Winter 2023 Visitors Guide
Directory | Maps | Shopping | Lodging | Entertainment | Dining | special events
IN-35150852
2 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
IN-35149588
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 3
Brown County Almanack
Visitors Guide A quarterly publication featuring local merchants and events from Nashville and Brown County, Indiana.
Editor Abbie Gressley Writers Abbie Gressley, Bella Hobbs Advertising Sales Larry Hanson, Christy Hubbard Graphic designer Katelin Gephart
IN-35150882
ADVERTISING SALES CONTACTS Phone: (812) 988-2221 Fax: (812) 988-6502 ads@bcdemocrat.com
4 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
Feature stories
ContenTs Winter 2023
68 Oh Hill Yes! The Hilly Half Marathon returns for another year of fun.
WE’RE MOviNG! Kathryn/Donna Team Kathyrn Richardson
Phil Shively Team Phil Shively
Branch Manager krichardson@callcarpenter.com 812-327-7462
pshively@callcarpenter.com 812-325-2290
Donna Bowman
gmcclellan@callcarpenter.com 812-641-5626
dbowman@callcarpenter.com 317-418-2320
Ginger McClellan Jane Ellis
jellis@callcarpenter.com 812-929-5688
Brooke Zavela
bzavela@callcarpenter.com 317-665-4763
14 Marking 100 Years Aboard a Huey 16 Leather Shops in Brown County 20 Bookstores of Brown County 22 New Businesses 24 Hook, Line, & Sinker 28 Fall in Nashville 30 Bissell Family Hike 36 Firefighter Award 38 Abe Martin 40 Ground Broken for IU Health Facility 42 Career Connected Learning 44 Fall is Officially Underway... Well Almost! 46 Babar the Elephant Visits Students; Everyone is Crowned 48 Schoolhouse 50 Soaking Up the Last Drops of Summer 52 Honeymoon Hotspot 54 I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For...
Come see us at our new office at 30 Artist Drive, starting January, 2024!
Luke Morrow
lmorrow@callcarpenter.com 812-583-0055
Debbie Fleetwood
jfleetwood4402@yahoo.com 812-327-6862
Contact one of these Carpenter Hills 0’ Brown agents today for help LOTS & LAND in selling or buying Megan Smith-Quintero Shaely King your home! msmith-quintero@callcarpenter.com srking@callcarpenter.com 812-325-5049
425-503-7133
CALLCARPENTER.COM Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 5
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6 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
L L E RD
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12. Hard Truth Hills DistilleryELKINSVI 13. Brown County Community Foundation 14. Brick Lodge 15. Mike Nikels Log Cabins 16. Brownie’s Bean Blossom Restaurant 17. Helmsburg Station 18. Farm House Café 19. Brye Real Estate / Porch Swing Vacation Homes 20. Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides 21. Story Inn
KEITH DONALDSON RD
Story
1. Rocket Fizz 2. Lil’ Black Bear Inn 3. Explore Brown County/ Valley Branch Retreat 4. Bear Wallow Distillery S 5. BrownAXCounty Winery 6. Hills O’ Brown Vacation Lake Rentals Monroe 7. 1875 Homestead B&B 8. Brown County Antique Mall 9. Harmony Tree Resorts 10. Abe Martin Lodge 11. Brown County KOA
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brown County Inn HOTEL, RESTAURANT & BAR
On the corner of 135 & 46 just 3 blocks from downtown with free parking
Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week
8am to 9pm Sunday to Thursday
8am to 10pm Friday & Saturday
www.browncountyinn.com
(812) 988-2291
IN-35149443
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 7
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T-Shirt Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . 59
CAMPGROUND
1875 Homestead B&B. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 33
Harmony Tree Resorts. . . . Pg. 6. . . . . 9
Totem Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 61
Brown County KOA. . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 45
A
Harvest Preserves. . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Touch of Silver
eXplore Brown County. . . Pg. 6. . . . 17
Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11
Haven Lee Boutique. . . . . . J5 . . . . . . 42
Gold & Old. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 61
CANDLES
B
Healing Hearts &
V
Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 18
B3 Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Memory Making. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 55
Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 31
Bear Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . L6. . . . . . 43
Heritage Candy Store . . . . F4. . . . . . 51
Lakehouse Candle . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . 26
Bear Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . L6. . . . . . 42
Hills O’Brown Vacation
Visitors Center, Brown County . . . . . . . . . . . J4 . . . . . . 15
Bear Wallow Distillery. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 23
Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 51
Y
Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . . 39
Bone Appetit . . . . . . . . . . . . J5 . . . . . . 61
Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 31
Yellow Door Quilt. . . . . . . . H2. . . . . . 59
Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 27
Brown County
Hoosier Artist Gallery . . . . F2. . . . . . 17
Yesteryear Old
CANDY
Art Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F8. . . . . . 61
Hotel Nashville. . . . . . . . . . . A3. . . . . . 16
Time Photos. . . . . . . . . . . . . H5. . . . . . 59
Candy Dish, The. . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Brown County Art Guild. . F3. . . . . . 53
House of Jerky. . . . . . . . . . . H5. . . . . . 63
Brown County
I
CATEGORY LISTING
Heritage Candy Store . . . . F4. . . . . . 51
Community Fondation. . . A4. . . . . . 65
IGA, Brown County. . . . . . . L7. . . . . . 21
ANTIQUES/COLLECTIBLES
Nashville Fudge Kitchen. . I4. . . . . . . 75
Brown County
Ironweed Gifts
Nashville General Store. . . I7. . . . . . . 63
Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 49
Candy Emporium. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 55
Craft Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 59
and Florals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I1. . . . . . . 49
Touch of Silver
CHRISTMAS
Brown County IGA . . . . . . . L7. . . . . . 21
L
Gold & Old. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 61
Brown County Art Guild. . F3. . . . . . 53
Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4. . . . . . . 7
Lakehouse Candle . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . 26
Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Brown County
Brown County KOA. . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 45
Lawrence Family Glassblowers/
ART
Craft Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 59
Brown County
Quintessence Gallery. . . . . G5. . . . . . 57
B3 Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Music Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . L8. . . 34/35
M
Brown County
Brown County
Male Instinct. . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 57
Art Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F8. . . . . . 61
Playhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 76
Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 49
Brown County Art Guild. . F3. . . . . . 53
Brown County
Miller’s Ice Cream House. F2. . . . . . . 2
Brown County
Visitors Center. . . . . . . . . . . J4 . . . . . . 15
Moondance Vacation
Craft Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 59
Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6. 55
Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37
Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 31
Brownie’s Bean Blossom
Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . . . . 63
Hoosier Artist Gallery . . . . F2. . . . . . 17
Family Restaurant. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 41
N
Lawrence Family Glassblowers/
Brye Real Estate / Porch Swing
Nashville BP . . . . . . . . . . . . . I3. . . . . . . 37
Quintessence Gallery. . . . . G5. . . . . . 57
Vacation Home . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . . 4
Nashville Fudge Kitchen. . I4. . . . . . . 75
Totem Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 61
C
Nashville General Store. . . I7. . . . . . . 63
Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Candy Dish, The. . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Nashville House. . . . . . . . . . F5. . . . . . 24
BATH & BODY
Candy Emporium. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 55
Nashville Spice Co.. . . . . . . K6. . . . . . . 3
Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . . 39
Carpenter Hills O’ Brown. . B1. . . . . . . 5
Nickels Vacation Cabins. . Pg. 6. . . . 53
Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 27
Cedar Creek Winery. . . . . . G4. . . . . . 57
P
BEER, WINE AND SPIRITS
Chocolate Moose. . . . . . . . J3 . . . . . . 57
Playhouse,
Bear Wallow Distillery. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 23
Copperhead Creek
Brown County . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 76
Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4. . . . . . . 7
Gem Mine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E4. . . . . N/A
R
Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6.55
Cornerstone Inn
Rafters Food & Spirits . . . . K8. . . . . . 19
Cedar Creek Winery. . . . . . G4. . . . . . 57
& Suites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G6. . . . . . 29
Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . . 39
Harmony Tree Resorts. . . . Pg. 6. . . . . 9
E
Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 27
Rafters Food & Spirits . . . . K8. . . . . . 19
eXplore Brown County. . . Pg. 6. . . N/A
S
Salt Creek Winery
F
Salt Creek Winery
& Vacation Rental. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 63
Fairway Independent
& Vacation Rental. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 63
Seasons Lodge Hotel
Mortgage Corporation. . . B2. . . . . . 47
Seasons Lodge Hotel
& Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 25
Totem Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 61
Fallen Leaf Books. . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . 47
& Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 25
Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 45
COFFEE AND TEA
Farmhouse Café Bistro . . . G2. . . . . . 39
Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 45
BIKE RENTAL AND ACCESSORIES
Brownie’s Bean Blossom
Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 18
T
eXplore Brown County. . . Pg. 6. . . . 17
Family Restaurant. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 41
G
The Candy Dish. . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2
BOOKS
Candy Emporium. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 55
Grandpa Jeff’s
The Seasons Lodge Hotel
Fallen Leaf Books. . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . 47
Chocolate Moose. . . . . . . . J3 . . . . . . 57
Trail Rides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 55
& Event Center. . . . . . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 25
Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . . 39
Farmhouse Café Bistro . . . G2. . . . . . 39
8 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6.55 Cedar Creek Winery. . . . . . G4. . . . . . 57 Fallen Leaf Books. . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . 47 Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 18 Healing Hearts & Memory Making. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 55 Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 31 Ironweed Gifts and Florals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I1. . . . . . . 49 Lawrence Family Glassblowers/ Quintessence Gallery. . . . . G5. . . . . . 57 Male Instinct. . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 57 Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 49 Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . . . . 63 Nashville Spice Co.. . . . . . . K6. . . . . . . 3 Salt Creek Winery & Vacation Rental. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 63 T-Shirt Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . 59
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 18 Haven Lee Boutique. . . . . . J5 . . . . . . 42 Male Instinct. . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 57 Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 49 Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . . . . 63 Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . . 39 T-Shirt Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . 59
IN-35150883
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 9
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Harmony Tree Resorts. . . . Pg. 6. . . . . 9
Brownie’s Bean Blossom
Nashville House. . . . . . . . . . F5. . . . . . 24
& Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 25
Harvest Preserves. . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Family Restaurant. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 41
Nashville Spice Co.. . . . . . . K6. . . . . . . 3
Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 45
Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 27
Candy Dish, The. . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . . 39
LOG CABINS
CONFERENCES, RETREATS & WEDDINGS
Candy Emporium. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 55
Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 27
Hills O’Brown Vacation
Cedar Creek Winery. . . . . . G4. . . . . . 57
Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 45
Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11
Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 51
Chocolate Moose. . . . . . . . J3 . . . . . . 57
T-Shirt Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . 59
Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4. . . . . . . 7
Moondance Vacation
Farmhouse Café Bistro . . . G2. . . . . . 39
Totem Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 61
Cornerstone Inn
Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37
Harmony Tree Resorts. . . . Pg. 6. . . . . 9
Touch of Silver
& Suites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G6. . . . . . 29
Nickels Vacation Cabins. . Pg. 6. . . . 53
Harvest Preserves. . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Gold & Old. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 61
eXplore Brown County. . . Pg. 6. . . . 17
MORTGAGES
Heritage Candy Store . . . . F4. . . . . . 51
Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Hotel Nashville. . . . . . . . . . . A3. . . . . . 16
Fairway Independent
Hotel Nashville. . . . . . . . . . . A3. . . . . . 16
Nickels Vacation Cabins. . Pg. 6. . . . 53
HOBBIES
Mortgage Corporation. . . B2. . . . . . 47
House of Jerky. . . . . . . . . . . H5. . . . . . 63
Seasons Lodge Hotel
Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 27
IGA, Brown County. . . . . . . L7. . . . . . 21
OUTDOOR OUTFITTERS
& Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 25
Yellow Door Quilt. . . . . . . . H2. . . . . . 59
Miller’s Ice Cream House. F2. . . . . . . 2
Bear Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . L6. . . . . . 43
Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 45
HOME DÉCOR
Nashville BP . . . . . . . . . . . . . I3. . . . . . . 37
PET CARE AND PET GIFTS
CRAFTS
Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6.55
Nashville Fudge Kitchen. . I4. . . . . . . 75
Bone Appetit . . . . . . . . . . . . J5 . . . . . . 61
Brown County
Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 18
Nashville General Store. . . I7. . . . . . . 63
Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 31
Craft Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 59
Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 31
Nashville House. . . . . . . . . . F5. . . . . . 24
Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 27
Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 27
Lawrence Family Glassblowers/
Nashville Spice Co.. . . . . . . K6. . . . . . . 3
Yellow Door Quilt. . . . . . . . H2. . . . . . 59
Quintessence Gallery. . . . . G5. . . . . . 57
REAL ESTATE
Rafters Food & Spirits . . . . K8. . . . . . 19
Nashville General Store. . . I7. . . . . . . 63
ENTERTAINMENT, EVENTS & RECREATION
Salt Creek Winery
ICE CREAM
Vacation Home . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . . 4
Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11
Seasons Lodge Hotel
Chocolate Moose. . . . . . . . J3 . . . . . . 57
Carpenter Hills O’ Brown. . B1. . . . . . . 5
Miller’s Ice Cream House. F2. . . . . . . 2
Fairway Independent
Brown County Art Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F8. . . . . . 61 Brown County Art Guild. . F3. . . . . . 53 Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4. . . . . . . 7 Brown County Music Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . L8. . . 34/35 Brown County Playhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 76 Brown County Visitors Center. . . . . . . . . . . J4 . . . . . . 15 Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6.55 Cedar Creek Winery. . . . . . G4. . . . . . 57 Copperhead Creek Gem Mine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E4. . . . . N/A eXplore Brown County. . . Pg. 6. . . . 17 Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 55 Playhouse, Brown County . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 76 Salt Creek Winery & Vacation Rental. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 63 Seasons Lodge Hotel & Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 25 Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 45
FOOD, DINING & SNACKS Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11 Bear Wallow Distillery. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 23 Brown County IGA . . . . . . . L7. . . . . . 21 Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4. . . . . . . 7 Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6.55
& Vacation Rental. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 63 & Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 25
Bear Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . L6. . . . . . 42 Brye Real Estate / Porch Swing
Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Mortgage Corporation. . . B2. . . . . . 47
JEWELRY
SERVICES
Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 18
Bear Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . L6. . . . . . 42
Haven Lee Boutique. . . . . . J5 . . . . . . 42
Brown County
Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . . 39
GARDEN & PATIO
Community Fondation. . . A4. . . . . . 65
Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 27
Bear Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . L6. . . . . . 43
Brown County
Totem Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 61
Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 18
Visitors Center. . . . . . . . . . . J4 . . . . . . 15
Touch of Silver
Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 31
Brye Real Estate / Porch Swing
Gold & Old. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 61
GIFTS
Vacation Home . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . . 4
LEATHER
Bone Appetit . . . . . . . . . . . . J5 . . . . . . 61
Carpenter Hills O’ Brown. . B1. . . . . . . 5
Male Instinct. . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 57
Candy Dish, The. . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2
Fairway Independent
Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . . . . 63
Candy Emporium. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 55
Mortgage Corporation. . . B2. . . . . . 47
LODGING
Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 49
Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 45 Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
FOOTWEAR Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . . . . 63
Copperhead Creek Gem Mine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E4. . . . . N/A Fallen Leaf Books. . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . 47 Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 18 Harvest Preserve. . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Healing Hearts & Memory Making. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 55 Heritage Candy Store . . . . F4. . . . . . 51 Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 31 Hoosier Artist Gallery . . . . F2. . . . . . 17 House of Jerky. . . . . . . . . . . H5. . . . . . 63 Ironweed Gifts and Florals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I1. . . . . . . 49 Male Instinct. . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 57 Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 49 Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . . . . 63 Nashville BP . . . . . . . . . . . . . I3. . . . . . . 37
10 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
1875 Homestead B&B. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 33
Nashville BP . . . . . . . . . . . . . I3. . . . . . . 37
Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11
Scrapbooking
Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4. . . . . . . 7
Healing Hearts &
Cornerstone Inn
Memory Making. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 55
& Suites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G6. . . . . . 29
WEDDINGS AND RECEPTIONS
eXplore Brown County. . . Pg. 6. . . . 17
Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11
Harmony Tree Resorts. . . . Pg. 6. . . . . 9
Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4. . . . . . . 7
Hills O’Brown Vacation
eXplore Brown
Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 51
County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 17
Hotel Nashville. . . . . . . . . . . A3. . . . . . 16
Hotel Nashville. . . . . . . . . . . A3. . . . . . 16
Moondance Vacation
Salt Creek Winery
Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37
& Vacation Rental. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 63
Nickels Vacation Cabins. . Pg. 6. . . . 53
Seasons Lodge Hotel
Salt Creek Winery
& Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 25
& Vacation Rental. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 63
Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 45
Seasons Lodge Hotel
Abe Martin Lodge Winter Specials!
2 nights for the price of 1 Sunday through Thursday 11/26/2023 - 2/29/2024 Certain restrictions/blackout periods may apply.
