" 48" x 48" x 1.5" Dawn’s original oil paintings examine water and its properties.

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February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 51

Homes & Lifestyles

Artist Gallery

Dorothy Thompson Photo Folk 'Monroe County Courthouse with Super Moon' Painterly photograph on canvas.

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52 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

Daren Redman "Curvaceous" 52" h x 30” w Daren Redman is an Indiana Artisan creating textile art and living in Brown County. Her quilted wall art is collected for homes and commercial lifestyles throughout the U.S. Commissions accepted. darenredman@gmail.com darenredman.com 812-320-4104

Dee Morris "Putting Together a Landscape" Quilt measures 100' X 96" DLogical Quilts ddmorris2@gmail.com

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54 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

Sharing History

Sisters call 19th century farmhouse home

By Alexandra M. Lynch Photos by Alex McIntyre

T

wo sisters, Mary Hartle and Donna Brooks, share the Johnson House—a large, brick farmhouse on Walnut Street Pike in Bloomington. The farmhouse was built in 1874

by David Johnson, whose farm spanned 250 acres. At that time, the house was about five miles from town—out in the country.

Today, the house is largely hidden from street view by tall hedges and trees. But there are glimpses of the stately brick home and gardens.

Mary Hartle bought the home in 1989 before returning from teaching English in Japanese schools. Her niece and nephew purchased the house for her while she was abroad, then turned it over to her when she came back. When her sister Donna’s husband died at age 58, the sisters moved in together.

“I love my North Wing,” Donna says.

We’re sitting in the spacious kitchen, an addition to the original house. On one wall are kitchen implements, framed in groups. Many of the items are unrecognizable, but Mary can tell you what they are. There is plenty to look at in this kitchen.

The greatest surprise is a large trap door in the wood kitchen floor. When lifted—with the help of a weight—it reveals a steep, dark stairway of hand-hewn stone leading to a heavy, iron gate and darkness beyond. The iron gate came from a bank in Bedford. Mary explained that it was not a jail, nor a wine cellar. It holds the hot water heater, furnace and a freezer. It used to have the laundry, but the steep steps became too much for frequent laundry trips and the laundry was moved to the kitchen and then to a porch area.

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 55

“We had plenty of family furniture, so we bought a house that would fit the furniture. An unusual feature of the house is that each room has its own foundation. We’ve had to repair foundations on the addition to the house, but the original house is solid as a rock,” Mary says.

The walls are two bricks thick, with plaster on inside walls. There is no additional insulation. The thick walls make the house quiet, and sometimes the sisters lose track of one another in the house.

The front entryway features a steep, dark wood staircase with Newel posts and handrails of cherry, and a wall of black and white family photos. It is a stunning entrance to the home.

Mary Hartle, left, and sister Donna Brooks pose for a portrait

56 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 57

58 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

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The Doll Room

Barn and garden In back and south of the house is the barn.

It is actually a double barn, and once housed farm animals. Now there is a two-bedroom apartment at one end, a garage and storage area in the middle, and Donna’s sewing room at the north end. Up above are the original beams and loft of the barn. In the backyard is a well-built tree house, made for grandchildren.

So, what is Mary’s favorite place? “My favorite place is outdoors in the garden.

I discovered I’d rather be in the garden than anywhere.

When we got here, there were two little trees on the south lawn but a storm took down two pines and destroyed a hedge.”

Mary planted many more trees, bushes and flowers. “I like trees better than anything else—except flowers,” Mary states. The garden had many large old trees and bushes. Two very old maples still oversee the front lawn.

Over the years, owners of the house have restored and preserved it. Today, it is in remarkable shape. It is on tour for groups interested in historic homes. The cellar door in the kitchen is a particular highlight.

“I love living here. We’re close to everything, yet it feels isolated,” states Mary.

Donna and Mary have enjoyed their years at Johnson House. Here’s to many more.

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Upstairs we find a special room—The Doll Room. In large glass cases, dozens of dolls are arrayed in various eras of dress. Many of the dolls and their outfits were made by Mary.

The workmanship is beautiful. Several of the Japanese dolls were made while she was in Japan.

Mary adds, “The dolls’ hair is Japanese from students I taught and the outfits are made of antique fabric bought in a market there.”

A toy white china tea set is intact, after years of play by the two sisters as well as their mother, her sister and Donna’s daughter. Not a chip.

