Jan./Feb. 2025 OUR BROWN COUNTY

JAN/FEB JAN/FEB 2025 20225 FREE FREE

Hard Truth Distilling Co. From a Bold Vision into Reality

Nashville Arts & Entertainment Commission The STEAMery Eleanor Roosevelt’s Visit Sampler at Nourish Café Help Yourself Knotholes

photo by Tamara Bond

tasty & healthy!

Give your heart some love!

wild & tasty

TIP

Try substituting extra virgin olive oil in place of less healthy fats like butter, mayonnaise, margarine, and other cooking oils. Not only is it good to use for roasting, frying, or sautéing, but it’s also good as a butter substitute in baking.

Extra virgin olive oil is rich in heart-healthy fats, vitamins E and K, and antioxidants which help fight inflammation and chronic disease.

We’ve been bringing great taste to you since 2012 from our inviting little shop in the heart of Brown County, Indiana.

We have curated a flavorful collection for your tasting pleasure with plenty to offer for foodies, the experienced cook, or the novice. It goes well beyond the high-quality olive oils and balsamics we built our reputation on. We’ve added jams, pastas, dipping oils, salsas, sauces, and much more. Come in for a tour of tastes and let us be your guide. You’ll be wild about our shop.

Shop us online from anywhere, anytime at www.thewildolive.com

www.thewildolive.com | 37 W Main Street, Nashville, Indiana 47448 | (812) 988-9453

OPEN 7 AM

DELICIOUS

SandwicheS and

HOT & COLD DRINKS

Featuring

THE VOLANT

French Americana Layered Donuts

Choose C hoose ffrom rom a vvariety ariety of Volants and enjoy a cup of your favorite drink.

VOLANTS (Donuts & Sandwiches) Coffee • Tea • Cold Drinks 96 S. Van Buren St. • 812-200-1311

oldebartleyhouse.com

Discover something new with every visit.

Explore charming shops, local flavors, handcrafted art of all kinds, and outdoor activities galore. Be sure to swing by the Visitors Center to grab official Brown County merch and our tips on all the must-do’s while you’re here!

Let’s be friends @ILoveBrownCounty @ILoveBrownCounty Brown County Visitors Center. 211 South Van Buren Street. Downtown Nashville.

Brown County Visitors Center. 211 South Van Buren Street. Downtown Nashville.

@ILuvBrownCounty

135 Martinsville

Nineveh Edinburgh Morgantown 31 37 135 I-65 46 Bloomington Columbus 46 NASHVILLE Brownie’s Bean Blossom Family Restaruant Monroe Music Park & Campground

HELMSBURG

BEAN BLOSSOM

Helmsburg General Store Lightspinner Studio

to MORGANTOWN

135

Country Club Rd

NASHVILLE

Hard Truth Distilling Co. Old S Snyder Rd. R 46

Kelp G rove R d.

NG

TON

d

46

eXplore Brown County

Rd.

Harmony Tree Resorts Sycamore Saloon

T.C. Steele State Historic Site

135

Val le

yB

Mike’s Music and Dance Barn

Abe Martin Lodge

ran ch

MI

PIKES PEAK

STORY ELKINSVILLE

CHRISTIANSBURG

k Rd ton Cr

Christi

ansbu rg

ove r Gr

Rd

la Pop

STONE HEAD

Hamil

to BLO O

Recreation

Days of Old OA Antique Shoppe ls o. K l a l C t a e que M e to COLUMBUS Ren wn . Tir i s ion y Bro n Co Co. Ant ap Hou Vacat Winer NE w o O Br rown bird T rown n Co. W B Away A Day B Fire ls O’ B Brow GNA 19th Hole Hil Mt RV Campground Marie’s Heartland Sports Bar . Li ber Home Tattoo Friends O’ Mine ty R Decor d Campground Bear Wallow Distillery

Brown County State Park

Monroe Reservoir

Craftsman

Annie Smith Rd. kR

Rd.

lley Rd.

Yellowwood Rd

Musical Entertainment Artist and/or Gallery

Brick Lodge

Green Va

46

Lodging/ Camping

Mike Nickels Log Homes

Amanda W. Mathis

BELMONT

Hoover Rd

Sal tC ree

Rd.

Oak Grove

Yellowwood State Forest

GATESVILLE

Rd sburg

Ow l Cr eek

Doodles by Kara Barnard

Flower and Herb Barn Farmhouse Café

Dining

Helm

Dr. Lisa Baker, DDS Fireplace Center

Cordry Lake

Sprunica Rd.

Plum Creek Antiques

BLOOMINGTON

Sweetwater Lake

Vaught Rd.

Clay Lick Rd

45 MINGT ON

Trafalgar

to BLO O

South Shore Dr.

Franklin

252

NASHVILLE MAP ON PAGE 6

Lake Lemon

MORGANTOWN

Antiques Co-op Art Beyond Crayons Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides The Tasty Plate Cafe

Upper Bean Blossom

Brown N County

Indianapolis

JEFFERSON STREET

HONEYSUCKLE LANE

OLD HICKORY LANE

Hoosier Artist Gallery

Fallen Leaf Books

Brown Co. Art Guild

Moonshine Leather

ST SR 135 N

Miller’s Ice Cream The Candy Dish The Harvest Preserve B3 Gallery

The Wild Olive

Brown Co. Winery

Head Over Heels

Wishful Thinking

Heritage Mall Heritage Candy Store

Holly Pots Stoneware

MAIN STREET

Grasshopper Flats Spears Gallery Jewelers

The Nashville House

Log JJail L il

Woodlands Gallery

Too Cute Boutique & Hidden Getaway Rivers Naughty Dog and Books Roads

Abe’s Corner

Weed Patch Music Company

Redbud Ter.

Health For U Ooey Gooey Cafe

County Offices

RE/MAX Team

IHA

Brown Co Art Gallery

Masonic Lodge

Old to SR 4 DisHard 6 Gold &Old till Tru ing th Co to to 4 .

Bro -H wn Fai Co rgro Re cyc unds le C en ter Touch of Silver

LOCUST LANE

Village Green

Courthouse

Copperhead Creek Gem Mine

Iris Garden Cottages & Suites

Pioneer Village Museum

GOULD STREET Iris Garden

Brown Co Public Library

Brown Co. History Center

MOUND STREET

Complex Brown Co. Rock & Fossil Shop

Nourish Cafe

Brown Co Community Foundation

ROBERT “BUCK” STOGSDILL WAY

TO HELMSBURG - 6 MILES

Brozinni Pizzeria

Big Woods Pizza

MOLLY’S LANE Big Woods Village

Common Grounds Coffee Bar Too Cute Boutique

Colonial Bldg.

Men’s Toy Shop

J.B. Goods/ Life is Good

North House

TO BEAN BLOSSOM & MORGANTOWN

Doc Tilton House

Michael’s Flowers

Zieg LeDoux & Associates

Fairway Mortgage Corp.

Hotel Nashville

ARTIST DR

OLD SCHOOL WAY

VAN BUREN

The Salvation Army

Precise Books & Payroll

Brown Co Massage

New Leaf Amy Greely

JEFFERSON STREET Thrift Shop Community Closet

PAT REILLY DR

Nashville BP

Calvin Place

Life is Good JB Goods The Toy Chest

VAN BUREN ST SR 135 N

SR 46 TO BLOOMINGTON - 16 MILES

Brown Co Bikes

Olde Bartley House Coffee & Donuts

The Totem Post

Jack & Jill Nut Shop

Brown Co Playhouse

PITTMAN HOUSE LANE

American Woodsman

Queen Hat Co

Franklin Square

HONEYSUCKLE LANE

FRANKLIN STREET

The Ferguson House Bistro & Bar

Brown Co Pottery

Clay Purl

Antique Alley

Brown Co Model Trains Old McDurbin Gold & Gifts Rustic Charm Permanent Jewelry

Artists Colony

Country Heritage Winery

Nashville Spice Co.

Bone Appetit Bakery

Brown County Inn

Brown Co Community YMCA

Bear Hardware

Brown County IGA

Brown Co Health & Living

Brown Co Sugar Shack

Rafters

Brown Co Music Center

IU Health Nashville

Seasons Hotel & Event Center

Salt Creek Park

Casa Del Sol

Craftsman

Doodles by Kara Barnard

Lodging

Theatre

Artist and/or Gallery Rest Room Dining

Musical Entertainment Parking

COUNTY MAP ON PAGE 5

map not to scale

N

Nashville Indiana

Coachlight Square

WASHINGTON STREET

Brown Co Craft Gallery

Cornerstone Inn

SR 46 TO COLUMBUS - 16 MILES

Visitors Center

Moondance Vacation Homes

Nashville Fudge Kitchen

Possum Trot Square

The Cheeky Owl Lakehouse Candle Co.

Back to Back

Kith & Lolli’s House Kindred House of Jerky

Artists Colony Inn

Nashville Express

Male Instinct

Out of the Ordinary and Hickory Bar

OLD SCHOOL WAY

Village Green Building celebrating over 100 years in nashville The Nashville

you came to see and love...

Where you can see the work by local artisans — whether it’s ice cream, candy, and fruit preserves made the old-fashioned way, or the artwork of area artists and craftsmen.

• first floor •

Homemade Ice Cream Homemade Candies Homemade Fruit Preserves • second floor •

Second Story Studio Gallery Shop and Studio Space

Homemade Ice Cream Yes, we really do make it ourselves!

812.988.0815

Fine Homemade Chocolate Candies and Fudge Gourmet Caramels Over 50 Flavors of Salt Water Taffy

812.988.7606

Homemade Fruit Butter Gourmet Food Gookbooks • Cookie Cutters Postcards • Greeting Cards Kitchen Gadgets Galore Giftware • Tea and Teaware

812.988.7606

www.ssstudio.art

61 west main street • nashville, indiana 8 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

Contents 13 COLORING CONTEST 14 HISTORY MYSTERY 15 SUBSCRIBE 16 Hard Truth Distilling Co. ~by Chrissy Alspaugh 22 NAEC ~by Amy Huffman Oliver 30 Help Yourself ~by Mark Blackwell 34-35 Photos by Tamara Bond* 36-37 CALENDAR 40 Eleanor Roosevelt’s Visit ~by Julia Pearson 44 The Green Room ~by Pam Raider 50 The STEAMery ~by Mandi Rainwater 54 Knotholes ~by Jim Eagleman 58 Sampler at Nourish Café

Contributors Jeff Tryon is a former news editor of The Brown County Democrat, and a former regional reporter for The Republic. Born and raised in Brown County, he currently lives with his wife, Sue, in a log cabin on the edge of Brown County State Park. He is a Baptist minister.

Mark Blackwell no longer makes his home in Brown County where “the roadway is rough and the slopes are seamed with ravines.”

He now resides within sight of the sixth green of an undisclosed golf course. He was born in the middle of the last century and still spends considerable time there.

Amy Huffman Oliver has lived Joe Lee is an illustrator and writer. in and around Brown County He is the author of Forgiveness: most of her life and raised two The Eva Kor Story, The History of kids here with her husband, Jim. Clowns for Beginners, and Dante She grew up with “newspaper in for Beginners. He is an editorial her blood” by way of her parents, cartoonist for the Bloomington Jane and Stu Huffman, who were Herald-Times, a graduate of both journalists. She writes as a Ringling Brothers, Barnum freelancer after working most of her career as an & Bailey Clown College, and a veteran circus attorney and a seventh-grade teacher. performer.

Jim Eagleman is a 40-year veteran naturalist with the IN DNR. In retirement, he is now a consultant. His program “Nature Ramblings” can be heard on WFHB radio, the Brown County Hour. He serves on the Sycamore Land Trust board. He enjoys reading, hiking, music, and birding.

Julia Pearson loves learning and writing about local history, faith communities, and the radically ordinary lives of people. She continues the work and association of her late husband, Bruce L. Pearson, with the Wyandotte and Delaware tribes, and visits museums of all types and sizes.

