Spring 2024 Visitors Guide
Spring into Brown County Nashville blooms in color thanks to business’ decor & flowers galore!
Directory | Maps | Shopping | Lodging | Entertainment | Dining | special events
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 1
IN-35158311
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IN-35156569
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 3
Brown County Almanack
Visitors Guide A quarterly publication featuring local merchants and events from Nashville and Brown County, Indiana.
Editor Tim Timmons Writers Dakota Bruton, Abbie Gressley, Bella Hobbs, James Rae, Mark Webber Advertising Sales Larry Hanson, Christy Hubbard Graphic designer Katelin Gephart
IN-35158467
ADVERTISING SALES CONTACTS Phone: (812) 988-2221 Fax: (812) 988-6502 ads@bcdemocrat.com
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ContenTs Spring 2024
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Feature stories 14 Home Dream Home 18 50 Years of Sweets & Treats 20 Putting Their Stamp on Heritage Mall 22 As Tough as Leather 24 Ready to Rumble! 26 Zipping into Spring 28 Spring into Small Business 30 Blazing a Trail for New Bikers 36 Coffee & Crafts 38 Evergreen Florals 40 Meet the Cartoonist 44 A Stone’s Throw from Treasure 46 Honoring the Fallen 48 True Miracle
Maps 6 Map of Brown County 12-13 Nashville Street Map Everything is a little more colorful over at ‘Weed Patch Music Company’!
Cover Photo By
IN-35156637
Dakota Bruton
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State Park North Gate
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To Columbus & Edinburgh to I-65
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21 1. Explore Brown County/ Valley Branch Retreat 2. Friends O’ Mine Campground 3. Bear Wallow Distillery 4. Brown County Winery 5. Hills O’ Brown Vacation Rentals 6. 1875 Homestead B&B 7. Brown County Antique Mall 8. Harmony Tree Resorts 9. Abe Martin Lodge 10. Brown County KOA
11. Hard Truth Hills Distillery 12. Brown County Community Foundation 13. Brick Lodge 14. Mike Nikels Log Cabins 15. Brownie’s Bean Blossom Restaurant 16. Brown County Dragway 17. Helmsburg Station 18. Farm House Café 19. Brye Real Estate / Porch Swing Vacation Homes 20. Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides 21. Story Inn
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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-35156630
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Trolly’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D4. . . . . . 65
BOOKS
1875 Homestead B&B . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 33
Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 63
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Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29 Fallen Leaf Books. . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . 47 Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . N/A
A Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11 American Woodsman . . . . H2. . . . . . 55
B B3 Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Bear Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . L6 . . . . . . 43 Bear Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . L6 . . . . . . 42 Bear Wallow Distillery . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 23 Big Woods Brewing/ Hard Truth Hills Distillery.Pg. 6. . . . 67 Bone Appetit . . . . . . . . . . . . J5 . . . . . . 55 Brown County Art Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F8. . . . . . 39 Brown County Art Guild. . F3. . . . . . 45 Brown County Bikes. . . . . . I2. . . . . . . 30 Brown County Community Fondation. . . A4. . . . . N/A Brown County Craft Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 61 Brown County Dragway. . Pg. 6. . . . 24 Brown County IGA . . . . . . . L7 . . . . . . 22 Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4 . . . . . . . 7 Brown County KOA. . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 41 Brown County Model Trains. . . . . . . . . . . . . G2. . . . . N/A Brown County Music Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . L8 . . . 34/35 Brown County Playhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 68 Brown County Visitors Center . . . . . . . . . . . J4 . . . . . . 17 Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6. 53 Brownie’s Bean Blossom Family Restaurant. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 31 Brye Real Estate / Porch Swing Vacation Home . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . . 4
H Harmony Tree Resorts. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 15 Harvest Preserves. . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Haven Lee Boutique. . . . . . J5 . . . . . N/A Heritage Candy Store . . . . F4. . . 18/29 Hills O’Brown Vacation Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 27 Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 25 Hoosier Artist Gallery . . . . F2. . . . . . . 9 Hotel Nashville. . . . . . . . . . . A3. . . . . . 21 House of Jerky. . . . . . . . . . . H5. . . . . . 25
W Wishful Thinking. . . . . . . . . F4. . . . . . 20
Y Yellow Door Quilt. . . . . . . . H2. . . . . . 57 Yesteryear Old Time Photos. . . . . . . . . . . . . H5. . . . . N/A CATEGORY LISTING
ANTIQUES/COLLECTIBLES
IGA, Brown County. . . . . . . L7 . . . . . . 22 Ironweed Gifts and Florals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I1. . . . 38/49
Brown County Model Trains. . . . . . . . . . . . . G2. . . . . N/A Touch of Silver Gold & Old. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 53 Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
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Lakehouse Candle . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . . 5 Lawrence Family Glassblowers/ Quintessence Gallery. . . . . G5. . . . . . 63
Nashville BP . . . . . . . . . . . . . I3. . . . . . . 33 Nashville Fudge Kitchen. . I4. . . . . . N/A Nashville House. . . . . . . . . . F5. . . . . . 17 Nashville Spice Co.. . . . . . . K6. . . . . . . 3 Nickels Vacation Cabins. . Pg. 6. . . . 49
B3 Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Brown County Art Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F8. . . . . . 39 Brown County Art Guild. . F3. . . . . . 45 Brown County Craft Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 61 Cheeky Owl, The. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37 Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29 Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 25 Hoosier Artist Gallery . . . . F2. . . . . . . 9 Lawrence Family Glassblowers/ Our Little World. . . . . . . . . . E3. . . . . . 36 Quintessence Gallery. . . . . G5. . . . . . 63 Totem Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 59 Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
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BATH & BODY
M Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 27 Miller’s Ice Cream House. F2. . . . . . . 2 Moondance Vacation Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 51 Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . 22/59
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Our Little World. . . . . . . . . . E3. . . . . . 36
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Candy Dish, The. . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Candy Emporium . . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 61 Carpenter Hills O’ Brown. . B1. . . . . . 19 Cedar Creek Winery. . . . . . G4. . . . . . 55 Cheeky Owl, The. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37 Chocolate Moose . . . . . . . . J3 . . . . . . 53 Copperhead Creek Gem Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E4. . . 44/45 Cornerstone Inn & Suites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G6. . . . . . 39
Playhouse, Brown County . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 68
R Rafters Food & Spirits . . . . K8. . . . . . 21 Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . N/A Rivers & Roads . . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 57
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Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29 eXplore Brown County . . . Pg. 6. . . . 26
Salt Creek Winery & Vacation Rental . . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 37 Seasons Lodge Hotel & Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 17 Sora Binti. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H2. . . . . . 44 Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 31
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Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation . . . B2. . . . . . 47 Fallen Leaf Books. . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . 47 Farmhouse Café Bistro . . . Pg. 6. . . . 51 Ferguson House Bistro . . . G2. . . . . . 19 Friends O’ Mine Campground . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 65
The Candy Dish. . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 The Cheeky Owl . . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37 The Seasons Lodge Hotel & Event Center. . . . . . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 17 T-Shirt Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . 53 Totem Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 59 Touch of Silver Gold & Old. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 53
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Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Visitors Center, Brown County . . . . . . . . . . . J4 . . . . . . 17
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Cheeky Owl, The. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37 Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . N/A Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 57
BEER, WINE AND SPIRITS Bear Wallow Distillery. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 23 Big Woods Brewing/ Hard Truth Hills Distillery.Pg. 6. . . . 67 Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4. . . . . . . 7 Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6.53 Cedar Creek Winery. . . . . . G4. . . . . . 55 Harmony Tree Resorts. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 15 Rafters Food & Spirits . . . . K8. . . . . . 21 Salt Creek Winery & Vacation Rental. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 37 Seasons Lodge Hotel & Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 17 Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 31
BIKE RENTAL AND ACCESSORIES Brown County Bikes. . . . . . I2. . . . . . . 30 eXplore Brown County. . . Pg. 6. . . . 17
Birdhouses & Feeders Cheeky Owl, The. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37 Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29
CAMPGROUND Brown County KOA. . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 41 eXplore Brown County. . . Pg. 6. . . . 17 Friends O’ Mine Campground . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 65
CANDLES Cheeky Owl, The. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37 Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29 Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 19 Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 25 Lakehouse Candle . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . . 5 Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 27 Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . N/A Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 57 Sora Binti. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H2. . . . . . 44
CANDY Candy Dish, The. . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Candy Emporium. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 61 Heritage Candy Store . . . . F4. . . 18/29 Nashville Fudge Kitchen. . I4. . . . . . N/A Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
CHRISTMAS Brown County Art Guild. . F3. . . . . . 45 Brown County Craft Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 61 Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6.53 Cedar Creek Winery. . . . . . G4. . . . . . 55 Cheeky Owl, The. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37 Fallen Leaf Books. . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . 47 Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 19 Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 25 Ironweed Gifts and Florals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I1. . . . 38/49 Lawrence Family Glassblowers/ Quintessence Gallery. . . . . G5. . . . . . 63 Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 27 Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . 22/59 Nashville Spice Co.. . . . . . . K6. . . . . . . 3 Salt Creek Winery & Vacation Rental. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 37 T-Shirt Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . 53
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Brown County Bikes. . . . . . I2. . . . . . . 30 Cheeky Owl, The. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37 Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29 Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 19 Haven Lee Boutique. . . . . . J5 . . . . . N/A Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 27 Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . 22/59 Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . N/A Sora Binti. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H2. . . . . . 44 T-Shirt Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . 53 Totem Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 59
COFFEE AND TEA Brownie’s Bean Blossom
IN-35156635
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 9
Family Restaurant. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 31 Candy Emporium . . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 61 Chocolate Moose . . . . . . . . J3 . . . . . . 53 Farmhouse Café Bistro . . . Pg. 6. . . . 51 Our Little World. . . . . . . . . . E3. . . . . . 36 Harmony Tree Resorts. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 15 Harvest Preserves. . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Rivers & Roads . . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 57
CONFERENCES, RETREATS & WEDDINGS Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11 Big Woods Brewing/ Hard Truth Hills Distillery.Pg. 6. . . . 67 Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4 . . . . . . . 7 Cornerstone Inn & Suites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G6. . . . . . 39 eXplore Brown County . . . Pg. 6. . . . 17 Hotel Nashville. . . . . . . . . . . A3. . . . . . 21 Nickels Vacation Cabins. . Pg. 6. . . . 49 Seasons Lodge Hotel & Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 17 Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 31
CRAFTS Brown County Craft Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 61 Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29 Our Little World. . . . . . . . . . E3. . . . . . 36 Rivers & Roads . . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 57 Wishful Thinking. . . . . . . . . F4. . . . . . 20 Yellow Door Quilt . . . . . . . . H2. . . . . . 57
ENTERTAINMENT, EVENTS & RECREATION Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11 Big Woods Brewing/ Hard Truth Hills Distillery.Pg. 6. . . . 67 Brown County Art Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F8. . . . . . 39 Brown County Art Guild. . F3. . . . . . 45 Brown County Dragway. . Pg. 6. . . . 24 Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4 . . . . . . . 7 Brown County Music Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . L8 . . . 34/35 Brown County Playhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 68 Brown County Visitors Center . . . . . . . . . . . J4 . . . . . . 17 Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6.53 Cedar Creek Winery. . . . . . G4. . . . . . 55 Copperhead Creek Gem Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E4. . . 44/45 eXplore Brown County . . . Pg. 6. . . . 17 Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 63 Our Little World. . . . . . . . . . E3. . . . . . 36 Playhouse, Brown County . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 68 Salt Creek Winery & Vacation Rental . . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 37 Seasons Lodge Hotel & Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 17 Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 31
FOOD, DINING & SNACKS Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11 Bear Wallow Distillery . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 23 Big Woods Brewing/ Hard Truth Hills Distillery.Pg. 6. . . . 67 Brown County IGA . . . . . . . L7 . . . . . . 22 Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4 . . . . . . . 7 Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6.53 Brownie’s Bean Blossom Family Restaurant. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 31 Candy Dish, The. . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Candy Emporium . . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 61 Cedar Creek Winery. . . . . . G4. . . . . . 55 Chocolate Moose . . . . . . . . J3 . . . . . . 53 Farmhouse Café Bistro . . . Pg. 6. . . . 51 Harmony Tree Resorts. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 15 Harvest Preserves. . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Heritage Candy Store . . . . F4. . . 18/29 Hotel Nashville. . . . . . . . . . . A3. . . . . . 21 House of Jerky. . . . . . . . . . . H5. . . . . . 25 IGA, Brown County. . . . . . . L7 . . . . . . 22 Miller’s Ice Cream House. F2. . . . . . . 2 Nashville BP . . . . . . . . . . . . . I3. . . . . . . 33 Nashville Fudge Kitchen. . I4. . . . . . N/A Nashville House. . . . . . . . . . F5. . . . . . 17 Nashville Spice Co.. . . . . . . K6. . . . . . . 3 Rafters Food & Spirits . . . . K8. . . . . . 21 Salt Creek Winery & Vacation Rental . . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 37 Seasons Lodge Hotel & Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 17 Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 31 Trolly’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D4. . . . . . 65 Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
