contributors
Bill Weaver is an author and radio personality currently living in Bloomington. He’s published The College of Beer: The Story of Nick’s English Hut, and numerous zines including ER, D’KNOW, and The New York Squid. He writes for Our Brown County, IntoArt, and the Bloomington Herald-Times Homes section. He maintains a website of short stories called The Liars Bunch at <www.liarsbunch.com>. He’s known as Gus Travers, the co-host of WFHB’s The Dark End of the Street.
M. Joanne Nesbit is a former newspaper reporter, author of three books on the early Brown County artists, and current student of the fascinating history of the Brown County Art Colony. Her books are available at local book stores and galleries. She raised her children on Possum Trot Road. She now lives in Michigan where she is retired after a career as a public information officer for Indiana University and the University of Michigan.
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. Joe lives with his wife Bess, son Brandon, George the cat, and his dogs, Jack and Max.
Henry “Hank” Swain moved to Brown County with his bride Mardi in 1947. He supported a family of five daughters by building homes. Hank’s books Leaves for the Raking, and Why Now? are bi-products of writing for Our Brown County. He has served the Chamber of Commerce, the Nashville United Methodist Green Room class, the Bloomington Society of Friends, League of Women Voters, and WRAPS (Writers, Readers and Poets Society). You will sometimes find him relaxing in his kayak on Salt Creek.
Mark Blackwell makes his home in an area of Brown County where “the roadway is rough and the slopes are seamed with ravines and present a meatless, barren, backbone effect.” He was born in the last century and still spends considerable time there. He plays music with the “Lost Shoe String Band” when he can get away with it, writes for Our Brown County, and works when he has to.
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.
Julia Pearson is the Museum Director for the Brown County Historical Society. She and her husband, Bruce, reside in Bloomington. Julia is human interest editor and writer for a Secular Franciscan magazine, and is currently writing a column entitled “Leaves of Brown” for the Brown County Democrat. She loves traveling and visiting museums of all types and sizes worldwide, especially with her children and grandchildren.
Jim Eagleman is a 33 year veteran of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as an interpretive naturalist, first working at Turkey Run State Park for three years and for the last 30 at Brown County. He and his wife Kay have three sons, all graduates of Brown County High School. Kay and Jim enjoy all outdoor activities, especially kayaking. Jim is currently working on his memoirs.
Greg Clarke is a freelance photographer based out of Bloomington. He has a degree in Fine Art Photography from Towson University and has had work on display in several galleries. His photos have appeared in Bloom and The Ryder. He is a gentleman, a scholar and a Gemini. You can see more of his photos on the website <www.GregClarkePhotography. com>.
Laura Gleason is a freelance writer based in Bloomington. By day she edits online courses for businesses, and by night she writes for publications such as Our Brown County, Ryder magazine, and The Bloomingfoods News. She lives in a co-op house and enjoys gardening, potlucks, and photography.