Chrissy Alspaugh is a freelance writer and photographer. View her work at <ChristinaAlspaughPhotography. com>.She lives in Bartholomew County with her husband Matt and three boys.

Mandi Rainwater is a freelance travel/lifestyle writer, and also runs Rainwater Studios with her husband Kenan. She promotes local musicians and supports the Southern Indiana music scene.

She lives in Nashville with her husband, children, and cats.

Cindy Steele is the publisher and editor of this magazine.

She sells and designs ads, sometimes writes, takes photos, and creates the layout. For fun, she likes to play the guitar or banjo and sing.

Pam Raider has been a resident of Brown County for nearly 40 years. During that time she has served on multiple boards.

Current projects include League of Women Voters, Brown County Radio Hour, and WRAPS, a local writers group.

60 Tales from the Past 64-66 INFO PAGES

Cover: Eagle on Sweetwater Trail ~by Tamara Bond

OUR BROWN COUNTY

P.O. Box 157 Helmsburg, IN 47435 (812) 988-8807 ourbrown@bluemarble.net ourbrowncounty.com Also at issuu.com/ourbrowncounty Facebook at OUR BROWN COUNTY

*Tamara Bond works for a well known IT managed services provider in Indianapolis. Over the past few years, she has enjoyed getting out in nature and taking wildlife photos during her down time. It is now a passion for her, not just a hobby. She spends many hours driving on backroads and searching for interesting things to capture. She enjoys the hunt and sharing what she shoots.

Follow her on Facebook at Tamara Bond Photography.

Thanks, Mom, for making it happen!

copyright 2025

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 9

10 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

ADVERTISER

ANTIQUES Antiques Co-op................................. 48 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 21 Days of Old Antique Shoppe.......... 27 Michael’s Flowers.............................. 20 Plum Creek Antiques....................... 64 ART, ART SUPPLIES-INSTRUCTION Antiques Co-op................................. 48 Art Beyond Crayons......................... 48 Bear Hardware.................................. 33 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 21 Brown Co Art Gallery....................... 20 Brown Co Art Guild........................... 20 Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 21 Hoosier Artist Gallery...................... 28 Kith & Kindred Gifts......................... 27 Second Story Studio.......................... 8 Spears Gallery................................... 26 C. Steele Art....................................... 66 James Tracy........................................ 21 BOOKS Fallen Leaf Books.............................. 15 Naughty Dog Books......................... 52 CLOTHING Abe’s Corner - Too Cute Boutique.. 32 The Cheeky Owl................................ 46 Community Closet Thrift Shop....... 46 Head Over Heels............................... 45 J.B. Goods/ Life is Good................... 61 Lolli’s House....................................... 62 Male Instinct...................................... 46 Queen Hat Co.................................... 43 CRAFTS, POTTERY, GIFTS Antiques Co-op................................. 48 Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 57 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 21 Brown Co Art Guild........................... 20

Brown Co IGA.................................... 60 Brown Co Inn..................................... 12 Brown Co Winery.............................. 25 Brownie’s Bean Blossom Rest......... 63 Brozinni Pizzeria............................... 33 The Candy Dish................................... 8 Cedar Creek Winery.......................... 57 Common Grounds Coffee Bar........ 15 Country Heritage Winery................ 49 The Ferguson House Bistro & Bar.. 26 Firebird Tap House........................... 32 Hard Truth Distilling Co................... 39 The Harvest Preserve......................... 8 Helmsburg General Store............... 63 Heritage Candy Store....................... 47 Hotel Nashville.................................. 61 House of Jerky................................... 46 Miller’s Ice Cream House................... 8 Nashville BP....................................... 43 The Nashville House......................... 26 Nashville Fudge Kitchen.................. 68 Nashville Spice Co............................. 67 Nourish Cafe...................................... 62 The Olde Bartley House Coffee & Donuts.................................. 3 Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Rolls Cafe.63 Out of the Ordinary & Hickory Bar.32 Rafters................................................. 49 Seasons Hotel & Event Center........ 56 The Tasty Plate Cafe......................... 48 The Wild Olive..................................... 2 FURNITURE Antiques Co-op................................. 48 Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 21 Days of Old Antique Shoppe.......... 27 Plum Creek Antiques....................... 64

Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 21 Brown Co Model Trains.................... 15 The Cheeky Owl................................ 46 Clay Purl............................................. 27 Days of Old Antique Shoppe.......... 27 Head Over Heels............................... 45 Holly Pots Stoneware....................... 15 Hoosier Artist Gallery...................... 28 Kith & Kindred Gifts......................... 27 Lakehouse Candle Co...................... 42 Lolli’s House....................................... 62 Male Instinct...................................... 46 Michael’s Flowers.............................. 20 Moonshine Leather.......................... 20 Nashville Spice Co............................. 67 New Leaf............................................. 21 Queen Hat Co.................................... 43 Second Story Studio.......................... 8 Spears Gallery................................... 26 C. Steele Art....................................... 66 The Totem Post.................................. 15 The Toy Chest.................................... 62 Wishful Thinking............................... 63 Woodlands Gallery........................... 62 ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC Brown Co Inn..................................... 12 Brown Co Music Center................... 38 Brown Co Playhouse........................ 38 Country Heritage Winery................ 49 The Ferguson House Bistro & Bar.. 26 Firebird Tap House........................... 32 Hard Truth Distilling Co................... 39 The Nashville House......................... 26 FOOD & BEVERAGE Abe Martin Lodge............................. 29 Artists Colony Inn............................. 27 Bonafide Bites Chef/Catering......... 64

DIRECTORY

HATS The Cheeky Owl................................ 46 Head Over Heels............................... 45 Male Instinct...................................... 46 Moonshine Leather.......................... 20 Queen Hat Co.................................... 43 JEWELRY Brown Co Antique Mall.................... 21 Brown Co Craft Gallery.................... 21 The Cheeky Owl................................ 46 Grasshopper Flats Jewelers............ 26 Hoosier Artist Gallery...................... 28 Kith & Kindred Gifts......................... 27 New Leaf............................................. 21 Old McDurbin Gold & Gifts............. 57 Spears Gallery................................... 26 The Totem Post.................................. 15 Touch of Silver Gold & Old.............. 25 LODGING/CAMPGROUNDS 3 R Ranch............................................ 29 Abe Martin Lodge............................. 29 Abe’s Corner - Hidden Getaway..... 32 Artists Colony Inn............................. 27 Away A Day RV Campground......... 57 Brick Lodge........................................ 61 Brooks Run Cabin............................. 33 Brown Co Health & Living............... 65 Brown Co Inn..................................... 12 Cornerstone Inn................................ 14 Hills O’ Brown Vacation Rentals..... 32 Hotel Nashville.................................. 61 Moondance Vacation Homes......... 42 North House...................................... 61 Seasons Hotel & Event Center........ 56 PET PRODUCTS Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 57

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 11

Bear Hardware.................................. 33 Queen Hat Co.................................... 43 PHOTOS Hoosier Artist Gallery...................... 28 Spears Gallery................................... 26 REAL ESTATE Bear Real Estate - Scroggins Team.57 RE/MAX Team.................................... 66 RECREATION Grandpa Jeff’s Trail Rides................ 48 SERVICES Amish Roofers................................... 53 Dr. Lisa Baker, DDS........................... 33 Bear Hardware’s Bagged Trash....... 64 Blitz Builders...................................... 43 Bonafide Bites Chef/Catering......... 64 Brown Co Bikes................................. 47 Brown Co Convention & Visitors Bureau.................................... 4 Brown Co Health & Living............... 65 Brown Co K9...................................... 64 Brown Co Massage........................... 42 Brown Co Tire & Auto....................... 64 Brown Co Community YMCA.......... 66 CES Clarke Electrical Services......... 64 Heartland Tattoo............................... 65 IN Seamless Guttering..................... 65 IU Health Nashville........................... 56 McGinley Insurance.......................... 65 Michael’s Flowers.............................. 20 Nashville BP....................................... 43 Precise Books & Payroll.................... 64 Rainwater Studios............................ 66 Rambling Dog Design - SIGNS....... 66 Randy’s Guttering/Home Improv.. 65 Weed Patch Music Company.......... 21 Zieg LeDoux & Assoc........................ 64

SHOES Head Over Heels............................... 45 Moonshine Leather.......................... 20 The Totem Post.................................. 15 SPECIALTY SHOPS Bone Appetit Bakery........................ 57 Brown Co Bikes................................. 47 Brown Co Model Trains.................... 15 Clay Purl............................................. 27 Fallen Leaf Books.............................. 15 Fireplace Center................................ 63 Head Over Heels............................... 45 Health For U....................................... 65 House of Jerky................................... 46 Lakehouse Candle Co...................... 42 Male Instinct...................................... 46 Michael’s Flowers.............................. 20 Moonshine Leather.......................... 20 Nashville Spice Co............................. 67 Queen Hat Co.................................... 43 The Toy Chest.................................... 62 Weed Patch Music Company.......... 21 The Wild Olive..................................... 2 Wishful Thinking............................... 63 WEDDINGS Abe Martin Lodge............................. 29 Artists Colony Inn............................. 27 Brown Co Inn..................................... 12 Hotel Nashville.................................. 61 OTHER Amish Roofers................................... 53 Bear Hardware.................................. 33 Blitz Builders...................................... 43 Flower and Herb Barn...................... 65 Health For U....................................... 65 WFHB Radio....................................... 66 WFIU Radio........................................ 66

brown County Inn HOTEL, RESTAURANT & BAR

On the corner of 135 & 46 just 3 blocks of 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

12 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

(812) 988-2291

Coloring Contest WIN $30

Publisher’s choice. Send to this address by February 20.

OUR BROWN COUNTY P.O. Box 157 Helmsburg, IN 47435

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 13

WIN $30 History Mystery

Rest & Relax

812-988-8807 FIRST to leave a message with the answer along with your name and phone number WINS!

This early artist was known to live in tents around scenic locations in Brown County as he painted the landscapes. Locals found him to be very friendly and good-hearted. He was very tall (6’6”) and hard to miss. He built a home/studio/frame shop just outside of Nashville and held group painting classes. After getting to know many other artists, he helped to organize and promote the art colony. He was the first president of their association. Who is this artist?

The answer to last issue’s mystery was Grandma Barnes.

14 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

including our Vacation Homes

Tudie’s Cottage, The Lodge, and Cabin 360 CORNERSTONEINN.COM

812-988-0300 • 54 E. Franklin St. Downtown Nashville

Brown County Model Trains Trains: Electric, Electric Wooden Wooden, and Christmas

You can have Our Brown County mailed to your postal address. A year’s subscription (six issues) is just $20, which covers postage, supplies, and processing time.

Makes a great gift.

Magnets • Puzzles • Local Preserves • Kid-Friendly

SUBSCRIBE

One Year’s Subscription for $20 (six issues)

75 S. Jefferson St. • Antique Alley • 317-783-6726

Stoneware pottery handmade in Brown County, Indiana

812-398-8010 www.HollyPots.com

Name: N

Main Street Shoppes (Old School Way) 59 E. Main St. Suite G. • Nashville

The Totem Post

Address:

~Since 1952~

• Genuine Native American Jewelry • Zuni Fetishes • Sterling Silver Jewelry • Copper Jewelry 78 S. Van Buren St. • Minnetonka Moccasins Nashville , IN • Pendleton • Knives 812-988-2511 ~Open all year~ TheTotemPost.com

Mail with check or money order to:

Our Brown County P.O. Box 157 • Helmsburg, IN 47435

COMMON GROUNDS

Unplug with a Good Book

(with things to amuse you)

Old, New, Used and Rare Books

COFFEE BAR It’s like a coffee shop in a living room

Hot, Cold & Frozen Drinks • Selection of Teas Froothies (our fruit smoothies) Famous for Cheesy Eggs & Toast • Pastries • Quiche 66 N. Van Buren, Nashville (Molly’s Lane behind the red door) Opens 8:00 am M-Sat; 9:00 am Sun (Closed Wed) 812-988-6449

Journals • Sketchbooks Handmade Greeting Cards Local Postcards 45 S. Jefferson St. • Nashville, IN 812.988.0202 • fallenleafbooks.com

Open 7 days a week 10 am to 5 pm

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 15

hard truth distilling co.