Breakfast With Santa
Sunday December 3rd 2023 8am-11am Reservations Recommended
IN-35150858
Abe Martin Lodge Nashville IN, Brown County State Park 812.988.4418 IndianaInns.com Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 11
12 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
F
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TO HELMSBURG
Carpenter’s Hills O’Brown Real Estate
1
Brown County Model Trains
Hoosier Artist Gallery
Fallen Leaf Books
B3 Gallery The Candy Dish Miller Ice Cream Heritage Preserve
Village Green Building
Candy Emporium
Salt Creek Winery and Vacation Rentals
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
2
The Totem Post
Brown County Playhouse
BC Art Guild
Moonshine Leather
ATM
Big Woods Village
Big Woods Pizza
Hotel Nashville/Darlene’s
3 SR135 TO MORGANTOWN
4
Franklin Place
Male Instinct
Heritage Candy
BC Courthouse Liars Bench
Copperhead Creek Gem, Mine and Rock Shop/ Iris Gardens
BC Community Foundation
Nashville House
BC Winery & Tasting Room
5
Holly Pots Stoneware
Educated Otter
Bank ATM
County Office Building
BC Public Library
7
The Lodge BC Democrat Newspaper BC Almanack Visitors Guide BC Homes Guide
Main Street Shoppes Touch of Silver, Gold & Old
Rivers & Roads
Taggart Building
Log Jail
Pioneer Village
BC Historical Society Complex
6
FA I
RG
Volunteer Fire Department
TO
Bank ATM
RO
UN
DS
Nashville Town Hall
Nashville Post Office
Nashville Police Department
BC Art Gallery
8
F
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B
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L
K
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LIARS BENCH
RESTROOMS
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FIRE DEPARTMENT
LAW ENFORCEMENT
1
ATM/BANK
PARKING
CVS Pharmacy
Chocolate Moose
BP Gas
Key to Shop Finder begins on page 8 Map of Brown County appears on page 6
Ironweed Gifts & Florals
Yellow Door Quilt
Bear Real Estate
Franklin Square Courtyard
Ferguson House Bistro
Antique Alley
3
TO B SR 46 LOO MINW GT ON
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 13
4
Brown County Inn
Speedway Gas
Brown County Craft Gallery
Bear Hardware Bear Real Estate
Educational Resource Center
5
6
NOTE: NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
BC Law Enforcement Center
Country Heritage Winery
Coachlight Square
Mercantile
Nashville Spice Co.
Cornerstone Inn
Haven Lee Boutique Bone Appetit
Moondance Vacation Rentals
T-Shirt Shop
Brown County Visitors Center
Healing Hearts and Memory Making
Lakehouse Candle
Yesteryear Old Time Photos
House of Jerky
Lawrence Family Glassblowers
Nashville Fudge Kitchen
Possum Trot Square
Redhead Apothecary
Cedar Creek Winery
7
ATM
Brown Co. IGA
BC High School Larry C. Banks Memorial Gymnasium
8
Brown County Music Center
TO COLUMBUS
The Seasons Lodge & Conference Center
Rafters Food & Spirits
BCHS Track and Football Field BC Junior High School
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Marking
100 years aboard a Huey
June Clapp, 100, and Tim Clapp, 64, on the UH-1 Huey military helicopter on Oct. 7. Tim said June wanted a photo prior to taking off. Story by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat | pHOTOS PROVIDED BY tIM cLAPP
Hitting the century mark didn’t stop Nashville resident June Clapp from soaring over the hills and hollers of Brown County in a UH-1 Huey military helicopter! Clapp’s son, Tim, was one of the pilots for the Columbus Indiana HUEY Veterans Organization Fundraiser on Oct. 7. The non-profit provides helicopter rides for people, and Clapp was able to go up with her son the last two years. “Last year when I turned 99 was my first time ever on a helicopter,” said Clapp. “When my son asked me if I wanted to go again, I was excited to. There’s really nothing to it.” Clapp turned 100 on July 27. Clapp said it was a pretty day and they flew for about 20 minutes over Nashville. She said although she can’t see all that well anymore, what she could see was very interesting and beautiful. She said she wasn’t nervous about it at all. “It was like I was sitting right at home in my chair but also looking out over the countryside,” said Clapp. Tim said it was a special day and the fact that she was able to do it at 100 made it even more special. “Mom being 100 is special every day,” said Tim. “We are so glad we’ve had her this long, and she’s still so spry for her age.” Clapp lives in Willow Manor Senior Apartments across the hall from friend Delores Wayne who believed Clapp’s story was worth sharing with the community. “She’s such an interesting and amazing lady with a good mind still,” said Wayne. “I don’t think everyone knows her age.” Wayne said she thought it was such an amazing thing that Clapp 14 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
was able to ride in a helicopter at her age and when she asked her if she was nervous to go up in it, Clapp replied she wasn’t at all. “She uses a cane but gets around so well,” said Wayne. “She always has on nice outfits and her nails are always done, and I can’t believe she’s 100.” Tim said everyone enjoys being around his mom, and she’s a very kind and special woman. He said his favorite memory from this flight with her was when they took a turn and banked a little and she grabbed his brother-in-law’s leg. “She told me later, ‘I did it for his benefit, I thought he’d be scared,’” said Tim, laughing. Clapp said the plan is to do it again next year when she’s 101, and she encourages everyone to take a ride in a helicopter if given the chance. “Next I want to go on one of those hot air balloons, I’ve always wanted to,” Clapp said
<< June Clapp, 100, at her apartment at Willow Manor Senior Apartments.
IN-35150859
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 15
Leather shops in Brown County Story and photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat
Moonshine Leather Co. offers many accessories like hats, hairclips and more.
Great Brown County Getaways IN-35150864
Brick Lodge Suites, Studios, Hot Tubs, Indoor Pool, Whirlpool, Special Getaway Packages
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245 N. Jefferson Street | 988.8400 | 800.848.6274 www.hotelnashville.com
1878 N. State Road 135 | 812.988.6429 www.bricklodge.com
194 N. Van Buren Street | 812.988.6429 www.northhousegetaway.com
16 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
Manager of Moonshine Leather Co. helps a customer find the perfect leather good.
<<
Visitors examine the leather in the windows of Moonshine Leather Co.
<<
Love the smell of leather like the rest of us? Lucky for you, Brown County has all the leather goods (and smells) you need! Shops like Moonshine Leather Company, Reynolds Leather and Gifts and House of Thunder all provide leather goods for the community and those passing through. The shop managers and owners all said that Brown County is a great place to sell leather for tourists and locals alike, and each shop has a unique appeal to its customers. Moonshine Leather Company, owned by Mike Kline, has been part of Nashville since the early 1990s. The shop is unique not only because of Kline’s deep ties to the town but because it is the only leather shop in town that handcrafts its own products. Retail Manager HollyAnn Love said when she was a kid there were several leather stores that did their own work, but now it’s only Moonshine. She said it’s one of the few crafts that can be done by hand or with minimal supplies, and there’s something artistic about it that people enjoy watching. “Plus, you get to meet the person that made it, and there’s something really interesting about meeting the person making something that you’re going to carry on a regular basis,” said Love. Whether looking for belts, wallets, clothing or accessories, everything except for the hats is guaranteed to be made right here in Brown County. So, where does the leather come from? Well, Kline said he focuses on getting nearly all of his products from tanneries in the U.S. Although there used to be 42 around the country when Kline first started, now there are only three. He still strives to use those as much as possible. Kline said his main customers are tourists, although there are many locals who like to come in and buy scraps and work on projects themselves. He also said one of the reasons so many
people are attracted to leather is because of the natural and durable quality of it. Nancy Goddard, one of the sewers at Moonshine Leather, said the workmanship and all the hardware are guaranteed for the life of the lather. So, if someone comes in who’s had a product for 20 years and something’s broken, they’re going to fix it for them. “When you treat people right, you have a lot of returning customers,” said Goddard. “We have people that are back every year who say, ‘when we come here, we come to this store.’” Jordan Schroeder, Manager of Reynolds Leather and Gifts, said being nice to the tourists really makes a difference, and people come from everywhere just to shop with them. Reynolds Leather and Gifts has also been in Brown County for decades. Schroeder’s Aunt, Vickie Reynolds, has owned the shop for 40 years. While they also sell wallets and hats; they have other leather clothing like chaps, boots and vests. Schroeder said the
IN-35135724
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Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 17
Leather shops
<<
Manager of Reynolds Leather and Gifts, Jordan Schroeder, in front of numerous jackets inside the store.
main item they sell, however, are jackets, and they take great pride in what they charge for them. “I always say we’re like the T.J. Maxx of leather,” said Schroeder. “You can look at fake leather online and it’s anywhere from $200 to $500, but we sell our real leather for $139.” She said their prices are definitely an appeal because they have great quality things and plenty to choose from for much less. While some of their buyers are local, the majority are tourists as well. Reynolds Leather and Gifts provides protective gear for motorcycle riders, and they see a lot of bikers passing through town that come in and buy from them. And they’re not the only ones. House of Thunder, just right outside
<<
Leather jackets on display in front of Reynolds Leather and Gifts.
Creative menu Fresh ingredients Plant based options
Featuring
IN-35150861
Full-service bar and bistro Vacation units upstairs for up to 10 people and more!
18 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
14 Unique Shops
Off the corner of Franklin & Jefferson Behind the Ferguson House
of town, provides numerous motorcycle gear for bikers either passing through or coming for special events at the shop. Owners, Matt and Connie Gelinske, have provided leather goods in Nashville since 2011 and host numerous events that invite bikers into their shop and into town. Matt said year after year customers come to get outfits or refit ones they’ve already purchased, and they often bring others with them. “We used to come out here as tourists ourselves, and one day we were sitting in town and I remember noticing there were as many bikes as there were cars in town, and I knew I had to get my business out here,” said Matt. Whether it’s providing 15 percent cash back benefits for group riders, or Connie’s distinctive ability to size and properly fit anyone for chaps, they focus on selling quality products to the motorcycle community and anyone else who comes in interested in leather gear. “There’s a history with leather and we’ve been using it for a long time because it’s natural and durable,” said Kline. “It’s unique, no two pieces are exactly alike, and I think people still recognize the value of it today.”
House of Thunder’s greeter welcomes visitors.
Leather racks fill the upstairs of House of Thunder in Nashville.
.- 9 p.m., ., Thursday 11 a.m 11 a.m.- 11 p.m y a rd tu a S d n a y Frida a.m.- 9 p.m. 1 1 y a d n u S ing time
N e p o w No ur before clos
til one ho Serving food un
www.seasonslodge.com 812-988-2284
IN-35150863
Located in the across from the entrance of the Brown County Music Center
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 19
Bookstores of brown county Story and photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat
She said they are waiting to set a date with Bloomington author, Michael Koryta, who wrote, “So Cold The River.” They also have famous local books like the Bear Wallow cookbooks whose recipes all originated from a local author. The two bookshops in town report that they help each other in order to provide people with the books they’re looking for. “They send people over all the time for used books or we’ll send people to them if we don’t have a book,” said Arnold. Tarin Paradise, owner of Fallen Leaf Books Manager, Taylor Naughty Dog Books, said she Arnold said she loves sharing stories with the people of Brown County. understands what it’s like to be a small store and she does what she can to keep the inventory from overlapping with Fallen Leaf Books. “Spain carries a lot of stuff that we do not, and do not on purpose,” said Paradise. Paradise opened her store in Brown County three years ago and said her store is unique in that all her books are new from various publishers and they don’t carry every genre like sci-fi, young adult, memoirs etc. She said mystery thriller is what they carry the most of along with traditional children’s books and fiction books. Naughty Dog Books also has a section called the True Crime Vault, which is actually an old bank vault that holds true crime stories, including Indiana true crime. “I’m the practical one and I thought we should use it for storage, but my daughter said ‘No way, we’re putting true crime in there,’ and
<<
Brown County is home to two unique bookstores, Fallen Leaf Books and Naughty Dog Books, that provide people with history, education, enjoyment, information and so much more that are found in pages both old and new. Carey Spain bought what is now known as Fallen Leaf Books in 2015 and created a shop full of new, used, rare and collectible items. Manager Taylor Arnold said they have antique books dating from the early 1600s full of famous fables to today’s most popular artists like Colleen Hoover. She said they have a diverse selection of books in the shop which allows for many different people with different interests to come into the shop. “I think it’s really important to have books especially now that they’re being banned more and more,” said Arnold. She said they carry a lot of banned books like “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury and “1984” by George Orwell, and a lot of the high schoolers in town will come in and buy books. “We carry John Green books and other Young Adult books that have been challenged or banned in different schools or libraries,” said Arnold. Arnold said they also have a great children’s section that brings people in as well, and they get a lot of college kids who come in because of the different sections they have for them. “We have the LGBTQ+ sections with both studies and fiction and we have books on Native American and African American studies and things like that as well,” said Arnold. Another different part of Fallen Leaf Books is the various ways they find or receive their books to sell. Spain goes to many auctions to get used and unique books for his shop. Arnold said they also will get people who come in and sell them old books they no longer have an interest in or new books that are used but still in great condition. They also have various local artists who will bring them their books and have many author signings. Arnold said nearly every Saturday in September they have book signings lined up with local authors.
<<
Fallen Leaf Books has many old and new books as well as postcards, bookmarks and more.
20 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
people really like it,” said Paradise. Naughty Dog Books extended into the back part of the shop last February. Paradise said they also started carrying more and more local artists and have done three local artist signings as well another one coming up this month. Paradise does three book clubs; a mystery, a classics and a middle-grade book club where locals as well as people from various places including Indianapolis come together to read. She said they will be starting a storytime book club for children under the age of 5. She is also planning to start another adult book club at the beginning of next year. She said the store has a local following as well as the tourists passing through but says they’re still gaining their footing. “A lot of people still come in and say, ‘I had no idea you were here,’ so I think we’re still relatively new,” said Paradise. Paradise said she comes from a long line of readers and was a teacher before opening the shop. She said bookstores are always the first stop on vacations whenever her family goes and she wanted to incorporate that into Nashville. “I really like it here,” said Paradise. “I like the community, visiting with the tourists when they come in, and it’s just a great place to live and to own a business.” Arnold said she loves leading people to new authors that they’ve never read before and loves the repeat customers who come back and like what she suggested and want more. “It’s just a nice little book community,” said Arnold. From top to bottom: Tarin Paradise, owner of Naughty Dog Books, reading in the new addition of the bookstore Aug. 29. Paradise opened the bookstore three years ago. // Tarin Paradise and her assistant discuss books with customer Aug. 29. The bookstore has many new options. // Naughty Dog Books is home to an unique true crime vault that used to be an old bank vault. There are many true crime novels in the vault, including many Indiana cases.
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New Businesses Story and photos by Abbie Gressley Brown County Democrat
New and revamped businesses open their doors in Nashville
Carrie Byers, owner of the new store Cooper’s Alley.
While the crowds quickly begin flowing in, so do new and revamped businesses! A new business, Cooper’s Alley recently opened and the Nashville General Store & Bakery reopened under new ownership. Cooper’s Alley owner Carrie Byers is ready to share her new southern family style farm-to-table restaurant and bed and breakfast with the Brown County community. “I wanted to find a place that felt like time slowed down and stopped for a minute,” said Byers. “So I could open up a business that could give the vibe of wanting to go back to your roots.” Byers moved to Brown County a year and a half ago, and when she saw the opening where Brown Bike used to be, she knew it was the right time to open her business. Cooper’s Alley isn’t only a restaurant and bed and breakfast. Byers plans to have outdoor dinners and movies, a feminine speakeasy cocktail bar and an outdoor southern gentleman urban bar that will feature a covered wagon to serve appetizers in. “We also will feature workshops and events throughout the months like women’s events, relaxation events and bridal events, all with a flare for wellness,” said Byers. Byers said the other part to her store will be the to-go picnic baskets. “It will literally be a wooden picnic basket that you can come pick up and take with you for the day and bring back to have refilled, or to just purchase it if you want to,” said Byers. Byers said the inspiration for a business in Brown County came from her late father who influenced her business ventures and was
the inspiration behind the name Cooper’s Alley. She said her father’s first-ever gig as a musician was at Cooper’s Alley in Texas. Her husband was able to find the original sign that her father would’ve walked under back then, for the restaurant. Byers’ other motivation for this location is based on her store’s slogan and her dad’s inspiring words; “Jed’s a millionaire.” “I would always be so excited about different ventures and things I was opening and my dad would always tell me he was proud of me and I was doing great, but he’d always follow it up with, ‘Jed’s a millionaire,’” said Byers. She said her whole life she thought her dad was talking about a rich guy in Texas, but really the saying had a entirely different meaning. “What my dad was trying to say was to slow down, go back to your roots and don’t get too big for your britches,” said Byers. Byers said that’s her goal for her new business, and she hopes it will inspire others to do the same.
“Jed’s a millionaire” - Carrie Byers
22 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
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Workers preparing the new restaurant and bed and breakfast, Cooper’s Alley, where Brown Bike used to be.
Margie Long outside of Nashville General Store & Bakery. Long has been coming to this store for years and jumped on the opportunity to run it herself.
The new area to order breakfast at the Nashville General Store & Bakery. Long plans to add a full breakfast menu to the shop and serve the guests.
