Contributors
Contents 16 Hickory Hills Studios ~by Chrissy Alspaugh 20 Bruce Gould ~by Paige Langenderfer 24 Salem’s Good Nature Farm ~by Bob Gustin 32 Flower Hound ~by Jeff Tryon 34-35 Photos ~by Jules Dunlap* 38 David Mills ~by Lee Edgren 42-43 Calendar of Events 46 Continuing the Tradition ~by Rachel Berenson Perry 50 Field Notes: Science ~by Jim Eagleman 54 Barn Lanterns ~by Paul Sackmann 55 Muddy Roots Festival 56 Early Telephones ~by Julia Pearson 60 Bill Monroe Festival ~by Mark Blackwell 61 IHA Exhibition and Show 62 John Hartford Festival ~Chrissy Alspaugh 64-65 Services Directory 66 ~Sampler at Our Sandwich Place Cover: Danny Roberts of the Grascals Bill Monroe Festival 2016 ~by Cindy Steele
(812) 988-8807 www.ourbrowncounty.com ourbrown@bluemarble.net P.O. Box 157 Helmsburg, IN 47435 Also online at issuu.com/ourbrowncounty OR search in the mobile app ISSUU and on Facebook for OUR BROWN COUNTY
Bob Gustin worked as a Mark Blackwell makes his home reporter, photographer, in an area of Brown County managing editor, and editor for where “the roadway is rough daily newspapers in Colorado, and the slopes are seamed with Nebraska, and Indiana before ravines and present a meatless, retiring in 2011. He and his barren, backbone effect.” He was wife, Chris, operate Homestead born in the last century and still Weaving Studio. She does the weaving while he spends considerable time there. gives studio tours, builds small looms, and expands He writes for Our Brown County, and only works his book and record collections. when he has to. Jim Eagleman, recently retired DNR naturalist, and his wife Kay, enjoy hiking the many natural areas, preserves, and land trust sites in Brown and neighboring counties. His FIELD NOTES have appeared in this publication for several years. Contact Jim with comments and inquiries at <jpeagleman@gmail.com>.
Jeff Tryon is a former news editor of The Brown County Democrat, a former region reporter for The Republic, and a former bureau chief for The Huntsville Times. 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.
Rachel Berenson Perry lives in Brown County and writes about historical Indiana artists. Her latest publication, the Indiana Historical Society’s new edition of The House of the Singing Winds, is a finalist for Indies Book of the Year Award.
Chrissy Alspaugh is a freelance writer and owner of Christina Alspaugh Photography. She lives in Bartholomew County with her husband, Matt and two children. She can be reached at <christina_alspaugh@ yahoo.com>. View her work at <ChristinaAlspaughPhotography.com>.
Joe Lee is an illustrator and writer. He is the author of The History of Clowns for Beginners and Dante for Beginners and illustrator of six other titles, including the forthcoming Dada and Surealism for Beginners in the ongoing “for Beginners” series. He is an award-winning editorial cartoonist for the Bloomington Herald Times, a graduate of Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Clown College, and a veteran circus performer.
Julia Pearson wrote for a secular Franciscan magazine for ten years and served as its human interest editor. She and her husband Bruce have made Lake Woebegone Country their new homebase for life’s continuing adventures. Julie, Bruce, and four-footed Suki are adjusting well. Julia enjoys traveling and visiting museums of all types and sizes, with her children and grandchildren.
Lee Edgren, writing since kindergarten, attended journalism school at the University of Michigan. Her career includes writing for a newspaper, for a government agency, and for UM Medical Center. She became seriously interested in yoga during the late 1980s and traveled widely. Lee has a master’s degree in Wellness Management from Ball State University. She lives in both in Brown County and in northern Michigan and owns River Light Yoga studio.
Paige Langenderfer is a freelance writer and communications consultant. She writes for numerous publications and is a featured columnist in The Republic. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University and her Master’s degree in public relations management from IUPUI. Paige lives in Columbus with her husband and daughters. Contact her at <langenderferpaige@gmail.com>.
A Singing Pines Projects, Inc. publication copyright 2017 Thanks, Mom, for making it happen!
10 Our Brown County May/June 2017
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. Her new hobby is making mosaics.
*Jules Dunlap is a long time resident of Columbus and current resident of Brown County. She enjoys being outdoors and loves live music. She can often be seen photographing musicians in a festival setting, and is often requested for family portraiture. She is on Facebook as “Jules Dunlap Photography.”