From a Bold Vision to Reality

Jeff McCabe, co-founder.

~story and photos by Chrissy Alspaugh

A

small dream that turned into a bold vision is becoming reality for Hard Truth Distilling Co. Once a humble craft brew pub in downtown Nashville, the company is now more than halfway toward its ultimate goal: distribution in all 50 states.

Becoming a powerhouse in the spirits industry in 15 short years wasn’t luck or accident. It was three founders whose minds were fixed from the beginning on creating a national brand.

“You always have to have one foot on the 16 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

ground and one foot in the clouds,” said Jeff McCabe, co-founder.

When Big Woods Brewing Company opened in 2009, their firm footing was Tim O’Bryan’s homebrew beer recipe that sold out daily, said McCabe, Tim’s father-in-law. The pair partnered with Ed Ryan to launch the brewpub.

A rhythm began for the next several years— expanding brewing operations, still struggling to keep pace with demand, and repeat. Big Woods Pizza opened a block away from the original pub in 2011. In 2012, the company opened a facility

file photo

“You always have to have one foot on the ground and one foot in the clouds.”

—Jeff McCabe

Hard Truth’s Welcome Center.

dedicated to brewing in the former Brown County Historical Society building (originally a bowling alley) where their beers are still brewed today. The brewery was branded Quaff ON! after the team discovered they couldn’t secure a federal trademark for beer with the Big Woods name, McCabe said.

The company brought in Jim Dunbar, who used to fly helicopters with McCabe, as a fourth partner to get the new beer brand off the ground.

McCabe recalls plenty of industry “No’s” in the beginning and countless barriers trying to keep the hometown brewers from evolving into a distributed brand.

“Thankfully,” he said, grinning, “we like a good fight.” The team would load up Dunbar’s pick-up truck bed with kegs of beer, and the newest partner would drive from bar to bar until the kegs were all sold.

Continued on 18

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 17

Jeff McCabe explaining how Hard Truth’s Bourbon mash is processed in the distillery’s fermenter.

HARD TRUTH continued from 17

Breaking into the ultra-competitive beer industry meant Quaff ON! had to do everything perfectly. “You have to have a great beer that people want, but you also have to have a great story and packaging that looks great and is eyecatching,” McCabe said.

The team also had to convince distributors that they were “going to be worth the effort” to be granted shelf space and bar taps, he said.

Through those early years in the “beer wars,” McCabe said the founders reaffirmed with each other, “We can do this.” Any budding business has to cultivate what he calls lighthouses: “For us, it was a bar or restaurant that really liked one of our beers and would put us on tap or put us on their menu. They become the light that keeps you moving forward.” Kroger was one of those beacons that granted the fledgling company shelf space and remains a “great partner” today.

18 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

As Quaff ON! solidified to its customers and distributors that they’d never be let down and the product would “always be right,” he said the barriers to entry started to disappear.

While Big Woods entered the craft brewing industry mid-game, the company would become a forerunner in craft distilling. This time, there would be no more playing catch-up with facility capacity. Big Woods purchased a really big woods: 325 acres east of downtown Nashville that they had annexed into the city limits.

Around that same time, a man named Bryan Smith, who had been hired to wash kegs, asked the founders to let him show them what he could do with a test distillery at the pizza shop.

Smith’s wizardry yielded a cinnamon vodka that is a top-selling vodka in the world and a toasted coconut rum available on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Smith, Hard Truth’s master distiller and

fifth partner, also created the company’s sensation, Sweet Mash Rye whiskey.

Hard Truth now boasts a robust portfolio of spirits, including whiskey, gin, rum, and vodka. The distillery’s expertly crafted bourbon and rye whiskeys also have gained acclaim from industry professionals and connoisseurs alike. McCabe said Quaff ON!’s Six Foot Strawberry Blonde is the number one blonde in the state, the company won best porter in the country last year, and the Sweet Mash Rye whiskey has solidly secured its spot on critics’ top 100 American whiskeys lists annually.

Eight Big Woods restaurants currently serve customers in Speedway, Indianapolis, Franklin, Noblesville, and Bloomington. Partnership with Simon Malls allowed the company to operate at Edinburgh Premium Outlets and Keystone Fashion Mall.

But the company’s flagship location remains where the magic began: Nashville. The Hard Truth Distilling Co. destination campus was created to be like “Disneyland for adults,” McCabe said. The property houses the largest artisan distillery in the state but also provides guests with a full-service restaurant, tours-and-tastings center, and outdoor amphitheater. Guests ages 21 and older can tour the distillery, experience a guided tasting, or hop on guided ATV or tiki boat tours to learn the history of distilling.

The Nashville complex employs a crew of more than 200 and draws about 400,000 visitors each year. McCabe said the company is expecting the visitor count to rise in 2025.

“I think if we’ve done anything, it’s showing that tourism doesn’t have to be seasonal and that service jobs don’t have to be low-paying,” he said.

“We feel good that we’ve been part of that.”

McCabe also feels good that the company uses as much Indianagrown grains as possible and has built a sustainable enterprise that’s supporting Hoosier families and farms.

Despite the overwhelming success, the company’s sights remain fixed on the future: distribution in all 50 states. As the company prepares to scale itself to that level, the coming year will bring new tour offerings and the construction of another building at the Nashville campus to house resting spirits. A brand new barbecue-and-whiskey experience featuring nationallyacclaimed barbecue expert Steven Raichlen also is in the works.

“At the end of the day, we are very proud of what we’ve been able to do together, and we like the idea that this can last longer than we do,” McCabe said. “We’re trying to build something that can have a life of its own and continue to be an economic engine long into the future.”

Hard Truth Distilling Co. is located at 418 Old State Rd 46, Nashville.

For more, hardtruth.com .  Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 19

Brown County Art Gallery Flowers

featuring

MOONSHINE LEATHER C

O

M

P

A

N

Gallery Foundation

Permanent Collection

Y

january and february BrownCountyArtGallery.org

Handcrafted Leather Goods · Made in the USA

CORNER OF MAIN STREET & ARTIST DRIVE NASHVILLE, IN • 812-988-4609 OPEN DAILY • FREE ADMISSION • FREE PARKING

812.988.1326 · moonshineleather.com

GALLERY AND MUSEUM 48 S. Van Buren Street Nashville, IN 47448

© 2024 Brown County Art Guild, Inc.

38 SOUTH VAN BUREN · NASHVILLE, IN

The Guild.

Fine Art by Fine Artists.

Fd

Jubilee Collection III

Special Exhibition & Sale NOVEMBER 15, 2024 – FEBRUARY 28, 2025

812 988-6185 BrownCountyArtGuild.org GREY ECHOES BY CURTIS STANFIELD

20 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

Brown County Antique Mall Antique Store since 1972

Over 10,000 square feet in three buildings

Filled with antiques, jewelry, pottery, china, glass, furniture, artifacts, primitives, books, collectibles, and home decor.

More than 76 dealers • We buy and sell

3288 State Road 46 East 3 miles east of Nashville, IN • 13 miles west of I-65 Open 7 Days a week till 5:30 • 812-988-1025

Weed Patch Music Company Your favorite lil’ music store in Brown County, Indiana

NEW LEAF

812-200-3300 www.weedpatchmusicshop.com

An eclectic mix of creative items by local, regional, and global artists

58 E. Main St. Nashville (by courthouse)

Musical instruments for all ages and skill levels

Offering affordable instruments to inspire the beginner and locally handcrafted beauties to awe the professional

Lessons, workshops, and more...

Featuring handcrafted jewelry by owner Amy Greely

Calvin Place Franklin & Van Buren Streets Nashville, IN • (812) 988-1058 www.amygreely.com

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 21

nashville arts & entertainment commission ~by Amy Huffman Oliver

22 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

courtesy photo

I

n 1907, American impressionist painter T.C. Steele first captured Brown County’s unique landscapes and color on a canvas.

One hundred years and generations of artists later, the State of Indiana recognized Brown County as “The Art Colony of the Midwest.”

In 2012, the state designated Nashville as an Indiana Cultural District called “Arts Village Brown County,” increasing its access to state arts funding. To support and coordinate these activities, the town council created the Nashville Arts and Entertainment Commission (NAEC).

The commission’s nine members, each appointed by the town council for a threeyear term, provide the leadership and funding necessary to coordinate public murals, art displays, and performing arts projects. The commission allocates resources from state grants, endowments, and local tax dollars to a wide variety of art-related activities.

Sidney Bolam, stone carver, participating in the Living Art Colony project.

Mission of the NAEC According to the council’s founding ordinances, the commission’s goals include:

photo by Cindy Steele

• Supporting awareness of the arts in its many forms; • Creating long-range plans for residents and guests to experience art in public places; • Enhancing community life through participation and financial support; • Stimulating economic growth and incentives that encourage the arts.

Melanie Voland, the president of the NAEC for the past three years, supports children’s mental health through Centerstone as her day job. In her free time, she is a passionate supporter of Nashville as a living, breathing art colony. Voland wants to broaden the common definition of what art is. “For me, we need to not only support the fine arts you can purchase in a gallery, but also traditional artisan crafts and music that we want reverberating throughout the county.”

Melanie Voland, NAEC president.

courtesy photo

Musicians at the Tree Lighting ceremony.

NAEC recently supported: Six Public Murals: Since 2022, the NAEC approved and assisted with the creation of six public murals. It received grants from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC), the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), and the Robert J. Hoffman Public Art Fund through the Brown County Community Foundation (BCCF) to fund the mural projects, each depicting a different aspect of Brown County’s natural surroundings and artistic history.

Living Art Colony: This fall, the commission organized a Living Art Colony showcasing Brown County artisans, musicians, and craftspeople from the era of 1890-1920. With funding from the IAC and volunteer help from the Brown County Historical Society and the Pioneer Women, costumed interpreters offered Continued on 24

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 23

courtesy photo

Tree Lighting and the Christkindl Market: Making the holidays brighter, the Commission supported musical entertainment and traditional decorations at the Historical Society’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, as well as an ice sculpture artist and musical entertainment at the Christkindl Market.

The commission is supporting several new projects:

Ribbon cutting of Kurt Eagleman’s Salt Creek Trail mural.

NAEC continued from 23

demonstrations in traditional arts such as spinning, weaving, cooking, storytelling, plein air painting, and music to visitors and students.

Fourth Friday Art Walk: On the fourth Friday of each month from April to October, some village shops and galleries stay open in the evening for an Art Walk. The commission provides advertising to encourage guests to interact with participating artists.

Vinyl Wrap Art Project: In 2021-22, local artists Gabriel Lehman, Daren Redman, and Patricia Bartels created designs for vinyl wraps that beautify Nashville’s three traffic signal boxes.

Music Festivals: NAEC provides financial assistance to Chamberfest, a classical music festival in the village, and the Indiana State Fingerstyle Guitar Festival, a national competition of acoustic guitar players.

24 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

• Farmette 2025, a folk music conference and artist showcase coming as a new festival to Nashville on June 21, 2025; • The 100th anniversary of the Brown County Art Gallery; and • More public murals. NAEC plans to unveil future designs and locations in the next year.

Voland is invigorated by the opportunity to preserve the heritage of Nashville’s artist colony as part of the NAEC. “When I think of the early artists, of their attraction to the exquisite light, I feel connected to those old days and ways. Their art has a timeless appeal in variety and expression that provides a connection to both adults and children alike.”

Artist Kurt Eagleman said that Brown County’s heritage as an artist colony was “baked into” him as a child growing up here. Eagleman, who designed and painted three of the town’s public murals that showcase his modern and colorful style, emphasizes that the future of Brown County’s art can pay homage to T. C. Steele and the early artists while still changing and growing over time.

“We have an obligation as a prominent art colony in the Midwest to keep progressing forward, whatever that looks like.”

The migration of artists to Brown County that T.C. Steele set into motion in 1907 continues today as a dynamic home for artists to practice their craft. 