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“I want to create a space where friends and family can come and make memories for a lifetime,” said Byers. Nashville General Store & Bakery has also welcomed a new and friendly face, Margie Long, who has recently bought the store and opened it back up after nearly two months of being shut down. “This store has always been one of my favorites in Nashville, and I would come back every year to visit,” said Long. “I’ve had ladies come in saying they come here every year, so it’s just about keeping that going for people.” Long said she has owned different antique stores over the last three years and when she saw this store for sale, she knew she wanted to move to town and keep it open. “For me, it’s about tradition,” said Long. “I know it’s a favorite spot for a lot of people to get bread and cinnamon rolls, and I think it’s a great tradition to carry on.” She said they are currently working on getting inventory built up and adding more things into the shop. Long said the middle of the store will be filled with jams and jelly and the addition of old-time candy, along with the same apple butter they’ve been serving for years. “We will also be doing a full breakfast,” said Long. “We have seating at both ends of the building and outside, so people will be able to order at the counter and then we will bring the food out to them.” Long said it was a dream of hers to own a shop and live in Brown County one day. She said she loves meeting and talking to people who share their traditions with her. “I want to carry on this tradition that I’ve had for as long as I can remember,” said Long. “And now I can pass it on to my kids and grandkids, and that means a lot to me.”
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 23
Hook, line and sinker Story and photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat
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Levi (right) and Jeff (left) Mullins Father’s Day weekend right before Levi signed with Bethel University. The duo won first place this weekend at Brookville Reservoir in Indiana.
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What started as a 10-year-old boy fishing for fun turned into college scholarships and and national rankings. Levi Mullins grew up in Brown County fishing with his dad at Monroe Lake. When he and his dad Jeff Mullins created the Brown County Fishing Club at the high school, his bass fishing career really took off. “My family has always taken me fishing ever since I can remember,” said Mullins. “Our first tournament together we had no idea what we were doing or getting into and ended up getting second place. That’s when I really fell in love with it and took off with it.” Mullins got recruited in high school by Bethel University in Tennessee, one of the most decorated fishing teams in the country. He went on the U.S.A Bassin scholarship where he too became one of the most decorated fishermen. He was one of the eight top collegiate anglers in the nation to participate in the Bassmaster College Bracket in Kansas. Any college who makes a bracket has a chance to be included and only eight get to go. “It means a lot to me,” said Mullins. “It’s pretty crazy to get
that far in the nation.” Mullins said the day didn’t go as planned. He said he was leading all day until the last 30 minutes when a guy caught the biggest fish of the day that ended up beating him. He said it was still a fun day, and he was able to be featured live on channel FS1. “That was a dream come true for him,” said Jeff. “Any one of them was good enough to win it, and it was an honor to see him compete in the bracket as one of the top eight.” Mullins mom Heather said she was so proud of him for following his dreams and going to college five hours away for them. “I feel that no one truly believed in him in high school and expected him to do anything, so the fact he got his scholarship and went to college for it was a huge accomplishment,” said Heather. Mullins has had many accomplishments throughout his fishing career including a Bassmaster College Series win in South Carolina in 2020, second place at B.A.S.S Nation Championship, third place at Bassmaster College Series in Florida, third and fifth at Big Bass Bash on Kentucky Lake and won the Major League Fishing College Faceoff. He’s won local tournaments recently as well. Mullins said last year he won the Bass Fishing League tournament on Monroe Lake, and he also won the Brownies Marine Ranger Nitro tournament on Monroe. “He walked into Bethel University, the most decorated fishing team in the country, as an unknown,” said Jeff. “His
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teammates were some of the most decorated in the country and at the end of his college career, he’s one of the most decorated from the team.” Mullins graduated in May and plans to continue his fishing career. He said his goal is to fish competitively as a living. “I want to fish on national trails across the nation,” said Mullins. “I’d like to qualify for the Tackle Warehouse Pro Series and make the Bassmaster Classic series.” “He was this little boy that doesn’t talk much o bass still, who succeeded and pursued his catching tw ullins after 2012. This was M vi Le dreams all on his own,” said Heather. pond in ed he at his home me he decid “He’s good enough with the right ti e th d n arou e th e ursu breaks to be a professional,” said Jeff. “It wanted to p er. sport furth has been special to watch it happen, and we are excited to see where he goes from here.” Mullins said he likes trying to figure out the fish each day and how to get them to bite. “I’m proud of being able to compete against all the people I’ve gone up against, and I love traveling across the country and being able to fish all the time,” said Mullins.
26 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
Levi Mullins at tournament with the his first ever Brow Fishing Club. Jeff sai n County d this is the spark that lit the fire .
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the Bass 2022 after winning Levi Mullins in July Lake. e nro Mo on nt rname Fishing League tou
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 27
Fall in Nashville Story and photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat
Cindy and Rick Johnston visiting from Leo IN walk along the Salt Creek Trail after shopping in Brown County.
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We all know fall is the best time of the year— well at least the best season in Nashville! But what does fall really mean in Brown County? These shop workers explain what the town is like during its busiest time of the year and what makes these hills and hollers truly stand out amongst the rest. According to Garrett Mauck, Manager of Life is Good, fall in Brown County is the spring break of Fort Lauderdale. “It is our big, pretty season when everyone wants to be in town,” said Mauck. “Especially for me, working in this store, it makes me feel like I’m at someone’s favorite vacation spot. Ron Jon Surf Shop is always big for me when I’m on vacation, so a lot of the shops out here have that same effect on people who come yearly.” “It feels like coming home,” said Kasey Goolsby, who moved to Nashville in August. She has worked at At Home with Heartland for a little less than a month. “It’s like a quintessential fall, it’s cozy, warm, calm.” Some of the workers touched on how busy this time of the year is in the shops. Georgia Snider who has worked at the Brown County Rock Shop and Copperhead Creek Gem Mine for five years laughed and said it’s chaos. “It’s the busiest time of the year and everybody is slammed,” said Snider. “But it’s
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Carson Likens, a worker at Life is Good, pets the adventurous community cat, Sassy. Sassy’s human is Amy Greely who owns New Leaf. Sassy roams the roofs and streets around New Leaf and the other businesses and Likens said she is one of the most famous and photographed cat in Brown County.
Shoppers fill the streets at favorite local shops around town.
a good thing for the store, for all the stores and the county.” David Thrasher, an employee of Weed Patch Music Company for the last year and a half, said it’s busy, exciting, tiring and fun. “I love the fall and all of the cool people I get to meet from literally all over the world,” said Thrasher. “There’s all manners of musical experience and as a music shop worker, I’m partial to that. It’s really neat.” “I think it just means coming together and everyone just enjoying everything,” said Shelby Apple, who’s worked at Changing Seasons for the last four years. She said so many people find joy coming to Nashville for so many reasons, whether it’s the trees or memories or the transformations. “That right there is it; transformation,” said Apple. “Everyone comes here to be transformed to a better version of themselves. It’s a breath of fresh air that needs to be protected.”
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Bissell Family Hike
Members of the Bissell family and other participating hikers climbing Mt. Rainier. Pictured are cousin Becky Garnett (white shirt in front), and husband Jeff Garnett and Cedar Boschan (second to last).
Story by Abbie Gressley Brown COunty Democrat
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Photos Provided By Cedar Boscham Laura Martin at the bottom of Mt. Rainier in August. The grandparents went along on the trip to care for the grandchildren. It was a large family gathering to help cheer on the cousins hiking.
30 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
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The fifth generation of a local Brown County family carried on a tradition this year that took them all the way to the west coast. On Aug. 14 the Bissell family set out with backpacks, crampons, and hiking poles to continue a legacy set in place decades ago — climbing Washington state’s Mt. Ranier. The history started in 1919 with ancestor Livingston Bissell. Nashville resident Laura Bissell said she remembers in junior high her family went to visit her uncle in Washington and he would always take them backpacking and she knew her grandma and great-grandfather climbed Mt. Rainier and they got the idea to do it themselves. “We thought, ‘Well, yeah, let’s do it!’” said Laura. “My father and I were the last ones in our family to climb until my daughter Cedar decided to put it all together with her cousins.” She said it was the hardest thing she ever did and it taught her that anytime she thinks she can’t take another step, she can take twice that. “It was a difficult, risky thing to do, and we did it,” said Laura. “I felt like a little grain of sand in the universe. We are so vulnerable and so tiny in comparison, but it was a feeling of oneness with nature and being part of this thing called Mother Earth.” Cousins Cedar Boschan from California, Rebecca Garnett from Washington, Bing Martin from Kentucky and Danielle Smith from Ohio were committed to etching their names alongside their ancestors. Bing and Cedar are the adult children of Laura — and the fifth generation in the legacy. “Climbing Mt. Rainier stands as a monumental achievement and shared milestone within our family,” said Boschan. “I’m deeply honored to sustain the legacy, forging unforgettable memories with
my cousins in 2023.” Boschan’s now 98-year-old grandfather Dr. Edward Lawrence Hendershot and his daughter Laura stood atop Mount Rainier in 1968. Boschan and Martin both said growing up in Brown County helped open their eyes to nature and connected them to their family history of summitting Mt. Rainer. Bing said he was very into hiking because his mom still had some of the gear she used on her trip in 1986, like her green camping backpack and an old propane stove. “I still have the old stove!” he said. “They were things she actually used on the mountain, and I grew up looking at and using the gear and envisioning and daydreaming about climbing Mt. Rainier one day.” Boschan said growing up in Brown County gave her an appreciation for the majesty of nature, which is larger than life in the Pacific Northwest. “Actually it might be full circle because when my mom climbed Mt. Rainier she became really connected with nature, and that is likely what inspired her to move to Brown County in the first place,” she explained. “It’s just a cycle almost.” Laura said she was proud of her son and daughter for bringing the family together for this journey. “Summiting Mt. Rainier was a spiritual experience for me and changed my life immeasurably, leading me to live in the forest and giving me perspective on the harmony of
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L-R: Laura Martin peeking from behind was scowling at her father’s request for a photo in 1968. // Laura Martin on Mt. Rainier in 1968. // Laura’s father, Dr. Edward Lawrence Hendershot, Ohio, climbing Mt. Rainer in 1968. He would be the third- and Laura the fourthgeneration climbers.
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 31
the universe and my small part of it,” she said. Smith and Garnett said they also recall hearing stories of their ancestors summitting the mountain and wanted to be a part of the legacy. “Growing up, I was regaled with tales of my grandpa and aunt’s ascent of Mt. Rainier in the 60s and later learned that my great-grandmother also scaled its heights,” Garnett said. “I aim to forge stronger familial bonds and carry forward this cherished tradition!” said Smith. The guided tour by Rainier Mountaineering Inc. Expeditions allowed for the cousins to get up to 10,400 feet in elevation before they had to return because of the conditions on the mountain. Boschan said the temperatures were abnormally hot for the season and the melting of the ice made it so they couldn’t reach the summit. Boschan said it didn’t really matter to her that they didn’t make it to the top because they got to be together and learn many things from it. “That wasn’t really what was important to me honestly,” said Boschan. “We learned things about each other and connected with each other on a daily basis which may not have otherwise happened.” Boschan laughed and said her cousins were talking about how Bing doesn’t stop talking even while climbing. While everyone else was breathless, he just kept talking. “It was kind of annoying to be honest,” Boschan said. “But I learned something new about my younger brother that I didn’t know before.” Bing said climbing Mt. Rainier was a great way for the cousins to reunite and stay connected while retracing the steps of their ancestors. “Now, it’s the new generation’s turn to carry the torch forward,” Boschan said.
The woman pictured in the middle, Dorothy Bissell Martin, climbs Mt. Rainier in 1919. She would be the second generation to hike the mountain.
From left to right: Chester Martin, Cedar Boschan, Danielle Smith, Jeff Garnett, Brandon Smith. The Bissell cousins after descending Mt. Rainier.
32 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
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Bissell Family Hike
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Fifth generation Bissell Family cousins climbing Mt Rainier in August 2023.
Left to right: Bing Martin and Cedar Boschan training for their Mt. Rainier hike.
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Firefighter Award Story by Abbie Gressley Brown COunty Democrat Photos Provided
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When Indiana Volunteer Firefighter District 12B President Tammy Wright looked through all the recommendations to honor firefighters within the district, she said she choked up reading the one about former Brown County VFD chief Nick Kelp. The Indiana Volunteer Firefighter Association (IVFA) surprised Kelp with the McQueen Excellence Award – an award dedicated to someone who goes above and beyond what is required for the job at their department and outside of their department – at the Brown County VFD meeting on Sept. 13. “Honestly, I don’t know how to put it into words,” said Kelp. “I was born and raised here, my family has been part of the community for so long and part of the fire department for generations, so I just feel attached to it and want to see it get better and succeed.” Kelp has served in the department for 11 years as a firefighter and as chief for the past six. While recently resigning as chief, he remained on the team to continue helping the department and community however possible. Shawn Fosnight, Brown County VFD Chief, said he knew he wanted to nominate Kelp for the award because he always excelled in his position and gave so much more to the department and community than the job requires. “I literally can’t think of a more deserving person,” said Fosnight. “He likes to do things quietly and try his best to make our department and firefighters better without seeking recognition for his work.” According to Fosnight, some of the major accomplishments that made Kelp deserving of this award include updating their personal protective equipment into
36 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
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From left, Nick Kelp and Chief Shawn Fosnight. Fosnight nominated Kelp for the award, saying Kelp was like a brother to him and there’s no one who deserves the recognition more.
From left, Nick Kelp and Tammy Wright. Kelp received the McQueen Excellence Award at the Brown County VFD meeting on Sept. 13 from Indiana Volunteer Fire Department District 17B President, Tammy Wright. Wright said when she saw the nomination from Fosnight it was a clear cut choice for Kelp to receive the award.
compliance with current standards and implementing a plan to ensure continued compliance, securing a grant to purchase a breathing air compressor and cascade system. This was a huge benefit to the department because they had to travel up to 25 minutes to another department after every fire to fill self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) bottles. Fosnight said one of the biggest successes Kelp had was securing a grant for over $470,000 to buy new 800 MHz radios for the department, as well as three other local departments. “This is a huge accomplishment as it will help push Brown County closer to fully operating on 800 MHz 100 percent of From left, Nick Kelp and father Dak Kelp strike a pose after Nick received the McQueen Excellence Award Sept. 13. Nick’s father also received this award more than a decade ago when he served as Chief.
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the time which has been a need for several years, as it will also benefit our entire county,” said Fosnight. “When we call in mutual aid from surrounding counties, we will be able to communicate much more effectively with them.” The McQueen Excellence Award is a distinct honor because each district in the state is nominated for the same reward and each person within those districts can nominate someone. Within Brown County’s district (17B) there are 34 departments. “So, he got the award not only from our county but the entire district we are part of,” said Fosnight. Kelp’s father, Dak Kelp, who has also served on the Brown County fire department for the past 38 years and was a chief himself, said he couldn’t be more proud of his son. He said he got the same reward back in 2011 and it was really neat that his son followed in his footsteps. “I followed my dad in the fire service, and I kind of went above and beyond what he did and now Nick has gone above and beyond what I’ve done,” said Dak. “Which as a parent, that’s all that we can hope for that our kids do better than we did.” Kelp said it’s important to him to follow in the footsteps of his dad and grandfather and continue the legacy through the generations. “When I get time to reflect on things, it makes me really proud,” said Kelp. “That’s the biggest thing is just the pride that I feel.”
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Abe Martin An Abe Martin statue stands outside of the Birds Nest Cafe on Franklin St.
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Story and photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat Story and Photos by Abbie Gressley Brown COunty Democrat
“Abe Martin is a timeless character, we all know him. He will always be a part of us.” - Anna Hoffstetter 38 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
“Nobuddy kin talk as interestin’ as th’ feller that’s not hampered by facts.” Frank McKinney ‘Kin’ Hubbard’s most famous creation, Abe Martin, known as a country bumpkin philosopher, is an important figure and overall theme to Brown County and its people. Abe Martin was a comic character whose famous piece, “From Down in the Hills of Brown County,” appeared on the back page of the Indianapolis News six days a week for more than 25 years. He was known in more than 200 newspapers across the country for his wit and entertaining sayings. He may have been rural and hard to understand sometimes, but his lessons are timeless. Jim Schultz, President of Peaceful Valley Heritage Preservation Society who helped pay for the historical marker, said Kin Hubbard was an incredibly important person because through his Abe Martin comic, he raised curiosity in people and stood as the catalyst to the tourism that is seen today. “I think that’s the most important takeaway,” said Schultz. “The significance of (Hubbard’s) comic was it created the curiosity of ‘hey I gotta go check this out.’” Mark Shields, Director of Parks and Recreation, also said Hubbard and Abe put Brown County on the map in the early 1900s as it wasn’t well known in larger communities yet. “It started this recognition of a simple life with wooded hills, and then there was this funny little character that people fell in love with,” said Shields.