Both spacious bedrooms are furnished with their grandmother’s antiques. In the green room, walls are decorated with Japanese prints and artifacts. “The Japanese art fits right in,” Mary notes and adds, “I love green.”

From the other bedroom, we look down on Mary’s spacious herb garden.

In one room is one of Mary’s prized possessions—her great-grandfather’s traveling trunk, made of cedar and walnut. He lived in Jeffersonville and bought and sold mules for the Union. He traveled up and down the Mississippi River with his weighty trunk.

When Mary got the trunk, “It was as black as a cat from layers of varnish. I sent it to an antique man and it came back beautiful.”

Taking care down the stairs, we arrive in the dining room. All rooms feature 11-foothigh ceilings, giving a gracious and elegant touch. The dining room walls are enhanced

with beautiful murals, the work of previous owner David Higgins, Chair of the Opera Studies Department and principal designer for IU Opera Theater. Imagine the wonderful dinners in that room.

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February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 59

Condo Living Spacious home provides plenty of space inside and out

By Meghan O'Neal

Photos by Jane Daniels, Jane Daniels Photography

N

estled in the Village of Windmere Woods on the coveted East side of Bloomington lies this gem of a ranch condo. Enjoy a number of amenities close by including shopping malls, restaurants, grocery stores and more. The convenient location makes this property perfect for busy individuals who prefer not to waste time traveling around town running errands.

Spend weekends at the nearby Latimer Woods, which offers scenic nature trails. Or, enjoy the private patio with ample room for seating—perfect to host a weekend barbeque or simply enjoy the fresh air of the outdoors.

Built in 1979, new hardwood floors on the main level and modern appliances in the kitchen make the home feel like new. A living room greets you to the left of the main entry. The spacious room boasts large windows to allow plenty of natural light. A fireplace surrounded by shelves acts as the focal point of the room, offering a cozy area to entertain guests or enjoy a peaceful evening curled up with a book. Through the living room

60 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

is the attached study with French doors and built-in bookshelves, providing the perfect quiet workspace.

The master bedroom, located on the main floor, boasts a large Jacuzzi tub, spacious bathroom and a walk-in closet. Also on the main floor are another bedroom, an additional full bathroom and the laundry room.

Perhaps the most exciting part of this property is the full walkout basement where you can find the third bedroom and full bathroom. Currently undergoing renovations, this space will soon include a large living area with a kitchenette. This brand new area has no shortage of potential.

Additional features of this property include an attached two-car garage, brick exterior, and plenty of storage space. Don't miss out on the opportunity to see this beautiful home.

This home is for sale with Griffin Realty in Bloomington. To learn more about it, call 812-323-7232 or visit leanong.com.

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 61

Mardi Dog Mystical Krewe of Barkus a howling good Mardi Gras parade Story and photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch

62 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

Homes & Lifestyles

Take a Trip

Jacey and her husband Alex Broussard pose with the two trophies won by their dogs Rosie and Diesel.

S

he proudly struts down the street, her long slender legs clad in gold boots. Peacock feathers atop her head sway in the breeze as parade watchers cheer and clap when she passes by.

Accepting the adulation with calm poise, she seems to know she is top dog.

In fact, the beautiful Rosie is a Rhodesian Ridgeback and she will be crowned the grand winner Mystical Dog in the Mystical Krewe of Barkus Parade in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Held along Lakeshore Drive, the annual event is a family-friendly Mardi Gras celebration featuring costumed human companions with their dressed-up doggies.

“I used to go the parade when I was a child but this is the first time we ever entered the contest. We were shocked when we won,” said Rosie’s companion Jacey Broussard. “We put a lot of effort into our costumes but so did many other people and their dogs looked amazing.”

Not only did Jacey handcraft Rosie’s showgirl attire, she also turned the family’s small Schnauzer/Yorkie mix named Diesel into a gold nugget.

“You wouldn’t believe how I did it,” Jacey began explaining. “I used cans of expanding

foam and I carved the foam down to look like a gold nugget. Then I sprayed it gold and fixed it so it would fit over Diesel.”

When she emailed some photos to her parents, however, Broussard said she got a different response. “They said Diesel looked like a baked potato.”

The Golden Nugget

Tiny Diesel had the easy job. All he had to do was rest comfortably in a wagon pulled by Rosie along the parade route. To complete the trio look, Jacey cut out some gold letters and pasted them onto a black T-shirt to wear proclaiming herself Nugget Security.