Brown County

WINERY WINER WINE RY RY

· AWARD WINNING QUALITY WINES SINCE 1986 ·

GO TO THE DOGS Complimentary Tastings · Two Tasting Rooms WINERY IN GNAWBONE

4520 State Road 46 East · Nashville 812.988.6144

VILLAGE OF NASHVILLE

East Main & Old School Way 812.988.8646

OPEN DAILY

Monday-Thursday 10 – 5 · Friday & Saturday 10 – 5:30 · Sunday 11 – 5

Wine & Wine-related Gifts · Gourmet Foods Outdoor Seating · Gift Cards · Online Ordering

BrownCountyWinery.com

Oh, a dog makes friends and a man makes foes, And the reason is simple, goodness knows— For a dog attends to his own affairs And he lets his neighbors attend to theirs— He never tells tales that begin, “They say,” And he’ll keep your secret till judgment day— And he never turns his back on a friend, His love, once given, is yours to the end— Loyal and faithful through all of your woes, Thus a dog makes friends while a man makes foes.

Oh, a dog makes friends, for he barks delight When you’ve sat with a sick friend through the night, And he never asks you where you have been, Or says that you smell like a keg of gin— For a dog is happy to have you near, If you’ve been away for an hour, or year— And he never questions the things you say, And he brands all your screwy view okay— And a dog never argues, goodness knows, So a dog wins friends where a man makes foes.

Touch of Silver, Gold & Old

87 E. Main St. • Nashville, IN 47448 (812) 988-6990 • (800) 988-6994 Hours: 10am – 5pm • 7 days a week touchofsilver@gmail.com

Oh, go to the dogs when you’re sad and blue, When your foes seem many, your friends so few— Go study the pooch and his winning ways, Make him a pattern for all of your days— Go copy his heart, courageous and true, Strive to be like him in all that you do— Copy his trust and his faith in a friend, Copy his love that endures to the end— Oh, go to the dogs when you’re feeling blue, Copy their ways and your foes will be few.

—Tramp Starr Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 25

GRASSHOPPER FLATS Jewelers EST. 1970

Best Be est prices p in the area!

SSterling terli Silver and Gold Jewelry Diam Diamonds • Opals • Gemstones Repai Repairs • Wedding Bands

47 E. Main St. (Old School Way Alley) Behind Brown County Winery Grasshopper Flats Jewelers 812-988-4037 • Closed Tues. & Wed.

EST 1927

Brown County’s Most Historic Restaurant Serving our famous fried biscuits and apple butter, fried chicken and other traditional favorites all made in our own kitchen from scratch.

Come check out our Old Country Store, beautiful new patio, expanded menu and HOHENBERGER BAR 15 South Van Buren Street 812-988-4554 www.nashvillehousebc.com

26 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

LOCALLY HANDMADE FINE CRAFTS

BESIDE THE NASHVILLE HOUSE RESTAURANT

We now carry Schuster Glass 812.988.1286 • Spearspottery.com • facebook.com/Spears-Gallery

the

Inn & Restaurant

A Charming 19th Century Style Inn and Restaurant

• 20 Guest Rooms, 3 Suites with Whirlpool Baths • Banquet and Conference Rooms for Retreats or Parties • Gift Certificates Available Serving Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Breakfast Buffet 8:00 am–10:30 am Monthly Dinner Theatre Shows At the corner of Van Buren and Franklin Streets in Nashville, Indiana

812-988-0600 • 800-737-0255

artistscolonyinn.com

we are open in the winter come see us in antique alley, online store: claypurl.com facebook live weekly: wednesdays at 10:30 january and february hours: weather permitting— wednesday - friday 11-4, saturday 11-5, sunday 12-4

VENDOR MALL

OVER 14,000 SQ FT • MORE THAN 100 VENDORS

Antiques • Vintage • Collectibles • Jewelry • Trading Cards • Furniture • Much More

3850 25th St. Columbus • 812-799-0347 Open 7 Days a Week • Just 30 short minutes from Nashville 92 w franklin st • nashville, in • 812.988.0336

www.daysofold.store

Days of Old Antique Shoppe

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 27

rn uthe o S r. nted tale ng deco y b nni ifts 10-5 ue g and stu q i n -DEC u s R P d ft A i ul g rt an 1-4 & AR 1 ed a houghtf M ft a N r JA to t ndc 88 / f ha jewelry 8-68 o 8 9 n 12 tive ctio 8 / 8 sele distinc l 4 74 4 u m N f I i t LE, t.co eau sts, from rtis HVIL b A S r a A i e si ore art T / N Hoo REE Expl diana N ST O In S R OU 45 S

TH J

EFFE

28 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

Escape to the hills

­

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 29

Musings Help yourself

~by Mark Blackwell

I

recently came across a rather startling factoid, namely, that there are about 15,000 selfhelp books published every year.

And that doesn’t even cover the DVDs, YouTube videos, podcasts, and TED Talks. That, to me, indicates that there is a whole lot of dissatisfaction out there.

Self-improvement, it appears, has been front and center for the human condition since the beginning of things. The Bible tells us about how Eve took the advice of a serpent on bettering her condition, and folks have been taking bad advice from snakes ever since. And speaking of religion, it pretty much had a lock on inspiring discontent for several millennia, that is, until modern advertising came along.

It’s one thing to be declared a congenital sinner in need of salvation by the church, but 30 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

according to the advertising folks you’re not just a sinner, you are an unfashionable, overweight sinner with dandruff, halitosis, a smelly house and constipation. Your cake is not moist or fluffy enough, and your fried chicken is too greasy.

Now our devices tell us about all kinds of diseases we may be suffering from without even knowing it.

It’s getting so bad that a person doesn’t have time to do much more than ask their doctor if this, that, or some

other medication is right for you. But, even if it might be right for you, you need to discontinue using the stuff, with a name you can’t pronounce, if you experience foaming at the mouth, a numbness in your lower extremities, fainting, or sudden death. See your doctor.

Do you see what I’m getting at? It ain’t natural to be so disaffected by a person’s lot in life. It takes other folks to point out your shortcomings. You take your average five-year-old boy for example; he is not perturbed in the least if his socks don’t match or his pants have holes in them. He doesn’t care if his ears are dirty enough to sprout potatoes or he is sporting a chocolate donut and milk mustache. None of these things affect his natural joie de vivre. That’s what schools are for.

There comes a day when that boy wakes up to face frequent bathing, regular haircuts, and a dress code. (It makes me wonder if the whole school situation is just preparation in case you find yourself inducted into the military.) Sit up, don’t slump! You’ll wind up with bad posture. Don’t pick your nose! Quit daydreaming! Pay attention! Quit squirming!

It all adds up to; You’re not good enough!

And that’s where it starts, the introduction of self-doubt. That’s where they get you.

You start wondering if your teeth are white enough. Are you getting enough vitamins?

Should I join the Hair Club for Men. Am I suffering from low “T?” There is no end to these doubts, and it all comes down to the question, “Am I becoming neurotic?”

It is within living memory, that kids couldn’t even enjoy a simple comic book because the exciting conclusion of the story was preempted by “the world’s most perfectly developed man,” Charles Atlas, fist on hips, asking whether we were tired of being 97-pound weaklings. These sorts of

things have a seriously negative affect on the human happiness quotient.

But a funny thing happened to kids in the late 1960s. They began to rebel against the imposition of low self esteem and conformity that was bombarding them from the media to academia. The new ethos was to get back to the land, live frugally, and create new communities. They were ready to trade self doubt for self reliance. And more than a few of them wound up in Brown County.

Somehow or another, word got around about a place with cheap land, where you could build a cabin, grow a garden and live “the good life.” And it turned out to be a place anchored by a village where one could sell handicrafts and art. It was a place with a reputation for good, old-time music where you might do a little busking. Of course that place was/is Brown County.

A major reason the county appreared to be viable for a lifestyle unmolested by modernity is that folks had been living that way since before it was a county. When the artist T. C. Steele discovered it in 1907 and touted its natural beauty to his friends and fellow artists, Brown County was, in many ways, still existing in the 19th Century.

Changes came slowly to the county. The inhabitants tended to regard modernity with a fair amount of skepticism and were not in a hurry to adopt many of the worst aspects of it.

So, when some urban refugees found their way here in the 1960s, they found a place that was a pretty good fit for their do-it-yourself, who cares what the world thinks philosophy.

That set of values still permeates the atmosphere here. Self help equals self reliance and, according to Ralph W. Emerson, self reliance builds character. You are welcome to come on down to the hills o’ Brown and help yourself to some country contentment. 

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 31

812-988-6429

Check out our

Weekday Specials!

24 BEERS ON TAP

TASTY BARBEQUE

LIVE MUSIC 11am to 11pm • closed mondays

In Gnaw Bone on the Nashville side

4040 State Road 46 E • Nashville, IN 812-988-2336 • firebirdtaphouse.com

2 Locations at Abe’s Corner

BOUTIQUE

Large Selections of Women’s and Children’s Clothing Handmade Purses Open Daily 9:00–7:00

58 E. Main St. (next to courthouse) and 60 N. Van Buren St. (Colonial bldg.) Nashville, IN

Abe’s HIDDEN GETAWAY Corner Apartment for Daily Rental Inquire inside boutique $90 on the weekdays $100 on the weekends

812-720-7071

Open Daily at 11 a.m.

Open Year-Round for Lunch & Dinner

Fresh made to order starters, salads, sandwiches and house specialties

Brown County’s only “Husband Day Care”

Guinness on tap • Full bar • Specialty drinks • Bloody Mary • Islander • Margarita

Full menu available in Bar • Large TV Out of the Ordinary Restaurant & Hickory Sports Bar

61 South Van Buren St. • Nashville, IN Across the street from the Brown County Playhouse

(812) 200-1999 •

32 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

OutOfTheOrdinaryRestaurant

BROOKS RUN CABIN

AUTHENTIC NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA

­

A family-friendly pizza place PIZZA • SALADS • CALZONES

140 W. Main Street • (812) 988-8800 In the heart of Nashville by the Village Green area at the intersection of Main and Jefferson Streets.

Dine-In or Carry-Out

Open 11am–9:00pm • Closed Mondays

Lisa J. Baker, DDS

Dr. Lisa Baker, tooth artist and smile specialist

Amazing While-you-wait Crowns!

• Fishing Tackle • Horse Tack • RV Replacement Parts • Bee Keeping Supplies • Maple Syrup Supplies • Pet & Livestock Food • Antiques YOUR OUTDOOR HEADQUARTERS Tents, Camping Lights, Sleeping Bags, Grills, Fire Starters, Coleman Heaters & Lanterns, Cooking Utensils

WE FILL PROPANE TANKS • WE SELL & DELIVER BULK MULCH & TOPSOIL

Salt Creek Plaza Nashville (812) 988-8888 www.BearHardware.com Mon.–Sat. 7:30am–7:00pm • Sun. 10:00am–4:00pm

Family Cosmetic Preventive Dentistry

Call for an appointment today:

812-332-2000 • www.drlisabaker.net 4217 E. 3rd Street • Bloomington, IN 47401

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 33

photos by Tamara Bond

The schedule can change. Please check before making a trip.