and Florals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I1. . . . 38/49 Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 27 Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . 22/59 Nashville BP . . . . . . . . . . . . . I3. . . . . . . 33 Nashville House. . . . . . . . . . F5. . . . . . 17 Nashville Spice Co.. . . . . . . K6. . . . . . . 3 Our Little World. . . . . . . . . . E3. . . . . . 36 Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . N/A Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 57 Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 31 T-Shirt Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . I4. . . . . . . 53 Totem Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 59 Touch of Silver Gold & Old. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 53 Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
HOBBIES Brown County Model Trains. . . . . . . . . . . . . G2. . . . . N/A Our Little World. . . . . . . . . . E3. . . . . . 36 Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 57 Wishful Thinking. . . . . . . . . F4. . . . . . 20 Yellow Door Quilt. . . . . . . . H2. . . . . . 57
HOME DÉCOR Brown County Winery. . . . F5/Pg. 6.53 Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29 Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 19 Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 25 Lawrence Family Glassblowers/ Quintessence Gallery. . . . . G5. . . . . . 63
ICE CREAM Chocolate Moose. . . . . . . . J3 . . . . . . 53 Miller’s Ice Cream House. F2. . . . . . . 2 Village Green Bldg, The. . . F2. . . . . . . 2
FOOTWEAR
JEWELRY
Brown County Bikes. . . . . . I2. . . . . . . 30 Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . 22/59
Cheeky Owl, The. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37 Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29 Ferguson House Bistro. . . G2. . . . . . 19 Haven Lee Boutique. . . . . . J5 . . . . . N/A Redhead Apothecary. . . . . H4. . . . . N/A Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 57 Sora Binti. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H2. . . . . . 44 Totem Post . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G3. . . . . . 59 Touch of Silver Gold & Old. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 53
GARDEN & PATIO Bear Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . L6 . . . . . . 43 Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29 Ferguson House Bistro . . . G2. . . . . . 19 Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 25
GIFTS Bone Appetit . . . . . . . . . . . . J5 . . . . . . 55 Brown County Model Trains. . . . . . . . . . . . . G2. . . . . N/A Candy Dish, The. . . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Candy Emporium . . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 61 Cheeky Owl, The. . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 37 Copperhead Creek Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29 Gem Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E4. . . 44/45 Fallen Leaf Books. . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . 47 Ferguson House Bistro . . . G2. . . . . . 19 Harvest Preserve. . . . . . . . . F2. . . . . . . 2 Heritage Candy Store . . . . F4. . . 18/29 Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 25 Hoosier Artist Gallery . . . . F2. . . . . . . 9 House of Jerky. . . . . . . . . . . H5. . . . . . 25 Ironweed Gifts
10 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
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Nickels Vacation Cabins. . Pg. 6. . . . 49 Salt Creek Winery & Vacation Rental. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 37 Seasons Lodge Hotel & Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 17 Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 31
LOG CABINS Hills O’Brown Vacation Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 27 Moondance Vacation Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 51 Nickels Vacation Cabins. . Pg. 6. . . . 49
MORTGAGES Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. . . B2. . . . . . 47
OUTDOOR OUTFITTERS American Woodsman. . . . H2. . . . . . 55 Bear Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . L6. . . . . . 43 Brown County Bikes. . . . . . I2. . . . . . . 30
PET CARE AND PET GIFTS Bone Appetit . . . . . . . . . . . . J5 . . . . . . 55 Educated Otter . . . . . . . . . . F6. . . . . . 29 Holly Pots Stoneware. . . . F6. . . . . . 25 Rivers & Roads. . . . . . . . . . . E6. . . . . . 57
REAL ESTATE Bear Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . L6. . . . . . 42 Brye Real Estate / Porch Swing Vacation Home . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . . 4 Carpenter Hills O’ Brown. . B1. . . . . . 19 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. . . B2. . . . . . 47
Scrapbooking Educated Otter....................F6..............29 Wishful Thinking.................F4..............20
SERVICES
Moonshine Leather . . . . . . F3. . . 22/59
Bear Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . L6. . . . . . 42 Brown County Community Fondation. . . A4. . . . . N/A Brown County Visitors Center. . . . . . . . . . . J4 . . . . . . 17 Brye Real Estate / Porch Swing Vacation Home . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . . 4 Carpenter Hills O’ Brown. . B1. . . . . . 19 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. . . B2. . . . . . 47 Mercantile Store . . . . . . . . . I6. . . . . . . 27 Nashville BP . . . . . . . . . . . . . I3. . . . . . . 33
LODGING
WEDDINGS AND RECEPTIONS
LEATHER
1875 Homestead B&B. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 33 Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11 Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4. . . . . . . 7 Cornerstone Inn & Suites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G6. . . . . . 39 eXplore Brown County. . . Pg. 6. . . . 17 Harmony Tree Resorts. . . . Pg. 6. . . . 15 Hills O’Brown Vacation Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 27 Hotel Nashville. . . . . . . . . . . A3. . . . . . 21 Moondance Vacation Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I5. . . . . . . 51
Abe Martin Lodge. . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 11 Big Woods Brewing/ Hard Truth Hills Distillery.Pg. 6. . . . 67 Brown County Inn. . . . . . . . L4. . . . . . . 7 eXplore Brown County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 17 Hotel Nashville. . . . . . . . . . . A3. . . . . . 21 Salt Creek Winery & Vacation Rental. . . . . . . . E2. . . . . . 37 Seasons Lodge Hotel & Event Center, The . . . . . . K8. . . . . . 17 Story Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6. . . . 31
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Carpenter’s Hills O’Brown Real Estate
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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
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The Totem Post
Brown County Playhouse
BC Art Guild
Moonshine Leather
ATM
Our Little World
Big Woods Village
Big Woods Pizza
Hotel Nashville/Darlene’s
3 SR135 TO MORGANTOWN
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Franklin Place
Heritage Candy
BC Courthouse Liars Bench
Wishful Thinking
Copperhead Creek Gem, Mine and Rock Shop/ Iris Gardens
Trolly’s
BC Community Foundation
Nashville House
BC Winery & Tasting Room
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Holly Pots Stoneware
Educated Otter
Bank ATM
County Office Building
BC Public Library
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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
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Volunteer Fire Department
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Nashville Town Hall
Nashville Post Office
Nashville Police Department
BC Art Gallery
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Brown County Bikes
Yellow Door Quilt
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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
Sora Binti
American Bear Real Woodsman Estate
Franklin Square Courtyard
Ferguson House Bistro
Antique Alley
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TO B SR 46 LOO MINW GT ON
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Brown County Inn
Speedway Gas
Brown County Visitors Center
T-Shirt Shop
Nashville Fudge Kitchen
Possum Trot Square
Redhead Apothecary
Cedar Creek Winery
Brown County Craft Gallery
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Bear Hardware
Educational Resource Center
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
The Cheeky Owl Lakehouse Candle
Yesteryear Old Time Photos
House of Jerky
Lawrence Family Glassblowers
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ATM
Brown Co . IGA
BC High School Larry C . Banks Memorial Gymnasium
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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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Home Dream Home Don Crum’s Homemade Cabin
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Don Crum’s log cabin he built by hand from bartered materials found in seven different places. He built the home in 1993 and has pieces dating back from the 1800s. Story and Photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat
Don Crum has been bartering for parts for his dream home since he was a kid. In 1993 with the help of many friends and family and parts from all over Brown County and the state, he built a log cabin up the road from where he grew up. “I found out there was a two-room log cabin for sale in Saint Henry’s that was built in 1858 that they were dismantling,” Crum said. “After school, I’d haul the logs in a grain truck from Saint Henry’s to the property here. I later bought the land from my dad and started building the cabin where I dug a fort in the woods as a kid.” Crum said every time he got new materials, he would change his plans for the cabin. He said he learned from his dad to build as you go, and that you can build a house even if you don’t have the money all at once. He said his dad was born into the Great Depression and people raised by those who survived the depression tend to be more thrifty and salvageable. “Me and my friend Rob O’Neil handset all of these
<< 14 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
logs by hand,” said Crum. “I had no equipment to move my rock or logs, it was all done by hand when we were young and twice as strong.” Crum said in from the Don Crum built his log cab he also wants to t up by bartering for differen und gro acknowledge Mark hill on the up sits in cab The ls. materia m lives in the barn Petro and his two Georgetown Road and Cru similar material. of up e sons and the North down the lane mad Salem Community Church who had significant roles in building the cabin. Justin Detarnawsky now owns the cabin and said he wanted to buy the home because of it’s unique character and the fact it isn’t the same as everybody else’s home. He said he plans to fix it up and let another family enjoy it as Don did over the years. “If I can do it anyone can,” Crum said. “If you want a house bad enough you can have a house. It’s how hard you’re willing to work for it.”
Inside Crum’s barn where he currently resides are twisted sassafras pieces he bartered from Southern Illinois. He said the sassafras was made from honeysuckle and bittersweet.
IN-35158476
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 15
Don Crum’s Homemade Cabin
Clockwise from the top left: Inside Crum’s log cabin barn that he currently resides in and is continuously fixing up. He said he has pieces from Brown County Habitat for Humanity and New Whiteland Indiana Habitat for Humanity. // The stone surrounding the round sharpening stone pictured here was stone salvaged from the Brown County Park pool deck wall during demolition in 1980 according to Crum. He said the round sharpening stone in the center was from his grandparents. // Crum points to his antique lumber that also came from Becks Grove Church. He said he couldn’t reuse all the logs so he said he made his house half log and half frame from the different materials from various locations. // Photo of the stone from the Brown County pool with names carved into it. Crum said they used dimes and nickels to scratch their names into them. He said he used to have the stone he scratched his name into as well but has lost it over the years. // Crum said he bartered for the arrowheads by trading his geodes for it. He said he paid for the fabrication but bartered for the actual glass piece.
“A Historic Brown County Landmark” Enjoy dining in a cozy country atmosphere with great home cooking and our famous fried biscuits and apple butter.
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NOW SERVING LUNCH & DINNER
15 S. Van Buren St. | Nashville, IN 47448 | 812.988.4554 16 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
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Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 17
H 50 YEARS OF SWEETS & tREATS Heritage Candy Store
Story & Photos by James Rae | Brown County Democrat
30 Artist Drive Nashville, IN 812-988-2227
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Carpenter Hills O’ Brown has moved! Come see us at our new office at 30 Artist Drive!
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
Debbie Fleetwood
jfleetwood4402@yahoo.com 812-327-6862
Call one of these local Carpenter Hills O’ Brown agents for your LOTS & LAND real estate needs! Megan Smith-Quintero Shaely King msmith-quintero@callcarpenter.com srking@callcarpenter.com We know the market! 812-325-5049
CALLCARPENTER.COM 18 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
Luke Morrow
lmorrow@callcarpenter.com 812-583-0055
425-503-7133
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Owner Greg Percifield told the Brown County Democrat that fudge is a top seller, accounting for close to half of all business.
Heritage Candy Store Location: The Heritage Mall, 41 S Van Buren St Phone: 812-200-1077 Website: heritagecandystore.com
Regardless of the weather, something sweet is always in season.
Creative menu Fresh ingredients Plant based options
Featuring Full-service bar and bistro IN-35158417
rotated on a regular basis and the customer can normally find 15 to 20 selections to choose from. For Greg, The Heritage Candy Store is more than just a shop that serves sweet treats. “Why would people not be happy coming through a candy store? We have to make sure that we are friendly and smiling and people have a good time in here. We try to get people involved in conversation and it’s a lot of fun.”
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Heritage Candy Store has a longstanding history in Nashville as one of the oldest candy stores in town. 2023 marked the 50th anniversary and in honor of this special occasion, a mural was put up inside the store with family members past and present along with former owners. Local artist and family friend Amanda Mathis was the person responsible for creating the mural. Owner of Heritage Candy Store and The Heritage Mall Greg Percifield said, “We were really proud to get that put on there for the foreseeable future. “We get people who ask about the mural because people get a kick out of that and it means something to them and it definitely means something to us.” According to Percifield, fudge is a top seller at Heritage Candy Store making up for close to half of all business. Certain flavors of fudge are kept out all the time like chocolate, peanut butter, half chocolate, half peanut butter and chocolate with nuts. Percifield’s daughter, Lacy, is manager at Heritage Candy Store and she tries to go along with the seasons. For Christmas, she features red velvet fudge and peppermint bark with Santa’s Cookies and Milk new this year. The spring and summer have more fruity-type offerings and the team is even working on one for the upcoming solar eclipse. All of the fudge and brittle products are made in-house at Heritage Candy Store and the chocolates and candies are purchased from a very select list of vendors. Original fudge recipes are still intact along with some new classic flavors like cookie dough and dark chocolate with caramel and sea salt. The fudge is
14 Unique Shops
Off the corner of Franklin & Jefferson Behind the Ferguson House
Vacation units upstairs for up to 10 people and more! Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 19
Putting their Stamp on Heritage mall Wishful Thinking
Story & Photos by James Rae Brown County Democrat
Left: The Heritage Mall is located in the heart of Nashville on Van Buren Street. Right: The shop had to relocate to The Heritage Mall after a fire at a previous location.
Great Brown County Getaways IN-35158421
Brick Lodge Suites, Studios, Hot Tubs, Restaurant & Bar Indoor Pool, Whirlpool, Conference Facilities Weddings & Receptions, Special Getaway Packages
Accommodates 8 Guests, 2 Bedrooms & 2 Baths Game Room w/Pool Table, Cable TV, DVD Player Full Equipped Kitchen, Central Heat & Air Gas Fireplace, Outdoor Hot Tub, Gas Grill
Accommodates 8 Guests, 3 Bedrooms & 2 1/2 Baths Cable TV, DVD Player, Fully Equipped Kitchen Central Heat & Air, Electric Fireplace Outdoor Hot Tub, Gas Grill
245 N. Jefferson Street | 988.8400 | 800.848.6274 www.hotelnashville.com
812.988.6429 www.bricklodge.com
812.988.6429 www.northhousegetaway.com
20 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
Wishful Thinking is located in the heart of Nashville inside The Heritage Mall on Van Buren Street. Wishful Thinking is known for high quality scrapbooking and rubber stamping plus the store offers unique items that might be hard to find in other stores. It’s just the sort of stuff that fits a cold winter day with a cup of hot tea, or a sunny spring afternoon with a glass of lemonade. Wishful Thinking attracts many visitors throughout the year catering to stamp enthusiasts, scrapbookers, altered artists and paper crafters. Marlene Miller is the owner of Wishful Thinking and has been in business for 23 years. Miller had to relocate to The Heritage Mall after a fire at her previous location. “I will say I like this spot a lot. My husband and I have done a lot of renovations in here and the owner of The Heritage Mall, Greg Percifield, has been very supportive,” said Miller. Miller mentioned that she hopes to get back into classes for springtime while also expanding into the little shop next to Wishful Thinking for more space. “There is a whole realm of things that are coming out that should be here in the spring and some of them are even talking about Christmas,” said Miller. Miller finished by saying, “everything seems to be a season ahead, so a lot of the spring and summer stuff will be coming out very shortly.”