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While Police Chief Heather Burris didn’t grow up here, she said the history and creativity of Abe Martin set the foundation of the community and how the community grew in art culture. “That’s what I love about an artistic foundation,” said Burris. “Imagination is inspiration and it’s ever-evolving!” Town Council Member Anna Hoffstetter said when she first moved here she was somewhat offended by Abe Martin, but soon realized Brown Countians should have pride in being a country bumpkin. “Abe Martin is a timeless character, we all know him,” said Hoffstetter. “He will always be a part of us.” Patrick Haulter, assistant property manager at Brown County State Park, said Abe Martin Lodge is somewhere a lot of people stay when they come to the park, but they don’t always know what Abe is and what it means, and the new historical marker will help explain. Haulter said Abe Martin may not have always depicted people in the brightest lights, but it was a neat way to look at the area and stood as a theme for it. “I think it’s just a catchy, cool thing to have around that gives the area something to stand behind and act as a sort of a mascot for Brown County,” said Haulter. Alice Susemichel, CEO of the Community Foundation, said when children visit they may think of the Lodge more in terms of the indoor water park, but over the years if they continue to visit, they may come to learn, appreciate and celebrate the significance of this comic character. “With the addition of this historical marker, residents and visitors can be reminded of and celebrate the historical richness of Brown County,” said Susemichel. The sixth Indiana State historical marker will be going on the backside (what used to be the front) of Abe Martin Lodge in the state ark on Sept. 1. The lodge has many tributes to Abe Martin inside, and the original cabins are all named after characters from the comic strip. The lodge continues to play into that curiosity of Brown County that Hubbard created all those years ago, and the historical marker will be a great reminder of that curiosity to its people.
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Ground broken for IU Health facility Story and Photos by Abbie Gressley Brown COunty Democrat
Ground broken on new IU Health facility in Nashville 40 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
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The IU Health Nashville Office is one step closer to making its way to Brown County soil. So close that leaders of the project, IU Health workers, and community members officially turned soil at the Groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 13. The IU Health South Central Region, IU Health Foundation and the Brown County Community YMCA joined together to celebrate the upcoming construction of the new medical office building off State Road 46 and Maple Leaf Boulevard. Brechin Newby, MD, IU Health South Central Region Chief Physician Executive, said their goal is to give the community access
to IU Health’s excellent patient care closer to home. “We are here today to celebrate a new facility that will allow us to continue providing top level care and finding new ways to contribute to the health of this community in the years to come,” Newby said. Kim Robinson, Brown County Community YMCA CEO, said this was the important first step in the process with the next step slated for the second week of October when construction begins. “The YMCA is proud to partner with our local leaders and IU Health to help improve the health of our communities,” said Robinson. IU Health System Regional Operations Senior Vice President, Brian Shockney, said this project wouldn’t have been possible without the facilitation of the IU Health Foundation and a generous gift from Burt Borgelt in honor of his wife, Sue Borgelt, for which the health center will be named. Burt and Sue Borgelt provided the original funding for the Brown County YMCA, and their most recent gift will ensure Brown County residents have a trusted team to go to for healthcare. “Our primary care office has been in Brown County for over 20 years, and this facility ensures that quality care will be provided for another 20 years,” said Shockney. Robin Lasek, Communications and Public Relations Manager at IU Health South Central Region, said they don’t have the information for the cost of the project yet, or the official start date, but the project is planned to begin by mid-October with a planned completion around July 2024.
The Spring Almanack Publishes February 2024 Contact Larry Hanson at 317-418-7771, or lhanson@bcdemocrat.com, to reserve your ad space now!
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From left: Jerry Pittman, Brown County Board of Commissioners President; Linda Hobbs, Brown County YMCA Board Chair; Kim Robinson, Brown County Community YMCA CEO; Brian Shockney, IU Health System Regional Operations Senior Vice President; Eric Koch, State Senator, District 44; and Brechin Newby, MD, IU Health South Central Region Chief Physician Executive did the ceremonial groundbreaking.
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Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 41
Let us help you find a home in Brown County! Left to right: Megan Connelly, Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Brown County Schools, Christy Wrightsman, Director of Career Connected Learning inside the Career inside the Career Resource Center.
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Story and photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat
bearrealestatesales.com 54 Pittman House Lane Nashville, IN 47448 42 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
Brown County Schools have out the welcome mat for new Work-Based Learning Coordinator, Megan Connelly. With one apprenticeship already under way, Connelly has adapted to her new role and aims to provide as many internships and opportunities for students as possible. Connelly will work specifically with grades K-12 on the Career Connected Learning (CCL) initiative, a program set in place in 2018 to teach students about themselves and their likes and values while discovering their career interests and plans for their future after high school. Connelly will focus on the work-based learning programs the schools already have in place like student businesses, early childhood education and courses that prepare students with employability skills. Then she’ll look at how these initiatives already in place can transition students into life after high school. “I’m going to be finding more opportunities for our students to get hands-on work experience in our community before they even graduate from Brown County Schools,” said Connelly. Christy Wrightsman, Director of CCL, said in the beginning the initiative was focused at the high school level with a Prep for College and Careers course for all eighth graders to take. “One of the key things that has come along since 2018 is the embedding of work and career learning in the elementary schools,” said Wrightsman. “We are now making sure our elementary students have that same career exposure through Beable’s World of Work.” Beable’s WoW is a career-focused literacy program that K-8 students use. They take what’s called the RIASEC - realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising and conventional - test that assesses their interest and skills and gives them a three-letter code telling them what their strengths are and what might interest them in a career one day.
Connelly said some of her main tasks will be to find companies, businesses and organizations that want to partner with Brown County Schools for internships, apprenticeships, job shadows or to just present at career fairs in order for students to see the different opportunities right at their back door. Wrightsman said they were able to hire Connelly through the ThreeE Grant, a grant based on exposing K-5 students to a variety of careers, experiencing different job shadows or guest speakers for 6-8 graders and engaging grades 9-12 with hands-on internships or apprenticeships. “The CCL initiative is still here and going strong, and we are ready for our community to say ‘Yes, send an intern, send an apprentice, we want to show them our trade,’” said Wrightsman. Connelly said internships and apprenticeships can be done during the school day. Apprenticeships tend to be more long-term as students are essentially hired on and trained as an employee of the company. Internships could be shorter, with students doing a summer, semester, or full-year internship. The amount of time depends on the student’s scheduling situation. Students would have the option to work longer each day if their schedule allows. These programs give them work experience and counts for course credit, and in some cases, they can even start earning work certifications that they could use in their career after the program. “We have really great programs implemented to educate the students and teach them workplace skills, but we can’t do it without the help of the community,” said Connelly. “It’ll be so much more impactful if students can get out and meet people in their community and see the jobs with first-person experience.” Wrightsman and Connelly will be holding a Work-Based Learning Partnership meeting on Oct. 25 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Goldberg Room at BCHS. The meeting will be for all businesses and organizations who have an interest in supporting the CCL initiative through work-based learning opportunities like the most recent one with Mainstream Fiber.
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Other ways for businesses and community partners to be involved in CCL include:
2. Facilitate Classroom Presentations ▪ Present on a specific career or industry sector ▪ Present on a specific aspect of business ▪ Present on general workplace skills ▪ Present on career exploration and navigation 3. Assist Students with Career or Leadership Projects ▪ Act as an expert judge for science fairs, project proposals, etc. ▪ Act as a project coach ▪ Assist teachers with career-related units of study 4. Offer Experiences Outside of School ▪ Offer a worksite tour ▪ Host student job shadows ▪ Host student internships ▪ Host student apprentices
Current BCS Programs & Pathways: Construction, Engineering, Eagle Manufacturing (Machining & Digital Design), Eaglet Manufacturing (8th grade), Business Administration, Marketing and Sales, Biomedical Science, Computer Science, IT Operations, Early Childhood Education, Prep for College & Careers (8th grade), J.A. Biztown (5th grade)
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To find out more contact Wrightsman at cwrightsman@browncountyschools.com, Connelly at mconnelly@browncountyschools. com, or call (812) 988-5880 ext. 1901.
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1. Help Students Build Career Understanding ▪ Participate in a career fair ▪ Hold a mock interview
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 43
Fall is officially under way … well, almost! Story and photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat
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Fall is slipping away and pretty soon it’ll be cold, the leaves will be gone and winter will be upon us! Brown County and Nashville is a great place to visit or live. Fall might be the best time with the changing of the leaves, but anytime is a wonderful opportunity to be out in the downtown shops, take a tour of town in the Nashville Express, camp and hike at the State Park or simply marvel at the beauty that’s right around the corner in the treetops!
A group of friends vacationing from Cincinnati enjoyed a game of Bocce ball recently. Each person throws their weighted ball at the smaller target ball and sees who gets closest to it. 44 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
The Nashville Express train takes visitors on a tour around town. Many people line the streets and enjoy the sunny fall day.
The trees are always pretty at Brown County State Park!
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IN-35150870
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Story offers a unique historical venue with fine dining in our gourmet restaurant, cocktails and snacks in our bar, and lodging in our comfortable and unique lodging. We also offer spaces for all types of events including weddings, rehearsal dinners, family reunions, birthday parties, corporate retreats, and so much more!
Kara Bilbrey, Nashville, enjoys a fall afternoon reading a book amid the serene setting of Brown County State Park.
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Our renovated 1907 Tin Roof Barn is perfect for large weddings and groups. For smaller events our Flower and Herb garden or The 19th Century Grain Mill is perfect for more intimate weddings and groups
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Babar the Elephant visits students;
everyone is crowned Andreas reads the part to a captive audience.
Story and photos by Jan Holloway | CHamberfest Brown County
Props: Very large, soft, gray elephant ears. A very long soft gray elephant trunk. An elephant tail. A big screen. A piano. The Audience:Helmsburg Elementary School kids, K-2. The setting: Brown County Presbyterian Fellowship. The players: On piano, Seungkyu Oh, DM (Doctor of Musical Arts) student of piano at the IU Jacobs School of Music. Narrator: Andreas Ioannides, pianist and ChamberFest Brown County artistic director. Multimedia director: Samantha Hyde, Brown County Library children’s librarian. Prelude.At 10 am on Friday, August 18, Presbyterian Fellowship parishioner Sharlene Wall assembled a crew of crown makers. The team nimbly put together more than 100 golden crowns. The main event. At 12:30 more than 100 kids piled into Presbyterian Fellowship Hall, settled themselves on the floor, and listened as Andreas, disguised in giant elephant ears, read Jean de Brunhoff ’s beloved 1931 story; Histoire de Babar, or The Story of Babar, set to music by Francis Poulenc. As Andreas read, pages of Babar came alive on the big screen, wrapping listeners in the story of the orphaned elephant who flees the jungle and winds up in Paris. He’s befriended by an elegant old woman, who brings him into society. When he returns to the jungle, the urbane and well-traveled Babar is crowned King. And so were the children, who donned golden crowns as they enjoyed animal crackers, elephants among them. Making it possible were members at the Nashville Presbyterian Fellowship, who provided their hall and many willing helpers. On
46 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
the golden crown team was Fellowship elder Bob Young. A great fan of ChamberFest, Bob says the festival has “brought a level of competency to our area and a higher level of virtuosity than we’ve seen here! Andreas has been brilliant in bringing such a variety of performers to our community. Only in its third year, festival concerts have outgrown our church. So, we were especially delighted to host The Story of Babar and his fans from Helmsburg Elementary School.” As well as a ChamberFest fan, Bob is also a train buff. You may remember his train museum in Fruitdale. Sharlene Wall, volunteer lead of the crown makers and ChamberFest fan says, “This year’s festival was the best ever!” You may have seen Sharlene volunteering in other venues in town, including Mother’s Cupboard and the Brown County Playhouse, where she serves as usher. Our thanks also go to pianist Seungkyu Oh, one of the Fellowship’s pianists. This event for children was one of two presentations of The Story of Babar, the other hosted by the Nashville United Methodist Church. Our thanks to the Brown County Retired Teachers Association for funding the performance at Methodist Church. The generosity of our local churches, including St. Agnes Catholic Church and Parkview Church of the Nazarene, made it possible for us to bring this music to our community. Our heartfelt thanks go to their leaders, staff, and parishoners for their open doors, warm welcome, receptions that drew crowds (including cookies shaped like cellos), and enthusiasm for the music. Thanks to your hospitality we spent a week immersed in great music and excellent company.
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The kids at Helmsburg Elementary clearly enjoyed being crowned with Babar
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Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 47
Diggs in the Schoolhouse Inn Aug. 29. The room used to be entirely open, and he’s standing in front of what used to be the chalkboard.
Story and photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat
Schoolhouse this was e Inn. He said the Schoolhous e was no porch on it. of e nc tra en e and ther of the front t to school ther Diggs outside e when he wen nc tra en ly on the
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Jack Diggs attended Cottonwood School from 1939-45 for first through sixth grade. For his 91st birthday, he and wife Barbara decided to revisit his old stomping grounds and stay at what is now known as the 1891 Schoolhouse Inn. “We stopped by one day and I saw how they redid it, and I thought it would be nice to come stay,” said Diggs. “I missed it for his 90th birthday, and I thought if I got the opportunity to bring him for his 91st, I was going to do it,” said Barbara. Diggs reminisced on his time spent at the once one-room schoolhouse, sharing stories and changes from all those years ago. He said there were typically around 15 to 20 children in the schoolhouse and many of them came and went often since it was during World War II. Diggs was never drafted for the war, but did serve in the Air Force for four years shortly after high school. Diggs said the same thing happened with the teachers and he never had the same teacher for more than one year. By the sixth year, Diggs was the only one left at the school in his class.
48 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
“I was in charge of getting the coal and firing up the potbellied stove my sixth year,” said Diggs. He said he remembered by the end of the day the room would be really hot in one area but still cold in the far end by the kitchen. The typical school day was quite a bit different from schools today, according to Diggs. He said since all of the grade levels were in one room with one teacher, they all had similar tasks every day but at various levels. “We would have days where it was our turn to stand at the front of the class and recite what we had read or learned the day before,” said Diggs. He said while one person did that, the other grades were working on their own readings and studying for when it was their turn to recite. “And you better have been able to recite it all and answer the questions or you knew you’d be in trouble,” said Diggs. He said teachers always knew who the troublemakers were and when kids were acting up in class. “We didn’t know it at the time but they’d be looking through the reflection of their glasses when they had their backs turned to us,” said Diggs. “I remember one teacher would turn around and throw the chalkboard erasers at kids when they were doing something wrong,” Diggs said. He also remembered they had to write a letter to Superintendent Grover Brown to tell him why they should be able to graduate sixth grade and go to middle school. Diggs laughed and said he had no idea what he would’ve said
Jack Diggs, 6, in February 1939 on his bike. He said the hat he was wearing was really to keep him warm.
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in that, and Barbara said she’d do anything to get her hands on it. Diggs also said the schoolwork itself didn’t really matter to them as much back then. “I’d say the education we got here was enough for us to go to trade schools when we got older,” said Diggs. “But since so many of us were getting drafted for the war, we were just trying to enjoy and live our lives because there were so many of us not returning.” Diggs said the schoolhouse looked quite a bit different back then too. He said obviously they fixed it up to be livable now, but it used to be just one room all the way back to the kitchen and there was only one entrance. “It was all open and the whole back wall was a chalkboard with the alphabet above it,” said Diggs. “The desks were in rows of two and the teachers would walk up and down them. We had a very small library in the corner with only National Geographic magazines in it.” He said the old wood flooring currently there is the original flooring and that the chimney top is the brick from back then as well. Diggs said they didn’t have a playground or anything and remembered at recess they’d stand on either side of the schoolhouse and throw a ball across the roof to play catch. He said it was different being there now than it was back then and he didn’t know what to imagine going into it. “I think it’s special being here again, it’s nice,” said Diggs. He said they come to Brown County once a year from his home in Greenwood because he likes to drive the back roads and drive by where he used to live. Diggs and his wife said they planned to stay in the schoolhouse during their visit and read and relax. “We’ve already been there and done that with exploring, so I’d rather just stay right here,” said Diggs.
Jacksonburg Village | 108 E. Washington St. Across the creek from The General Store
IN-35149468
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 49
Soaking Up up the last drops of summer Story and photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat
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With fall in full swing and winter right around the corner, here’s one last look at Nashville in the waning moments of a beautiful summer. The Brown County Democrat compiled a look at what might be the last gasp of summer in and around Nashville and Brown County. It just goes to show, hot, cold or in between, Nashville and Brown County are great places for anything from shopping to staying for a vacation!
The Valentine sisters celebrate sister Val Valentine’s 70th birthday at Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls and Cafe on Aug. 25. The four sisters traveled from Ohio for the weekend to celebrate. 50 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
Jim and Billie Berch, and dog Dennis, from Connersville enjoy some cinnamon rolls from Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls and Cafe Aug. 25. The couple are celebrating a friend’s birthday by going to the Bean Blossom Blues Festival.
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On Aug. 22, the Indiana Banker’s Association did team building exercises for their leadership development training at Abe Martin Lodge. They come to Brown County State Park four times a year for leadership trainings.
41 S. Van Buren St. (In Heritage Mall)
812-200-1077
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Local sisters Phoebe and Skyler enjoy some ice cream outside of the Chocolate Moose Aug. 24.
Friends have a picnic by Ogle Lake in the Brown County State Park Aug. 22.
