Madison County

Shopping the Seasons in Madison County

October, November, December… for many, this is a favorite time of year. The senses are heightened with every shop one enters. Warm tones of gold, rust, and browns give way to the red and green colors of the holidays; scents of pumpkin spice and apples and cinnamon meld into peppermint and spruce; and the vision of all that is offered has one thinking of just the right gifts for all the special people populating their shopping list. Yes indeed, the senses will be at their height as you shop the varied shopping establishments of Anderson and Madison County.

One could travel Madison County from top to bottom and never see the same thing twice. For personal items, choose the wonderful goat milk soaps and lotions of Elwood’s Simple Goodness Soaps, select a piece of hand-blown crystal to treasure from Carol’s Legacy Crystal, or something truly unique from Primitive Blessings and Gypsy Soul. Travel on to Alexandria to find the perfect candle from Vintage Road Candles, check out all the McCurry’Osity Shop has to offer and don’t forget Soap and Sunshine Apothecary. Anderson is your next stop with selection galore. Seasons of the Heart will delight with their selection of gifts; for the equestrian in the family, visit Cowpokes Work and Western Wear, and then travel a bit to the west to discover Open Gate Design and Décor. Finally, Pendleton has a plethora of shops for every taste. B’Dazzled Boutique is a fashion must-see; Burmeister’s Old Towne Antiques offers bits of history, and The Crabby Apple, with its petting zoo will delight the child in everyone. Too, hand-crafted out of the ordinary furnishings are found at Willow by Greg Adams in Lapel. For the county’s entire unabridged selection just log onto VisitAndersonMadisonCounty.com!

White River Gardens, part of the Indianapolis Zoo, is a 3.3-acre landmark in downtown Indianapolis.

Photo: White River Gardens

Botanical Gardens Grow Their Options

Changes captivate visitors in every season

story by Elizabeth Granger

Tom Lilly always knew he’d volunteer when he retired. And since he has “an affinity for things that grow,” he went to Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart. They readily took him on.

At the end of his first day, he needed to see a chiropractor. “I don’t have the world’s best back,” he says. He thought his Wellfield volunteering plan was over, but then the director asked if he could mow.

Six years later he was still mowing, every Tuesday and Thursday from April through October. “We had to work our vacations around mowing,” he says. “I was here a lot.”

And then ankle problems ended his mowing. Not his relationship with Wellfield, however. He and his wife, Marianne, continue to volunteer.

“Wellfield represents Elkhart at its best,” he says.

Eric Garton agrees. He’s Wellfield’s executive director. He chose Elkhart as his next home when he was still at a botanic garden in California.

The 36-acre Wellfield Gardens was founded in 2005 by Elkhart’s Rotary Club to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Rotary International. “The international organization asked all of its clubs to do some type of project,” Garton says. “There are none greater than this one.”

He continues: “Before this it was a pseudo park. It was very messy, with a lot of invasive species.” Now it’s a showcase. Its mantra: World Class and Home Grown.

“Think of us like an art museum,” Garton says. “We have a collection of plants that we have provenance on, just like an art museum. We’ve got records. We know about our plants. We call ourself a living museum.”

There’s also signage with common and scientific names. And sculptures designed to be in specific spots, because “there’s no better backdrop to artistic expressions than nature.”

Individual gardens present their individual personalities. The Children’s Garden is natural rather than contrived, so kids can explore and play. And the Sensory Garden, called the scratch and sniff garden, partners with a local food pantry.

Last year, with Covid restrictions, outdoor venues flourished. Some changes made then to accommodate health guidelines proved to be so wise and workable that they’ll continue. Holiday Lights, in late November and December, will continue some of 2020’s changes that include timed tickets and one-way paths to follow. In Michigan City, Friendship Botanic Gardens is a community treasure and an

Friendship Gardens in Michigan City features hiking trails, playground, and small lake.

Photo: Friendship Botanic Gardens

oasis of formal gardens and wooded nature trails tucked in an old-growth forest surrounding Trail Creek. It’s one of the most beautiful settings in Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan for weddings and special events, and it is becoming a major destination point for the community and surrounding counties. There are hiking trails, playground, and small lake. In the ArcelorMittal Children’s Garden, children and families can experience the Garden of Senses, which includes raised beds of plants and other flowers that appeal to the senses of touch, sight, taste, sound, and smell. And at the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte Health & Wellness Garden there are 13 cardiovascular aerobic and anaerobic exercise machines overlooking the peaceful Trail Creek. Be sure and check out Celebration Pavilion, the first major structure built in the Gardens in almost 100 years.

In Indianapolis, Garfield Park has been inviting visitors for more than a century. In warm weather, the sunken gardens outside are popular with more than 10,000 tulips in the spring and more than 15,000 annuals in the summer. In colder months, the conservatory’s tropical plants – and the conservatory’s warmth - beckon. “Wintertime is our showtime,” says regional manager Fritz Nerding. “And traditionally, our busiest month is December,” he adds. A partnership with The Indiana Rail Road Company creates Conservatory Crossing with poinsettias, model trains, little villages, and thousands of lights.

White River Gardens, in White River State Park, is in downtown Indianapolis. It’s part of the Indianapolis Zoo, which was the nation’s first attraction to be triple accredited as a zoo, aquarium and botanic garden. Today, the Zoo and Gardens are home to more than 52,000 plant specimens that represent nearly 3,000 unique species. The Hilbert Conservatory invites visitors inside when the weather turns cold.

The Foellinger–Freimann Botanical Conservatory is an enclosed conservatory in downtown Fort Wayne.

