retirement activity
Maple tree whirligigs
Maple seeds beginning to develop
It won’t be long until there will be hundreds (if not thousands) of those twirling, spinning maple tree seeds flying to Earth. The technical term for this winged seed is samara, but you probably refer to them as helicopters or whirligigs.
Batesville’s Bison-tennial statue
Indiana’s Bicentennial was celebrated in 2016. As part of the celebration, fiberglass statues of bison were made available to each of Indiana’s counties. Local artists decorated them with themes and scenes of the local area and features. We have seen several of these during our travels around the state, and our trip to Batesville today was no different.
We found the familiar shape of one of 92 Indiana county’s bison statues in front of the Batesville City Admin and Police Department Building. “Braun” sure makes a striking appearance on this admin office lawn!
Pioneer graves in Greenwood, Indiana Cemetery
Pioneers who were first buried in the Presbyterian and Baptist Cemeteries were reburied in this plot. This info is from the plaque, photo below, that is onsite at the Greenwood Cemetery in Greenwood, Indiana.
We found this as we were in the cemetery looking at interesting grave markers.
Very interesting and it is so nice knowing the graves were moved and not forgotten.
Music in the park in Rushville
A couple of blocks south and west of the Rush County Courthouse is a delightful, decent sized city park. Rolling terrain compliments picnic tables, swing sets and public art.
History of a river
Interesting water fountain
Music theme art works
A clean design and wonderful facilities make a park that I’m sure gets a lot of use.
Wendall Willkie, Rushville’s pride and joy
Rushville, Indiana is a typical Midwestern small town. It became home for one of the Hoosier state’s accomplished politician, Wendall Willkie. Willkie, born in 1892, was a successful lawyer, businessman and ran for President of the United States against Franklin Roosevelt in 1940.
Willkie changed his party registration to Republican in 1939, however he did lose to FDR in the election. After the election, as Roosevelt’s informal envoy, he made two foreign trips during the height of WWII. Willkie died in 1944 while he was considering forming a new political party with Roosevelt.
Willkie Family Plot
A nice remembrance plaque
Rush County Courthouse
Wendell Willkie was loved by many, and his Presidential run in 1940 was organized and executed in Rushville in what was then the Durbin Hotel and Restaurant. He and his family are buried in the large Rushville cemetery.
Naples, Italy antique1953 postcard sent from US Navy destroyer
This Black and white postcard of Cimarosa Street in Naples, Italy was sent (postmarked) from the U.S.S. Bearss, a United States Navy destroyer on deployment to the Mediterranean in 1953. We have it listed for sale on our ebay store where we enjoy selling postcards, jewelry, antiques and other fun items.
Same brewery, same craft beer, different location
We were in Indianapolis a couple of days ago and went to a craft brewery to fill a growler with one of our favorite craft beers. A growler is a 64 ounce brown glass jug utilized by most craft beer breweries to allow patrons to have a carry-out on tap beer. Typically the brewery name/logo is on the bottle, and they will fill growlers other than their own. We brought our own with us.
The entrance
Seating, bar in back right
Craft beer taps and menu board
Anyway, we had recently visited the Bier Brewery establishment in Carmel, Indiana, about a half hour north of where we were. There Sher found a beer that we both really enjoyed. We had looked up other Indy Craft Pass members, and found another Bier Brewery location nearby.
Poster with our beer!
The 64 oz growler we got in Texas
The Bier Brewery was on the end of a strip mall, and was not very large at all. The small cozy space looked and felt like a great neighborhood bar. There were a handful of folks enjoying he place when we went in. The bartender was super, and even gave Sher a free Bier Brewing glass with the purchase of the growler fill. A short, but fun, beer buying stop.
Craft beer at Big Lug Canteen on Indy’s north side
The Big Lug Canteen is located on 86th Street, a very busy area of Indianapolis. We were in the area picking up items from an online auction and decided to try a couple of local craft beer breweries. Big Lug is a unique place offering both great beer and good food.
Helles Lager
Brew Menu Board
Busy Bar
Our tasty bar food
We were seated quickly, but the place was very busy, and more patrons came in while we were there. The beer menu, as expected, was quite extensive, and Sher and I both decided on the Helles Lager, ABV 5.3%, and IBU 18. (Our server recommended this selection.) A most delightful brew that tastes good and “goes down easy”.
Outside the Big Lug Canteen
Not wanting to drink on an empty stomach, we also picked some items from the food menus. Our son and Sher went with different versions of French Fries. I had the creamy potato soup. All were very tasty. It was easy to see why this establishment was so busy on a Saturday afternoon. Big Lug Canteen is part of the Indy Craft Pass, a group of over 50 breweries and wineries in (mostly) central Indiana.
Carmel Indiana’s Bier Brewery has great food and greater beer
Carmel, Indiana is just north of Indianapolis and is known for its many establishments for eating and drinking. Recently our son drove us to a craft brewery named, appropriately, Bier Brewery. It is part of the Indy Craft Pass list of over 50 breweries and wineries in mostly the Indianapolis area. You go, check in on a phone app and get points that you can cash for merchandise. A great incentive to check out reasonably close – by new places.
Main entrance, outdoor seating to left
Step up to the bar and place your order…
The Bier Brewery is located on the end of a nice strip mall. Getting there was something, as Carmel is known for all of the round abouts. It was too cold for outside seating, and the roll up windows were of course closed. The bar is where you place your orders, either for drinks or food. Our bartender was a delightful lady.
Basket of fires and pilsner glass
Blue cheese burger and homemade slaw
Sher ordered a pilsner, while I chose an IPA. We both really enjoyed our two choices. The menu for food was not very large, but anyone could find something to order. Our son ordered one of those huge fresh baked pretzels. Sher got a large basket of fries for all of us to share. The blue cheese burger and home made coleslaw sure went well with my IPA.
Maj’s IPA
We had a great time!
This establishment is quite an enjoyable place to have a beer and a light snack. There are comfortable chairs and sofas where we saw many enjoying quiet conversation with friends or working on phones or laptops. We enjoyed each others company, our drinks and the food. We also got free pint glasses as part of our Indy Craft Pass participation. Oh, and here is the link to the Bier Brewery website. Check it out sometime.
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