Wishful Thinking Location: The Heritage Mall, 41 S Van Buren St Phone: 812-375-4475 Website: wishfulthinking-in.com
Marlene Miller is the owner of Wishful Thinking and has been in business for 23 years.
<< Thursday 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.
www.seasonslodge.com 812-988-2284
IN-35158419
Located in the across from the entrance of the Brown County Music Center
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 21
W as tough as leather Moonshine Leather Company Story & Photos by James Rae | Brown County Democrat Left: Holly Love, the retail manager, has worked in the shop since she was in high school. Right: The shop, which has been in Nashville for a long time, is a familiar sight to visitors.
BROWN COUNTY Hometown Proud Local Grocery Store
Serving Beautiful Brown County Since 1975!
• Certified Angus Beef • Organic Grocery • Large Beer and Wine Sections • Dairy • Picnic Supplies • Produce • Full Service Bakery/Deli • Frozen • Custom Cake Decorating • Wine • Custom Deli Trays, Veggie Trays Sign Up for Ever-Growing Selection of Gluten-Free Products
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS
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FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO GET THE WEEKLY AD Brown County IGA 30 Hawthorne Dr. • Nashville • East SR 46 at light • 812-988-4546
22 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
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dedicated to products made in the United States. Moonshine Leather is a home-grown, family owned and operated business and is consistently committed to crafting original leather designs made in America. Moonshine Leather Co. has been a popular destination for many years and right in the heart of downtown Nashville. “I’ve been all over the country and never seen anything quite like this and I’ve even heard this area referred to as the Little Smokies. We’re pretty centrally located being that we’re one hour from Indianapolis, over one hour from Cincinnati and about four hours from Chicago, so we get a lot of day trippers regardless of the time of year,” said Love.
The shop has plenty of items for spring as well as winter.
Moonshine Leather Location: 38 S Van Buren St Phone: 812-988-1326 Website: moonshineleather.com
IN-35158423
While some businesses are hoping for an early spring, Moonshine Leather Company on Van Buren St. in downtown Nashville just keeps chugging along. The business has been a staple in the community for several decades. Mike Kline is the owner of Moonshine Leather Co. and he first opened the store back in 1992. Moonshine Leather Company has served as a popular shopping destination for patrons in search of handcrafted leather goods. Holly Love is the retail manager of Moonshine Leather Co. and she started working at this store when she was a sophomore in high school. That was nearly 20 years ago and Love has seen business grow substantially over that span of time. Love mentioned that belts are the most popular items overall and also that handbags see an increase in sales during the spring and summer months. Wallets tend to be more popular among shoppers in the fall, according to Love. Love explained that during these winter months, staff like to focus on manufacturing and new product ideas. One such new item being rolled out is a center flip wallet and also being released are a line of zippered wallets. Love added that a couple of versions of the wallets are tested first before being released to the public. Moonshine Leather Company specializes in handcrafted leather wallets, purses, aprons, belts, cell phone holders and accessories. One unique aspect about Moonshine Leather is that there is a working leather studio inside the store. This studio space is where all leather goods are handcrafted and then sold to the public. The staff at Moonshine Leather have been providing high quality leather goods for over 20 years. “Trends do change over the years, so even though leather crafting is an old craft we try to stay pretty relevant,” said Love. Moonshine Leather Company is a unique location that is
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 23
Ready to Rumble!
Brown County Dragway
Christina and Rick Covey are now manning the Brown County Dragway and plan to get it opened back up this spring. They have been married for five years and racing has been a big part of both of their lives.
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Story by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat | pHOTOS courtesy of Christina Covey, owner
The Brown County Dragway Pro Class lines up for their race. The Dragway has been home to many racers for decades and the Coveys are excited to welcome people back to their home track.
Brown County Dragway Location: 480 Gatesville Road, Morgantown, IN Phone: 812-785-8282 Website: brown-county-dragway-llc.business.site
24 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
The Brown County Dragway has been under some changes and has seen new management in recent years, but after being closed since last October, Rick and Christina Covey plan to open it back up in April ready to rumble. “We’re just excited to have the track back open,” said Owner Rick Covey, who has been racing in Brown County since the ‘90s. “It was closed for a couple of years and we didn’t have any prep races during the time. It took a lot of people to open back up and a lot of people still aren’t aware it’s back up and running.” Covey said the Dragway, located on Gatesville Road near Morgantown, will start being open all the time and will have races every weekend. He said it’s usually busy in the fall but with their spring classic and reopening in April this year, they’re hoping to have a busy spring and summer as well. “We’ll have our spring classic, a three-day race on May 28th, which should have a great turnout,” said Covery. Covey said the track has to be 50-55 degrees before the BHT (the glue) that goes on the track works. He said they usually do two types of races, Bracket and Gassers. Before the Bracket race starts each car has to determine what time to “dial” and to win the car closest to what they dialed in wins the race. Any car can participate because they’re just trying to best hit the dialed number and it’s not based on whose car is the fastest. He said the gasser race is the same kind of race but with a different type of hot rod car. “People come from Brown County, Indianapolis, Bloomington and all around,” said Covey. “They come to Brown County to race because it’s unique and has been here forever. As a racer, you get your track and you go to that track every time unless it’s not open.”
Beef, Turkey, Pork, Buffalo, Venison, Elk, Kangaroo, Gator, Fish, Wild Boar & More (Artist Colony Shops. 125 S VanBuren St.)
812-988-1592 IN-35158454
Covey said right now he and Christina don’t own the track but are manning it entirely. He said it’s agreed that if the current owner decides to sell, then they will get to buy it. They have been doing a lot of repairs before the track opens back up as well. “We’ve done a lot of upgrades, we put in new scoreboards which the track has never had before,” said Covey. “We’ve also rewired the track, put in lights and a light post set and done a lot of blacktop work as well.” Covey said one thing he’s most excited about is not having to mow the grass all the time anymore and getting Christina to become a racer this year.
Nashville, IN
“We are family and racers.” - Rick Covey
Sportsman Class racer Phil Murphy and his wife at the Brown County Dragway. Murphy won the Sportsman Class race for five years and racing has been a big part of both of their lives.
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“Racing is in my blood as my biological family raced (at the Brown County Dragway) and was close friends of the previous owner, Sandy Fields. It’s about more than racing at Brown County Dragway. We are family and racers.” Rick and Christina did a Ladies’ Race last year in memory of Fields who had owned the track and been involved with it for over 30 years. Fields’ daughter Bandy Russell said her mom always loved doing the Mother’s and Father’s Day races, so she was so glad when the Covey’s decided to do something to honor her mom. “They didn’t have to do that but they did, and they also added a car show that same day which really brought people out,” said Russell. Anytime you have that pause in racing it hurts, so people need to know that the track is open again and support the Covey’s because they put in a lot of time, work and effort!” “I’m just really excited to get it back open and have everyone come around the track again,” said Covey.”
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 25
Explore Brown County
Zipping into spring
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Above: Ziplining through the woods is one of the adventurous activities offered at eXplore Brown County. Top right: Ziplining at eXplore Brown County. Owner Gary Bartels said the ziplines are the most popular feature at the retreat and anyone from kids to adults love to try it out. Story by Abbie Gressley Brown County Democrat
pHOTOS courtesy of eXplore Brown County owner, Gary Bartels and corbin parmer
While open year-round, eXplore Brown County at Valley Branch Retreat really begins to thrive in the spring. Owner Gary Bartels said spring break and St. Patrick’s Day is when business picks up. “We have a skeleton crew year round and still see people every day, but around the second week in March, we get a lot busier,” said Bartels. “We only take requests, no deposits, in the winter. We also do group quotes in the winter, so if a group wants to get a quote they’ll send us a request and we will give them a quote.” Bartels said their zip lines are their most popular attraction followed by paintball, arrow tag and then the ATVs. He said in the winter, everything is weather-based and they won’t take the ATVs out if it’s muddy for safety reasons and to minimize the impact on the trails. “Our marketing goal this winter is to focus on group events,” said Bartels. “We specialize in group events like team building, utilizing both traditional and adventure team building.” Bartels said team building is the main event they have and in the spring they do bike races and hiking events to utilize their trails and facilities and offer venues for the events. He said they will also have two major music events each year typically in the fall before events die down again. The map of the zip line tours eXplore has to offer. Bartels said they have discounts for any worker in town to do a buy one get one free during the second week of March.
26 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
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“We’ve had pretty good success on events in the past especially team building with both company events and adventure team building,” said Bartels. “With our diversity, we can put together packages to accommodate anything groups are interested in.” He said they have many family reunions where they rent food halls and cabins or bring in their own campers and stay. Bartels said groups can sign up for different activities and once they’re scheduled, then each person chooses which activity they want to participate in. Bartels said they are currently preparing for spring and are actively interviewing and looking for zipline guides. He said they make repairs and work on improvements to the facility and equipment all winter and then begin training new employees the first week of March. They have to hire zipline guides and referees for paintball, airsoft and their other adventure games. Once they get done training, spring break kicks in and they’re in full swing. The second week in March, they also offer a buy one get one free pass and half off to locals and business people. Bartels said if a restaurant server wants to come out or a business in town wants to have a corporate meeting and use the facility and do group activities, they can do it for half the price in that time frame. “We get a lot of repeat customers and we sell fun,” said Bartels. “Connecting people, making memories and starting traditions!”
MERCANTILE STORE Welcome To a Happy Place!
Featuring: Shot Glasses, Knives, Brown County Souvenirs, Tin Signs, Wonderful Selection of Wind Chimes including Corinthian Bells, Yard Sculpture, Naked Bee Lotions, Bag Your Own Stones, Ty Plush, Concrete Statuary, Genuine Cedar Boxes, Keeper of the Light Candles, and Great Selection of Gifts!
eXplore Brown County offers ATV tours through the hills and valleys and historical sites of Brown County.
Since 19
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explore Brown COunty
“Old and Yo Love this Shoung p!”
Location: 2620 Valley Branch Road, Nashville, IN Phone: 812-988-7750 Website: explorebrowncounty.com Office Hours:
(812) 988-2725
MON: 10 - 5 p.m. | TUES: Closed FRI: 10 - 7 p.m. | SAT: 10 - 7 p.m. | SUN: 10 - 5 p.m.
IN-35158443
WED: 10 - 5 p.m. | THURS: 10 - 5 p.m.
Jacksonburg Village | 108 E. Washington St. Across the creek from The General Store Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 27
The flowers are always in bloom over at ‘Ironweed’!
Spring into a small Business Springtime in Brown County
Above, top left: Everything is a little more colorful over at ‘Weed Patch Music Company’!
Story & Photos by Dakota Bruton Brown County Democrat
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Spring has sprung in Brown County, or so you would think by the colorful window displays and yard decor. If you, like many, were excited that Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, indicating an early spring, then things are looking up. Instead of pretending to be in your happy place by the beach, or in the mountains somewhere, come on down to Nashville where the flowers are blooming and the sun is shining. Spring is such a beautiful time in Brown County, it is the light in the darkness for many people after a cold and snowy winter. It can also be a wonderful time to focus on being present and appreciating the world around you. Being surrounded by so much nature makes dealing with the cold a little easier. Spring is the time for new beginnings, and it also represents how vital change can be. Whether you are looking for change in your wardrobe, self-care, home decorations, garden, or are just wanting to pick up a new hobby, the small businesses of Brown County have it all.
‘Rhonda Kay’s’ has a little bit of everything from handcrafted jewelry to gifts they will love.
Pick out your favorite yard decor at ‘Foxfire Gift & Home’! 28 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
Check out the women’s and children’s clothing, as well as the handmade purses when you vist ‘Too Cute’ at Abe’s Corner!
‘Ironweed’ has luxurious self care items, as well as great gift ideas!
41 S. Van Buren St. (In Heritage Mall)
812-200-1077
HeritageCandyStore@gmail.com heritagecandystore.com
‘Mulberry Cottage’ is your one-stop-shop for all things clothing, accessories, and decor!
IN-35158458
• Fresh Homemade Fudge • Old Fashioned Candies • Cream Filberts/”Mothballs” • Jelly Belly • Sugar Free • Chocolates/Turtles • Pucker Powder Candy Art
‘Haven Lee Boutique’ is your next go-to for spring fashion.
Stop By and Look Around
An Otterly Great Place
IN-35158451
You’ll have a hard time choosing at “Foxfire Gift & Home’.
59 E Main Street, Suite F on Old School Way 812-837-2011 | www.theeducatedotter.com Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 29
Blazing a trail for new bikers Brown County Bikes
Left: Brown County Bikes sells numerous Transition mountain bikes and owners Danielle and Kate Nolan are ambassadors for the company. Right: Brown County Bikes is located in downtown Nashville, and is a full-service bike shop with rentals, lessons, accessories and more. Story by Abbie Gressley Brown County Democrat pHOTOS courtesy of Jack E Harden & Kate Nolan
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Brown County Bikes is the only full-service bike shop in Nashville, so it’s usually pedal to the metal even during the off-season. Kate Nolan, Owner of Brown County Bikes with her wife, Danielle, said as long as there’s not a major freeze spell, they will continue to do a fair amount of bike rentals and sales. “A lot of it will depend on what Mother Nature does here,” said Nolan. “It was so nice last year in January and February we were able to even do bike lessons. We do rely a lot on service and we are very highly rated and have an amazing team for our service, so we do a lot of local business during the winter off of that.” Nolan said their peak season is March through November similar to other shops in town, but because they’re so multifaceted, as long as the weather isn’t horrible they still see a great number of sales. “We have a lot of folks who are local or in the market to purchase bikes who will rent from us because we have a really nice rental fleet,” said Nolan. “It gives them the opportunity to try a really high-end bike before making the investment. Nolan said there is a lot of preparation for the spring months. They have demo fleets, featuring many of the best bikes in the game, that they rotate out at the beginning of each new season, and sometimes in the middle of the season, depending on how often they get rented. “People ask us for route recommendations and we offer routes
<< 30 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
Left to right: Kate and Danielle Nolan, owners of Brown County Bikes. They are both professional mountain biker instructors and their shop is the only full service bike shop in town.
