PERRY COUNTY

Experience CASS COUNTY

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Let’s face it – the past few months have been tough - cancelled trips, virtual get-togethers, quarantines…all of these became the new normal. They also helped us realize the importance of family and friends. Communities came together to support local businesses, yet some just couldn’t survive the pandemic. And now some sort of normalcy seems to be returning. So, if you are one of those people who have started planning your next vacation, read on.

Cass County is located at the junction of two rivers, Wabash and Eel, and is rich in history. In fact, the historic Michigan Byway passes through the county. You can also find museums housing train memorabilia, medical instruments, historic outfits, among other things. You’ve heard

France Park

of the Indy 500 but what about the “Twelve Mile 500” lawnmower race? And then there is one of the three existing hand-carved and painted stationary Dentzel carousels (yes, adults can get rides too, just in case you were wondering!).

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some of the extra calories you might have acquired in the previous few months? Cass County has many multi-use trails you can hike or bike on. For watersports enthusiasts, there’s canoeing. But if you’re looking for a more relaxing vacation, there are various options for golfing, spas, fishing and shopping. For foodies, there’s an excellent variety of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. And with exceptional lodging options, it’s easy to plan a multi-day stay in Cass County.

Voted Indy’s best for over 20 years, featuring fresh made doughs, over 50 toppings, and a great selection of local craft beers and wines. Beautiful dining rooms, outdoor deck and rooftop seating!

Downtown Indy 329 Mass. Ave. 317-636-7662

Carmel 111 W. Main St. 317-848-4488

Broad Ripple 811 E. Westfield Blvd. 317-255-5711

www.Bazbeaux.com

Indiana’s Sweet Temptations Trail

Indulge in some sweet treats this season

story by STEPHANIE NICOL

While we really don’t need a holiday to celebrate our favorite foods, we can use it as an excuse to overindulge in some of our favorite culinary delights.

February boasts several calendarworthy celebrations—February 2 is National Tater Tot Day, February 9 is National Pizza Day, February 24 is National Tortilla Chip Day—but the most universally-recognized foodie holiday in February is, of course, Valentine’s Day, when nearly 58 million pounds of chocolate will be sold throughout the country.

So, in the spirit of this upcoming holiday, we’re going to highlight the Indiana Foodways Alliance “Sweet Temptations Trail,” one of 21 trails throughout Indiana sanctioned by this non-profit group of tourism and culinary professionals who serve to promote Indiana’s authentic food culture.

The Sweet Temptations Trail has nearly 40 stops throughout the state, and includes bakeries, donut shops, eateries that serve great desserts, and confectioneries who make some of the best chocolates found in the United States.

One of those is Schimpff’s Confectionery in Jeffersonville which is one of the oldest, continuously operated family-owned candy businesses in the country. While they’re famous for their cinnamon Red Hots, their chocolate

At Ghyslain Chocolatier, every chocolate and dessert are artfully constructed. PHOTO: Ghyslain Chocolatier

Popular since 1912 is McCord’s Candies in Lafayette. PHOTO: Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette

“turtles” are a popular item, especially for Valentine’s Day.

Uranus Fudge, headquartered in Uranus, Missouri, will be opening their newest fudge shop in Anderson in early February…just in time for Valentine’s Day. Their made-fresh fudge includes a variety of tasty flavors, including Butterfinger, Blueberry Cheesecake, Toffee Bar, and more. They also offer sugar-free options. Uranus is set to be a fun destination when they open!

If you want a treat for your eyes as well as your taste buds, a must stop on the Sweet Temptations Trail is Ghyslain Chocolatier in Union City. Here, each chocolate and dessert is artfully created and the experience of eating these decadent confections is almost like popping a small masterpiece into your mouth. Ghyslain Maruais, the master chef here, is certified in French pastry, chocolate décor,