Calendar

Mar. 14 Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave. Mar. 15 Matt Nathanson Mar. 16 Trey Anastasio Mar. 20 Keb’ Mo’ & Shawn Colvin Mar. 21 Great White & Slaughter Mar. 22 Judy Collins Mar. 28 Ancient Aliens Live 812-988-5323 www.browncountymusiccenter.com

Feb. 20 Nicky Diamonds Feb. 21 Marty Barrow Duo Feb. 22 Past Tense Feb. 26 Open Mic Feb. 27 Davis & Devitt Feb. 28 Gene Fugate 51 State Road 46 East • 812-988-2291 www.browncountyinn.com

Submit calendar info to ourbrown@bluemarble.net

John Primer

Brown County Playhouse Feb. 7-9 The Wizard of Oz - Radio Play Feb. 15 John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band Feb. 22 Greg Hahn and Dave “The King” Wilson Feb. 28 The Amanda Webb Band Mar. 1 Henry Lee Summer Mar. 6 The Dave Matthews Tribute Band Mar. 7 Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon John Denver Tribute Band Mar. 8 E5C4P3 The Music of Journey Mar. 14 American Fools Band The Music of John Mellencamp Mar. 15 Best of Times A Tribute to STYX Mar. 21 The Woomblies Rock Orchestra Most shows at 7:30 70 S. Van Buren Street • 812-988-6555 www.browncountyplayhouse.org

Brown County Music Center Jan. 16 Jan. 31 Feb. 15 Feb. 21 Feb. 27 Feb. 28 Mar. 1 Mar. 8 Mar. 9

Big Head Todd & The Monsters Yacht Rock Revue Dirty Dancing in Concert Howard Jones & ABC Diamond Rio The Moody Blues’ John Lodge The Marshall Tucker Band The Kentucky Headhunters Greensky Bluegrass

Low Landers

Brown County Inn Open Mic Nights Wed. 6:00-9:00 Hill Folk Music Series Thurs. 7:00-9:00 (No music Thurs. in Jan.) Fri. & Sat. Live Music 8:00-11:00 Jan. 10 Common Ground Trio Jan. 11 Steve Smith Jan. 15 Open Mic Jan. 17 Brown Co. Ukulele Festival Jan. 18 Brown Co. Ukulele Festival Jan. 22 Open Mic Jan. 24 Low Landers album release w/ The Hammer & The Hatchet Jan. 25 Steve Houk Duo w/ Carolyn Dutton Jan. 29 Open Mic Jan. 31 Joe’s Truck Stop Feb. 1 Applegate & Rock Feb. 5 Open Mic Feb. 6 Elkins Jamily Feb. 7 Sean Lamb & Janet Miller Feb. 8 Austin James Trio Feb. 12 Open Mic Feb. 13 Nick Dittmeier Feb. 14 Paul Bertsch Band Feb. 15 M Squared Project Feb. 19 Open Mic

Country Heritage Winery Music Fri. & Sat. 6:00-9:00 Live Music TBD Jan. 4, 11, 24, 25 Feb. 1, 8, 15 Jan. 3 Albert Nolting Jan. 10 Craig Thuston Jan. 17 Steve Coner Jan. 18 Gary Applegate Jan. 31 Albert Nolting Feb. 7 Albert Nolting Feb. 14 Ruben Guthrie Feb. 21 Carolyn Dutton & Steve Houk Feb. 22 Gene Fugate 225 S. Van Buren Street • 812-988-8500 www.countryheritagewinery.com

19th Hole Sports Bar Music Fri. & Sat. 7:00-10:00 (except on Jan. 18, 8:00-11:00) Jan. 10 Gene Fugate Jan. 11 Ruben Guthrie Jan. 17 Clearwater Band Jan. 18 Coyote 5.0 Jan. 24 Mike Staublin Jan. 25 Ryan Noblitt Feb. 1 Sweet Pea & the Pods Feb. 7 John Ryan Band Feb. 8 3 Beards Strummin’ Feb. 14 Gene Fugate

Ruben Guthrie

36 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

Brown County Ukulele Festival

Feb. 15 Homemade Jam Acoustic Feb. 21 Clearwater Band Feb. 22 The Vanguards Feb. 28 Ruben Guthrie 2359 East State Road 46 812-988-4323 www.saltcreekgolf.com

Jan. 17 and 18, Brown County Inn Jam sessions, workshops, concerts, vendors, open mic.

FRIDAY: Story Inn 3:30 Meet and greet in the pool area Fri. Love Shack Karaoke 9:30-12:30 4:30 Strum along with Petey Mack 6:45 Firebird Tap House Sat. pianist Ted Seaman 6:00-9:00 The Little Things Duo Most music 7:00-9:00 Check social media for more info.

7:30 Kirk Jones Jan. 3 Ruben Guthrie 6404 State Road 135 • 812-988-2273 8:45 Open Mic Jan. 4 Caitlin Spangler www.storyinn.com SATURDAY: Jan. 10 Travers Marks 9:30 Yoga with Shruti Nadas Jan. 11 Kolton Norton Winter Hike Series 11:00 Strum along with Petey Mack Jan. 17 Stephen Hickman Brown County State Park 11:00 Classic Songs workshop with Jan. 18 Peter Adamson Most hikes meet at Nature Center Katy and Shanece Jan. 24 Albert Nolting Jan. 4 Kelp Village 12:30 Kyas Ryo, learning “My Blue Jan. 25 Cody Hekin Williams 1.5 miles round trip-least rugged Heaven” workshop Jan. 31 Dakota Curtis Jan. 18 Bolder in the Tree 2:00 Sharla Rae “Finding Your Voice” Feb. 1 Ruben Guthrie 2 miles round trip-quite rugged workshop Feb. 7 Gary D. Brown off trail, dress for weather, 3:00 Beginner ukulele workshop with Feb. 8 Timothy Scott creek crossings, boots essential Meghan Martin Feb. 14 Jason Blankenship & JC Jan. 25 Lake that never was 3:30 Kirk Jones “Famous Song Feb. 15 Rich Hardesty 2.5 miles long-very rugged Intros-confident beginners and Feb. 21 Jason Blankenship, David Sharp beyond” workshop Feb. 22 Jan Bell 4:30-6:30 Dinner break Feb. 28 Forrest Turner 6:45 Sharla Rae and the Rae Guns 4040 State Rd 46 E • 812-988-2336 7:30 Kyas Ryo www.firebirdtaphouse.com 8:15 Thumbs Up Family Band 9:30 Open jam after concerts Sycamore Saloon Mainland Ukes sponsor at Harmony Tree Resorts www.browncountyukefest.com Thurs. Game Night 6:30 Fri. Karaoke 8:00 Sat. Live Music 7:30 TBD Feb. 1, 15, 22 Jan. 4 John & Jessie Jan. 11 Zac Nolan Jan. 18 Breanna Faith Jan. 25 Justyn Underwood Feb. 8 Brett Denney 1292 SR 135 S, Nashville • 812-200-5650 www.harmonytreeresorts.com

Feb. 1 Feb. 8

Hard Truth Distilling Co.

Full Moon Hikes Brown County State Park

Feb. 1 80s Prom Party Feb. 14 Valentines Day Dinner Feb. 21,22 Cocktails & Canvas Check website for additional info.

Hard Truth Distilling Co. 418 Old State Road 46 • 812-720-4840 www.hardtruth.com

Valley Ruins 10 O’Clock Line 2.5 miles-moderate, along fire trail/Nature Preserve Feb. 22 CCC Ruins and Deserters Cave 1.5 mile-easy to rugged Mar. 1 Dog hike at Ogle Lake 11:00 No pets on off trail hikes 812-988-5240 on.in.gov/BrownCountySP

Meet at Ogle Lake Trailhead 7 Jan. 11 7:00 Feb. 14 8:00 No pets on night hikes 812-988-5240 on.in.gov/BrownCountySP

Winter Wellness Retreat Feb. 8, 9 | FRI 9:30-3:00, SAT 9:30-10:30 Yoga, Art, Body Movement and local food Simply Fitness 37 West Main Street, Nashville https://www.simplyfitnessyoga.com/eventdetails/winter-wellness-retreat-2 812-343-3560

Treats for Your Sweetie Bake Sale Feb. 12, Brown Co. Public Library 5:00-7:00, lower level Homemade sweets packaged for the holiday, for sale. All proceeds to support library programming for children, teens, and adults plus activities and projects not covered by the library budget.

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 37

Brown County Music Center Jan. 16 Jan. 31 Feb. 15 Feb. 21 Feb. 27 Feb. 28 Mar. 1 Mar. 8 Mar. 9 Mar. 14 Mar. 15 Mar. 16 Mar. 20

Big Head Todd & The Monsters Yacht Rock Revue Dirty Dancing in Concert Howard Jones & ABC Diamond Rio The Moody Blues’ John Lodge The Marshall Tucker Band The Kentucky Headhunters Greensky Bluegrass Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave. Matt Nathanson Trey Anastasio Keb’ Mo’ & Shawn Colvin

Mar. 21 Mar. 22 Mar. 28 Apr. 1 Apr. 11 Apr. 12 Apr. 17 Apr. 19 Apr. 24 May 9 May 20 June 3 June 19

Great White & Slaughter Judy Collins Ancient Aliens Live ZZ Top Blippi: Join the Band Tour Rick Wakeman Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit ARRIVAL: The Music of ABBA Jay Leno So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience Gene Simmons Band Daniel O’Donnell Josh Turner

For additional shows and tickets vi visit: www.BrownCountyMusicCenter.com w.BrownCountyMusicCenter.com

UPCOMING LIVE EVENTS! Feb 7-9 • The Wizard of Oz - Radio Play Feb 15 • John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band Feb 22 • Greg Hahn and Dave “The King” Wilson Feb 28 • The Amanda Webb Band Mar 1 • Henry Lee Summer Mar 6 • The Dave Matthews Tribute Band Mar 7 • Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon: John Denver Tribute Band Mar 8 • E5C4P3: The Music of Journey Mar 14 • American Fools Band: The Music of John Cougar Mellencamp Mar 15 • Best of Times: A Tribute to STYX Mar 21 • The Woomblies Rock Orchestra

812.988.6555 | BrownCountyPlayhouse.org Showtimes, tickets & schedule online

38 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

LOCALLY MADE

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED

YEAR-ROUND DISTILLERY EXPERIENCES, TASTINGS, AND RESTAURANT.

HARDTRUTH.COM | @HardTruthWhiskey 418 Old State Road 46, Nashville, IN 47448 LIVE TRUTHFULLY. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

©2025 HARD TRUTH DISTILLING CO. — STRAIGHT BOURBON & RYE WHISKEY

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 39

~by Julia Pearson

T

he July 9,1934 morning edition of The Indianapolis Star featured a double column story about the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, who was passing through the Midwest on her way to Chicago.

Above the fold and in the exact center of the paper’s front page, the headline read: “Eleanor Roosevelt visits Brown County, Leaves Indianapolis Off Her Itinerary.”

After spending the night of July 7 at the inn at Clifty Falls State Park, Mrs. Roosevelt asked staff there for the best way to get to Chicago. She was advised that the shortest route went directly through Indianapolis.

As expected, word got out, and hundreds of people lined the road south and north of Indianapolis hoping to catch a glimpse of Mrs. Roosevelt, and reporters monitored the road for a scoop.

Accompanied by Hyde Park friends Marion Dickerman and Nancy Cook, Mrs. Roosevelt chose to go through Brown County instead that Monday morning. Fern Seitz Williams was the receptionist that day at the Brown County Art Gallery, which was then located in the Wilkes building across from the Masonic Building on West Main Street. A cream-colored roadster parked in front and the Roosevelt party walked through the door unannounced.

40 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

Frank Hohenber’s photo of Eleanor Roosevelt. courtesy, The Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

After confirming that the Gallery would accept her personal check, Mrs. Roosevelt purchased two paintings and an etching. The watercolors were by Chicago artist and member of the gallery, James Topping. The etching, entitled “Simon’s Barn,” was by Simon Erickson, also of Chicago. All the while, on-lookers started congregating near the entrance.

From his studio near the Gallery, photographer Frank Hohenberger noticed the gathering foot traffic. Grabbing his camera, he captured a picture of Mrs. Roosevelt as she was leaving. He sent a copy to her at the White House address and received a note of thanks on White House stationery.

eleanor roosevelt Visits Brown County The Nashville House was also visited by Mrs. Roosevelt’s group. Wearing a sports dress of black and white silk and her hair bound in a white scarf, Mrs. Roosevelt was not recognized at first.

Manager of the establishment, Carol Besteland, found her studying the displays of native handicrafts in the hotel’s art shop, Brown County Folks (where Spears Gallery is located today).

Mrs. Roosevelt had just been through the mountains of Kentucky where she saw similar crafts being produced in communities there.