The 19th century town of Story operates as a hotel, restaurant, tavern, and event venue. Nestled between the Brown County State Park and Hoosier National Forest the property is recognized as a national historic district which provides the unique ability to host weddings, family reunions, company retreats, concerts, and so much more! Inclusive overnight dining packages start at $200. Join us Fridays for karaoke, Saturdays for live music, and monthly comedy shows! The Story Eclipse Festival is April 7 & 8, Indiana Wine Fair May 4, Wild Mushroom Party July 27, or email events@storyinn.com to book the town for your own gathering.
storyinn.com · (812) 988-2273 6404 State Road 135 S, Nashville, IN 47448
IN-35158403
for mountain bikers, gravel riders and road riders here in Brown County,” said Nolan. “I’ve created a lot of routes and put them on Strava, an app where people can share routes, and a lot of locals and people out of the area use it to navigate around.” Nolan said they also always stock up on merchandise like gloves, socks, seats, helmets, protection gear and much more. Each year they also create a new jersey that people can buy from them. “We just had a local family buy three mountain bikes from us and then they came back to purchase helmets and accessories and get info on the trails we have here in Brown County,” said Nolan. “They wanted to know which trails would be best for them to go ride since it was rainy.” She said she is constantly bringing in new bikes, which typically consist of Konas and Transition bikes. Nolan said they just had a new shipment of Konas come in that they bought because of a big sale Kona was doing during December. She said they’ve sold a lot of their bikes and are bringing in new ones for the new year. “I also sold a lot of demos for Transition bikes, so I’m bringing in new ones for that as well,” said Nolan. “Danielle and I are also ambassadors for Transition bikes so we sell tremendous amounts out of Transitions that are based out of Bellingham, Washington.”
“We try to make sure we’re a shop for everyone...”
New owners Paul & Tania Lattimore
- Kate Nolan Nolan said Transition only makes mountain bikes, so the Kona bikes fill in the other areas like economic Hardtails for people just getting into sport and economic full suspension bikes. She said Kona also does carbon race bikes and offers urban and comfort bikes. “We feel it’s important to have many different bikes because there’s a lot of people who want to ride bikes around town or on Salt Creek Trail with their families, so we want to make sure we can offer people what they want,” said Nolan. “We try to make sure we’re a shop for everyone, we don’t want to exclude anyone so we have bikes that are going to start in the $400 range and go all the
Brownie’s Bean Blossom Family Restaurant Discounts
for our First Responders!
5730 N State Rd 135 Morgantown, IN 812-720-3743
Delicious Brown County Comfort Food IN-35158465
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 31
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way up to the $10,500 that we have in the store right now.” The shop sells bikes ranging from Hardtails, full suspension and E Mountain Bikes. They also have some Ebikes that can be ridden on the roads and gravel that they have for rent for people. Nolan said they sell kids’ bikes as well, from starter bikes to kids’ 20 to 24-inch bikes. Nolan said they’re currently working with their nonprofit Live Adventurously, Brown County Parks and Recreation and Brown County Mountain Biking to put in a pump track and jump line bike park at Deer Run. She said it’s been approved by the board and they’re in the fundraising stage right now. “It’ll be paved with pumps, jumps and even some dirt jumps for people on jumper mountain bikes and BMX bikes,” said Nolan. “We are fundraising for that now and once we get to 12.5 percent they’ll break ground over there.”
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32 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
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1875 1875 Homestead Homestead Bed Breakfast 1875 Bed & &Homestead Breakfast Bed & Breakfast
3766 E State Rd. 46 3766 E State Rd. 46 Nashville, Indiana 47448 3766 E State Rd. 46 3766 E State Rd. 46 Nashville, Indiana 47448 (812) 988-0853 Nashville, Indiana Indiana 47448 47448 Nashville,
Kate and Danielle’s sons Asher, 4 (left), and Knox, 2 (right), on a trail in Brown County. Asher has a 20-inch Norco bike and Knox has a 12-inch Strider. Knox is on a Mac Ride child seat on Danielle’s bike in the photo.
IN-35158459
1 Topping Special
14” Pizza $12.99 FREE Order of Breadsticks One Per Order
IN-35158427
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The shop stocks up for every season with new rental bikes as well as each year the Nolans create new jerseys, gloves, socks and more merchandise for riders to enjoy.
(812) (812) 988-0853 988-0853
E-mail – homestead1875@aol.com (812) 988-0853 Website – www.1875homestead.com E-mail – homestead1875@aol.com E-mail – homestead1875@aol.com E-mail – homestead1875@aol.com Website – www.1875homestead.com Website – Website – www.1875homestead.com www.1875homestead.com
988-1822
State Roads 46 & 135 • 270 S. Van Buren St., Nashville Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 33
TICKETS & DETAILS VIA: Ticketmaster. 34 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
UPCOMING SHOWS SHOW DATE
ARTIST
2024 February 25 ......................................................................................................................... TOTO
February 28 ............................................................................................ The Price is Right LIVE March 1 ................................................................................................................ Flogging Molly March 2 ........................................................................................... John Michael Montgomery March 7 .................................................................................................................. Blue October March 8 .........................................................................................................................Gary Allan March 15 ...................................................................................................................... Terri Clark March 16 ............................................................................................................. Tower of Power March 18 .................................................................................................................... Scott Stapp March 21 ................................................................................ Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisted March 24 ......................................................................................... An evening with Clint Black April 4..............................................................Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam + Jefferson Starship April 6..................................................................................................................Jo Dee Messina April 7.................................................................................................... The Righteous Brothers April 8....................................................................................View The 2024 ECLIPSE at BCMC April 9............................................................................................................. Wheeler Walker Jr. April 20................................................................................................................................... Exile May 2 .................................................................................................................. The Guess Who May 4 .............................................................................................................................Beth Hart May 5 ......................................................................................................................Steel Panther May 21 ......................................................................................................... Uriah Heep + Saxon June 2 ......................................................................An Acoustic Evening with John Anderson August 24-25 ............................................................................................Aaron Lewis Acoustic September 5 ............................................................................ The Australian Pink Floyd Show
.com & BrownCountyMusicCenter.com Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 35
Coffee & Crafts Our little World Story by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat pHOTOS courtesy of Jack E. Hardin
ristmas tree rs create their own Ch Our Little World visito . The shop also offers make-anddio r. paintings in their stu ter, spring and summe take classes in the win
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Our Little World/Percy’s Perk Arthouse Coffee on Van Buren Street. Our Little World recently added a coffee/ donut shop at the back of the store named after their cute little dog, Percy.
New coffee, new plans– all of January to prepare. Brown County is known for its slower pace during the winter, particularly in January. And Our Little World Studio/Percy’s Perk Arthouse Coffee Owner Mary Burkhart plans to take full advantage. She said one thing they plan to do this month is sleep. “We will truly take a few intermittent days, a few days that look like a life,” said Burkhart. “But the rest of the month we’ll be planning for what’s next.” Our Little World Studio is a shop full of handmade and unique gifts as well as a maker space to create various crafts all on your own. From painting pottery and pictures, working on a custom project kit, making a candle and so much more. Burkhart said during January they see a lot less traffic and it’s truly the only break they have. She said February flies by and then spring break begins and then it’s time for summer. She said with the shop’s new location and the addition of Percy’s Perk coffee shop, they’ve already been seeing business rise, even in the winter months. “One of the reasons we did want to open Percy’s is because I thought in the winter when people needed stuff to do, we had it to do inside,” said Burkhart. “If we had control over our own coffee then people could just come here and spend time and not have to worry about who’s open when.”
36 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
Burkhart said even personally, deciding where to go after they’re done with work is something they have to think of because there’s only one or two options because everything is shut down. She said having it all together is easier for people. “I thought adding coffee would always be part of the plan,” said Burkhart. “It’s been fun, especially with the games and all of the things to do. People see the coffee sign and may not have come in otherwise, and it’s a good place to stop and take a break.” Burkhart said they plan to close the last week of January to go to a trade show to source new items. She said her main agenda will be to look at what they’ve been doing with the make-and-take and what she plans to do with it next. “Another thing we want to focus more on in the coming years is getting more local makers in here and more of our own things in here as well,” said Burkhart. “We’re getting the third space next to us too so the front will serve as a gallery and be more focused on handmade items.” She said she feels like 2024 is when her husband, Brian will get back into his woodshop and she’ll continue making more handmade games and Russian dolls to sell in the shop as well. “It’s always like an evolution just as it would be anywhere,” said Burkhart. “We learn every time we get something, and we’ll either go buy more of the item if we’re selling out or
Percy’s Perk Coffee is the newest addition to Mary and Brian Burkhart’s shop, serving all things coffee and make-your-own donuts!
Enjoy the electric fireplace and couches while sipping coffee in the “retro” section of the shop.
“...It’s a good place to stop and take a break.” - Mary Burkhart won’t buy it if it’s not selling. When it’s not so busy, we’ll be preparing for when it will be busy again.” Visitors can book appointments for the make-and-take and book their own room for bigger events, but they can also just walk in any time the shop is open. Burkhart said they have winter classes people can sign up for starting in February and then spring and summer classes as well.
Inside Percy’s Perk coffee house at Our Little World. They also sell coffee mugs and donut accessories like mini erasers and donut toys.
Wine SluShieS
§§
TasTing Room DownTown nashville
Our Little World
11:00 am - 5:00 pm 7 Days a week
Location: 20 N. Van Buren Street
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Phone: 317-498-4016 Website: ourlittleworld.com
812-497-0254 IN-35158463
www.salTcReekwineRy.com Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 37
Evergreen Florals Ironweed Gifts & Florals
The front of Ironweed during their summer haul. They fill the inside and outside of the store with hanging baskets and pots and other fun yard decorations.
Story By Abbie Gressley Brown COunty Democrat Photos courtesy of Deborah Herring, owner of Ironweed A wedding bouquet designed at Ironweed. Weddings and events make up about 50 percent of sales for the store and usually picks up in the spring.
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Ironweed Gifts and Floral has provided Nashville and its surrounding areas with flowers, plants and related gifts for many years. And while many stores in town dwindle during January and the winter season, Ironweed only seems to blossom more. “We are known as a houseplant destination and local flower shop, so we’re not reliant on tourist business,” said Deborah Herring, Owner of Ironweed. “We welcome it, but it’s not really a big part of what we are, we’re more of a local destination.” Herring said they stay open regular hours and while it’s slower, it’s still steady throughout most of January. And since the shop does just as many house plant sales as they do flower sales, they’re able to maintain a steady winter, even without tourist traffic. “People are shut in and need their plant fix,” said Herring. “People who have the winter doldrums come in and will want a house plant, or four or five.” She said the holidays are a good time for that too as people like to get centerpieces for Thanksgiving and Christmas or buy flowers as gifts. She said they’re also constantly doing birthday, anniversary,
A flower arrangement created at Ironweed. Herring said they always look to buy or create fun pieces for people. Valentine’s Day arrangement at Ironweed Gifts and Floral. Herring said this is their busiest holiday and they always find cute new gifts to sell for it. 38 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
2024 EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS THROUGH MARCH 28 Watercolor Society of Indiana Show
Exhibition of works created by members of the Watercolor Society of Indiana
APRIL 5 - MAY 31 Gallery Permanent Collections on Exhibit
Explore works from the Gallery’s Permanent Collection
Brown County Art Gallery
Corner of Main Street & Artist Drive · Nashville, IN 812.988.4609 · Free Admission · Free Parking IN-35158460
funeral and wedding flowers. On top of this, Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest times of the year for the shop, so they’re actively preparing for that throughout January. Herring said they will start to double down on ordering flowers and getting extra help for deliveries. “Every year we have to anticipate if this year is going to be red roses or pink or purple and try to figure out what the trend is going to be,” said Herring. “We stock up on teddy bears and different balloons, specifically heart-shaped, and we might even get flowering plants and put them in Valentine’sthemed pots.” Herring said this is her seventh year preparing for Valentine’s Day and everything turns to pink and red and hearts and flowers. She said the flowering plants also show up about that same time and they have some that they’ll keep in the store as well. “There’s a lot to do to get ready for spring and because we’re a flower and plant shop, we’ll be looking for annuals and things to put outside for planting and potting,” said Herring. “After Valentine’s Day, we’ll be doing that too and looking for outdoor things and seeds and so forth.” She said weddings will also start picking up for them again in the spring since they tend to slow down between October and March/April. Herring said that’s when they start to switch out inventory as well. She said they switch to different things people will want for their yards and have more gardening themes like flower pots which they sell a lot of in the spring. “The flowers will change to spring colors too,” said Herring. “We do red and white flowers from November through February then we’re sick of red and white so we switch to spring colors and people appreciate that. We have more pinks and purples and springlooking flowers.” Herring said they’ll then start putting their annuals out front, probably starting with pansies, and keep them out front all summer and even through the fall as they get mums. “There will be more planting and being outside and our merchandise will reflect that,” said Herring.