IN-35150875
• Fresh Homemade Fudge • Old Fashioned Candies • Cream Filberts/”Mothballs” • Jelly Belly • Sugar Free • Chocolates/Turtles • Pucker Powder Candy Art
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 51
Honeymoon Hotspot
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Story and photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat Story and Photos by Abbie Gressley Brown COunty Democrat
Nashville voted one of best lowbudget honeymoon destinations
52 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
Brown County has drawn people in with its breathtaking scenery, secluded feel and vibrant downtown for years. According to a study done by Honeymoon Always, it has now also been added to the top 150 budget-friendly honeymoon destinations in the U.S. The study show that Nashville draws newlyweds in with picturesque landscapes, artistic essence and friendly charm. The array of cost-effective adventures like art studios, concerts, vineyards and beautiful parks and trails allow for unforgettable romantic memories that newlyweds can cherish forever. Whether at a snug bed and breakfast or an economical lodge, Nashville ensures a warm and private honeymoon that won’t kill their bank accounts. Rich Hofstetter, owner of Story Inn, couldn’t agree more. He said it’s flattering to be on the list and that he hasn’t raised his prices for almost four years just for this very thing. “I would make more by raising the price, but I don’t want to,” said Hofstetter. “I want to keep the price low so honeymooners can have a great time for a fair price and want to come back to visit.” Antler Log Cabins have their very own secluded honeymoon log cabin with romantic things to enjoy on the property and quick access to downtown Nashville. Clients can rent a boat on the lake right by the secluded cabins or take a romantic horse and carriage ride through town. Mary Chitwood, owner of Antler Log Cabins, said it doesn’t surprise her at all that Brown County would be on the list. She has lived here her whole life and said being in a secluded cabin with easy
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access to state parks and beautiful scenery is a perfect way to start a marriage. “They feel like they’re in the middle of nowhere yet they’re close to everywhere,” said Chitwood. Mike Nickels, owner of Nickels Vacation Cabins, also said Brown County is an excellent place for a honeymoon as it is a cozy getaway with no interruptions and all the amenities one would need. He said his cabins have a rustic feel with a laid-back and easygoing vibe that appeals to many newlyweds. Chitwood also said a lot of couples are older and getting remarried,or young without a lot of money. He added that since Brown County is constantly evolving and adding exciting events, a lot of people are more attracted to the area. Bibianna Stutsman, owner of the Artists Colony Inn, said this is great exposure not only for her business but for the town and county as a whole.
812 988-6185 BrownCountyArtGuild.org
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NickelsVacationCabins.com · 812-318-6559 812.318.6559 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 53
I scream, you scream, we all scream for … Story and photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat
Local ice cream parlors provide a cool, handmade treat well into the fall Homemade waffle cones are made daily at Fearrin’s Cream and Yogurt Depot. Fearrin makes 36 different flavors of ice cream in his shop.
Ice cream is a staple for summer and fall in Brown County, and these shops serve all kinds of unique treats. And the best part is, they all make their very own ice cream! Ever wonder how local shops make their ice cream so creamy and delicious? Well, wonder no more. Don Fearrin, owner of Fearrin’s Ice Cream & Yogurt Depot, and his family have been buying mixes, flavors and toppings to make his very own ice cream right here in Brown County for 32 years. He uses what’s called a batch machine and adds the mix with various flavors and ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, marshmallows etc. and processes it all together in the machine. Fearrin said he makes batches (one batch is equivalent to three gallons of ice cream) and then freezes it and tempers it in a case that allows it not to be too frozen in order to scoop it. “In the early spring and into the busy season, we run anywhere from 14 flavors clear up to 36 flavors,” said Fearrin. Fearrin said the busiest times for his store are July and Oct. and Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day are all very busy. Store manager Emma Cockerhan said Fearrin’s Ice Cream stands out because of how smooth it is. “Everyone tells us it is the creamiest ice cream they’ve ever had,” said Cockerhan. Fearrin also said that the Express Tour Trains loading right beside his shop is very helpful for the business as well. “That attracts a lot of customers and then many of them find their way into the ice cream shop,” said Fearrin. Miller’s Ice Cream House Inc. is also known for its homemade ice cream here in town. Dating all the way back to 1977, Miller’s Ice Cream has been serving the same recipe to its customers. Anthony Dobbs, the new owner of Miller’s Ice Cream, worked under the previous owners for three years and ran the store for them. He said it was a family business for them and as they retired, he was given the opportunity to buy it from them. “We’re the oldest established ice cream shop in town,” said Dobbs. “It’s still done the same way, and yes it really is all made
54 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
right here in the shop.” Dobbs said they make one batch at a time and aren’t pumping out tubs and tubs of ice cream but instead put a lot of care into each batch they make. He said they also still use the old-fashioned wooden tub ice cream freezer along with making homemade waffle cones fresh daily. He said the busiest time for his shop is the second week of September through the rest of October. Dobbs said the summer is steadily busy in Brown County for ice cream and increases more in the fall and try to overstock wherever they can so hopefully they don’t run out since they make everything fresh. “We’re constantly making everything, so if the day is really busy, I’m in here ‘til 2 a.m. making everything for the next day,” said Dobbs. While Beth Hardesty says her Nashville Fudge Kitchen is a onestop shop for everyone’s sweet tooth, she also takes pride in the homemade gelato and fresh ice cream she serves. Hardesty said the previous owner added ice cream into the store over 15 years ago and went to school to learn how to make gelato. She said they continue to make the gelato at a batching station right behind the ice cream counter so people can watch the process of it being made. While ice cream continues to sell well in the fall, the summer is really the busy time for it in her shop. The gelato sells more in the fall because the tourists are more curious about it and how it’s made. “One day your ice cream might be the best seller and the next day it may be gelato,” said Hardesty. “You never know what’s going to beat out the other, so they really do even out.” Hardesty also said it’s very beneficial to sell ice cream during the early parts of the week because many of the other ice cream shops are closed but they still provide it to customers. She also said she likes making the gelato and switching up the flavors every couple of weeks because she can choose what sounds good in the moment.
In Times of Celebration and Healing “It allows us to use our artistic creativity,” said Hardesty. “We can garnish it in different ways and be creative in making it look pretty and delicious. It’s one of my favorite things to make.” The Chocolate Moose is another staple ice cream place in town. While technically made in Bloomington, the ice cream is a locally handmade treat that proudly serves the people of Brown County. “I’d say The Chocolate Moose might be the most well-known ice cream brand in Southern Indiana,” said Director of Operations, Jordan Davis. Davis said the same guy has been making their ice cream with 14 percent butter fat, which is a super premium grade, for nearly 13 years. The ice cream shop expanded to Brown County in 2016 and instantly was a hit in the community, partnering with the parks department to sponsor little league teams, and donating ice cream or gift cards for teacher appreciation days at the school. He said he likes to think the Chocolate Moose checks all the boxes as far as being part of the community, having good products, reasonable prices and friendly, local staff. Davis said he loves being part of a business that is local and not a corporate chain. He said that’s something both Nashville and The Chocolate Moose value, and he’s proud to be part of it. “You’re generally getting people at the best part of their day,” said Davis. “For a lot of people, the highlight of their day is getting ice cream.”
173 S. Van Buren St. ~ Possum Trot Square Behind Nashville Fudge Kitchen and across from Old School Way restrooms
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IN-35150881
For reservations please contact us at
NASHVILLE, INDIANA
Chocolates Nostalgic Candy Licorice Tea & Tea Accessories We Ship Anywhere! IN-35149444
Homemade gelato made fresh at Nashville Fudge Kitchen. Owner Beth Hardesty chooses different flavors based on what sounds good in the moment.
• Make & Take Project • Memorial Gifts • Group Space Available • Custom Projects/Services • Shadowboxes • Paper Displays • Scrapbooks • Scrapbook Supplies • Pet and Military Packages
W M S. · N, IN · ..
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IN-35150889
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 55
FOOD, SNACKS & SPIRITS Rafters Food and Spirits at the Seasons Lodge and Conference Center, 560 State Road 46 East, offers dining with a beautiful view of the wooded hillside. Open Thursdays and Sundays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to midnight. Call 812-988-2284 for reservations. www.seasonslodge.com. Bear Wallow Distillery, 4484 E. Old State Road 46, Gnaw Bone, is one of the first craft distilleries in Indiana. It uses only locally grown grains to make unique Indiana spirits in an old-fashioned copper pot still. Take the Farm-to-Fifth Tour and see how they make handcrafted Indiana Corn Whiskey. Try a Whiskey Lovers sample flight or a Moonshine Shake-up made with real fruit elixirs. Bear Wallow doesn’t just like to drink whiskey, but eat it as well, so come shop the “Eat Your Whiskey” section for a unique selection of whiskey-inspired edible creations. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for tours and tastings. (812) 657-4923, www.bearwallowdistillery. com and on Facebook for updates on events and hours of operation. Brownie’s—where friends and family meet. We’re a family diner specializing in homestyle comfort food. Come sit a spell and enjoy wonderful home cooking like grandma used to make, service with a smile, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel like you stepped back in time to a place where you matter. For starters, one of our ‘from scratch’ homemade soups or chilis. Our daily specials include fried chicken, burgers, roast beef Manhattans and our guest favorite, “All you can eat” fried catfish. Don’t get too full because we also feature ‘from scratch’ Hoos’ur Pie Mama desserts such as Peanut Butter Pie, Sugar Cream Pie, Toasted Coconut Pie, Chocolate Pie, Bread Pudding, cobblers and crisps. Find us on Facebook! 812720-3743. 5730 N. State Rd. 135. The Brown County Inn is just three blocks south of downtown Nashville. The beautifully remodeled restaurant and bar serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily as well as a brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays. Enjoy a house cocktail or local craft beer by the fireplace in the lounge or treat the family to dinner on the large deck that overlooks the beautiful hills of Brown County. Brown County Inn serves a local, homemade, all-natural cuisine that will accommodate and satisfy any diet. Try our Midwest Cheese Board or Fischer Farms Peach & Bourbon Pork Chops and 56 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
finish off your meal with homemade dessert. Please call (812) 988-2291 for hours and reservations. 51 State Road 46 East, Nashville, www.browncountyinn.com. Producing award-winning wines for more than 30 years, Brown County Winery offers locally made wine, wine accessories and gifts for wine people, along with local jams, salsa and jelly. The tasting room is at the corner of Main Street and Old School Way. Stop by the winery and tasting room in Gnaw Bone, 4520 State Road 46 East. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, year-round. (812) 988-6144 or (888) 2982984, www.browncountywinery.com. The Candy Dish, 61 W. Main St., offers fine chocolates, fudge made right in the store, nostalgic candy and much more. Check out the Mr. Peanut collectibles display. (812) 988-7606. One of the charms of Carmel Corn Cottage, 82 N. Van Buren St., is the size and how many products can fit inside. It serves everything from popcorn to candies to caramel apples and drinks. Even the signs on the walls are for sale. Samples are always free. (812) 9886011, www.carmelcorncottage.com. Casa Del Sol, 101 Washington St., offers authentic Mexican cuisine in the heart of Nashville. Open daily with a kids menu and a full bar. (812) 988-4535. Cedar Creek Winery & Brew Co., 38 E. Franklin St., features free tasting of locally made wines. The selection varies from bold dry reds to refreshing whites and sweet fruit wines. Open seven days a week from noon to 5 p.m. COUNTRY HERITAGE WINERY, 225 S. Van Buren St., Coachlight Square, offers awardwinning vinifera wines, plus well-known musicians — local and otherwise — performing all styles of music from 7 to 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. You’ll find gourmet foods, cheese plates and gift items. Step upstairs to the loft and enjoy wine amid the Native American art in the John Elmore Gallery. Weather-permitting, grab a spot on the covered patio. Group tastings can be arranged in advance. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. (812) 988-8500, www.countryheritagewinery.com.
The Chocolate Moose, 278 S. Van Buren St., has been making delicious, premium homemade ice cream since 1933. Whether you’re craving a shake, malt, banana split, sundae or a blizz, any of the 16-plus homemade flavors will hit the spot. Don’t have a sweet tooth or need a little boost? it also serves coffee and espresso-based drinks all made with locally roasted beans from Brown County Coffee Company. Hungry too? You’ll find everything from fresh-baked cinnamon rolls to coney dogs with homemade coney sauce on the menu. In a hurry? Don’t settle for a chain. This is the only drive-thru in Nashville that doesn’t rhyme with Ronald’s. 278 S. Van Buren St., (812) 200-3101, www.moosebtown.com. Enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday night at Corn Crib Lounge at the Brown County Inn, junction of state roads 46 and 135. Local musicians, as well as artists from surrounding areas and states, provide the live entertainment. (812) 988-2291. The Daily Grind, established in 1977, offers gourmet coffees and teas along with a delicious food menu. Breakfast features include Belgian waffles, yummy egg dishes, old-fashioned biscuits and gravy and a wide variety of Shapiro’s of Indianapolis bagels. Lunch choices include jumbo deli-style sandwiches, snacks, pastries and other goodies. Four coffees are brewing at all times. The restaurant also offers smoothies, iced coffees, old-fashioned root beer floats, fresh iced teas and ice-cold sodas. Come by and let the staff take care of your coffee needs, hunger pangs and sweet tooth. Open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 9 a.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 8 a.m. “Not just a coffee shop; a destination!” (812) 988-4808. The Farmhouse Cafe (seasonal), 5171 N. Upper Bean Blossom Road, offers healthy, fresh homemade meals and refreshing drinks served in an 1830s brick farmhouse. Enjoy homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, desserts, iced teas and fruit frizzes. Stroll through two acres of herb and perennial gardens before or after your meal. Lunch hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. Sunday to Saturday. Call for seasonal hours. (812) 988-2004. Harvest Preserve, 61 W. Main St., makes its own apple butter, plus sauces, mixes and spices. (812) 988-7606.
IN-35149481
Lawrence Family Glassblowers & Quintessence Gallery
2 Shops - Corner Franklin & Van Buren St., Nashville l 812-988-2600
IN-35150884
More than 50 year family tradition of artistry in glass and are known for their originality, detail, quality and artistic flair!
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•Homemade Ice Cream•Soft Serve •Locally Roasted Coffee•Lattes •Chai Tea•Frappes•Shakes •Sundaes•Hot Food•Pastries 278 S Van Buren St., Nashville, IN 812-200-3101 Follow us @ MooseBroCo
Cedar Creek Winery, a family owned and operated winery, is proud to offer guests a wine country experience right here in Nashville, Indiana! We offer free tastings in our cozy wine bar with a wide selection of locally made wines. Visit us today and “Drink at the Creek”! 38 Franklin St. E. | Nashville, IN | drinkatthecreek.com | Open 7 Days a Week 12-5pm Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 57
FOOD, SNACKS & SPIRITS Enjoy assorted fresh roasted nuts, fudge, chocolates and more at Jack and Jill Nut Shop, beside the Playhouse on South Van Buren Street. Mail order is available. (812) 988-7480. With its rustic charm and quaint elegance, the Little Gem Restaurant, at the Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County State Park, is the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy a Hoosier classic from the menu or a plate of offerings from one of the unique buffets. The outdoor patio seating offers spectacular views of the woods and park. The Little Gem Restaurant is open daily for breakfast from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. McDonald’s, Salt Creek Plaza, offers fast food, including burgers and fries, fish sandwiches, chicken sandwiches and assorted salads, plus breakfast favorites. Open daily. (812) 988-4452. Miller’s Ice Cream House, 61 W. Main St., has been making real homemade ice cream, the old-fashioned way with rock salt and ice, since 1977. Enjoy all the basic flavors (and then some) served in dishes, cake or homemade waffle cones, as shakes, malts, sodas or floats or on warm homemade cobbler or a sundae. Hours vary by season. (812) 988-0815, www.millericecream.com. At Nashville Fudge Kitchen, 60 S. Van Buren St., the creamy fudges are made the old-fashioned way, cooked in a copper kettle and hand-paddled on thick marble tables. The gourmet candy-coated popcorns are made from original recipes, and the hand-dipped candy, caramel apples, creamy fudge, gelato and ice cream are all favorites. Nashville Fudge Kitchen ships everywhere. (812) 9880709, www.nashvillefudgekitchen.com. At the Nashville General Store & Bakery, 118 E. Washington St., enjoy chicken salad with grapes and pecans served with pumpkin bread, fresh soups or other sandwiches on fresh-baked bread or Kaiser rolls, plus fried biscuits with apple butter and fresh-baked desserts. (812) 988-6362. Out of the Ordinary Supper Club and Hickory Sports Bar, 61 S. Van Buren St., is a full-service restaurant and bar serving lunch and dinner daily. Now nightlife has a new address with live entertainment, dancing and sports. Come hang out for major sporting events viewed on
58 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
HANDMADE IN BROWN COUNTY the gigantic-screen TV. It’s centrally located at the corner of Van Buren and Main streets in the heart of Nashville. Reservations recommended. (812) 7789730, www.goldenticketproductions. com and on Facebook.
bags and purses made from re-purposed military tents. CBD products from Medterra, Extract Labs and Green Roads can be purchased, and The Cheeky Owl prides itself in quality of these products and knowledge of their benefits.
Specializing in looseleaf teas, Sweetea’s Tea Shop, 225 S. Van Buren St., Suite C, inCoachlight Square, also offers coffee and lemonade and a variety of cakes, cupcakes and cookies. Stop in for a relaxing getaway where you can unwind by the fireplace with a nice cup of tea, read a book, surf the Web with free Wi-Fi or chat with friends. Sweetea’s can be a destination for a bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party or a gathering place for a book club or Bible study. (812) 988-6515.
Holly Pots Stoneware LLC, 59 East Main Street, Suite G, on Old School Way, in the Main Street Shoppes, 812-398-8010.. Holly Pots Stoneware LLC offers pottery in unique glaze designs and with a seemingly unlimited color palette. Pieces include planters, luminaries, ornaments, yarn bowls, platters, pet food dishes, bowls, plates, vases, spoon rests, jewelry and ring holders, trinket trays, and more. Holly Pots also carries pieces from other local Brown County and Indiana artists, all handcrafted.