Long an advocate of regional industries, Mrs. Roosevelt had a lengthy conversation about the work of local artists, woodworkers, potters, and weavers with Mrs. William Kenton, director of the shop.

Purchases gathered by Mrs. Roosevelt included: a honey jar, two jam pots, three pitchers, and seven nested blue bowls, three Abigail dolls, and a Nancy Hanks doll. She also bought a box of walnut brittle, a specialty made right in the shop. She asked that the walnut brittle not be wrapped with the other items because she wanted to snack on it while traveling throughout the day.

After spending more than an hour in Nashville and shortly before noon, the famous entourage drove westward on Route 46 and then headed north on Route 43.

They stopped at the Midway, a “refreshment stand” four miles south of Greencastle. It was familiar to residents and students of DePauw University.

Lunching on iced tea and sandwiches, the Roosevelt party just seemed like “the average

tourists who stop for a bite to eat,” reported the Midway’s proprietor. As their meal was being prepared, Mrs. Roosevelt availed herself of the lunchroom’s telephone and phoned a telegram to Chicago. The manager noted that the lunchroom was nearly empty when the Roosevelt group arrived. Word spread quickly and curious customers came throughout the day to see where the First Lady had eaten lunch.

The Indiana leg of her trip must have felt carefree to the First Lady and her companions, because Mrs. Roosevelt’s stay in Chicago consisted of a busy schedule of command functions.

She attended “A Century of Progress International Exposition,” also known as the Chicago Worlds Fair, where two radio broadcasts were planned. This was followed by a meal with fair officials and a reception where she was the guest of honor. Though she asked to be “let alone” to walk through the fair, Mrs. Roosevelt was quickly recognized and followed throughout.

Mrs. Roosevelt’s visit to Brown County highlighted to a national audience the resilience and creative efforts of rural communities in the midst of the challenges of the Great Depression.

It also focused on the New Deal programs of the Roosevelt administration that provided support and relief.

Eleanor Roosevelt served the nation as First Lady during her husband’s administration as 32nd president from March 4, 1933-April 12, 1945. She has a legacy of championing those who lived on the margins and is admired by many to this day.  Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 41

LAKEHOUSE CANDLE COMPANY 6 2 / ' 6 & +22/ : $ < e 1 $ 6 +9,/ / ( , 1 ' ,$1$ : : : %52:1&2817<&5$)76 &20

Brown County

The Over Easy

Michael Rebman Certified Therapist

4 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1.5 Acre Pond Pet-Friendly | 52 Acres of Land | Walk-In Shower Gas Fireplace | Hot Tub | Game Room | Playset Chair Massage: $25 • Table Massage: $85 EFT Tapping $49 • ION Footpath $49

104 S. Jefferson St. • Nashville, IN 47448 browncomassage.com

812-988-4447

42 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

* Log Cabins * Game Rooms * Pet Friendly * Hot Tubs * Private Pools * Lake Fronts

Call, Book Online, or Stop in!

812.988.6554 • 30 Washington St. • Nashville, IN Like and Follow Us! MoonDanceVacationHomes.com

“Where Quality is Affordable” www.blitzbuilders.com 800-628-1324

Family owned for over 30 years!

WE DO IT ALL!

Custom Horse Barns • Garages • Homes • Workshops Commercial Buildings • Metal Roofing Discount Code: Quality

Your Post Frame Specialists

QUEEN

HAT CO

Little Nashville’s star hat slinging CU OM HAT BAR SALOON where the spirit of the Wild West meets your unique flare.

Our custom hats will have you looking sharp and feeling free.

We would love to host your event.

Call to schedule your hat slinging.

Fresh In-Store Donuts

Broasted Chicken

­ ­

812-988-1822

Nashville BP State Roads 46 & 135 270 S. Van Buren St. in Nashville

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 43

the green room A DECADES-LONG DISCUSSION GROUP

~by Pam Raider

A

rguably the most social animal, humans, need each other. The studies are in—social isolation can drive us crazy. That’s why it is considered extreme punishment in prisons. It’s also why mass shooters are most often described as loners.

From the beginning, Homo sapiens gathered around campfires to swap tales. Then we progressed to the local store’s potbellied stove and on to newspapers and TV, and finally to the screens in our hands. Whether at the hair salon, in restaurants and bars, or houses of worship, we enjoy sharing with our neighbors. A sense of belonging—feeling heard and accepted—helps put our thoughts and feelings into perspective.

We get out of the loops in our brain when others add a new twist, talk us off the ledge, make us laugh, or listen to our sorrows. They say misery loves company, but so do our joys and successes.

From cradle to grave, community is crucial to our well-being.

Although I belong to several groups and value each one, one in particular stands out 44 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

as especially interesting and accepting. It lies within the heart of Nashville, meeting in the Nashville United Methodist Church. Named for the carpeting covering floor and benches, the Green Room is an especially welcoming place.

What began as a Sunday school playroom area for children morphed into a home for a wideranging, now decades-long, discussion group.

You might ask “What’s a discussion group have to do with church?” And yet, at their core, all issues have moral, ethical, and spiritual ramifications. Just as the unexamined life may not be worth living, so too might be our unexamined beliefs. No one person has all the answers; therefore we can find better answers together. If two minds are better than one, think how superb 10 minds are. All opinions shared in the Green Room are reacted to with thoughtful consideration.

The Green Room seems the epitome of community with nothing to buy or sign up for and nothing expected—just show up and be open to listening and sharing. Democratic

in its functioning, there is no real leader, no membership fees or qualifications needed, no attendance rules or records. You needn’t be a member of the church or attend services there.

Totally self-regulating, you come when you can, or if the topic, which changes weekly, interests you. In various sessions we talked about diet, exercise, pilgrimages, gender-based issues, health care, state of our agriculture, the climate crisis, war and peace, politics and humor, grief and forgiveness. We watched TED talks and short films together. One topic often leads to another; maybe someone has read a book or come back from a trip or wants to air their thoughts and feelings, and hear what others think.

Sometimes there are only five or six people there and sometimes more like 20-30. We have shared births and deaths, graduations and retirements, the full gamut of human experience.

This isn’t only a discussion group. Folks in the Green Room put their principles into action. They

are always asking themselves what they can do to make Brown County a better community, and by extension, the world. To this end they serve on boards and support charities. They’ve sponsored a refugee family and raised money to put solar panels on the church. It’s people like this that make our county such a wonderful place in which to live.

I believe local community will become more and more important for each one of us. We will need places to gather and to share our needs, fears, troubles, opinions, and hopes—outside of our devices. A place where we feel seen, heard, and valued in person.

Maybe there is a gathering place in your neighborhood. Maybe you can start one. Don’t let your social needs go unaddressed. If you can’t find a group near you, come join us. We are there every Sunday 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Nashville United Methodist Church on Jefferson Street, in the Green Room. 

HATS • FOOTWEAR • ACCESSORIES

OVE

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 45

for the tamed and untamed Knives

Military

Big Selection of Hats

Apparel

Man Cave Items Cigars

Pipes

Zippos

Be prepared to laugh!

75 s. vAN bUREN sT. • NASHVILLE, in • 812-988-1964

Women’s boutique, kids and teen clothing, men’s clothing, and household items Selling gently used items to benefit Brown County.

Accepting clothing and household item donations.

Look for the sign

s

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 10:00 to 5:00

Like us on Facebook at Brown County Community Closet, New

284 South Van Buren in Nashville (near stoplight, behind Subway) (812) 988-6003

11 flavors of BEEF 3 flavors of TURKEY 3 flavors of BEEF BRISKET 4 flavors of BEEF STICKS 2 flavors of PORK 2 flavors of BACON Also: Elk, Boar, Buffalo, Venison, Gator, Rabbit, Salmon, Kangaroo, Turtle, Ostrich, Trout, Camel, Python, Ahi Jerky Seasonings & Dips • Peanuts

125 S. Van Buren St. Artists Colony Shops Nashville, IN • (812) 988-1592

houseofjerkybrownco.com

46 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

­

Felicia Cook

317-509-5867

Luke Morrow

812-583-0055

Betty Mullis

812-320-0765

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 47

Visit MORGANTOWN

ANTIQUES CO-OP 129 W. Washington St. • Morgantown, IN 46160 (In the old hardware store building)

Furniture, Art Architectural Elements Pottery The Odd and Unusual and A General Line

Country Primitives Advertising Antique Garden Old Paint Early Smalls

Like us on Facebook

Open 6 Days (Closed Mon.) (812) 597-4530 Layaway Available

Grandpa Jeff’s

TRAIL RIDES TRAIL RIDES, Pony Rides, Hay Rides, & Custom Excursions Relax on a journey with Grandpa Jeff.

Take in the scenery and wildlife.

No two rides will ever be the same —sunny summer days, fall colors, winter snowfalls, spring blossoms.

Grandpa Jeff trained our horses to take exceptional care of your family and friends of all ages.

10 miles north of Nashville on scenic State Road 135 Plant-Based Food

For People Who Love to Eat Featuring:

Seasonal International Cuisine Also Catering & Prepped Meals

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays 11:00-3:00 7 W. Washington • Morgantown, IN • 812-727-8051 48 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

Reservations by phone AT LEAST TWO HOUR NOTICE call or text (812) 272-0702 5889 S. Skinner Rd. Morgantown, IN www.GrandpaJeffsTrailRides.com • info@GrandpaJeffsTrailRides.com

ART Beyond Crayons Creativity beyond the classroom

Pick your Palette:

• Art Lessons for All Ages • Group Painting Parties • Birthday Paint Parties • Home Schooled Instruction

Judy D. Wells • owner, K–12 Licensed Educator • judydenisewells@gmail.com Flexible hours including weekends and evenings Morgantown, IN Moving–Call for details (317) 403-7147

Across from the entrance to the BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER located inside

www.seasonslodge.com w.seasonslodge.c 812-988-2284

Hotel & Event Center

Wine Tastings Daily Award-Winning Wines Live Music Fri. & Sat. 6–9 pm Indoor & Patio Seating

S. Van Buren & Washington, Nashville IN

812.988.8500

countryheritagewinery.com

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 49

The steamery

~story and photos by Mandi Rainwater

H

elmsburg is poised to receive a revitalization in the form of a community center that will serve educational and cultural needs.

Kirstie Tiernan led the proposal for what was originally dubbed the Helmsburg Community Center Lab. After she started the Helmsburg 4-H Coding Club to teach children data science, programming, and AI skills, Tiernan realized that the club needed a specialized technology lab to better achieve its mission.

50 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

A New Community Project

• CERAMICS • ART • TECHNOLOGY • CULINARY • MUSIC • eGAMING

Connecting Creativity, Innovation, and Community Left: Spacious bay doors provide convenient access to the proposed space for the ceramics lab.

Kirstie Tiernan and Kenan Rainwater present a tour of the area for the proposed music studio.

In the search for a suitable space, Jeff Clark suggested that the group contact David Watters and Scott Daemer at The Beamery in Helmsburg.

The Beamery property has evolved over the years. It originally housed the Helmsburg elementary school, and later Kenneth Fleener made it into a motel/dining/entertainment establishment. In the 1990s Sharon Rivenbark bought the property, added more buildings, and transformed it into the For Bare Feet sock factory. A fire forced the factory out in 2011, and Rivenbark donated the buildings and land (22 acres) to the county.

Eager to get the property back on the tax rolls, the county sold the site to The Beamery group in 2013. The Beamery has leased portions to a number of other small businesses over the years, but still has ample room for new tenants.

Watters and Daemer presented an 8,800-square-foot building as the potential site for Tiernan’s vision of a community center.

In homage to the Beamery Group’s partnership, the proposed center was renamed “The STEAMery”—a play on the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) acronym and the Beamery name. The Beamery property owners have agreed to hold the space for the STEAMery’s fundraising efforts as the group seeks the necessary grants and donations to complete the project.