“I actually had a few people approach me and ask how long I had been working for Golden Nugget,” says Jacey, who is not a Golden Nugget employee but a farrier—a person who specializes in equine hoof care and puts horseshoes on horses.

“I always wanted to work with animals. I’ve been a farrier for five years now and I love what I’m doing.”

The Golden Nugget parade getup, of course, is a nod to the $600 million Golden Nugget Casino Resort that opened in Lake Charles in

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 63

December 2014. “They actually have a real gold nugget on display there. That’s what gave me the idea to make Diesel a little nugget,” Jacey says.

More than 100 costumed dogs paraded in the hour-long procession to the delight of about 1,000 viewers lining both sides of the riverfront road.

Sponsored by the local Cumulus Broadcasting, the Barkus Parade was started in 1995 in response to radio listener requests.

“They wanted a way to get their pooches involved in the Mardi Gras tradition,” says Ashley Reed, Cumulus morning show host for KYKZ96. “This is radio. We love to think outside of the box.”

Parade for a cause

Not only is the parade a fun celebration, it is also a fundraiser for local animals. Parade participants pay a $10 pre-registration fee or $15 the day of the parade to enter a dog.

“KYKZ96 chooses an animal shelter every year to donate the money to,” Ashley explains.

Families look forward to the yearly activity and children grow up taking part in the tradition, says Devin Morgan. “It’s an important part of Louisiana culture to celebrate Mardi Gras and this is different from the normal kind of Mardi Gras parade you think about. People of all ages really like this one. “ Judging from the wagging tails, the deckedout dogs really do, too. Imaginations ran wild as costumes included a dignified doggy pharaoh, a tiny pup as a pouf of popcorn in a popcorn machine, a wagonload of gumbo ingredients with a black pooch masquerading as a frog, a fairy princess, knight in shining armor, pirate, two “wiener” dogs, court jester, Popeye and Olive Oyl, bright red crawfish, the Grinch, a chef and much more.

Most dogs walked on leashes with their human companions, although a few canines rode in decorated wagons, baby strollers or yard carts. Some small ones were carried in loving arms.

One teeny dog wearing a crown sat atop a mountainous purple, gold and green Mardi Gras wagon. Some paraders tossed beads, Frisbees, plastic cups, bouncy balls and stuffed animals to appreciative children along the route.

Each year, the parade seems to get bigger and better, with many participants returning, says Elizabeth Blackstock, market manager for Cumulus Lake Charles. “We at Cumulus are very excited to continue to host the Krewe of Barkus Parade and it seems to get more creative with the animals in costume.”

64 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

For six-year-old Tiffany Mitchell of Mobile, the chance to see so many dogs in all their finery is what persuaded the youngster and her grandparents to spend the weekend in Lake Charles.

“We’re staying in a hotel and eating in a restaurant because that’s what I wanted for my birthday,” she says, already warning her grandparents. “This is what I want for my birthday again next year.”

The 2018 Barkus Parade will be held Saturday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. at the Lakefront

Promenade, 900 Lakeshore Drive, and participants are already starting to plan those special costumes.

“Just seeing all the fancy dogs here has given me ideas,” says Karen Sanders. “We’ve been taking pictures of our favorites and plan to be in the parade ourselves next year. It’s fun and it’s all for a good cause.”

For more information, contact the Lakes Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau at 337-436-9588 or check out website at www.visitlakecharles.org.

Four-legged friends parade in costumes with human companions.

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 65

Lovers' Brunch

Any or all parts of this decadent brunch are sure to thrill your sweetheart. Don't forget the mimosas!

Recipe and photo by Shaylan Owen

66 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • February 2018

Homes & Lifestyles

Recipe

Lemon, lavender and cashew biscotti These slightly sweet treats, floral and bright, are wonderful with coffee or tea.

Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups raw cashews 1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra 4 ounces white chocolate 2 large eggs 1 egg yolk Zest of three lemons

their shape but not be too firm. Garnish with more fresh dill and serve immediately with a savory side like herbroasted potatoes, grits or hash browns.

Melt the white chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, then allow to cool until it begins to stand the slices of biscotti on their bottom edges next to

Orange-cardamom crème brûlée

each other in one long "loaf." Drizzle the white chocolate

Finish your brunch with the warming decadence of orange

along the tops of all the biscotti as a group. Nudge

and cardamom. These small treats are exceptionally smooth

every other slice to break the chocolate's connections to

and also fun to eat.

thicken but not harden. On a sheet of parchment paper,

the adjacent slices so they do not stick together. Allow the chocolate to cool and solidify. Store in an airtight

Ingredients:

container. Makes about 30 biscotti.