Showcasing student works from over seven Indiana counties
JUNE 8 - JULY 13 46th Annual Indiana Heritage Arts Exhibition and Sale
A juried fine art exhibition of Indiana artists
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Exceptional Accommodations #141Rated TripAdvisor in theon heart of Nashville
Custom gift certificates available for all occasions
Ironweed Gifts & Florals
Visit our website for best deals and availability: c o r ne r sto ne i nn. c o m IN-35158425
Location: 188 S. Jefferson Street Phone: 812-200-3151 Website: ironweedgifts.com Hours: MON - SAT: 9 - 5 p.m. | SUN: 11 - 4 p.m.
View our complete schedule of events & workshops
BROWNCOUNTYARTGALLERY.ORG
APRIL 13 - MAY 12 Mabel B. Annis Student Art Competition
888-383-0300 • 54 e. franklin st. • downtown nashville Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 39
Meet the cartoonist Irene Olds
Story by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat | pHOTOS Courtesy of irene olds
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Left: Olds in her shared studio in the Village Green Building with Brown County artist and dear friend Terri Schultz. This was right around the time she began working as the cartoonist for the Democrat in 1993. Right: Recent photo of Olds in Sept. 2023 still making a drawing board everywhere she goes. She was working on a cartoon for the Democrat while she was in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada.
Brown County KOA 2248 State Rd 46 E Nashville, IN 47448
IN-35158440
812.988.4675 | 800.562.9132 camp@browncountykoa.com www.browncountykoa.com
40 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
This January marks 30 years that Irene Olds has been drawing original cartoons for the Brown County Democrat. From doodling on papers in eighth-grade art class to drawing portraits at Village Green and later receiving Hoosier State Press awards for the Democrat, Olds has been committed to cartooning for Brown County. “I’m amazed at myself that I’ve stuck with something for 30 years,” said Olds. “It’s amazing to give voice to people in the community who are too shy to speak up and to tickle people and bring them joy.” Olds had a studio in Village Green where she worked on drawing portraits and entering art shows. Bob Bainter, a cartoon artists, told her she could take over his job one day. She said she wasn’t funny enough and he assured her that not only was she but all she needed to do was listen to people to get her gag lines. “Two years later Bainter passed away, and I decided to go ahead and follow through,” said Olds. “And sure enough, I sent it in and the Democrat published the cartoon. So, the following week I submitted again, and it’s been 30 years.” She said she hadn’t ever taken it seriously until the Democrat published her first cartoon. Olds’ work has routinely won
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adults and learn from them as well. In 1983 she moved to Brown County and opened a storefront in the ‘90s in Redbud Terrace and later moved to Antique Alley.
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awards, including through the prestigious Hoosier State Press Association. She also began sending her work to the annually published book: “The Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year,” which was distributed internationally. Olds said she had her first-ever cartoon experience in eighth grade. She said she doodled a caricature of her teacher with a thought bubble over the teacher’s head. However, she had abbreviated the word assignment. She said she didn’t think anything of it until the teacher saw it and sent her straight to the principal’s office. “The principal called my mother and my mother came and took one look at my drawing and broke out laughing,” Olds said laughing. “So that was my first taste of cartooning back at the age of 13.” Olds was always an artist and was self-educated. She said her parents recognized her art talents when she was young and sent her to art school for a year in her hometown in Indianapolis. “Artwork was something I started as soon as I could hold a crayon, it’s just so much of who I am,” said Olds. “From then on I just paid attention and started taking art classes and learning through life experiences.” Olds lived in California for many years and taught K-8 art at a private school. She said she continued to get life experience and would also teach
One of Olds’ favorite cartoons represents people’s concerns about motorcyclists ruining the reputation of Brown County.
Olds said she has had many favorite cartoons over the years and a few cartoons that got her in some hot water. She said she created one about the Fire Department that addressed their current political concerns and one about people’s concerns about motorcyclists ruining the reputation of Brown County. She said they were some of the ones she enjoyed creating the most. “I created one for the Republic, I worked for them as well for seven or eight years, and that gave voice to children attending two different school districts who were not receiving the funding or support that they needed, so I gave them a voice,” said Olds. “I got a phone call from my boss at the Republic saying, ‘Hey Irene, we’re getting a lot of calls and people are threatening to cancel their subscriptions with us, so you may want to Olds drawing cartoons for the Democrat on her boat stay away for a bit.’ ” in the Bahamas while under sail. Her cartoons were She said she has been followed in alleys sent from many states and countries over the years.
800-365-7327 www.seasonslodge.com Located at the entrance of the Brown County Music Center
Balcony Rooms, Conference and Wedding facilities for up to 400 people. Restaurant & Bar Open Thursday - Sunday Lunch & DInner IN-35158418
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 41
and told she shouldn’t have created what she did. She said people have driven by her shop and shook their fists out their windows and more. She said her former Democrat employee Keith Fleener would call her often and say “Oh, you’ve really done it now.” “I would just say ‘I’m glad to hear that Keith. That’s good news,’” Olds said laughing. Olds said she is inspired by many people and events in the community and ideas come to her in many different ways. She said she pulls from the Democrat’s weekly stories as well as what’s going on around Brown County and occasionally from other parts of the world and things that affect many people. “It’s not hard, a lot of people who know me well will tease me and say, ‘Uh oh I see a thought bubble,” said Olds. “And Olds today at 71 years old after 30 years as I’m always like, ‘oh let me push those down.’ I always think in the cartoonist for the those terms, very whimsically and snarkily and I oftentimes Democrat. have to bite my tongue so I don’t say something.” Olds also said she’s always been inspired by Kin Hubbard and his Abe Martin creations. She said she was encouraged that a man who lived in Indy could have that kind of impact on an area he wasn’t from and have it carry on as it has. “Kin is one of my heroes, and I’ve done many talks in town on Abe Martin,” said Olds. “It gave me a lot of hope. Kin never lived in Brown County and now I’m in the mountains of North Carolina and not there either. It feels kind of cool having that in common with ole Kin.” Olds said she is honored to be recognized like this and Olds when she first while cartooning is special during all parts of the year, began working for the Christmastime in Brown County is even more fun to work Democrat 30 years ago. on. She has taken many of her Christmas cartoons for the Democrat and turned them into greeting cards “Brown County is the ultimate Christmas card,” said Olds. “I have always loved walking through the streets and traveling the backroads. People are so giving there during this time of year, and I’ve always enjoyed that about the community.” She said everyone she’s worked with at the Democrat has tickled her in some way and have been very supportive and easy to work alongside. She said it means a lot to have the support she does in the community. “I want to say a thank you to the community, and I hope to always encourage and give a voice to those people who were too shy to speak up or needed the encouragement,” said Olds. “That’s what I always hope to do with my cartoons, not only bring a message and make people stop and think but also offer that voice.”
IN-35156726
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Olds in her shop/studio in Antique Alley, circa 2008-11. She had been working with the Democrat for years by then.
Old’s Fine Art Affiliations
Olds has created cartoons and illustrations for Mountain Xpress in Asheville, NC. She also won first place in the “Women Artists’ Use of Humor Exhibition” at Indiana University in 1996. Curt & Penny Scroggins
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Betty Mullis at 812-320-0765 812-327-3865 Other fine art affiliations include: bearrealestatesales.com ▪ Hoosier Salon Heritage Arts 54 Pittman House Lane ▪▪ Indiana Brown County Art Gallery Associate Show Nashville, IN 47448 ▪ Alliance Art Gallery. 812-327-3865 | penny@bearrealestatesales.com ▪ Brown County Art Guild. bearrealestatesales.com 54 Pittman House Lane Nashville, IN 47448
42 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
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Clockwise from the top: One of Olds’ favorite cartoons addressing current political issues at the time at the Fire Department. She said they used to have fish dinners and so she connected the two. // One of Olds’ heroes was Kin Hubbard and his creation of Abe Martin. She would use him from time to time in her cartoons for the Democrat. // One of many of Olds’ cartoons that were juried into the annually published book, “The Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year.” The book was distributed throughout Canada.
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Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 43
So, come shop with us and support a small sister-owned boutique in the heart of Brown County Indiana
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44 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
Story & Photos by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat
As long as the water refrains from freezing, you can continue mining for gems and fossils in the Copperhead Creek Gem Mine! Owner Amy Gray said last year they were able to remain open all through December and into the first of January like now which is nice because the kids were still on Christmas break. “As soon as spring break hits we are busy all the way to the middle of November,” said Gray. “Last year we moved the Gem Mine closer to the shop, and now we can talk to people and go out and see what they find. I love, love, love my job and so does my family.” The way it works is a mixture of sand and minerals, fossils, gems and other material are all mixed together in a combination called mining rough. Gray said their mining rough comes from different mines all across the country. They have gems, minerals and fossils that people can choose from, and all they have to do is put the mining rough in the dirt basket under the water and shake it to find which ones they’ll get. “What seems to be the favorite out of the gem mine is fluorite because it turns a fluorescent purple under black light,” said Gray. “We also give you an identification card so you know exactly what you picked up, and there are bags with emeralds as well.” It’s also important that they have enough mining Fluorite, a favorite of Copperhead Creek rough once spring break comes, so they’re stocking up on Gem Mine’s visitors. inventory to be prepared. “Then we hope we don’t have enough and run out,” Gray said laughing. Whether bringing a child or coming for yourself, Gray said there are all different ages of people who come to mine. “I would say it’s probably 60 percent kids and 40 percent adults, and they use these stones for everything,” said Gray. “A lot of people come back and share what they do with the stones. We truly have some pretty creative people that do amazing things with the stones.” Gray said they may even start doing special events like the biggest stone of the
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Water running down the mine at Copperhead Creek Gem Mine. The mine stays open as long as the water doesn’t freeze.
Copperhead Creek Gem mine Nashville, Indiana’s #1 Fun Attraction
at the Brown County
rock & Fossil Shop
© 2024 Brown County Art Guild, Inc.
hour or something similar. She said they don’t know exactly what yet, but they want to have different ways to get people involved and excited about the mining. “Being on the main road (79 N. Van Buren St.) definitely brings more people in, and we get a lot of people who come to town just to do the gem mine,” said Gray. “People call all the time asking if the mine is open and saying they’re considering coming into town for it. Even in the winter.” She also said people would buy the mining rough and do it with their own colanders and water at home. She said they decided to open the gem mine because a long time ago Brown County used to have a family fun center but it closed down so there weren’t a lot of activities for kids. She said they had a lot of people come into their art gallery at the time and say they didn’t know what to do with their kids while in town. “We heard it over and over and thought the mine was perfect because in Indiana students learn about gems, minerals and fossils in school and so we thought we could do a fun activity that’s also educational,” said Gray. The gem mine does field trips for local schools and the Boys and Girls Scout troops at all different times of the year as well. “We are a family of gem and mineral lovers, and it’s fun to be around beautiful things that are from the earth,” said Gray.
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Just North of the Courthouse | 79 N. Van Buren | 812.988.2422 www.BrownCountyRockShop.com
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Copperhead Creek Gem Mine allows people to get mining rough and filter it through these dirt baskets underwater, shaking them until they find the gems, minerals or fossils.
Pan for Gems, Fossils & Arrowheads Fun & Educational for All Ages
48 S. Van Buren Street Nashville, IN 47448
812 988-6185 BrownCountyArtGuild.org
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 45
Honoring the fallen Kelly McCauley
Army Veteran replacing unmarked military graves, fixing broken headstones
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Story by Abbie Gressley | Brown County Democrat | pHOTOS Courtesy of Kelly and Joe McCauley
Clockwise from top: Drury Elkin’s new headstone put in by Kelly McCauley this past summer. // Kelly McCauley, 59, setting Abraham Crabb’s headstone at Southview Cemetery. // John Berry’s new headstone that Kelly McCauley put in place at Christiansburg Cemetery. Berry’s grave had been unmarked for 113 years.
Brown County Army Veteran Kelly McCauley has been replacing unmarked military graves, fixing broken headstones and conducting Honor Guard ceremonies to honor those who have fallen. McCauley joined the Army in 1986 and retired in 2014 from the Army Reserves. He is now the American Legion Post 13 Commander. McCauley’s sisters, Nancy Walke and Ronda McCauley, believe he deserves recognition for his work on the gravestones. “He has done a lot for the Brown County community, and he doesn’t need recognition because he loves doing it, but we think he needs recognition,” said Ronda. McCauley said in 2022 the Historical Society and Cemetery Association had located a number of Civil War and the War of 1812 graves. Buddy Mercer used to set the veteran gravestones and when he passed suddenly, McCauley decided to take on the responsibility. “I can’t even describe in words what it means to go out there and honor the veteran and get the chance to set Civil War grave markers,” said McCauley. “Hopefully by the end
46 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
of this year we can set them all.” So far, McCauley has set four Civil War gravestones dating back over a century: David Petro, Drury Elkins, John Berry and Abraham Crabb. Petro’s grave had been unmarked for 109 years and Berry’s grave had been unmarked for 113 years. McCauley said they have also been offering an Honor Guard ceremony for all of the veterans’ next of kin which both Petro and Elkin’s families partook in. He has also placed an American flag on every veteran’s grave in the county. “I don’t know anyone who’s set four to five gravestones in their lifetime, and I’ve done that this year,” said McCauley. “It’s kind of a different feeling to go out there and set a stone on a 100-year-old grave. It’s very rewarding.” McCauley said he’s going to be involved with setting up every Civil War gravestone, and he’s doing the procedure exactly how they set them up in the Civil War times. “The stone weighs 97 pounds and it’s hard to get it into my vehicle alone,” said McCauley. “They’re very heavy
Kelly McCauley, left, and Joe McCauley, right. Kelly is an Army veteran and Joe retired from the Marines.
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Drury Elkins gravestone was broken at Elkinsville Cemetery, so McCauley put in a new headstone for him.