Trolly’s (seasonal), at the corner of Van Buren and Gould streets, offers its own hickory-smoked pork barbecue, homemade sloppy Joes, Italian sausage and hot dogs with all the trimmings. Ask about the daily specials. Call for seasonal hours. (812) 988-4273.
Johanna Lee Bathology allows you to transform your home into a spa. It offers all-natural cold press and glycerin soaps, luxury bath salts, bath bombs, candles, lotion bars, sugar scrubs, gift baskets and more, all handmade in the shop. Find it at 58 W. Main St. (812) 9886898, bathologyjohannalee.com.
B3 Gallery is at 61 W. Main St., on the second floor of the Village Green Building. It sells fine art and crafts made by local artists. Stop in to see the selection of jewelry, photography, glass, pottery, wood, painting, lithophanes, fiber arts and more. The gallery is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cathy’s Corner, 39 E. Franklin St., offers a unique mix of antiques, jewelry, art and hard-to-find items. Take a look at the wide variety of items and paintings. Painting classes are available by appointment. (812) 988-4091 or email cathyscornerbc@gmail.com. The Cheeky Owl, 71 W. Franklin St. in downtown Nashville, sells a little bit of everything, from Peace Frog clothing and stickers, essential oils, skincare and fragrances by Indigo Wild (ZUM), and Bridgewater soy candles infused with organic and natural scents. Owners Shelly and Ross Benson moved from the Chicago suburbs to Brown County in September 2017 and decided to open their shop in 2018. They strive to find fun and original products not offered elsewhere in other Nashville shops. Handcrafted straw and wool hats from Conner Hats give the men something to shop for while their wives shop the ladies jewelry and handcrafted
Since 1992, Moonshine Leather Co. has offered high-quality handmade leather goods. All products are made in the U.S.A. by staff. Solid leather belts, work aprons, cellphone cases, wallets, handbags and briefcases are but a few of the items. They use only luxurious, high-quality beautiful leathers for their goods and guarantee the workmanship. Moonshine Leather Co., 38 S. Van Buren St., is open daily, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Winter hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. (812) 988-1326. The Totem Post, 78 S. Van Buren St., was opened in 1952 by Bill and Marielle Jockey. At the time, they did custom leatherwork and carried handmade American Indian jewelry and foreign crafts. Today, their merchandise has expanded, but the atmosphere is much the same. Many people bring their grandchildren to visit the shop they remember from childhood. Open daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. (812) 988-2511, www.thetotempost.com. Albert Drake Jr. creates contemporary jewelry and buys and sells estate, antique silver and gold jewelry at Touch of Silver, Gold & Old. 87 E. Main St., (812) 988-6990. Tulip Tree Jewelry is inside B3 Gallery on the second floor of the Village Green
ENTERTAINMENT & RECREATION
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Building. Local jeweler Heather Bussert creates and sells her beaded pieces on Option 2 Option 2 site. Stop in and treat yourself to a local souvenir, or commission something special. Open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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The Abe Martin Lodge, in Brown County State The Park, has a 12,000-square-foot indoor water park, available to hotel guests first and to the public as space allows. (812) 988-4418.
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Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park & Campground, 5163 State Road 135 North, is home to the oldest, continuous running bluegrass festival in the world. Visit the Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Country Star Museum and, on weekends, shop at the Bean Blossom Flea Market. Brown County Playhouse Performing Arts Center, 70 S. Van Buren St., is a 426seat venue committed to bringing the best in a variety of local and national entertainment offerings. You’ll find the latest news on upcoming performances by visiting www.BrownCountyPlayhouse. org which frequently lists special offers. Join the chat about what is happening behind the scenes by liking the venue on Facebook. (812) 988-6555.
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Brown County State Park, Indiana’s largest state park, offers camping, hiking trails, mountain bike trails, horse trails, a saddle barn and nature center, picnicking, a swimming pool, fishing, tennis and playgrounds. Open year-round. (812) 988-6406, www.IN.gov/dnr/parklake.
IN-35149441
Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., is a 2,000-seat music venue featuring regional and national acts performing every month. To learn more about the music center, see their schedule of shows and purchase tickets visit www.browncountymusiccenter. com. Find the music center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. (812) 988-5323.
JOT ‘EM DOWN CORNER
Brown County Winery has been making award-winning wines for more than 30 years. The tasting room is at the corner of Main Street and Old School Way. Don’t forget to stop by the winery and tasting room in downtown Gnaw Bone, 4520 State Road 46 East. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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(812) 988-6939 Corner of Van Buren & Washington Streets Downtown Nashville Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 59
ENTERTAINMENT & RECREATION Sunday, year-round. (812) 988-6144 or (888) 298-2984, www.browncountywinery.com. Cedar Creek Winery & Brew Co., 38 E. Franklin St., features free tasting of locally made wines. The selection varies from bold dry reds to refreshing whites and sweet fruit wines. Open seven days a week from noon to 5 p.m. Country heritage winery, 225 S. Van Buren St. in Coachlight Square, provides award-winning vinifera wines, and wellknown musicians — local and otherwise — perform all styles of music from 7 to 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night. Visitors will find gourmet foods, cheese plates and gift items, as well as a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Step upstairs to the loft and enjoy wine amid the Native American art in the John Elmore Gallery or, weather-permitting, grab a spot on the covered patio near the fireplace. Group tastings can be arranged in advance. (812) 988-8500, toll free at (888)-761-9463, www.countryheritagewinery.com. eXplore Brown County at Valley Branch Retreat is voted the No. 1 activity in Brown County by TripAdvisor. It offers 15 zip lines over 1 mile long; a treetop canopy adventure suspended 90 feet with speeds up to 45 mph; and the tallest, fastest and longest zips in Brown County. Visitors also can experience Night Flight zip lines with tiki torches and headlamps. Enjoy 30 miles of ATV, mountain biking and hiking trails, bike rentals, as well as paintball games and Arrow Tag archery games. The events hall accommodates 250 with a stage. Camping cabins accommodate 80. The property also offers camping, a fishing lake, canoes and paddle boats. Two-seater, four-wheel-drive hill buggy rides and an ATV training challenge tour are available, too. 2620 Valley Branch Road, (812) 9887750, www.explorebrowncounty.com. Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides. Relax on a journey with Grandpa Jeff at Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides, 5889 S. Skinner Road, Morgantown. Take in the scenery and wildlife. No two rides are ever the same: sunny summer days, fall colors, winter snowfalls, spring blossoms, trail rides, pony rides, hayrides, cattle drives, custom excursions. Please give at least one hour notice. Reservations can be made using any of the following: 812-597-4630, cell 812272-0702, www. GrandpaJeffsTrailRides. com, info@GrandpaJeffsTrailRides.com.
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ART COLONY OF THE MIDWEST Kidscommons, a children’s museum in downtown Columbus, 309 Washington St., offers families with toddlers to early teens a vibrant, safe setting where they can explore three floors of hands-on learning and fun. Spend time in the Childhood Garden, scamper up the 17-foot-tall climbing wall or hang out in the bubble room, where you can stand inside a body bubble. Don’t miss museum favorites ExploraHouse, home of the world-famous giant toilet, and Kids on the Move, a healthy lifestyles exhibit. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Open Mondays mid-June through mid-August. (812) 378-3046, www.kidscommons.org. Mike’s Music & Dance Barn (seasonal), 2277 State Road 46 West, offers country music and dancing. Beer, wine and food are available in this nonsmoking facility. Friday and Saturday shows are from 7 to 11 p.m. (812) 9888636, www.thedancebarn.com. Schooner Valley Stables (seasonal), 2282 State Road 46 West, offers more than the usual horseback ride, with the option to walk, trot or canter. With no age limit, the whole family is welcome. Hear some brief history of Brown County while meandering through the hills and hollers of Yellowwood State Forest. Reservations are appreciated. (812) 9882859, www.schoonervalleystables.com. WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology, 308 W. Fourth St., Bloomington, puts visitors in touch with the wonder and excitement of science through popular experiences like the two-story grapevine maze, the kinetic contraption, the Bubble-Airium and close encounters with live animals. A special area provides science adventures for very young children. WonderLab is on the B-Line Trail in the downtown arts district. It’s open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. (812) 337-1337, www.wonderlab.org. Yellowwood State Forest, 772 Yellowwood Lake Road, has a 133-acre lake, primitive campgrounds, rowboat rental, hiking, hunting, fishing and bridle trails. (812) 988-7945, www.in.gov/dnr/forestry. Anne Ryan Miller Glass Studio, 425 N. Johnson St., features handmade stained glass and metal overlay, lamps and sculpture. Specializing in custom-designed stained
glass for the home or office since 1976, Anne Ryan Miller Glass Studio is a member of Hoosier Artist Gallery, 45 S. Jefferson St., and is also represented at Ferrer Gallery, 61 W. Main St., on the second floor of the Village Green Building. Open most days from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call for directions. (812) 988-9766, www.AnneRyanMillerGlassStudio.com. Brown County Art Gallery, three blocks east of the courthouse on Main Street, Brown County’s original art gallery established in 1926, offers works for sale by Gallery Association members, plus consigned old Indiana art. The remodeled exhibition space now includes the Indiana Heritage Arts Gallery, featuring many of Indiana’s professional artists. Browse the museum and enjoy works by the early art colony masters. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. There’s ample parking and free admission. (812) 988-4609, www. browncountyartgallery.org, brncagal@att.net Art Associates of Brown County, networking and social organization promoting each other as local artists and encourage creative output. Anyone who wishes to join is welcome. A permanent gallery is open at the Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Facebook: artistassociatesofBrownCountyIndiana; Email: aabc47448@gmail.com. Brown County Art Guild, 48 S. Van Buren St., showcases fine art and the Marie Goth collection. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; January and February, weekends only; closed Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. (812) 988-6185, www.browncounty.org. Brown County Craft Gallery, a unique, cooperative gallery featuring the work of more than 30 local and area artisans, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except major holidays. It can be found at 62 E. Washington St. (812) 988-7058, www.browncountycraftgallery.com. Brown County Pottery, 58 W. Franklin St., in the historic Antique Alley complex, is the working studio of Beth Mills. Pottery is made right on the premises and only sold here. Bussert Images is on the second floor of the Village Green Building. Cathy Haggerty at Franklin Shoppes, 39 E. Franklin St., offers a unique mix of antiques, jewelry, art and hard-to-find items. Painting classes are offered. (812) 988-4091.
Charlene Marsh Studio & Gallery, 4013 Lanam Ridge Road, features beautiful, plein air and studio oil paintings of the Brown County landscape by Charlene Marsh. The artist hikes deep into the forest to create the paintings using palette knives. Her award-winning paintings in collections throughout the United States and Europe are exhibited in the studio and gallery at the northern edge of Yellowwood State Forest, just five miles from town. Visitors are welcome. Open daily, but call first. (812) 988-4497, www.CharleneMarsh. com, Char@CharleneMarsh.com.
IN-35150891
50+
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Chris Gustin — Homestead Weaving Studio, 6285 Hamilton Creek Road, is two miles south of Crouch’s Market near Hilltop Christian Camp. Gustin, an Indiana Artisan, offers hand-woven “recycled rugs,” shawls, throws, clothing and scarves. Also, find equipment and supplies for weaving, knitting and spinning. Commissions are accepted. Visitors are welcome, and “day weaving” classes are available. Homestead Weaving Studio is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. most days from March through December and other times by appointment. www.homesteadweaver.com, (812) 988-8622, chris@homesteadweaver.com.
Dixie Ferrer, Ferrer Studio on Yellowwood Road, is the fine art gallery and studio of Dixie Ferrer. Dixie creates her paintings using a variety of techniques including mixed media collage and oil paints combined with cold wax. Her traditional and ethereal paintings are inspired by the nature that surrounds her. Open by appointment or special events. (812) 988-1245, ddferrer@ att.net, www.dixie ferrer.com.
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Holly Pots Stoneware LLC, 59 East Main Street, Suite G, on Old School Way, in the Main Street Shoppes, 812-398-8010. Holly Pots Stoneware LLC offers pottery in unique glaze designs and colors. Holly makes some pieces at the shop in Nashville, others she makes in her off-site studio in Brown County. Holly throws in the shop at least once a month, including for the Fourth Fridays Art Walk.
Touch of Silver, Gold & Old 87 E. Main St. • Nashville, IN 47448 (812) 988-6990 • (800) 988-6994 Hours: 10am - 5pm 7 days a week! www.touchofsilvergoldandold.com
211 S. Van Buren St. (Located next to Visitor’s Center)
812.988.0305
www.barkingood.com
OPENING NOVEMBER 15 Gallery Permanent Collection Winter Show
Hoosier Artist Gallery, 45 S. Jefferson St., features the work of more than 25 local and Indiana artists. Visit for contemporary fine art, fine crafts and gifts. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (812) 988-6888, www.HoosierArtist.net.
Brown County Art Gallery
The work of Patricia Rhoden Bartels can be seen at the Rhoden Gallery at eXplore Brown County, 2620 Valley Branch Road. Rhoden IN-35150877
Corner of Main Street & Artist Drive · Nashville, IN 812.988.4609 · Free Admission · Free Parking
View our complete schedule of events & workshops
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 · 12 - 5 PM Uplands Winter Wine Market Wine tasting with 9 Indiana Wineries, plus art and holiday goodies. Tickets on sale at IndianaUplands.com
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Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 61
LODGING Bartels captures the beauty of nature in oil and acrylic paintings. Her work hangs in major corporations, private collections and museums across the country. Spears Gallery, 5110 State Road 135 South, 10 miles from downtown Nashville, is the working studio of Larry Spears. Here, find traditional pottery, finely crafted, and displays of decorative and functional pottery. Spears Gallery also has opened a downtown location: 15 S. Van Buren next to the Nashville House. There, find pottery by Larry Spears, fine art photography by Kyle Spears and jewelry by Tyler Spears. Studio gallery (812) 988-1287, downtown gallery (812) 988-1286, www.spearspottery.com. T. C. Steele State Historic Site, 4220 T.C. Steele Road off State Road 46 West, is open from early spring to late fall. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; closed Mondays and most holidays but open July 4 and Labor Day. (812) 988-2785 1875 Homestead Bed & Breakfast, 3766 State Road 46 East, is a charming country Victorian home built in the late 1800s. It invites you to step back in time and relax from the hustle-bustle and crowds of the village. Enjoy a scrumptious home-cooked country breakfast with richly brewed coffee or select teas. Complimentary soft drinks and homemade cookies are available each afternoon and evening. (812) 988-0853, homestead1875@aol.com. Abe Martin Lodge & Cabins, Brown County State Park, offer 160 rooms/cabins, a 12,000-square-foot indoor aquatic center, a full-service restaurant, game room, cable, hiking trails and beautiful vistas. The lodge was built in 1932 of hand-hewn native stone and oak timbers cut in the park. The main lodge has two spacious and comfortable lobbies with two fireplaces. (812) 988-4418, abemartinlodge@dnr.state.in.us. The Allison House Inn, South Jefferson Street, is a charming whole-house rental in downtown Nashville featuring seven guest rooms with private baths. (812) 365-0690, theallisonhouseinn.com. The Brick Lodge is just a mile north of Nashville on State Road 135. Enjoy two bedrooms with two baths, a game room with a pool table, cable TV, gas fireplace, outdoor hot tub, gas grill and
62 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
a fully equipped kitchen. The lodge accommodates eight people. (812) 988-6429, www.bricklodge.com. The newly remodeled Brown County Inn is just three blocks south of downtown Nashville on the corner of state roads 135 and 46. The inn has 99 guest rooms with two suites, a restaurant and bar serving three meals daily, conference and meeting spaces, and a large year-round pool. Enjoy the beautifully landscaped grounds, including a new walkable edible garden, miniature golf, volleyball court and children’s play area. The Salt Creek Trail runs along the back of property for easy walks into town. Each guest room features a walk-out covered porch or balcony, coffee maker, hair dryer, phone, flat-screen TV and complimentary highspeed WiFi. Call for availability and rates. 51 State Road 46 East, Nashville, (812) 988-2291, www.browncountyinn.com. Camp Palawopec Lodge & Retreat Area, 3497 Clay Lick Road, offers a lodge that sleeps 30 guests and outdoor cabins that can accommodate 70 guests. Enjoy 300 acres of woods, trails, a 4-acre lake, canoes, kayaks, beach, campfire areas, basketball court, ultimate frisbee, soccer field, horseshoes, volleyball area, mountain bike trails, and an indoor meeting and dining area. Kitchen facilities are available. Open year-round. (812) 988-2689, www.camppalawopec.com. Quality Inn, 75 W. Chestnut St., is a quarter-mile from downtown Nashville. A Platinum and Gold Award winner, the hotel has spacious, clean, comfortable rooms with HD flat screens in every room, complimentary hot and cold breakfast, an indoor pool, fitness room and high-speed Internet. Zip line and trail ride packages are available as well as other special package rates. (812) 988-6118, www.choicehotels.com. Cornerstone Inn and The Lodge, downtown Nashville at 54 E. Franklin St., has proudly served from a “Foundation of Excellence” since 1993. The downtown campus includes 23 exemplary guest rooms, 12 cottage suites, a three-bedroom cottage, a lofty studio apartment and their newest addition, a three-bedroom two-story lodge. Some accommodations feature balconies, whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. Enjoy beautiful gardens, front porch rocking chairs, firepit, porch swings and community balcony, free on-site
parking, and WiFi. Great for couples, girlfriend getaways, corporate meetings, church groups, craft and writing retreats and more! Cornerstone Inn is more than just quaint and cozy, it’s a place for relaxation and rejuvenation. www. CornerstoneInn.com or 812-988-0300. Cozy Bear Log Cabin, State Road 46 West, can accommodate six guests with three bedrooms in queen beds. The upper level of this cabin has two bedrooms, a full bath with whirlpool tub and a pool table. The living room has a gas log fireplace. The television has a full satellite package and VCR/DVD player. The screened porch offers a relaxing hot tub. (765) 532-7454, www.browncountygetaways.com. eXplore Brown County provides affordable yet comfortable, rustic camping cabins grouped to accommodate 80 guests. Cabins have air-conditioning and heat and are equipped with a microwave and refrigerator. Some have cold-water sinks. Fire rings and picnic tables are provided outside each cabin. A public restroom with shower facilities is open year-round. After a full day of rigorous, exciting zip line, paintball and ATV activities, gather around the campfire to share adventure stories. Free WiFi available on front porch of cabins and front porch of Harvest Hall. 2620 Valley Branch Road, (812) 9887750, www.explorebrowncounty.com. Fondulac Farm Cabin Rentals, 5 miles west of Nashville on Lanam Ridge Road, offers three unique, fully-equipped cabins on 47 scenic acres with views, ponds, fishing, canoeing, hiking, fireplaces, outdoor fire pits, a hot tub and Internet. Cabins accommodate up to six people. (812) 988-4796, www.fondulacfarm.com. Green Valley Lodge, 692 State Road 46 West, offers individually appointed rooms and grounds in a safe, quiet setting. The lodge offers king-size beds in the Royal Spa Hot Tub Suites and two double beds or one queen in the cozy overnight rooms. Ask about weeknight discounts. Wireless Internet is available. (812) 9880231, www.greenvalleylodge.com. Hills O’ Brown Vacation Rentals, 4118 State Road 46 East near Gnaw Bone, is one of the largest full-service rental management companies in southern Indiana, managing more than 100 vacation homes, log cabins, guest suites and cottages in Brown,
§§
TasTing Room DownTown nashville 11:00 am - 5:00 pm 7 Days a week
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Bartholomew and Monroe counties. All vacation homes are fully furnished; most offer hot tubs, seasonal fireplaces and game rooms. They can accommodate from two to 24 guests, ideal for a romantic retreat, family gathering or celebrating a special occasion. The homes are located in various areas throughout the county: on private, wooded acreage, in the heart of Nashville, near Indiana University or with a scenic view. Reservations and information about all homes are available online at www.browncountylogcabins. com. Office hours are Mondays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (812) 988-6429.