A team of specialized committee members and supporters has assembled to tackle building code review, marketing, and Continued on 52

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 51

THE STEAMERY continued from 51

fundraising including Bob Blass, Doug Harden, Don Waltman, Erika Rudd, Wally Bruner, Emily Tracy, and Megan Wagner, among others. Plans for the building include at least six different labs catering to various aspects of the arts, technology, music, and cooking.

Agueda Formoso Mayan brings her passion for pottery, homesteading, and functional arts to the project. When she first toured the building, she says she “fell in love with the space.” From spacious work areas to easily accessible loading-bay doors, the first floor is well-equipped for the complexities of her proposed ceramics lab, such as sizable kilns and messy clay-smudged floors.

Canning, woodworking, and blacksmithing are among the other arts and activities that the STEAMery would like to host. Brown County and the surrounding communities have a substantial number of skilled professionals

with expertise to showcase and share. As Mayan explained, “There are so many people in the background that are ready to go.”

The STEAMery labs aim to act as an extension of the Career Resource Center’s offerings by filling gaps in their curriculum.

Equipped with a professional-grade kitchen, the STEAMery would be able to provide hospitality training, preparing students for one of Brown County’s most important industries. The culinary lab would also offer cooking classes and professional rentals.

The proposed music lab includes facilities for recording content ranging from music to podcasts. Kenan Rainwater of Rainwater Studios envisages a buildingwide live-streaming system to broadcast the STEAMery’s classes to remote participants and highlight the facility’s activities in realtime.

Specializing in new books, classic literature, and bookish gifts for every reader

LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC STATE BANK BUILDING 76 1/2 East Main Street Nashville, Indiana www.naughtydogbooks.com Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

52 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

The planned art lab provides a space for youth to explore drawing, painting, and mixedmedia arts. Adults could utilize the lab for open studio time or participate in workshops and classes.

The technology lab would offer hands-on learning in AI, robotics, and coding, providing Brown County students with some futureready skills. Tournaments and gaming events could be held in an eGaming Lab as a potential source of revenue for the center.

The STEAMery is actively seeking contributors who want to give their time, talent, or financial support to the project.

Tiernan anticipates six to 12 months of fundraising before the project enters phase one. This first phase includes a $250,000 renovation and essential upgrades including elevator installation, utility upgrades, and

structural enhancements. This phase will incorporate materials and modifications to meet fire safety standards as well as upgraded plumbing to ensure reliable water usage.

Phase two, with a budget of $400,000, focuses on equipping the labs and initiating the STEAMery’s inaugural educational programs. Phase three provides an ongoing maintenance budget of $250,000 annually to manage and sustain the organization. Overall, the STEAMery aims to raise $900,000 for its launch.

Guided tours of the planned STEAMery site are available once a month. You can request more information and contact the team at contact@theSTEAMery.org or learn more about the project via their website and chatbot at TheSTEAMery.org . 

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 53

Field Notes Knotholes

~by Jim Eagleman

I

set aside some interesting pieces of wood gathered from my walks in the forest and from working at the woodpile with a splitting maul. They all show a knothole where a branch had attached at one time and had either grown over or the wood had rotted to soften it. Ones with what looked like the right size hole for a bird to enter could become a part of a nest birdhouse. I’ll design some birdhouses from the collection.

They needn’t be fancy—and that’s good, given my limited carpentry skills.

I once read cavity nesters comprise a near majority of the songbirds that nest here (over 80 species). And cavities can exist more readily in old and dying trees, dead snags of living trees, or in the main trunk. Dead and declining trees may seem an eyesore, but they are an important habitat component of cavity nesting birds. Cavity nesting is a 54 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

reproductive strategy used by some species to protect their nests from weather and predators.

There are two types of cavity nesting birds: primary and secondary. Primary cavity nesters excavate nest holes, secondary cavity nesters rely on the abandoned cavities. As with many things in nature, recycling occurs.

The best example of a primary cavity nester is the woodpecker. They are excellent at excavating holes in trees using their chisel-like beak to chip away at a hole, sometimes for several days, until the cavity is complete. They are also considered to be a keystone specie by providing shelter and nesting sites for other birds.

There are seven species of woodpeckers in our area and that breed here. The most common are the northern flicker, downy, hairy, redbellied, and pileated woodpecker, all frequently seen. Less likely seen, but still occurring, are the red-headed and the yellow-bellied sapsucker.

The sapsucker breeds in young, northern deciduous forests. Redheadeds prefer mature hardwood forests with dead trees and nut crops. Older stands of oak are its habitat choice.

Secondary cavity nesters rely on previously excavated holes. Chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches are examples.

Bluebirds used to rely heavily on old woodpecker holes, but numbers began to decline when starlings and house sparrows competed with bluebirds. Luckily for many bluebird lovers, nesting boxes mimic the nest cavity, and the birds readily take to it.

Bluebird trails now exist in many communities and the population is doing well.

Similarly, purple martins used to rely on cavity trees along forest edges, rivers and open fields but have since moved almost exclusively to human-made structures for nesting. You’ve probably seen the white, round, plastic houses looking like gourds hanging together. Installed near mowed fields or lakes, martins soar back and forth as they feed on insects that rise from both surfaces.

Other species like the greatcrested flycatcher, prothonotary warbler, and tree swallow take advantage of both tree cavities and nest boxes that mimic cavitylike conditions.

It isn’t only small songbirds that utilize tree cavities. Waterfowl like wood ducks, hooded merganser, and the common merganser use

Screech owl. photo by Leah Baker

tree holes and waterfowl nesting boxes. The American kestrel, barred owls, barn owls, and eastern screech owls use available tree cavities and nest boxes for roosting and nesting.

And many readers know about our native wildlife like squirrels, raccoons, bats, and opossums that also rely on abandoned cavities for shelter and rearing young.

A professor of mine once used a stick to beat on a tree with a prominent hole overhead. “We’ll see who’s home,” he said.

After several loud taps, poking a head halfway out, a sleepy raccoon looked around, then retreated inside. I used this same technique on many hikes over the years. Sometimes it was flying squirrels, screech owls, and bats that halfway emerged.

Disturbed for a few seconds, they disappeared back inside. My hikers enjoyed the spectacle.

A reason for cavity nesting birds declining is a lack of dying and dead trees left standing on the landscape. No question, dead trees pose a threat to homes, buildings, and places where people gather, but also offer a great way to promote wildlife.

To combat this problem, city planners have erected artificial nesting boxes, often taken on as a community project, or by a local conservation club. Dead trees in our woods attract Continued on 57

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 55

WE’VE MOVED TO A NEW LOCATION

Hotel & Event Center Across from the Brown County Music Center

At the Sue Borgelt Medical Center, 100 Maple Leaf Blvd., care is close to home.

Primary and internal medicine care is more convenient than ever at the new Sue Borgelt Medical Center. Family, Cardiology and Orthopedic services are all available at our 100 Maple Leaf Blvd. location.

Primary care by appointment: Monday – Friday, 7 am – 4 pm, call 812.988.2231 for a Primary care appointment

New Restaurant, Bar, Patio

After-hours injury and illness care: Monday – Friday, 4 – 6 pm (adolescents, adults) Orthopedics: Wednesdays, 8 am – 4:30 pm, call 812.333.BONE (2663) for an Orthopedics appointment Cardiology: call 812.676.4144 for a Cardiology appointment

Balcony Rooms Marin Garcia, MD Family Medicine

Nina Kuhlman, NP Family Medicine, Geriatrics

Chelsea Budd, NP Family Medicine

Coming Feb. 3, 2025 Paula J. Bunde, MD Nichole Myers, NP Urology Keli Ferguson, PA-C Sports Medicine, Orthopedics

Penny Hobson, NP Cardiology

For more information, call 812.988.2231 or visit iuhealth.org/nashville 100 Maple Leaf Blvd.

Nashville, IN

©2024 IUHealth 12/24

56 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

Conference facility–up to 500 560 State Road 46 East, Nashville, IN 812-988-2284 • SeasonsLodge.com

KNOTHOLES continued from 55

pileated woodpeckers, and there’s no threat from falling timber in those remote areas. It’s a tradeoff. I reason if a big dead tree near the house needs to come down, while I assume other dead trees in our woods can remain.

When I fashion my home-made birdhouses, the unique wood shape will limit my design.

Birdhouse instructions usually state the precise hole size, cavity depth and roof shape.

I visualize my houses taking on a more natural look. Whatever bird finds it suitable, that’s fine.

I’d hope for any animal. I know from previous experience a birdhouse can hang unused for sometimes years at a time. That’s fine too. The weathering of the wood may add to its appeal.

My indoor winter birdhouse project using nature’s knotholes awaits.  To inquire about this or other articles, contact the author at: jpeagleman@gmail.com

Beautifully landscaped on 59 acres 91 Campsites each with a fire pit, picnic table, and gravel lot Staff on-site Full water/sewer hookups 20, 30 and 50 AMP Access to all campground amenities

Minutes from downtown Nashville • Easy access from I65 5515 State Road 46 East • Nashville, Indiana 812-568-1209 • info@awayadayrvcampground.com

38 Franklin St. E. | Nashville, IN | drinkatthecreek.com | Open Every Day

Old McDurbin •Customized Anklets • Bracelets Gold & Necklaces Gifts 50% • Watches

BONE APPETIT BAKERY For Dogs

• Premium, all-natural treats since 1997 • Over 20 varieties from low-fat to grain-free • Gourmet and seasonal snacks, too

OFFLRY E JEW

Sterling Silver Rings 1000’s of Pendants

Blue building in Antique Alley S. Jefferson St. • Nashville, IN

Get a FREE Sampler bag of natural dog treats with $15 purchase and this ad.

DOGS WELCOME! (812) 988-0305

Open 7 days 211 S. Van Buren St. (behind Visitor Center)

www.barkingood.com

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 57

nourish café

The Sampler

A

s the inevitable icy extremities of intractable Indiana winter gradually intensify their grip on our collective gullets, the human body naturally begins to crave the savory soups and stews.

Accordingly, with the thermometer reading in the teens and a determined wind battering our little town, my keen gastronomic compass steered me down to 165 North Van Buren Street, “The North End Shops,” to a relatively new place named, appropriately enough, “Nourish Café” which had been bandying about their hearty soup and stew offerings.

It was a cold day, but sunny, as we made our way into the cozy little eatery and claimed a table by 58 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

the windows with a nice view of downtown. We weren’t the only ones seeking a nourishing little warm-up; as we dined, several people dropped in for a bowl of soup or cup of hot chocolate.

Under the Banner of “Eat To Live,” Nourish Café offers “hearty, delicious, and nutritious food”—mainly soups and sandwiches.

The main dietary thing about Nourish Café, is that they do not serve mammal meat—you know, things that were born, like cows and pigs and sheep.

The non-mammal meat choices accommodate those dealing with the “alpha-gal syndrome,” also known as mammalian meat allergy. The allergic reactions to mammal meat can cause a wide range of symptoms, some lifethreatening, and usually occur three to six hours after eating.

The syndrome apparently is spread through the bite of the “Lonestar tick,” and the number people dealing with this issue is growing. Some infected people even react to cross contamination of mammal meat on the grill.

We started with hot apple cider, which soothed the soul as well as our bellies. Hot cocoa, and various hot teas are also available.

Be prepared for menu changes. Our server, who turned out to be owner Jo Wohlfeld, brought out some paper menus with lists of offerings, crossing off various items with a black marker to reveal what was available at that moment.

So, anything I ate then may or may not be available on any given day, but between breakfast offerings, the soup menu and brunch sandwiches, you are certain to find something that pleases your palate.

I had a bowl of spicy white bean, chicken, and cheese soup which was just spicy enough for a chilly day. Very satisfying and tasty.

Mrs. Sampler opted for Nolan’s red lentil soup with a middle eastern flair. It was a bit more spicy and also very yummy with peppers and zesty flavors.

“It was really good,” she said.

Other soups you might encounter at Nourish Café include vegan miso mushroom or New England clam chowder.