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granite headstones that are 36 inches long and 18 inches above and below ground.” McCauley’s brother Joe helped him set gravestones for both Berry and Crabb and said he was honored when his brother asked him for help. Joe is also a veteran and served in Desert Storm with the Marines from 1989 to 1997. “It’s like a piece of history that wasn’t available to be seen, so we put in these gravestones so other people could appreciate the history of the Civil War,” said Joe. “It’s a part of history that we are now keeping alive.” Ronda said she and her sisters wanted to recognize McCauley because he truly believes this is an important job. “He thinks it’s absolutely critical that we recognize those who have sacrificed their lives,” said Ronda. “Patriotism is what we need to bring this country back and he’s willing to go out and do that for the community, and we couldn’t be more proud of him.”
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Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 47
True Miracle Tim True
Deputy critically injured in August crash grateful this Christmas for many gifts.
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Story by Mark Webber | Brown County Democrat | pHOTOS Provided
48 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim True, who survived critical brain damage after an accident in August, relaxes at home with his new Labradoodle puppy, Mireya, Spanish for “miracle”.
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Want an example of a ‘true’ miracle this Easter season? Look no further than a rabbit hop to the west. This miracle’s origin begins on the afternoon of Aug. 2 as Deputy Tim True of the Brown County Sheriff ’s Department was enjoying an off-duty motorcycle ride. He was on State Road 46 near the Brown/Bartholomew County line when a pickup truck pulled out from Old Nashville Road and into the deputy’s path. Investigators say the crash was unavoidable. When first-responders arrived, True was unresponsive after suffering significant head and brain injuries. He was flown via Lifeline helicopter to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. Emergency surgery was performed that required the removal of a substantial piece of skull to relieve swelling of the brain. Already deep in a coma, Tim was admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Family and friends were told nothing else could be done for the deputy. While oblivious to everything around him, Tim was never alone. Prior to the accident, he had been dating a woman named Wendy Hall. Although the two had made no official commitment to each other, Wendy dropped everything in her life, including her job, to rush to the hospital and stay by Tim’s side. “I had people tell me: ‘You didn’t ask for this,’” Wendy recalls. “‘You can walk away. Nobody will think bad of you.’ But that kind of talk made me mad. My response was that Tim didn’t ask for this either, and he can’t just walk away. I am not giving up on him.” Wendy stayed by Tim’s side while he remained in the coma for the next week and a half, she said. During that time, many in Nashville and Brown County were showing their support to the 20-year lawman. People who had never met Wendy nor Tim reached out by letting her know they were praying for the deputy. Complete strangers were providing meals so Wendy wouldn’t forget to take care of herself. She received books
filled with scripture and stories of faith that she read to Tim. “It was unreal,” Wendy said. “Tim was just overwhelmed and almost cried. He didn’t know people cared about him. He thought he was a nobody. And I said: ‘Well … clearly, you are not’.” But like Drew Barrymore’s character in the 2004 romantic comedy “Fifty First Dates”, Tim couldn’t remember any story Wendy had read to him the next day. So she would often read the same story or passage repeatedly. From the day of the accident until she drove Tim home on Oct. 4, Wendy was only away from him for two days, she said. As he witnessed his girlfriend’s steadfast devotion, Tim realized he had hit the proverbial jackpot. When he first proposed marriage in the hospital, Wendy said she couldn’t take it seriously because nobody knew if Tim was in his right mind. The deputy was transferred to a rehabilitation facility for three weeks, followed by a different type of therapy at another facility for a month-and-a-half. While forced to undergo another surgery to remove infection from the side of his skull, the therapy was enabling the deputy’s recovery to surpass even the most optimistic expectations. When Tim pulled out a wedding ring and proposed a second time during a therapy session in mid-September, Wendy was so confident in his future that she took him seriously this time — and said yes. “I never doubted he was going to pull through,” Wendy said. “I believed in everything. I had things that just pointed me to the conclusion that he was going to be OK. His only explanation (for his remarkable recovery) is that God has plans for him.” On Nov. 11, friends and family gathered at a wedding
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Wendy and Tim True are shown in their wedding photo in November. For many guests, it was the first time they had seen Tim on his feet since his crash in August. Doctors say True is months ahead in his expected recovery. He credits Wendy.
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Deputy Tim True of Brown County was critically injured and in a coma after a motorcycle crash in August. He’s since had a remarkable recovery and got married last month as a wedding song played, “It’s nothing short of a miracle I’m here.” IN-35156636
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 49
True Miracle
People gather for a prayer vigil for Deputy Tim True outside the Brown County Law Enforcement Center in Nashville last August.
“I don’t think I’d be here without her.” - Tim True
event barn located off Hurdle Road, and marveled as they saw Tim True walk down the aisle to marry Wendy Long. “We had to work really hard in therapy to do that,” Wendy said. For many at the wedding, it was the first time they had seen Tim on his feet since the Aug. 2 crash. The wedding barn was provided to the couple free of charge by owner Sheldon Hamilton. While both were touched by the gesture, Hamilton was just one of many friends and neighbors who reached out to support the deputy and his new bride. Tim said he is especially grateful to his fellow first-responders who worked to save his life immediately after the crash. “I know I can’t meet people or tell them face-to-face, but I would like to thank all those people for the outpouring of support,” Tim said. “It’s probably thousands of people who took time out of their day to either pray for me, think of me or make a comment on my wife’s Facebook page. It’s amazing.” Wendy recalls one man she didn’t know who approached Tim in a restaurant to let the deputy know he had been praying for him. “He said it was a true miracle just to see Tim standing there,” she said. Is “true miracle” an exaggeration? No doubt that folks will make that judgment for themselves. But what is undisputedly remarkable is that Tim True’s recovery is nearly seven months ahead of where specialists expected him to be this past Christmas, Wendy said. Equally remarkable is that Tim’s only remaining physical impairment is a weakness in his left hand, his wife said. He has
<< 50 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
Wendy and Tim True pose with the “runt” of a littler of Labradoodles who’s now the family pet. “She’s like me — a survivor,” Tim says.
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resumed working at the Brown County Sheriff ’s Department as a dispatcher. He will have a third surgery in January to restore the piece of skull removed last summer. Among the most heartwarming gifts Tim and Wendy have received came from a couple they had never met. Brad and Stephanie Cox are the owners of Cox Creek Mill, a metal art studio in Nashville, as well as a large litter of Labradoodle puppies. Brad and Stephanie originally offered to give Tim the proceeds from the first sale of a puppy (estimated at between $1,500 to $2,500) for his medical bills. But after Wendy told Stephanie she and her new husband were more interested in a puppy than money, Stephanie agreed to give the newlyweds the pick of the litter. When the litter arrived, 10 puppies were born to the chocolate Labrador mother. But it was 90 minutes after the 10th puppy arrived that an 11th “runt of the litter” puppy made her surprise entrance into the world. “They say after three-and-a-half hours, the mother is pretty much done having puppies,” Stephanie said. “It had been over six hours.” Although Tim and Wendy were told they could choose any dog they wanted, it was the surprise runt who wiggled her way to Wendy, allowed herself to be held, and instantly won her way into the hearts of the newlyweds. Tim said he chose to take home the runt because “she’s like me — a survivor”. But Wendy did the research to chose the pet’s name. “Mireya” is a Spanish name for a girl that means ‘miracle’. With Christmas here, Tim took a few moments to reflect on what he is most grateful for after his five-month ordeal. “Above all, I am so grateful for my wife,” he said. “She supported me when I was down. We weren’t married yet, but she was by my side the whole time I was in the hospital.” He paused for a moment before confiding his final thought with softness and sincerity. “I don’t think I’d be here without her.”
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Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 51
Visitors’ Points of Interest FOOD, SNACKS & SPIRITS | Entertainment & Recreation | Art Colony of the Midwest Handmade in Brown County | Lodging | Conferences, Weddings, & Retreats FOOD, SNACKS & SPIRITS 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) 6574923, www.bearwallowdistillery.com and on Facebook for updates on events and hours of operation. Brown County IGA is located at 30 Hawthorne Dr. Learn more at www.myiga.com or by calling (812) 988-4546. 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 finish off your meal with homemade dessert. Please call (800) 772-5249 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. 47 E Main Street, Nashville, IN. 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, www.browncountywinery.com 52 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
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! 812-720-3743. 5730 N. State Rd. 135. 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. The Candy emporium is located at 58 W Main St. Learn more by visiting us at thecandyemporium.com or by calling (812) 988-1488. 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, www.casadelsolnashville.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. (765) 342-9000, www. drinkatthecreek.com COUNTRY HERITAGE WINERY, 225 S. Van Buren St., Coachlight Square, offers award-winning 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 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 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, 51 IN-46, Nashville. Located at the Brown County Inn, at the junction of state roads 46 and 135. Local musicians, as well as artists from surrounding areas and states, provide the live entertainment. (800) 772-5249. 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. Located at 114 S Van Buren St, Nashville. Open Mondays - Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Not just a coffee shop; a destination!” (812) 988-4808, www.nashvilledailygrind.com The Farmhouse Cafe (seasonal), 5171 N. Beanblossom Road, offers healthy, fresh
Brown County Winery · award winning quality wines since 1986 ·
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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, www. farmhousecafeandtearoom.com
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Harvest Preserve, 61 W. Main St., makes its own apple butter, plus sauces, mixes and spices. (812) 988-7606.
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Miller’s Ice Cream House, 61 W. Main St., has been making real homemade ice cream, the old-fashioned way with rock
IN-35158484
Heritage Candy is located at 41 S Van Buren St, Nashville, IN. Learn more at www. heritagecandystore.com or by calling (812) 200-1077.
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 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Located at 1405 IN-46 W, Nashville, IN.
IN-35158486
•Homemade Ice Cream•Soft Serve •Locally Roasted Coffee•Lattes •Chai Tea•Frappes•Shakes •Sundaes•Hot Food•Pastries
Hard truth hills is located at 418 Old SR 46. Learn more at hardtruth.com or by calling (812) 720-4840.
House of Jerky is located at Artists Colony Shops, 125 S Van Buren St,. Learn more at houseofjerkybrownco.com or by calling (812) 988-1592.
E Main & Old School Way 812.988.8646
Wine & Wine-related Gifts · Gourmet Foods Outdoor Seating · Gift Cards Available
The ferguson house bistro & Bar is located at 78 Franklin St. Learn more at thefergusonhouse.com or by calling (812) 988-4042.
Harmony tree resort is located at 1292 IN-135, Nashville, IN. Learn more at harmonytreeresorts.com or by calling (812) 200-5650.
VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE
T-Shirt Shop Create YOUR Own T-Shirt 100’s of designs or choose one of our ready-made creations!
(812) 988-6939 Corner of Van Buren & Washington Streets Downtown Nashville Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 53
Food, Snacks & Spirits 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 Nashville BP is located at 270 S Van Buren St. (812) 988-1822 At Nashville Fudge Kitchen, 175 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) 988-0709, www. nashvillefudgekitchen.com Nashville House is located at 15 S Van Buren St. Learn more at www. nashvillehousebc.com or by calling (812) 988-4554. Nashville Spice is located at 227 S Van Buren St. Learn more at nashvillespicecompany.com or by calling (812) 200-1069. Our little world is located at 20 N Van Buren St. Learn more at ourlittleworldstudio.com or by calling (317) 498-4016. 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 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) 2001999 and on Facebook. 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 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 812-988-2284 for reservations. www.raftersfoodandspirits.com
54 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
entertainment & recreation Salt creek winery is located at 26 N Honeysuckle Ln. Learn more at www. saltcreekwinery.com or by calling (812) 497-0254.
Brown County Model trains is located at 75 S Jefferson St. Learn more by visiting us on Facebook at Brown County Model Trains or by calling (317) 783-6726.
Story inn is located at 6404 IN-135. Learn more at www.storyinn.com or by calling (812) 988-2273.
Brown County Playhouse Performing Arts Center, 70 S. Van Buren St., is a 426-seat 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.
Specializing in looseleaf teas, Sweetea’s Tea Shop, 225 S. Van Buren St., Suite C, in Coachlight 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, www.sweeteasbrowncounty.com 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. Located at 11 Gould St, Nashville, IN. Call for seasonal hours. (812) 988-4273, www.trolly.business.site/ Abe Martin Lodge, in Brown County State Park, has a 12,000-square-foot indoor water park, available to hotel guests first and to the public as space allows. Located at 1405 State Road 46. (812) 988-4418, www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/inns/abemartin -lodge-at-brown-county-state-park/ 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. 812-988-6422, www.billmonroemusicpark.com Brown County Bikes is located at 185 S Jefferson St #2061. Learn more at browncountybikes.com or by calling (812) 200-1115. Brown County Dragway is located at 480 Gatesville Rd, Morgantown, IN.. Learn more at brown-county-dragway-llc.business.site or by calling (812) 785-8282.
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. 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) 9886406, www.IN.gov/dnr/parklake. 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. 47 E Main Street, Nashville, IN. 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. Sunday, year-round. (812) 988-6144, 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. Copperhead creek gem mine is located at 79 N Van Buren St, Nashville, IN 47448. Learn more at www.browncountyrockshop.com or by calling (812) 988-2422. Country heritage winery, 225 S. Van Buren St. in Coachlight Square, provides
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-wheeldrive hill buggy rides and an ATV training challenge tour are available, too. 2620 Valley Branch Road, (812) 988-7750, 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: 812597-4630, cell 812-272-0702, www. GrandpaJeffsTrailRides.com, info@ GrandpaJeffsTrailRides.com
Our Little World is located at 20 N Van Buren St. Learn more at ourlittleworldstudio.com or by calling (317) 498-4016.
Yellowwood State Forest, 772 Yellowwood Lake Road, has a 133-acre lake, primitive campgrounds, rowboat rental, hiking, hunting, fishing and bridle trails. (812) 9887945, www.in.gov/dnr/forestry.