Wine SluShieS
812-497-0254
Nashville General Store and Bakery
Hidden Valley Inn, 201 N. Van Buren St., is a charming hotel just a short walk to shops, restaurants, theaters, galleries and activities. Each suite features a kitchen, dining area and living room. (812) 988-9000, (877) 988-9099, www.hiddenvalleyinn.net.
The Iris Garden Cottages & Suites are quaint, cute and comfortable. The Iris Garden rests in the heart of the village of Nashville across the street from Big Woods restaurant and brewery. Our wonderful location allows you to walk out of your door and begin exploring the shops, restaurants, wineries and breweries without having to drive anywhere. A two-minute stroll will take you to six different restaurants (and four more within a five-minute walk from us). We offer comfortable accommodations of varying sizes that sleep from two to eight guests, some with kitchens, but
A great place to eat! Try our Famous Cinnamon Rolls!
Check us out on your next visit to Nashville!
118 E Washington St Nashville, IN 47448 IN-35150802
IN-35150890
Hotel Nashville, 245 N. Jefferson St., offers 45 rooms with an indoor pool, hot tub, restaurant and lounge. The hotel features one- and two-bed suites with kitchenettes, dining/living room, two baths, balcony, cable TV and WiFi. Whirlpool suites and hot tub rooms available. Great for weddings, banquets and off-site catering. (812) 988-8400, www.hotelnashville.com.
Antiques and uniques
Beef, Turkey, Pork, Buffalo, Venison, Elk, Kangaroo, Gator, Fish, Wild Boar & More (Artist Colony Shops. 125 S VanBuren St.)
812-988-1592 IN-35150874
Hilltop Cabin & Luxury Suites, 3.5 miles from downtown Nashville, offers a range of options, from a one-bedroom cabin with fireplace to suites with full kitchens, seasonal gas log fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, pool table, big screen TV and private decks. Every suite and cabin has a VCR and DVD player, as well as VHS movies. Charcoal grills, a picnic table and fire pit are available for use by all guests. (812) 988-0984, www.browncountycabins.com.
www.salTcReekwineRy.com
IN-35150878
Nashville, IN
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 63
LODGING all with a coffee maker, microwave and refrigerator. All have wonderful decks to sit on in the evenings and take in the fresh Brown County air. Open year-round. 812-988-2422, VisitBrownCounty.com. Lil Black Bear Inn, 8072 State Road 46 East, is a six-room bed and breakfast serving a delicious homemade breakfast every morning. All rooms have private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, satellite, mini refrigerators and free WIFI. Three rooms have two-person spa tubs and two have single-person spa tubs. Enjoy three acres of land which include a pond, grill, firepit and large patio. Pets and children are allowed. Lil Black Bear is close enough to downtown to enjoy all Nashville has to offer while still enjoying beautiful Brown County. (812) 988-2233, www.lilblackbearinn.com Nickels Vacation Cabins, 3497 Clay Lick Road, offers four cabins to choose from: the Cabin in the Pines, the Antique Cabin, the Garden Cabin and the Kelly Reed Cabin. Each cabin is located with easy access to Brown County State Park and the Village of Nashville. The cabins accommodate two to six people and feature authentic Brown County stone fireplaces, unique cabin furnishings and lovely wooded settings. The Cabin in the Pines is pet friendly. All cabins have free WiFi. (812) 3186559, NickelsVacationCabins.com The North House, 194 N. Van Buren St., offers three bedrooms featuring two king-sized beds, one queen-sized bed and a queen sleeper sofa, as well as private parking, a privacy fence around the rear deck, a grill and hot tub. (812) 9886429, www.northhousegetaway.com. Old Magnolia House Inn, 213 S. Jefferson St. (behind the BP gas station, above 4th Sister Vintage) has overnight rooms filled with antique and vintage chairs, dressers and tables. Each room includes the modern amenities of Smart Cable TVs, pod coffee makers and wireless Internet. Three large, private rooms offer big comfy beds, lots of blankets, quilts, pillows, books and board games. The porch and common areas are great places for conversation in the overstuffed chairs or an old-fashioned game at the table. The inn accommodates up to 10 guests. Online reservations are available via the Old Magnolia House Facebook page.
64 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
Conferences, Weddings & Retreats Rustic Elegance, State Road 46 West, is a newly-constructed four-bedroom log home on four acres with a panoramic view to the south and beautiful wooded views in every other direction. Decks and/or porches surround the cabin. It comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, a master bedroom with a king bed and master bath with a Jacuzzi tub large enough for two. The cabin also has a halfbath for guests, a sunroom overlooking the woods and two bedrooms with king beds upstairs. (765) 783-3003, www.browncountygetaways.com. The Seasons Lodge and Conference Center, 560 State Road 46 East, is perched on top of one of Brown County’s softly rolling hills. This full-service hotel features recently remodeled guest rooms, restaurant and lobby area. (812) 988-2284, (800) 365-7327, www.seasonslodge.com. The Antique Cabin, The Garden Cabin, The Kelly Reed Cabin and The Pines Cabin, on Clay Lick Road, are individual, fullyfurnished log cabins that sleep two to six guests each. They have complete kitchens, vintage claw-foot tubs and antique décor on the inside; and secluded, woodsy settings outside. Some cabins feature fireplaces, lofts or decks. They all include access to a 4-acre lake, hiking trails, canoes and kayaks, and are 10 minutes from Nashville. (812) 318-6559, NickelsVacationCabins.com. Abe Martin Lodge, Brown County State Park, offers meeting rooms, conference facilities and private dining areas for conferences, meetings, weddings or retreats. Seating capacity ranges from 10 to 400. The banquet department caters private meals, snacks and breaks and can also prepare a barbecue or meal function at one of the park shelter houses for groups of 50 or more. For smaller picnic groups, the lodge can prepare box lunches. (812) 988-4418, www.in.gov/ dnr/parklake/inna/abe/index.html. Artists Colony Inn, corner of Franklin and Van Buren streets, is a romantic, 19thcentury-style inn offering an elegant banquet room for bridal showers, rehearsal dinners or wedding receptions with 20 charming guest rooms and three executive whirlpool suites. Special menu selections are served plated or buffet-style. The inn also offers meeting space for up to 80 people. The Artists Colony specializes in
small meetings with two meeting rooms that accommodate 10 to 50 people. Complete audiovisual equipment and high-speed Internet access are available. (812) 988-0600, www.artistscolonyinn.com. The Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St., is a centrally located venue in Nashville for receptions, reunions or meetings. It features a spacious Grand Hall, small rooms and a catering kitchen. 812988-2899, browncountyhistorycenter.org. The Brown County Inn is conveniently located just three blocks south of beautiful downtown Nashville on the corner of state roads 135 and 46. With the hills of Brown County as its backdrop, the recently remodeled, 99-room inn sits on 10 beautifully landscaped acres, with a restaurant and bar on site. Amenities include a large, covered indoor pool, playground, miniature golf, volleyball, complimentary high-speed WiFi and more. The Brown County Inn has both indoor and outdoor event spaces perfect for your wedding, retreat, conference, or reunion of up to 200 people. Please call (812) 988-2291 or email sales@browncountyinn.com for more information. 51 State Road 46 East, Nashville, www.browncountyinn.com. Camp Palawopec Lodge & Retreat Area, 3497 Clay Lick Road, has a camp log cabin lodge that sleeps 30 guests, and outdoor cabins can accommodate 70 guests. Guests can enjoy 300 acres of woods, trails, a 4-acre lake, canoes, kayaks, beach, campfire areas, basketball court, ultimate Frisbee, soccer field, horseshoes, volleyball area, mountain bike trails, and an indoor meeting and dining area. Kitchen facilities are available. The property is open year-round. (812) 988-2689, www.camppalawopec.com. Quality Inn, 75 W. Chestnut St., is perfect for retreats. Guests can enjoy the lodge-like atmosphere with a cozy lobby and spacious guest rooms, and the indoor pool and fitness center. (812) 988-6118, www.choicehotels.com. CORNERSTONE INN AND THE LODGE, 54 E. Franklin St., is in the heart of Nashville. The campus consists of 40 guest rooms, some with balconies, whirlpool tubs and fireplaces. Meeting facilities can hold up to 50 guests. View all rooms, rates and specials at www.CornerstoneInn.
com. To contact our group sales office, call 1-812-988-0300 or 1-888-383-0300. The Harvest Hall at eXplore Brown County Retreat Center and outdoor stage offer the perfect setting for weddings, conferences or parties. Plan an outdoor ceremony on the stage, but should it rain, move into the heated or air-conditioned hall. Cater the event yourself using the prep kitchen and save big money. The hall comfortably seats 200 and is furnished with tables and chairs and a small bar area, stage and decorated with rustic antiques and original paintings. The covered porches accommodate 50 additional guests. Restrooms with showers and changing rooms for the bride are provided. The fireplace and beautiful wooden staircase create the perfect spot for a wedding. eXplore Brown County at Valley Branch Retreat, 2620 Valley Branch Road, (812) 9887750, www.explorebrowncounty.com. Hotel Nashville, 245 N. Jefferson St., offers 45 rooms with an indoor pool, hot tub, restaurant and bar. Perfect for small meetings, weddings, rehearsal dinners, receptions and banquets. Off-site catering at local venues also available. (812) 988-8400, www.hotelnashville.com. Salt Creek Golf Retreat, 2359 State Road 46 East, offers a beautiful banquet facility that can accommodate 20 to 200 people. The facility overlooks the golf course and is great for weddings, receptions, reunions, corporate events and small meetings. On-site catering is available. (812) 988-7888, www.saltcreekgolf.com. The Seasons Lodge and Conference Center, 560 State Road 46 East, offers space for simple receptions or technologically enhanced conferences complete with highspeed Internet. The Seasons Lodge has 10 meeting rooms that accommodate 10 to 500 people and can accommodate up to 400 people for weddings or receptions. Choose from served or buffet menus, hors d’oeuvres and cash or host bars. The complex is also available for bridal teas, bridal showers, luncheons, rehearsal dinners and weddings. (812) 988-2284 or (800) 365-7327, www.seasonslodge.com.
BROWN COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PRESENTS
IN-35150893
TICKETS PRESALE - $20 DAY OF - $25
DECEMBER 2, 2023 11 AM - 5 PM
VISIT BROWNCOUNTYGIVES.ORG OR CALL 812.988.4882 FOR MORE INFORMATION Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 65
Winter EVents
See more late-breaking events at bcdemocrat.com.
The Brown County Hilly Half browncountyplayhouse.org/event/ Marathon Annual Christmas Tree Nov. 18 Lighting The Brown County YMCA Hilly Half Marathon hopes to highlight our county, promote health, well-being and create a true sense of community. The Half Marathon scenic route starts and finishes at the Saddle Barn/ Lower Shelter house winding its way through picturesque Brown County State Park. Up hills, past the fire tower, vistas and then a fast 2 mile downhill finish. Brown County State Park, 1810 State Road 46 East, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: browncountyhillyhalf.com/.
Nov. 24 From 5 to 7 p.m. at the Brown County History Center, 90 Gould St. Tree Lighting is at 6 p.m. Come and enjoy the music, homemade cookies, hot chocolate, tea, and be sure to receive your 2023 wooden nickel. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will also be there in the Gnaw Bone Log Cabin Room.
Champagne Dreams – Fine Art & Artisan Sale
Nov. 25 Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Brown County History Center, 90 Gould St., from noon to 4 p.m.
Nov. 18 Don’t miss a fun-filled day at the Brown County Art Guild, 48 S. Van Buren St. Meet award-winning artist Jeanne McLeish, whose painting, Awakening, will be raffled at 3pm. Enjoy cupcakes by Tasty plate and listen to local entertainer Amanda Webb. Be awed by the stunning new artisan pieces on display and take home a one-of-a-kind treasure to give as a gift or cherish forever. For more information visit our website – https://browncountyartguild.org/ or call 812-988-6185
Chris Isaak: It’s Almost Christmas Tour
Nov. 18 Platinum-selling and GRAMMY Awardnominated singer and actor Chris Isaak will bring the It’s Almost Christmas Tour live to the Brown County Music Center. Over the course of his 40-year career, Platinum-selling and GRAMMY-nominated singer and actor Chris Isaak has performed to sold-out crowds across the globe with his longtime band Silvertone. Newly released Everybody Knows It’s Christmas is Isaak’s second career Christmas album and features 13 tracks of originals and covers. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events/
Breakfast In America: A Supertramp Celebration
Nov. 18 From their atmospheric art rock roots to the power pop anthems that defined a generation, Breakfast in America celebrates the music of ‘70s supergroup Supertramp in an epic rock concert tribute. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: 66 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Phil Pierle
Nov. 25 Phil Pierle and the Enablers: Founding member of the Woomblies Rock Orchestra Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org/event/
Allman Betts Family Revival
Nov. 26 Featuring Devon Allman, Duane Betts, The Allman Betts Band, Tal Wilkenfeld, Larry McCray, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, Alex Orbison, Jimmy Hall, Jackie Greene, Ally Venable & Anders Osborne. The Allman Betts Family Revival is nearly three action-packed hours that will leave you with a great musical experience and warmness in your heart. Join us as we celebrate one of the greatest bands in the world. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/ events/
Jingle Bell Rockin’ Tribute Band
Nov. 26 A Tribute to Bobby Helms and His Christmas Classic “Jingle Bell Rock” with Special Guest: The Isaac Family Band. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 2:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org/ event/
A Christmas Story
Dec. 1 Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org/event/
Stuff A Stocking
Dec. 2 Children are invited this Christmas to follow a map to over 25 Nashville merchants to gather treats, ornaments, toys, and more to stuff their holiday stocking! Only 300 tickets are sold to this annual event and tickets sell out every year. Ticket holders will receive a commemorative Christmas stocking and a map to the participating merchant locations. All proceeds from Stuff a Stocking benefit the BCCF endowment which helps fund community grants. Information: browncountygives.org/stuff-a-stocking/
Christkindl Market
Dec. 2 Nestled in Coachlight Square in the heart of Nashville, Indiana’s unique artist community, the Christkindl Market brings to Brown County a traditional European holiday market full of one–of-a-kind gifts, familyfriendly entertainment, and Christmas spirit. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Information: browncountychristkindlmarket.com
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Dec. 2 Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Brown County History Center, 90 Gould St., from noon to 4 p.m.