2 cups heavy cream 4 egg yolks

2 1/2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers, coarsely ground

Yellow squash and sweet corn fritters

Zest of two oranges

With buttery squash, crunchy sweet corn and sharp dill,

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom, plus extra

1 teaspoon ground ginger

these simple fritters are sure to impress.

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon salt

Ingredients:

Instructions:

2 medium yellow squash

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Whisk together the heavy

1/2 cup fresh sweet corn kernels

cream, cardamom and salt in a medium saucepan over

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

medium-high heat. Bring to near-boil and remove from

1/3 cup bread crumbs, plus extra

the heat. While the cream is heating, zest the oranges over

1 egg

a cutting board. Chop the zest even finer on the cutting

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

board, two or three passes with a knife. Stir together the

1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

egg yolks, sugar and orange zest in a large mixing bowl,

1 tablespoon lemon juice

then carefully add the heated cream in 1/4 cup amounts

1 clove of garlic, minced

while continuing to stir. When the cream is completely

1/2 teaspoon salt

added, stir in the vanilla extract, then transfer the custard

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

mixture to four ramekins or small oven-safe dishes. Lightly

Pinch red pepper flakes

pinch a little extra cardamom atop each custard.

1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, lavender and salt. In a second mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, yolk, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla. With the mixer running, add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and mix until just combined.

If the dough doesn't begin to come together into a loose ball, add individual teaspoons of water until it does. Add the cashews and mix until evenly distributed.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth, one to two minutes. Add small amounts of flour if the dough is a little sticky. Separate the dough into two equal amounts and form into long, flat loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The loaves should be approximately one inch tall in the center and about three inches wide, spaced with about four inches between them. Sprinkle with sugar (optional) and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through. The baked

Instructions: Trim the ends of the squash and grate on the largest side of a box grater. Transfer the shredded squash to a clean tea towel or other lint-free cloth and wring out as much liquid as possible over the sink. Measure 1 1/2 cups of the shredded squash for this recipe and reserve any remainder for another purpose.

loaves will be firm with dry, lightly golden exteriors. Cool

Combine all of the ingredients, except for the butter, in

for at least two hours.

a mixing bowl. The mixture should be moist, but should

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, and slice the cooled loaves into approximately 3/4-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices, cut sides up, on two baking sheets and bake for

hold its form well enough to stay separated if divided within the bowl. If the mixture is too moist, add small amounts of bread crumbs until it firms up slightly. Let rest

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra

Place the ramekins in a larger baking pan and fill with boiling water up to half the height of the smaller dishes.

Bake the custards in the water bath for about 40 minutes.

The size and depth of the dishes will affect the baking time. When done, the centers of the custards will be semi-firm, but slightly wobbly. Bake longer if the centers are completely liquid. Cool the custards for 15 minutes, then transfer them to the refrigerator to cool for at least two to three hours.

When ready to serve, adjust an oven rack (if applicable) to hold the dishes 3 to 5 inches below the broiler and set

five minutes.

the oven the high broil. Sprinkle the tops of each chilled

over, then return to the oven, rotating trays and racks in

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter

heaping tablespoon per dish. Arrange the ramekins on a

the process. Bake for about 10 minutes longer for biscotti

and cook the milk fats until they begin to turn golden.

baking sheet and place under the hot broiler. Checking

that are slightly soft in the center and 15 to 20 minutes

Divide the fritter mixture into four equal quantities and

on them regularly, broil just until the sugar melts and

longer for biscotti that are crunchy throughout. Test the

spoon into the skillet. Cook four to five minutes, until the

caramelizes to a golden brown. Some darker brown areas

consistency by touch to determine if extra baking time

bottoms are medium brown and the fritters begin to hold

are to be expected as the sugar caramelizes. Remove

is necessary. As the biscotti become dry, they will brown

together, then carefully flip to cook the other side for an

the ramekins to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to

at a faster rate, so check on them regularly if you prefer

additional four to five minutes. When cooked through,

cool. Serve chilled when the sugar has solidified into a

them crispy. Allow to cool completely.

the fritters will be lightly browned—they should hold

crisp, glassy surface.

15 minutes. Remove the trays and flip the biscotti slices

custard with extra sugar, covering well—about one

February 2018 • Homes & Lifestyles of South-Central Indiana • 67

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