Photo: Visit Fort Wayne

Milestone Bricks at Friendship Gardens

Photo: Friendship Botanic Gardens

Join as a member to access our 105 acres of gardens and trails year-round!

www.friendshipbotanicgardens.com - 2055 East US Hwy 12 Michigan City, IN 46360

“I think botanical gardens provide urban areas with much-needed greenspaces,” says Scott Sullivan, curator of horticulture. “White River Gardens is a great place to come and decompress, and yet still be within walking distance to downtown Indianapolis.” Note: White River Gardens will be closed temporarily during construction of a new Zoo entrance. Please check their website, www.indianapoliszoo.com for opening dates.

In Fort Wayne, the FoellingerFreimann Botanical Conservatory offers three unique ecosystems under glass. The exhibit garden is a highlight with its seasonal exhibits that include a spring butterfly display.

“The Botanical Conservatory is an oasis in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne. From wandering the tropical garden with its cascading waterfall and tropical palms to exploring unique displays in the exhibit garden, stepping into the Botanical Conservatory offers a calming and beautiful respite,” says Jessa Campbell, marketing and communications manager for Visit Fort Wayne.

A trio of indoor gardens – the Potawatomi Conservatories – are together in South Bend. In one, DJ’s Sensory Garden provides nature’s experiences through touch, smell, taste and sound.

Garfield Park Conservatory in Indianapolis

Photo: Garfield Park Conservatory

The pagoda is a popular spot at Elkhart’s Wellfield Botanic Gardens.

Photo: Wellfield Botanic Gardens

Holiday Traditions at French Lick West Baden!

visit vflwb.com - 812-936-3418

Holiday Cheer Returns to Downtown Indy

Downtown Indianapolis remains the best destination to make holiday memories. Despite continued challenges presented by COVID, all systems are a go for safe, family-friendly holiday experiences #BackDowntownIndy. From the free, outdoor annual Circle of Lights on Monument Circle to beloved experiences at our best attractions, Downtown Indy’s holiday season is looking bright!

CIRCLE OF LIGHTS ® PRESENTED BY IBEW 481

Downtown Indy Inc.’s Circle of Lights ® presented by IBEW 481 - Indy’s most timehonored holiday tradition – returns Friday, Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving. For the first time in its history, the festive lighting celebration will also feature a special madefor-TV show seen exclusively on WTHR Channel 13 in unison with the in-person event starting at 7 p.m. The in-person event on Monument Circle will include live music, holiday presentations and festive food and beverages, culminating with the arrival of Santa and the flip of the switch shortly before 8 p.m.

Our city’s greatest musical acts, chosen from the Tom Wood Talent Search, are sure to get you in the holiday spirit! Following those acts, Santa will help flip the switch with the child chosen through the AES Indiana Coloring Contest, illuminating Monument Circle and marking the kick-off of the holiday season.

The actual decorations on the Soldiers & Sailors Monument will look familiar – 52 garland strands with 4,784 LED-colored lights, strung from the top of the Monument to its base. The Monument will be surrounded with 26 larger-than-life toy soldiers and sailors and 26 peppermint sticks. The lights on Monument Circle, illuminated on Nov. 26, will allow sightseers of all ages to take in this brilliant spectacle throughout the holiday season until they come down on Dec. 31.

Monument Circle also showcases new lighting exhibits, video projections and holiday music every day and evening as part of the multi-million dollar Shining A Light on Arts and Culture program on the Circle. Each evening, a special seasonal video presentation plays celebrating the season’s religious holidays, along with the nightly “Signature Salute” honoring Indiana military veterans. These immersive video-mapped displays put Monument Circle visitors in the middle of a captivating, socially distanced snow globe!

Travelocity named the Circle of Lights® one of the top five “must-see Christmas trees” in the nation. USA Today also listed the Circle of Lights ® as one the “10 Best Holiday Attractions.” It’s a must see!

DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES CONTINUE BACK DOWNTOWN

Experience Downtown Indianapolis as it transforms into a winter wonderland filled with festive activities, sights and fun for the whole family. Come and enjoy all the festivities:

Holiday Art Fair and Market on the Circle is back on Dec. 10 for local artisans and makers to exhibit their work on the Circle from 2-6 p.m. The showcase will include live, holiday entertainment on the Shining A Light stage, along with food and beverage vendors and children’s activities. Dogs are welcome, too!

Christmas at the Zoo opens Nov. 20 and continues through Dec. 30. Enjoy a magical nighttime experience as you stroll through the Zoo that’s covered in the warm glow of more than a million twinkling lights. Don’t miss Santa’s Village under the Bicentennial Pavilion. Come early to visit the Zoo’s new alligator and crocodile exhibit, along with sea lions, tigers, red pandas, brown bears and others. Dash inside to get warm and visit the animals in the Dolphin Dome, Deserts, Oceans and Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center.

Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure returns to the Eiteljorg Museum Nov. 20 and continues through Jan. 17. Explore this model train wonderland and see iconic miniature scenes and landmarks including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Monument Circle, Mt. Rushmore, Golden Gate Bridge, Aspen and more – all made of natural materials.

Plan ahead for tickets to these holiday favorites in Downtown Indy:

• A Christmas Carol at the Indiana Repertory Theatre

• Yuletide Celebration with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at the Hilbert Circle Theatre

• Festival of Trees at the Indiana Historical Society

Other safe, exciting activities are still being planned. Visit www.downtownindy.org for a complete list of events. #BackDowntownIndy