We enjoyed good food at happy hour at Texas Corral! Plus, half price appetizers!





We enjoyed good food at happy hour at Texas Corral! Plus, half price appetizers!





Agatha Christie’s legendary whodunit, The Mousetrap, is now on stage at Indy’s Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre through February 15th. This stage production of the classic murder mystery continues to keep theater patrons guessing as it has for over 70 years. The Mousetrap holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running play, having run continuously since its debut in 1952 with over 30,000 performances.

Mollie Ralston (Malia Munley) screams as she discovers the body of Mrs. Boyle (Suzanne Stark)
Isolated country house Monkswell Manor is filling up with guests as a full blown snowstorm isolates the property. Fear grows as the guests and innkeepers realize that among them lurks a killer. Just as Act I comes to a close a blood curdling scream announces the discovery of another murder victim.

Detective Sergeant Trotter (Scot Greenwell), center, arrives on skis outside Monkswell Manor during a snowstorm.
The cast is packed with colorful characters including a pair of newlywed innkeepers, Mollie (Malia Munley) and Giles (Jae Woo) Ralston, a peculiar spinster Mrs. Boyle (Suzanne Stark), a quirky architect Christopher Wren (Jonathan Cobrda), the imposing retired Major Metcalf (Jeff Stockberger), an unexpected traveler Mr. Paravicini (Adam
Du Plesis), a sharp-tongued jurist Miss Casewell (Hannah Embree), and a police investigator Det. Sgt. Trotter (Scot Greenwell).

Christopher Wren (Jonathan Cobrda), left, reaches to grab the paper from Miss Casewell (Hannah Embree) after she tells him there’s an article about a murder
Put on your thinking cap. Try to identity the killer. Plot twists and turns, surprise revelations, uniquely animated and weird personalities all blend within scenes of humor, sadness, and chaotic actions. You will be invited to solve this whodunit, but warned to never reveal the ending so all future patrons will have the thrill of the solution.

The characters are all suspicious in Agatha Christie’s murder mystery, “The Mousetrap”,
The Mousetrap is on stage through Feb. 15, and marks the start of Beef & Boards’ exciting 2026 season. Every performance includes Beef & Boards’ signature dinner buffet along with coffee, tea, or lemonade. Tickets are available exclusively through Beef & Boards box office at B&B’s website or by calling the
box office at 317.872.9664.
What an awesome show we saw last night! Tootsie the Musical is now on stage at Indy’s beloved Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre and wow what a show it is. Based on the famous Dustin Hoffman1982 film, the musical Tootsie brings several new modern twists to a tale of the lengths one pursues for success.

Attempting to start a legitimate relationship with her, Michael Dorsey (Jonathan Cobrda) talks with a relutant Julie Nichols (Renée Jackson)
The chaotic story of a male actor who hides his identity as a women to get work provides an exciting, funny, talent filled musical with a marvelous cast, great choreography, music, sets and costumes. You’ll laugh, smile and tap your feet throughout the show.

Michael Dorsey (Jonathan Cobrda) doesn’t understand why he can’t get an acting job and wonders “Whatddya Do” in this situation

Backed into a corner by his own actions, Michael Dorsey (Jonathan Cobrda), dressed as Dorothy Michaels, appeals to her to help him by singing “Talk to Me Dorothy”
Jonathan Cobrda makes his Beef & Boards debut in the starring role of Michael Dorsey and Dorothy Michaels. His skill on stage is emphasized as he effortlessly moves from the two distinct characters of Michael and Dorothy. Opposite Cobrda is Renee Jackson, in the role of Michael’s love interest, Julie Nichols. Oh the twists that come from this relationship!

Ron Carlisle (Don Farrell) demonstrates the choreography to the cast of “Juliet’s Curse”
Payton Reilly is cast as Michael’s ex-girlfriend Sandy Lester, and Don Farrell fills the role of the show’s director, Ron Carlisle. B&B veteran Jeff Stockberger plays Michaels’ agent. Tyler Belo is Michael’s roommate Jeff Slater, and Matthew Rella as the self-centered actor Max Van Horn. Rella had the same role previously in the 1st National Broadway Tour of Tootsie.

Dorothy Michaels (Jonathan Cobrda), center, is overwhelmed by the number “I’m Alive” in the musical “Juliet’s Curse”
Tootsie is on stage through Nov. 23 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages. Tickets to Beef & Boards productions are available exclusively through Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, either online at beefandboards.com, or by contacting the box office at 317.872.9664. Tootsie is rated R for adult themes, strong profane language, and mature content.
Some trees are starting to turn. The calendar still says it is September, but October is right around the corner. Past years have shown the trend to go wild with Halloween decorations.