My first choice, “classic chicken salad” with roasted chicken, diced apples, celery and mayo, was off for the day. Instead, I had the BLT—marinated grilled turkey bacon with lettuce, tomato and mayo on sourdough bread. Yummy! It was very tasty and I was not at all put off by the fact that the meat was egg-born.

You can add guacamole for two bucks, but I will leave that sort of thing to my partner in dining, who opted for one of her

favorites, avocado toast— guacamole, turkey bacon, tomato and pickled red onion.

For three dollars more, you can add smoked salmon, but she wouldn’t go that far.

Other brunch sandwich offerings of the day included egg salad with onion, garden dill, kosher pickle relish, lettuce and tomato—and you can add turkey bacon. Also, a black bean sandwich; a Chipotle black bean patty with guac, lettuce and tomato.

Sandwiches are served on sourdough bread with a side of chips.

On weekends, Nourish Café offers a breakfast menu from 9 a.m. until noon.

There, you might expect to encounter daily quiche specials with herb-roasted potatoes; gluten-free turkey gravy with biscuit; or a biscuit sandwich with scrambled egg, turkey bacon, avocado and tomato.

There’s a gluten free classic coffee cake by the slice. You can have milk: coconut, oat or whole cow milk. There’s drip coffee, cold brew, chai tea, and a variety of waters, juices and kombucha.

Nourish Café is located at 165 N. Van Buren St. in Nashville.

Winter hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 9 a.m. until noon on Monday. Carry out meals are available. 

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 59

Tales from the Past ONYA LATOUR

I

magine not having a phone!

Or a car! That was the predicament Onya LaTour found herself in while sick and needing a doctor back in the 1940s.

Onya was an art enthusiast back in the mid-1900s who collected abstract art that she was enchanted and inspired by during time spent in Europe and New York City. She even had some Jackson Pollock’s in her collection.

After her time in New York she returned to the state she was born in, settling in these hills

and hollers. In Brown County then, much as now, abstract art was not popular. But Onya was not deterred and set up her own art gallery and museum of

contemporary art several miles south of the town of Nashville.

Later in her life Onya had a house built closer to town she called “Spellbound House”(which Onya probably helped build) that sat east of Nashville on a hill overlooking the home of another artist, Charles Barnes. When Onya found herself sick and without wheels or a means of communication, her creative mind went to work on how to get help. She came up with an innovative solution.

Onya wrapped herself in a

BROWN COUNTY

Hometown Proud Local Grocery Store Serving Beautiful Brown County Since 1975!

• Certified Angus Beef • Large Beer and Wine Sections • Organic Grocery • Dairy • Picnic Supplies • Produce • Full Service Bakery/Deli • Frozen • Custom Cake Decorating • Wine • Custom Deli Trays, Veggie Trays Ever-Growing Selection of Gluten-Free Products

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK TO GET THE WEEKLY AD Brown County IGA

text NA SHV

t

990o0

ILLE

0

30 Hawthorne Dr. • Nashville • East SR 46 at light • 812-988-4546

60 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

in Nashville, IN

172 N. Van Buren Street AND

rug and rolled downhill to Charles Barnes’ house.

She survived to live many more years and remains to this day one of Brown County’s early historic characters.  This Tale from the Past brought to you by Peaceful Valley Heritage, Brown County’s local Historic Preservation Society, told to the writer by Judith Lawless who had the luck to know Onya.

102 S. Van Buren Street (Calvin Place)

www.JBGoods.com • 812-988-0900

Brown County Getaways HOTEL NASHVILLE

BRICK LODGE

NORTH HOUSE

Suites, Studios, Restaurant & Bar Hot Tubs, Indoor Pool, Whirlpool 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 Secluded Hot Tub, Gas Grill

245 N. Jefferson St. | 812-988-8400 |800-848-6274 www.hotelnashville.com

1878 N. State Rd. 135 | 812-988-6429 www.bricklodge.com

194 N. Van Buren St. | 812-988-6429 www.northhousegetaway.com

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 61

Play for All Ages 10,000+ items

Lolli’s House New location in Artists Colony Shops

• HOME DECOR • LOCAL HONEY • Honey Milk Soaps • Goat Milk Soaps • Freshies • Shirts • • Exclusive Nashville/Brown County Items •

125 S. Van Buren St. • Nashville

Mother/Daughter Owned lollishousecreations@gmail.com

Bring the Woodlands into your home

Hearty, Delicious, & Nutritious Food The North End Shops 165 N. Van Buren St. • Nashville, IN 62 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

87 East Main Street Nashville, Indiana 812-988-6080

Helmsburg GENERAL STORE

Owners: Sharon & Leonard Richey

Pizza & Wings, Groceries, Ice Large Selection Domestic/Craft Beer & Wine Tobacco Products Camping Supplies, Live Bait & Tackle Hunting & Fishing Licenses Check Station, Firewood State Road 45 and Helmsburg Road Intersection • (812) 929-7797

THE FIREPLACE CENTER

Complete line of: • Wood Stoves and Inserts • Gas Stoves and Inserts • Fireplaces Your first step to Energy INDEPENDENT LIVING 812-336-2053 1-800-344-3967

1210 W. 2nd St. Bloomington BloomingtonFireplaces.com

Brownie’s

Home to the original Ooey Gooey and more!

Open 8am–3pm Wednesday – Sunday

952-657-3992 www.ooeygooeymm.com 144 East Main Street • Nashville, IN NEW LOCATION

Featuring some of your old favorites and some tasty new ones Dine In or Carry Out

Scrapbooking & Rubber Stamps Heritage Mall 41 S. Van Buren St. • Nashville 812-988-7009

5730 N State Rd 135 • Bean Blossom • 812-720-3743 Daily Specials • Breakfast till 2:00 7 am to 8 pm • closed Thursdays Owners Paul and Tania Lattimore

wishful.thinking@att.net www.wishfulthinking-in.com Owner: Marlene Miller

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 63

INFO PAGES

• Individual Income and Business Taxes • Business Set Up • Business Financial Statements • Payroll Preparation and Payroll Taxes

Locally owned since 2010 138 S. Jefferson St. Suite C • P.O. Box 953 Nashville, IN 47448

ACCOUNTING / TAX PREP

ACCOUNTING & PAYROLL

64 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

Plum Creek Antiques Open-Air Market Bean Blossom • Fruit Jars • Garden Art • Furniture • Iron Things, • Lots of Junk and more 5 minutes north of Nashville (intersection of SR 135 & SR 45) (812) 988-6268

AUTO - TIRE, REPAIR, TOW

& ASSOCIATES INC. Tax Preparation, Tax Planning, Bookkeeping, and Payroll

(812) 988-2865

bruce1040@sbcglobal.net 64 W. Gould St. • P.O. Box 565 • Nashville, IN

Brown County Tire TIRE &

AUTO Repair

24 hr. Wrecker Service

812-988-8473

27 Salt Creek Rd (Intersection SR 46) Nashville

BROWN

COUNTY

K9

Alice Waltermire AKC Evaluator

group and private training 760-992-6043

awaltermire@yahoo.com www.browncountyK9.com Facebook: BCK9 AKC Fit Dog Club meets twice weekly

From new construction to home repairs, CES provides the assurance and peace of mind you deserve for every job.

ELECTRICAL

BAGGED TRASH DROP OFF

ANTIQUES

812-318-1356 • www.bonafidebites.com

DOG TRAINING

CHEF-CATERING

(812) 988-4031 • www.precisebooksandpayroll.com

ZIEG LeDOUX

$2 Bag • Salt Creek Plaza • Nashville Mon.–Sat. 7:30 am–7:00 pm, Sun 10:00 am–4:00 pm

New Construction Electrical Home Repairs & Emergency Electrical Whole House Generator Installation

(812) 929-5540 • cespowerpros.com Serving Monroe, Brown, and Bartholomew counties.

INFO PAGES

Free Estimates

Gutter Cleaning and Leaf Cover Available

Matt Hunter 812-344-4167

YOUR CATEGORY

Quality Workmanship since 1992 Fully Insured

Your Ad Can Appear Here

Reach thousands of readers for just $70 an issue (6 a year)

GUTTERING-HOME IMPROVEMENT

GUTTERING

GUTTERING

Continued on 66

HEALTH

Indiana Seamless

Jan./Feb. 2025 • Our Brown County 65

(discounts for multiple issues)

LANDSCAPING

HEALTH & LIVING

Contact Cindy at ourbrown@bluemarble.net or call 812-988-8807

• Mulching - Seeding NEED HELP? • Weeding - Pruning • Tree / Shrub Planting • Fences - Walkways • Retaining Walls • Mowing / Trimming (812) 988-7232 • Flower / Herb Beds

We Can Do It All!

(812) 988-4054 TIM RUPP • More than 25 years experience

4413 State Road 46 East Nashville, IN (Gnaw Bone) Next to House of Thunder

INSURANCE

TATTOO

Complete Landscaping/ Design Services • Medicare Supplement • Medicare Advantage • Prescription Drug Plans • Dental/Vision/Hearing

146 E. Main St., Suite 5 Nashville, IN 47448 (By Appointment)

Call/Text: (812)720-3846 www.mcginleyinsurance.com christy@mcginleyinsurance.com

Serving Indiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, & Florida

Continued from 65

INFO PAGES

Your Ad Can Appear Here

Reach thousands of readers for just $70 an issue (6 a year)

Your Brown County Experts

REAL ESTATE

YOUR CATEGORY

66 Our Brown County • Jan./Feb. 2025

(discounts for multiple issues)

Broker/Owner 812-720-1177 sterling.minor@remax.net

Contact Cindy at ourbrown@bluemarble.net or call 812-988-8807

Trina Unger

Sterling Minor 10 Artist Drive P.O. Box 1609 Nashville, IN 47448

Broker/Owner-Property Mgr. 812-988-4485 trina.unger@remax.net

812-988-4485 • www.2LiveInBrownCounty.com

Tune in to your community!

ART

RADIO

One-of-a-kind Designs

Listen at 103.7 FM or stream at wfiu.org

Available at Spears Gallery in Nashville, IN South Van Buren Street next to the Nashville House 812-988-1286

RECORDING - STREAMING

RADIO

91.3 FM South Central Indiana • 98.1 FM downtown Bloomington 100.7 FM Nashville • 106.3 FM Ellettsville Also stream wfhb.org • 812-323-1200

Home of The Stream each Friday night on Facebook and YouTube

Full service content creation and live streaming studio

RainwaterRecordingCompany.com RainwaterRecordingCompany@gmail.com

All Types of SIGNS by CHRIS A. SHUSTER

BROWN COUNTY YMCA FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

BUY 1 GUEST PASS, GET 1 FREE 1 per person, expires 12/31/25

Swimming Pool Fitness Center Gymnasium Exercise Classes

Personal Training Swim Lessons Day Camp Climbing Wall

812-988-9622 • www.browncountyymca.org

SIGN MAKER

WELLNESS

Open 5:30 am Mon.–Fri., Sat. 7:00 am

• HOMES • BANNERS • BILLBOARDS • STORE FRONTS

BOATS • TRUCKS • MURALS • LOGO DESIGN •

SIGNS THAT DELIVER: Digital Print & Vinyl to Hand Lettered, Carved & Gilded

812-822-2933 • RamblinDogDesign@gmail.com

SPICE THINGS UP AT NASHVILLE SPICE COMPANY

Hand-mixed spice blends and seasonings, plus a wide variety of gourmet food items, including: Cheese • BBQ Sauces • Mustards • Dips • Hot Sauce Salts & Sugars • Syrups • Pasta Scan to Shop! nashvillespicecompany.com In Coachlight Square • 227 S. Van Buren St. • Nashville, IN 47448 • 812.200.1069

WINTER HOURS: SUN - THUR 10:00 - 5:00 FRI - SAT 10:00 - 6:00 Old Fashioned Fudge Gourmet Popcorn Ice Cream Homemade Confections

So much more than fudge!

Sign Up Save 15%

NashvilleFudgeKitchen.com 175 S. Van Buren St. Nashville, IN 47448 812.988.0709

Corporate Gifts Wedding Favors Custom Gifts