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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
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Hard truth hills is located at 418 Old SR 46. Learn more at hardtruth.com or by calling (812) 720-4840.
Quality all-natural treats since 1997 Over 20 wholesome varieties from low fat to grain-free. Fancy Gourmet and Seasonal Snacks Barkingood Boutique IN-35158482
Harmony tree resort is located at 1292 IN-135, Nashville, IN. Learn more at harmonytreeresorts.com or by calling (812) 200-5650.
Story inn is located at 6404 IN-135. Learn more at www.storyinn.com or by calling (812) 988-2273
Mike’s Music & Dance Barn (seasonal), 2277 State Road 46 West, offers country music and dancing. Beer, wine and food are available in this non-smoking facility. Monday, Friday and Saturday shows are from 6 to 11 p.m. (812) 988-8636
IN-35158464
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
211 S. Van Buren St. (Located next to Visitor’s Center)
812.988.0305
www.barkingood.com Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 55
Art colony of the midwest 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. Located at 1 Artist Dr. (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 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday; January and February, weekends only; closed Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. (812) 988-6185, www.browncountyartguild.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.
56 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
Handmade in brown county Bussert Images is on the second floor of the Village Green Building located at 61 W Main St., Nashville, IN. (812) 988-6675, www.b3.bussert.com 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 awardwinning 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.charlenemarshstudio.com , Char@ CharleneMarsh.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) 9881245, ddferrer@att.net Holly Pots Stoneware LLC, 59 East Main Street, Suite G, on Old School Way, in the Main Street Shoppes. 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. (812) 398-8010, www.hollypots.com 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.com Lawrence family glass blowers is located at 36 Franklin St. Learn more at lawrencefamilyglassblowers.com or by calling (812) 988-2600. The work of Patricia Rhoden Bartels can be seen at the Rhoden Gallery at eXplore Brown County, 2620 Valley Branch Road. Rhoden Bartels captures the beauty of nature in oil and acrylic paintings. Her work hangs in major corporations, private collections and
museums across the country. (812) 988-6525, www.rhodenart.com Our little world is located at 20 N Van Buren St. Learn more at ourlittleworldstudio.com or by calling (317) 498-4016. Rivers & Roads is located at 76 E Main St. Learn more at riversandroadshome.square. site or by calling (812) 216-3775. 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 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Closed Monday and Tuesday and most holidays but open July 4 and Labor Day. (812) 988-2785 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 everyday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (812) 988-6675, www.b3.bussert.com Bone appetit is located at 211 S Van Buren St. Learn more at barkingood.com or by calling (812) 988-0305. The Cheeky Owl, 160 S Old School Way, 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
Lodging shop the ladies jewelry and handcrafted 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. (847) 9756030, www.cheekyowlnashville.com Holly Pots Stoneware LLC, 59 East Main Street, Suite G, on Old School Way, in the Main Street Shoppes. 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 Option 2 more. Holly Pots alsoOption carries pieces from 2 other local Brown County and Indiana artists, all handcrafted. (812) 398-8010, www.hollypots.com Lakehouse candles is located at 158 S Old School Way. Learn moreThe at www. The browncountycrafts.com or by calling (812) 720-4020. Lawrence family glass blowersQuilt is Store Quilt Store located at 36 Franklin St. Learn more at lawrencefamilyglassblowers.com or by calling (812) 988-2600. 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 Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Closed Monday & Tuesday. (812) 988-1326, www.moonshineleather.com
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., http://www.touchofsilvergoldandold.com 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, www.1875homestead.com The The
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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. Located at 1405 State Road 46. (812) 988-4418, www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/inns/abemartin -lodge-at-brown-county-state-park/ 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 a fully equipped kitchen. The lodge accommodates eight people. (812) 9886429, www.browncountylogcabins.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 IN-35156724
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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
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Rivers & roads is located at 76 E Main St. Learn more at riversandroadshome. square.site or by calling (812) 216-3775.
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 57
Lodging 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 high-speed WiFi. Call for availability and rates. 51 State Road 46 East, Nashville, (800) 772-5249, www. browncountyinn.com Brown County Koa is located at 2248 IN-46. Learn more at www.koa.com campgrounds/brown-county/ or by calling (800) 562-9132. 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, 51 Chestnut St West, Nashville, IN, 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 58 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
relaxation and rejuvenation. Visit www. CornerstoneInn.com or contact at 812988-0300 or rest@cornerstoneinn.com 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. Contact cozycabinsin@gmail.com or visit www.cozycabinsin.com cozy-bear 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) 988-7750, www.explorebrowncounty.com The Ferguson house Bistro & Bar is located at 78 Franklin St. Learn more at thefergusonhouse.com or by calling (812) 988-4042. Friends O’ Mine Campground is located at 4557 IN-46. Learn more at www. friendsominecampground.com or by calling (812) 988-0008. Grandwood Suites, 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, www.grandwoodsuites.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) 988-0231, www. greenvalleymotorlodgenashville.com
Harmony tree resort is located at 1292 IN-135, Nashville, IN. Learn more at harmonytreeresorts.com or by calling (812) 200-5650. 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, 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, www.browncountylogcabins.com 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 The Iris Garden Cottages & Suites, 79 North Van Buren Street, 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 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) 9882422, www.irisgardenlodging.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) 318-6559, 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) 988-6429, 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.
recently remodeled guest rooms, restaurant and lobby area. (812) 988-2284, (800) 365-7327, www.seasonslodge.com
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 half-bath for guests, a sunroom overlooking the woods and two bedrooms with king beds upstairs. (812) 783-3003, www.rusticelegancecabin.com
story inn is located at 6404 IN-135. Learn more at www.storyinn.com or by calling (812) 988-2273.
salt creek winery is located at 26 N Honeysuckle Ln. Learn more at www. saltcreekwinery.com or by calling (812) 497-0254.
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
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
IN-35158488
Moondance vacation homes is located at 30 E Washington St. Learn more at moondancevacationhomes.com or by calling (812) 988-6554.
Online reservations are available via the Old Magnolia House Facebook page. (502) 303-1782, www.oldemagnoliahouse.net
IN-35158487
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
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Conferences, Weddings, & Retreats Abe Martin Lodge, located inside 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. Located at 1405 State Road 46. (812) 988-4418, www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/inns/abemartin -lodge-at-brown-county-state-park/ 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 buffetstyle. 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. Located at 105 South Van Buren Street, Nashville, IN. (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 (800) 772-5249 or email sales@browncountyinn.com for more information. 51 State Road 46 East, Nashville, www.browncountyinn.com 60 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
Brown County Visitor’s Center & Convention center is located at 211 S Van Buren St. Learn more at browncounty.com or by calling (812) 988-7303. 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 lodgelike 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 1-812988-0300 or rest@cornerstoneinn.com Hard truth Hills is located at 418 Old SR 46. Learn more at hardtruth.com or by calling (812) 720-4840. Harmony tree resort is located at 1292 IN-135, Nashville, IN. Learn more at harmonytreeresorts.com or by calling (812) 200-5650. 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) 988-7750, 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) 9888400, 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. Onsite 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 high-speed 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
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IN-35156571
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Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 61
Spring EVents The Why Store Feb. 24 Indiana’s own The Why Store brings their original rock and roll to The Playhouse! The Why Store is led by Chris Shaffer an intense, emotional songwriter with a repertoire of 150+ original songs. Add to that another 30 covers, years of musical expertise and camaraderie from Troy Seele, Dan Hunt and Charlie Bushor — what you get on stage is a unique experience every night. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
TOTO: Dogz of Oz Tour 2024 Feb. 25 Few ensembles in the history of recorded music have individually or collectively had a larger imprint on pop culture than the members of Toto. As individuals, the band members can be heard on an astonishing 5,000 albums that together amass a sales history of a half a billion albums. Amongst these recordings, NARAS applauded the performances with more than 200 Grammy nominations. Toto has over 400 million streams on Spotify alone while views on YouTube far exceed over a half billion. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events
Wonka Feb. 25 Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book and one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, “Wonka” tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 2:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
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 62 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
See more late-breaking events at bcdemocrat.com.
Flogging Molly: Road to Rebellion Tour
March 1 Formed in Dublin in 1997, Celtic punk band Flogging Molly took their name from L.A. bar Molly Malone’s, where they had a longtime Monday night residency. Flogging Molly frontman Dave King got his start in Fastway, a British band formed by Motörhead guitarist Eddie Clarke and UFO bassist Pete Way. Within a Mile of Home—dedicated to the memory of Clash frontman Joe Strummer and Johnny Cash—topped Billboard’s Independent Album chart in 2004. The band traveled to Ireland to cut their most successful album, 2008’s Float, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Award-winning artist Shepard Fairey designed the artwork for their Platinum-selling longform video/CD collection, Whiskey on a Sunday. In 2015, the band organized the first annual Salty Dog Cruise, a Caribbean sea voyage on which Flogging Molly and other groups perform. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/ events
Dogs of Society: An Elton John Tribute
March 1 Let The Dogs take you on a ride through one of the most epic rock catalogs of the 1970s with Elton John’s smash hits like Bennie and the Jets, Tiny Dancer and Crocodile Rock to deeper cuts like Funeral for a Friend, Madman Across the Water, All the Girls Love Alice, Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters and many, many more. No tracks. No tricks. Just a killer rock band delivering a dynamic, ALL-LIVE performance every night (with that extra sauce that comes from an authentic, live show). Just like Elton and his band. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
John Michael Montgomery
March 2 John Michael Montgomery has turned an uncanny ability to relate to fans into one of country music’s most storied careers. Behind the string of hit records, the roomful of awards and the critical and fan accolades that have defined his phenomenal success lies a connection that goes beyond his undeniable talent and his proven knack for picking hits. Since the days when “Life’s A Dance” turned him from an unknown artist into a national star, John Michael’s rich baritone has carried that most important of assets – believability. Few artists in any genre sing with more heart than this handsome Kentucky-born artist. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple
Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events
Billy the Kid: The Definitive Billy Joel Tribute
March 2 A bottle of red. A bottle of white… pull up a chair, grab a glass and sing along as BILLY THE KID – THE DEFINITIVE BILLY JOEL TRIBUTE plays you a memory in an all-live rock concert tribute. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
Blue October: Spinning The Truth Around (Part II) Tour 2024
March 7 Rather than lean on destiny for direction, Blue October invents and inhabits a future all their own. The platinum-certified alternative quartet from Houston, TX - Justin Furstenfeld, Jeremy Furstenfeld, Ryan Delahoussaye, and Matt Noveskey - consistently evolves with an outlier perspective. For their eleventh and twelfth studio albums and first double -LP, Spinning The Truth Around: Part I & II, Blue October unlocks another creative renaissance. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events
Gary Allan: 2024 Tour
March 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. His first album, 1996’s Used Heart for Sale, brought his soulful, lived-in vocals to songs that combined a vintage vibe with contemporary touches, and it gave him a country Top 10 hit with “Her Man.” Catch him live in Nashville, Indiana on Friday, March 8, 2024. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/ events
40 Years of College Band
March 8 When it comes to knowledge and music these 6 Doctors got it all! Between all of them, they collectively have been in college for over 40 years! Bring your family for this rocking night of all your favorite classic tunes here at The Brown County Playhouse! Don’t miss out on this amazingly talented group! Gather for a night of laughter, smiles,
March 9 E5C4P3 was formed in June of 1993. From that year through 1999, E5C4P3 traveled nationwide and paid tribute to one of rock history’s most beloved bands, performing for tens of thousands of fans. E5C4P3 is still known today as the original and best Journey tribute band to ever exist. In 1999, E5C4P3 went on hiatus and the world was suddenly filled with multiple Journey tributes trying to fill the void that E5C4P3 left behind. In 2008, E5C4P3 was reformed to recreate the magic of a Journey concert like no one else can. The band covers the music with a note-for-note accuracy that is second to none and performs each show with the high-energy excitement of a real Journey concert as well as visually recreating the essence of early 80’s Journey! Focusing on the “Steve Perry era,” E5C4P3 covers all the hits from “Lights” and “Wheel In The Sky” to “Separate Ways” and “Be Good To Yourself,” including occasional surprises for all the die-hard Journey fans. For all of the countless fans that have never stopped believing, they’re back! Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
Terri Clark: Tour ‘24
March 15 Hailing from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Terri Clark got her start by playing for tips at Nashville’s legendary honky-tonk bar, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. With over 5 million albums sold, critically acclaimed international tours, and hit singles such as “better Things To Do,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,””Girls Lie Too,””Northern Girl,” and “I Just Wanna Be Mad,” Terri has solidified her place in the history books of country music. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/ events
Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon: The Music of John Denver
March 15 Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon are a John Denver Tribute that will take you back to the days reminiscent of the concerts from one of the greatest artists of our time. Since forming
Tower of Power
March 16 A renowned horn-driven outfit, Tower of Power emerged in the late ‘60s playing a dynamic blend of R&B, soul, funk, and AM pop. Along with the similarly inclined Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power helped push the sound of brass-infused music into the rock era. Led by Detroit-born tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo, the Oakland-based group scored hits like “You’re Still a Young Man” and “What Is Hip?” throughout the ‘70s. They also became one of the most sought-after backing
ensembles in pop, playing on recordings by Elton John, Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Aerosmith, Josh Groban, and more. While their lineup has changed over the years, Castillo remains a constant and continues to guide the ensemble live and in the studio. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter. com/events
Best of Times – A Tribute to STYX March 16 “Best of Times” ~ an authentic Tribute to the Music of STYX. Join us for a ride through the epic catalog of 70s & 80s hits, like “Renegade”, “Blue Collar Man”, and “Babe”! Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
Scott Stapp
March 18 Scott Stapp is a Grammy award-winning songwriter, solo artist, and lead vocalist of the rock band Creed. Stapp has sold over 53 million records, been streamed over 1 billion times, and has eleven No. 1 singles.