This court jester is an evil trickster

Not the porch greeting you want to see…

Horrific clown’s archery range
These scary figures are not far from where we live! How about your town? Are folks going all out with the Halloween decorations? In some of the towns in our area the Halloween decorations are actually giving the Christmas lights and associated trimmings a run for the best displays.
Baker Park in New Castle, Indiana started with 10 acres. Shortly thereafter a 40 acre grove of land was acquired. This beautiful plot was the last remaining natural woodlands within the city limits. Another 30 acres was given to the city by the Chrysler Corporation.

The Main Entrance to Baker Park

Park 50 Year Dedication

Mayors love their names on Plaques
The formal dedication of Baker Park was held on June 20, 1937 and was named in honor of Sidney E. Baker, mayor of New Castle for twelve years. Mayor Baker is now recognized as the driving force behind the development of the park.

Large Skate Park

Lovely wooded park land
Current facilities at the park provide recreation opportunities for all residents and visitors to the Baker Park. Large and small shelters, restrooms and a stage is available. The swimming pool, kid’s fun park and Frisbee Golf add to the activities. There are also skate parks and horse shoe pits.
This was once one of the busiest communities in what is now east central Indiana. What has been named the Chrysler Enclosure is the remains of what was once a large Native American community.

Informational plaque at the site

New Castle HS in background
Video below is a panoramic view of the remains of the moat.
What remains visible is a portion of a moat that circled part of a ceremonial mound. This structure was designed as an astronomic feature that yearly lined perfectly with the Winter Solstice.
Richmond Indiana is on the Ohio border and the junction of I-70 and Historic National Road, i.e. US 40. Fitting that this is the location of the relatively new true roadside attraction. The Uranus Fudge Factory and associated dinosaur park is a fun stop for kids of all ages.

Outside the entrance

Maj couldn’t resist the chance to be an alien…

Photo courtesy Uranus Fudge Factory
The Uranus Fudge Factory is a unique novelty store featuring funny phrases on t-shirts and hoodies and other gifts. In addition there are tons of different kinds of fudge as well as ice cream treats. Stuff that the kids will love is everywhere. Even an arcade for defeating the aliens is there for your pleasure. Keep in mind that some of the sayings can be considered a bit off color.
As you approach Exit 156 on I-70 you’ll see a very very large white cross. When you approach take Exit 156B. This is marked for US 40 East, and as soon as you exit you will see the Uranus Fudge Factory on your left. You’ll also see the life sized T-Rex and other dinosaurs. You have arrived.
When traveling on Interstate 70 (I-70) between Indianapolis and Richmond, Indiana look for Exit 145. On the south side of the road at the Centerville exit, you’ll see a huge three story tall candle. Yes, a candle.

This is in fact the World’s Largest Candle
This is the home of the Warm Glow Candle Company. According to the Company Website, “Warm Glow is a FAMILY fragrance company that values tradition while delivering some of the most unique scents from some of the best fragrances houses in the world. All of our candles are small batch and handmade in our Indiana production facility which means no two candles are ever the same.”

Entrance to the Candle store

Each one of us got a Chocolate Cake votive.
This store is certainly an attention grabber. Wonderful fragrances greet you at the door. The staff is super friendly and more than willing to help. We were there for the East Central Indiana Chocolate Trail, a series of businesses primarily marketing chocolate. How does a candle store fit in? The have a chocolate cake scented candle! Once we checked in, we all received our votive candle, each in its own glass cup. Keep an eye out on I-70 near Mile Marker 145. A huge candle awaits you!
The City of Connersville’s City Cemetery contains many historic names etched in the stone of the many grave monuments. The remains in two previous city burial grounds were moved to the 14 acre location in 1851. The cemetery was dedicated in a sacred ceremony in that year.

View across the grounds. The mound is the top of a mausoleum.

The only mausoleum was empty.. The reason is still a mystery.

Lt Samuel Shipley was a member of the first graduating class of the US Naval academy. He served as a shipboard officer in the Civil War.

The “Soldier’s Circle” honoring the Civil War Vets
There are many interesting monuments in the cemetery. Politicians, businessmen and their families and other folks have made the Connersville City Cemetery their final resting place. The grounds have been designated as a local historic district, and guided tours are offered by Historic Connersville, Inc.
We were on another day trip, this time to Richmond, Indiana, the county seat of Wayne County on the Indiana – Ohio Border. We took US Highway 40, the National Road, stopping at several yard sales along the way. By 1:30 pm it was time to eat.

Welcoming Entrance

Comfortable well stocked bar
After a stop at one place on The Chocolate Trail in Richmond, the proprietor recommended Little Sheba’s Restaurant for lunch. Her quick description of the menu turned out to be spot on!

Mediterranean salad, delicious and filling

Loaded half pound burger with potato salad and pickle spear
Little Sheba’s Restaurant is in one of the historic districts in downtown Richmond. We were very pleased with both the service and the quality of our meals. You should definitely put Sheba on your list for potential eating places in Richmond. This is the Little Shebas’ website.