A Christmas Story
Dec. 2 Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org/event/
Amplify Nashville: Bringing future stars to the big stage in Brown County
Dec. 2 Presented by Brown County Music Center & Servpro of Brown, Bartholomew, Jackson & Jennings Counties. A unique showcase of folk, blues, roots, and country music featuring fan-favorite area musicians, Amplify Nashville will bring future stars to the big stage at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Ind., on Saturday, December 2, 2023. The evening will be packed with local and regional talent from a variety of bands on their way to becoming national touring acts, with a lineup featuring Cody Ikerd and The Sidewinders, King Bee & The Stingers, The Hammer and The Hatchet with IOFD, Bleu Django, and Flick N Rainwater. All participating artists share a passion for
giving back to their community. Proceeds from this special event will benefit Mother Cupboard, a nonprofit food pantry and resource center located in Nashville, and other Nashville area charities. The Brown County Music Center will also feature a value-priced menu with select food and beverage options available for the whole family. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events/
Steele’s Country Christmas and Wreath Workshop
Dec. 3 Step into the fully decorated House of the Singing Winds and Large Studio, 4220 T C Steele Rd, to catch a glimpse of holiday décor of the 1920s! During this open house you can get a photo with St. Nick and Belsnickel, enjoy refreshments, listen to holiday music and make crafts. End the day with a candlelight walkthrough of the house at 3:15 p.m. Enjoy more holiday cheer at our Wreath Workshop from 1-3 p.m. Learn how to make your own wreath for the holidays in this two-hour workshop with the site’s garden and plant guru, Lori Willis. All materials are included. Steele’s Country Christmas: $13/adult, $11/ senior, $8/youth (ages 3-17), 25% discount for members. Steele’s Country Christmas + Wreath Workshop: $20/participant, limit 10, preregistration required by Dec. 1. To register or for more information visit: indianamuseum. org/programs/steeles-country-christmas-4/
A Christmas Story
Dec. 3 Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 2:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org/event/
Blind Boys of Alabama
Dec. 3 Celebrated by The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Recording Academy/ GRAMMYs with Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and winners of five GRAMMY® Awards, The Blind Boys have attained the highest levels of achievement in a career that spans over 70 years. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events/
Tanya Tucker: Sweet Western Sound Tour with Special Guest Alex Hall
Dec. 6 The upcoming performances celebrate Tanya’s highly anticipated new album, Sweet Western Sound, available now. Produced once again by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, Sweet Western Sound reunites the award-winning trio following the release of Tanya’s landmark 2019 album, While I’m Livin’. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events/
A Christmas Story
Dec. 8 Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org/event/
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Dec. 9 Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Brown County History Center, 90 Gould St., from noon to 4 p.m.
A Christmas Story
Dec. 9 Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org/event/
A Christmas Story
Dec. 10 Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 2:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org/event/
Steven Curtis Chapman: Acoustic Christmas
Dec. 10 In a career that has spanned more than three decades, Steven Curtis Chapman has garnered 59 Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Awards, five GRAMMY® Awards, an American Music Award, and a historic 50 No. 1 singles, and has sold more than 17 million albums with 10 RIAA - Certified® Gold or Platinum albums to his credit. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events/
Aaron Lewis Acoustic
Dec. 14 Having recorded with George Jones, Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Alison Krauss and
Vince Gill, Lewis has put a traditionalist brand on his outlier country. His latest album, Frayed At Both Ends, offers the hard touring/15million selling workingman’s country star at his most personal and unplugged – making for an intimate record that reflects his 2023 acoustic tour. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events/
Aaron Lewis Acoustic
Dec. 14 Having recorded with George Jones, Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Alison Krauss and Vince Gill, Lewis has put a traditionalist brand on his outlier country. His latest album, Frayed At Both Ends, offers the hard touring/15million selling workingman’s country star at his most personal and unplugged – making for an intimate record that reflects his 2023 acoustic tour. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events/
A Christmas Story
Dec. 15 Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org/event/
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Dec. 16 Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Brown County History Center, 90 Gould St., from noon to 4 p.m.
A Christmas Story
Dec. 16 Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org/event/
1964 The Tribute: Experience a Beatles’ Concert the way it was performed over 60 years ago...
Jan. 25 For over 40 years, “1964” has thrilled audiences with what is considered to be the most authentic and endearing tribute to The Beatles. This has been accomplished by a steady and consistent cast of talented professional musicians, who painstakingly recreate the look, feel and note for note sound of an actual LIVE Beatles performance. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/ events/ Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 67
Winter EVents Ace Frehley
Jan. 27 Ace Frehley is the original lead guitarist for KISS (which he co-founded in 1973). In his time away from KISS (1983-1996, and 2002-present), Frehley has put together the most successful solo career of any member—current or former. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events/
DAYBREAK: The Music & Passion of Barry Manilow
Feb. 4 One of the most authentic tribute acts ever to hit the music scene, DAYBREAK “The Music & Passion of Barry Manilow” takes audiences on a musical journey back to the ‘70s. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 3 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events/
Yacht Rock Revue
Feb. 10 Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events/
John Primer & the Real Deal Band
Feb. 10 John Primer & the Real Deal Band featuring Zeno Jones. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S Van Buren St 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org/event/
The Price is Right Live™
Feb. 28 Get ready to “Come on Down” and join the excitement as we bring the legendary television game show, The Price Is Right™, to life in an unforgettable live event! Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the show, this is your chance to be a part of the action and win incredible prizes. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter. com/events/
68 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
See more late-breaking events at bcdemocrat.com.
John Michael Montgomery
Mar. 2 John Michael Montgomery has turned an uncanny ability to relate to fans into one of country music’s most storied careers. Known for love songs that have helped set the standard for a generation including “I Swear,” “I Love the Way You Love Me” and “I Can Love You Like That.” Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/ events/
Gary Allan
Mar. 8 Coming up playing bars in California, Gary Allan naturally connected to the no-nonsense Bakersfield sound, and by the time he started making records, he had filtered that sound through a very personal approach to become an important practitioner of neotraditional sounds in the ’90s and onward. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events/
novEMBER 18, 2023
the THE
START AND FINISH 1
46
ROUTE LANDMARKS
1. Lower Shelter 2. Park office 3. General Store 4. Nature Center 5. Gravel crossover 6. Taylor Ridge turnaround 7. Hohen Point turnaround
WATER/ AID STATIONS
5K TURNAROUND
2
TOILETS SCENIC VISTA 3 4 5
6
BROWN COUNTY STATE PARK
10K TURNAROUND
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See the sights at the Hilly Half
The two-story Lower Shelter House, just south of the race starting area, and the Saddle Barn, to the north, were both constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The race course starts with about two miles of uphill climbs, though there are a few level breaks along the way. Racers in the 5K will get their relief on the way back. For those in the 10K and Hilly Half, about 1.7 miles in they will have the first payback to their efforts, as a broad, beautiful vista opens to their right. The hardest of the early climbs finishes about 2 miles into the course, and runners can keep an eye out for the Aynes House as a sign they are almost there. The Indiana governor’s vacation home was originally home to the property manager of the
Staff REports Democrat File Photos
game preserve that preceded the park. It is named after the Aynes family, whose log cabin stood on the site before the state purchased the land in 1916. You’ll have covered about 11.2 miles when you see Aynes House the second time, and it’s (almost) all downhill from there. Not far past the Aynes House, about 2.1 miles into the course, runners will reach more of the park’s spectacular views as the forest on either side opens into deep vistas of the famous hills o’ Brown.
Around 2.7 miles in, runners will come
Around 2.7 miles in, runners will come across the park office, where they will catch a glimpse of the 90-foot fire across the park office, where they will tower — no longer in use — built by catch a glimpse of the 90-foot fire tower the Civilian Conservation Corps during built by the Civilian Conservation Corps the Great Depression. The tower is still open for visitors to climb and get during the Depression. The tower is still a bird’s eye view of the park. Runners open for visitors to climb and get a bird’s will pass this point again about 10.5 eye view of the park. Runners will pass this miles into the course. point again about 10.5 miles into the course. Just past and across from the park office and fire tower, runners will pass the Hoosier’s Nest. Now a shelter house available to be reserved by park guests, the log cabin was reconstructed from an original home that was on the property.
Lower Shelter: From the start of the race, runners will encounter history at Brown County State Park. The two-story Lower Shelter House, located just south of the race starting area, and the Saddle Barn, located to the north, were both constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp during the Great Depression.
Not far past the Aynes House, around 2.1 miles into the course, runners will reach more of the park’s spectacular views as the forest on either side opens into deep vistas of the famous hills o’ Brown.
Runners will be about 8 miles into the course when they reach the final turnaround at Hohen Point. The race route allows runners to see the wide-open view. From here on, it’s a winding 5.1 miles back to the finish.
Past the Hoosier’s Nest, runners may find more flat, open ground than they expected. Weed Patch Hill is on the ridge top and host to a DNR wildflower field. It is also famed for its views, and runners will pass multiple vistas looking east. After passing through the park’s campgrounds and coming back out, runners will climb a rise in the road. That’s the location of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp used by workers during the Depression. None of the original structures remain, though a flagpole marks the spot where Civilian Conservation Corps workers raised the flag each morning and looks out over a vista of wooded hills.
CCC flag pole: After passing through the park’s campgrounds and coming back out, runner’s will be about 7.6 miles into the race when they climb a rise in the road to reach the location of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp used by workers during the Great Depression. None of the original structures remain, though a flagpole marks the spot where CCC workers raised the flag each morning, and looks out over a vista of wooded hills.
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Democrat File Photos
Nancy Hudson, Janet Cooper, Fern Hendershot, Thrive Alliance Wellness Nutrition Site Leader Ryan Dodge and Donna Hendershot talk over lunch at the Thrive Alliance Senior Nutrition site at the Brown County YMCA.
as you never know what will need repaired and with supply chain issues you can’t be in a hurry; five heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units and the pool hot water heater need to be replaced; and fitness equipment needs to be replaced or updated. The Hilly Half is one such fundraiser. Money raised through this event and others is going into the YMCA’s ongoing capital campaign and to its endowment at the Brown County Community Foundation. “The past few years have been tough as the building ages and big ticket items need replaced,” Robinson said. “But we are here to serve the community in any way we can, if it’s financial aid for membership, low cost swim lessons, organizing the food alliance, and Brown County COAD. We are doing our best to reach and serve those in need.” Board members and staff are thankful for the support the community, the race participants and other contributors, such as major corporations and people who haven’t even been to this particular 72 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023
Love and dedication, from start to finish The Brown County YMCA opened in 2001 after the community came together to raise $3.8 million. It was virtually unheard of for such a small community to have a Y. The 34,000-square-foot building houses a pool and sauna; fitness equipment and indoor walking track; a gymnasium; and activity rooms for fitness classes, child care, day camps and community events. It’s also home to a popular Silver Sneakers wellness program, senior citizen activities, the BETA after-school teen program, and even some art classes. Since COVID-19 Kim Robinson hit Indiana, the YMCA Executive Director local Y also has been a key player in Y, have made to the cause so far. “Our 7th Annual Hilly Half wouldn’t happen without numerous layers of volunteer support,” Robinson said. “We were offered the opportunity to partner with Upland Brewing Company as our Presenting Sponsor and we are very excited for this connection!” With safety as a main concern, the course is monitored by Brown County’s first responders and volunteer fire departments. Traffic is managed by Brown County Sheriff Department Reserves, strategically placed along the course. Local EMA and Brown County Emergency Services will be set up at race headquarters to manage any emergencies. “From planning sessions beginning in February to the start gun this event is a labor of love and dedication from me to all the volunteers included, I couldn’t do it without each and every one! We have volunteers who have been with us from the start and ‘own’ their task with pride,” Robinson said.
Brown County COAD (Community Organizations Active in a Disaster), a convener of local groups to help their neighbors in extreme times of need. By partnering with other local organizations and using volunteers 150,000 pounds of food was distributed in 2020 to residents affected by the pandemic. In the past 20 years, time, traffic — and at least once, lightning — have taken their toll on the YMCA building. In 2016, the YMCA board successfully raised about $250,000 to replace the air handler system that serves the pool area. But additional support is needed to carry on the important work the YMCA is doing in the community and plans to continue doing, said Executive Director Kim Robinson. The upkeep is an ongoing expense
Democrat File Photos
Greg Taggart takes his shot from the three-point line at the Brown County YMCA. Democrat File Photos
Members of the men’s core class at the Brown County YMCA work out along the Salt Creek Trail. Participants are, clockwise from top right, Jeff Mooney, Scott Rudd, Mike Laros, John Slater, Larry Kuhn, Herb Ross, Cliff Patchin and Bill Weaver.
Race Schedule Winners take all
Friday, Nov. 17
4 to 7 p.m.: Packet pick-up at the YMCA, 105 Willow St., Nashville.
Saturday, Nov. 18 7 to 8:45 a.m.: Packet pick up and late registration, Brown County State Park Lower Shelter house 8:55 a.m.: Final instructions and National Anthem 9 a.m.: Start of the half-marathon 9:15 a.m.: Start of the 10K 9:30 a.m.: Start of the 5K 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Post race party by Upland Brewing Company at the Lower Shelter house with roaring fires, hot soup, breadsticks, complimentary first pint of beer for all participants Noon: Awards 1 p.m.: Timing stops
Local artist makes awards for winners, other prizes given Staff Reports
Glass, fiber, paper, metal, and gourds — winners of each Hilly Half race have received awards made from natural elements. This year local artist Brad Cox — who has made awards for the Hilly Half before — will be making the awards out of metal. Cox said that he gained inspiration from the natural setting of Brown County when making the awards, being inspired by the “uniqueness” of the area. He said that he’s glad to be involved with the Hilly Half again and loves to support the YMCA, where his family has spent much time over the years. “That Y is very important,” he said.
Cox’s work can be seen around Brown County at different places, like the new railing at Rafters at the Seasons Lodge and Conference Center, or at his own studio, Cox Creek Mill. The overall male and female winners of each running distance category will receive these, plus 50% off the registration cost of the 2021 race. Participants in all live events receive a Hilly Half finisher medal, custom pint glass, T-shirt, hot soup, bread sticks and snack. Any virtual participants will not be eligible for the top awards, but they will be mailed their shirt and medal once they submit their times to the Hilly Half organizers.
Stats as of Oct. 17 were down 11% from this time in 2021. Last year was a rebuilding year, Brown County YMCA CEO Kim Robinson said, due to canceling at the last minute because of the surge in COVID-19 in 2020. This year they’re still aiming and planning for 1,000 participants. Total registrants: 436 Hilly 10K Run: 67 Hilly 10K Walk: 25 Hilly 5K Run: 66 Hilly 5K Walk: 59 Hilly Half Marathon Run: 195 Hilly Half Marathon Walk: 24 Regions Indiana: 362 Ohio: 22 Kentucky: 16 Unknown: 15 Illinois: 13 Tennessee: 2 California: 2 Florida: 1 North Carolina: 1 Michigan: 1
Locals 23.2% Male 41.3%
Female 58.7% Tourists 76.8%
Average distance traveled (mi): 198 Total distance traveled (mi): 84456 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Winter 2023 73
Ali, Alex and Julia Markoff at the 2021 Hilly Half SUBMITTED PHOTO
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A memorable detour Family makes pit stop on road trip to run in Hilly Half By Abigail Youmans | The Democrat ayoumans@bcdemocrat.com
Long road trips are often made easier by the stops along the way, getting out of the car to stretch on long journeys. For Alex Markoff and his family traveling from Dickerson, Md. to Idaho, a pit stop was made in Brown County, to stretch their legs in the Hilly Half. The Markoffs run a camp in Dickerson, which is about 35 minutes outside of Washington D.C. on the Potomac River. Once their season is done they make the long trek west to Idaho, where they live in the winter near the Tetons. Markoff said that each year they try to make the trip about getting off the highway and see different areas. Last year, Markoff and his daughters, Ali and Julia, made plans to sign up for the Hilly Half with a friend from Chicago, Tom Priest.
“The course is fun and pretty, the post-party was phenomenal.”
- Alex Markoff They had driven through the night and slept for about 30 minutes before the race started. Tom ended up calling and ordering breakfast for them from a local restaurant, so they could be fueled before they ran. “It was a crazy night,” Alex said. At 8 a.m., the race start gun fired and they hit the Hilly Half course. Alex said they had run races before, but the Hilly Half was “really special.” “The course is fun and pretty, the post-party was phenomenal,” he said. “We were very tired, but it was well worth it.” They finished the race with showers at the YMCA, beer and hot soup,
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which Alex said was a win-win-win. The volunteers were amazing too, Alex said, adding to the unique and well-run event that the YMCA facilitates. “It was such a nice crowd, we felt it, it was really noticeable,” he said. “Where I am in life, I think connecting with other people, experiencing a slower pace and event where people go out of their way to make it special — it’s just really special. I value and appreciate that.” The whole experience was special for Alex, who said that it was a firsttime visit he was able to share with his daughters.
Adding to the special day was celebrating Ali’s 21st birthday, Alex said. “It was special for me to race with my daughters,” he said. “Anytime I get that opportunity, I’ll sign up. … Seeing a different part of the country in a different way, it’s a neat way to see different places, by running,” Alex said. The Markoffs are preparing for their 2022 trek to Idaho and plan on adding the Hilly Half to their route again. “It has the potential of becoming an annual tradition,” he said.
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