Grandpa Jeff’s Trail rides Family & Friends of all ages
Trail Rides • Pony Rides Hay Rides Custom Excursions Please give us one hour notice
For reservations please contact us at
812.272.0702 www.GrandpaJeffsTrailRides.com info@GrandpaJeffsTrailRides.com 5889 S. Skinner Rd., Morgantown , Indiana
IN-35158466
E5C4P3: The Music Of Journey
in Aspen, Colorado, Chris and Boulder Canyon have gone on to tour from coast-to-coast to pay tribute to the music of John Denver. With similarities between Chris’s and John’s voices, award-winning singer, songwriter Chris Collins brings amazing energy and the unmistakable enthusiasm to the stage that was a hallmark of a John Denver performance. From sold-out shows to breaking a theater record for the largest audience ever to attend an event, Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon have emerged as top performers of John Denver’s music. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
Lawrence Family Glassblowers & Quintessence Gallery More than 50 year family tradition of artistry in glass and are known for their originality, detail, quality and artistic flair!
2 Shops - Corner Franklin & Van Buren St., Nashville l 812-988-2600
IN-35158477
and great tunes! Flashback with 40 Years of College! Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
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Spring EVents He’s currently in the studio recording the follow-up album to The Space Between The Shadows (2019), which debuted at the top of Rock and Album charts in the US and UK. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events
Steve Hackett - Genesis Revisited
March 21 Hot on the heels of his most successful solo tour ever, Steve Hackett will bring his Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited - Foxtrot at Fifty + Hackett Highlights tour live to the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Ind., on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The tour marks the 50th anniversary of the legendary Genesis album Foxtrot which, in 1972, was pivotal in establishing the band as a major force in British rock. Guitarist Steve Hackett joined Genesis in 1971, making his band debut on the Nursery Cryme album which enjoyed a greater commercial success in Europe than the UK. After extensive touring, the band were encouraged, by audience reactions, to further experiment with ever longer compositions and develop their ability to incorporate strong narratives. This, in turn, allowed frontman Peter Gabriel more opportunity to indulge in the theatrics which helped to raise the band’s profile. Now for 2023, Steve brings Foxtrot at Fifty to North America for a string of eagerly awaited dates following the huge selling UK 2022 tour. “I think Foxtrot was a terrific achievement for Genesis at that time,” says Steve Hackett. “I think there is not one weak track on the album, they all have their strong points and I’m really looking forward to doing the whole album live.” Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events
Midnight Blue – The Foreigner Experience
March 22 Midnight Blue – The Foreigner Experience, This group delivers an extremely high-energy live show including Foreigner’s greatest hits from the 70’s and 80’s. Sing along to “Hot Blooded”, “Feels Like the First Time”, and “Juke Box Hero” just to name a few!! midnight Blue delivers an incredible performance that you won’t soon forget – You don’t want to miss this show! Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
64 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
See more late-breaking events at bcdemocrat.com.
No Fences – The Ultimate Tribute to Garth Brooks
March 23 No Fences is the #1 tribute to country music icon Garth Brooks featuring Dusty Miller. Located in the heart of the midwest, No Fences faithfully replicates the sound, look and feel of a Garth Brooks concert. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
An evening with Clint Black: Celebrating 35 Years of Killin’ Time
March 24 It is one of the most storied careers in modern music. Clint Black surged to superstardom as part of the fabled Class of ‘89, reaching #1 with five consecutive singles from his triple-platinum debut, Killin’ Time. He followed that with the triple platinum Put Yourself in My Shoes, and then a string of platinum and gold albums throughout the ‘90s. Perhaps most impressively, Clint wrote or co-wrote everyone of his more than three dozen chart hits, including “A Better Man,” “Where Are You Now,” “When My Ship Comes In,” ‘A Good Run of Bad Luck,” “Summer’s Comin’,” “Like the Rain” and “Nothin’ But the Taillights,” part of a catalog that produced 22 #1 singles and made him one of the most successful singer/songwriters of the modern era. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter. com/events
Woomblies Rock Orchestra
March 30 The Woomblies Rock Orchestra is a powerhouse of talent. 11-musicians, including a 4 piece string section, and 2 horns, playing some of the greatest Rock and Motown music ever written. Music from Rock bands like ELO, Moody Blues and Led Zeppelin – and greats like Al Greene and The Four Tops. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam + Jefferson Starship
April 4 British guitarist and singer/songwriter Dave Mason made his initial splash as a key member, alongside Steve Winwood, of the beloved ‘60s rock band Traffic, penning one of their biggest songs, “Feelin’ All Right.” After a brief stint with the band, he grew restless and left to pursue his own vision. Mason’s first full length
outing, 1970’s Alone Together, was a critical and popular success, showcasing superior songwriting, soulful singing, and great taste in guest artists. He continued releasing albums through the ‘70s and ‘80s, and found a hit with the 1977 single “We Just Disagree.” Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events
The Hammer & The Hatchet April 5 The Hammer & The Hatchet with special guests Dakota Curtis and The Dark, and The Lowlanders. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
Jo Dee Messina: Heads Carolina Tails California Tour 2024 April 6 Country singer-songwriter Jo Dee Messina, whose early influences included Loretta Lynn and Reba McEntire, started playing clubs at age 16. Part of country music’s late-’90s crop of female crossover stars, Jo Dee Messina’s appeal nonetheless remained more with country fans than pop audiences. The ACM Awards named Messina 1998’s Top New Female Vocalist, and she also won the Country Music Association’s 1999 Horizon Award, which recognizes promising new artists. In 1998, she became the first female country artist to have three consecutive songs from the same album spend multiple weeks at No. 1. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events
The Righteous Brothers: Bill Medley & Bucky Heard April 7 They weren’t brothers, but Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield (both born in 1940) were most definitely righteous, defining (and perhaps inspiring) the term “blue-eyed soul” in the mid’60s. The white Southern California duo were an established journeyman doo wop/R&B act before an association with Phil Spector produced one of the most memorable hits of the 1960s, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’”. The collaboration soon fell apart, though, and while the singers had some other excellent hit singles in a similar style, they proved unable to sustain their momentum after just a year or two at the top. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/ events
View The 2024 ECLIPSE at BCMC
April 8 Park, View + Venue Access to Restrooms & Concessions. Ticket Prices: $100 paved parking and $50 gravel parking. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events
April 9 That sound you hear is the entire city of Nashville (and now all of America) wetting their pants – some in excitement, most in fear – because Wheeler Walker Jr. is BACK! Breaking Billboard records, kicking ass and taking names – the legacy of Wheeler Walker Jr. will surely tell the tale of the best country artists to ever grace this earth. The Spread Eagle Tour tickets, VIP and more information are available at www.wheelerwalkerjr.com. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events
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Wheeler Walker Jr.: The Spread Eagle Tour 2024
April 20 Exile formed in 1963, looking to play small clubs in Richmond, Kentucky, but managed to top both the pop and country charts during their nearly 60-year-long career. Their most successful hit, “Kiss You All Over” spent four weeks at the top of Billboard’s pop chart in 1978. In the early 1980s Exile started to focus on country music. During their run on the country charts, Exile has successfully had ten No. 1 singles, including “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory” and “Give Me One More Chance.” The hit song “Kiss You All Over” was used in the 1996 Adam Sandler movie Happy Gilmore and in the 2006 film Employee of the Month. They have toured with acts including Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, The Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers and The Judds. The five original Exile members re-formed in 2008 and continue to tour today. Current members of the band include J.P. Pennington, Les Taylor, Sonny LeMaire, Marlon Hargis and Steve Goetzman. 2023 celebrates 60 years for the band and the 45th anniversary of the hit song “Kiss You All Over.” The band is currently on tour promoting their most ambitious album project ever, A Million Miles Later, released in August 2023. For more information, visit www.exile.biz. Brown County Music Center,
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Exile: Celebrating 60 years and the 45th anniversary of the hit song “Kiss You All Over.”
Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024 65
Spring EVents 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/ events
The Steepwater Band
April 26 The Steepwater Band excel at slow burns throughout this set, prowling ‘round your back door and howling in a low, sexy way, swinging with the angels dancin’ around their heads and leaving blood on the floorboards. Folks enamored of Mick Taylor-era Stones, early Hendrix, and The Black Keys will eat up this up with impolite gusto. It’s a great pleasure to see a band fully realize their potential as they ride into their second decade together, and Clava presents these Chicago survivors at their earthy, appealing finest. The Steepwater Band is an American rock band formed in Chicago in 1998 by the trio of Jeff Massey (guitars and vocals), Joe Winters (drums), and Tod Bowers (bass). The band took their name from a cargo vessel that Massey sighted in a port on Lake Michigan. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
American Fools: The Music of John Mellencamp
April 27 Indiana natives saluting the music of John Cougar Mellencamp. Bringing the biggest Hoosier hits and the deepest cuts to the heartland of America. American Fools brings the feelgood groove of John (Cougar) Mellencamp’s songs to life on the stage. We take you on a journey through his career including tracks like: Hurts so good, Cherry Bomb, Jack & Diane, R.O.C.K. in the USA, I need a lover (that won’t drive me crazy), Lonely Ol’ Night, Thundering Hearts, China Girl, Crumblin Down, Rain on the Scarecrow, Pink Houses. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
The Guess Who
May 2 The Guess Who enjoyed chart topping hits in the late 60s and early 70s with an impressive catalog of songs including “American Woman,” “These Eyes,” and “No Time.” With their 1970 album American Woman landing number one in Canada and number nine in the United States, The Guess Who have spanned multiple generations with five other albums hitting the top ten in Canada. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events
66 Brown County Almanack Visitors Guide | Spring 2024
See more late-breaking events at bcdemocrat.com.
The Carole King and James Taylor Story
May 3 The Carole King & James Taylor Story takes you on an incredible journey through the career of the six-time Grammy Award winner and 20-time platinum hit maker Carole King and five-time Grammy Award winner American folk legend James Taylor. This new “showumentary” format gives a fascinating insight into the lives behind the music. Featuring passionate renditions of Fire and Rain, Sweet Baby James, I Feel the Earth Move, Natural Woman, You’ve Got a Friend and many more this astonishing back catalogue is realised with authenticity by Phoebe Katis and Dan Clews, both well established artists in their own right. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
Beth Hart
May 4 GRAMMY®-nominated powerhouse vocalist Beth Hart is as real as it gets. In a music industry full of glossy production and airbrushed photoshoots, this is one artist who throws down her cards, shares her darkest secrets and invites you to join her for the ride. New fans might know Beth as the all-conquering global icon, dubbed “extraordinary” by The Times and “daring, brooding and angry” by The Guardian. But to understand her rollercoaster backstory, you need only read the War In My Mind lyric sheet. Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 7:30 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter.com/events
Steel Panther - On The Prowl World Tour
May 5 For the uninitiated, Steel Panther was formed in 2000. Hailing from Los Angeles, the epicenter for rock n’ roll in all its debauchery and glamour, Steel Panther has established themselves as the world’s premier party band, melding hard rock virtuosity with parody and criminally good looks. Steel Panther is a global phenomenon with four full-length albums, touring across the world, platinum-level You Tube status and highprofile television appearances such as Jimmy Kimmel Live, Larry King Now, and FOX NFL Sunday. Rolling Stone avowed, “There’s a reason Steel Panther have transcended their origins as a cover band playing the Sunset Strip,” while Metal Sucks declared, Steel Panther’s concept is genius...their songwriting is...preposterously snappy – and relatable.” Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., 8 p.m. Tickets and information: browncountymusiccenter. com/events
Back 2 Mac – A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
May 10 Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
Solitary Man A Neil Diamond Tribute
May 17 Solitary Man is a high-energy concert event which pays homage to the music of Neil Diamond. Veteran singer and actor David Jericko brings Neil’s music to life, capturing every stylistic nuance of his sound and personality. Jericko is supported in this extravaganza by “The Crew” — a six-piece band of A-list players who have backed some of the industry’s biggest stars. From “Solitary Man” to “Love on the Rocks”, you’ll hear faithful renditions of all the hits that made Neil Diamond a musical legend. This show is as close as you can get to seeing Neil Diamond live at the peak of his career. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org.
Henry Lee Summer
May 25 This Brazil, Indiana native is self-taught on guitar, piano, and drums influenced by the best in country, R&B, rock & roll, and blues. Expressing a raw and impulsive style of rock & roll, Henry always adds his own voice and style. His sales over the years have topped well over the million Mark. This has given him the opportunity to be a support act for artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eddie Money, Chicago, and Richard Marx. Although most of his touring is in Indiana, he has appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show and Late Show With David Letterman. He also Married and raised four children during this period, and successfully supported himself and family with music since he was 17. Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., 7:30 p.m., Tickets and information: browncountyplayhouse.org
IN-35147748
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Great shows! Purchase Tickets Online! Contact us or visit our website for details.
The Why Store February 24 | 7:30pm
Dogs of Society: The Ultimate Billy The Kid: The Definitive Elton John Rock Tribute Billy Joel Tribute March 1 | 7:30pm
40 Years of College March 8 | 7:30pm LOW DOUGH SHOW
March 2 | 7:30pm
E5C4P3: The Music of Journey Chris Collins & March 9 | 7:30pm Boulder Canyon: John Denver Tribute Band March 15 | 7:30pm
Best of Times: A Tribute to Styx March 16 | 7:30pm
Midnight Blue: The Foreigner Experience March 22 | 7:30pm
No Fences: The Ultimate Tribute to Garth Brooks March 23 | 7:30pm
812.988.6555 | BrownCountyPlayhouse.org IN-35158312
Showtimes, tickets & schedule online Box Office: Thursday-Saturday | 70 S. Van Buren St. Nashville, IN
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