The weather was nice enough for a drive to a neighboring town for a couple of errands. We always enjoy seeing how others decorate for Halloween.
Relaxing on the front lawn
The bones band
The 90’s live (?) on today
A cluster of ghosts and goblins
A scary porch Wraith
Franklin, Indiana is south of Indianapolis, has interesting history and is a typical Central Indiana small town. There are a couple of sites in town that have alleged paranormal activity, which fits for the season.
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.
November 1922 witnessed the opening of the Artcraft Theatre in Franklin, Indiana. It was first utilized for vaudeville shows. The theater was also the first in town to show silent movies, which it did from 1922 until 1929. The orchestra pit was perfect for the musician(s) accompanying the silent movies.
The Artcraft Theatre exterior
Restored ticket booth and theater entrance/exit doors
The Artcraft operated as a venue for first-run movie showings for 78 continuous years before closing in 2000 after the development of multi screen theater complexes drastically reduced patron business.
Through the front doors, looking towards the lobby
Concession stand and exit aisle
Over the years the theater saw many changes and improvements including a 1929 sound system for “talkies”. Franklin’s first ever air- conditioning “swamp box system” was installed in 1935. The first marquee was erected in the 1940’s.
We want to come back when it is open to see the whole theater.
A local historic preservation group, Franklin Heritage, Inc. bought the theater in 2001. Restoration work began immediately to save the building from condemnation. Currently the theater regularly offers showings of classic movies. The Historic Artcraft Theatre website has information about events and shows. (It lists the times for senior citizen free movies!)
While on a recent day trip to Parke County, Indiana to enjoy the many covered bridges we came across a sad sight. A large sign explained that we were viewing the Wabash Township Graded School that was open from 1901 until 1986 in the town of Mecca.
Front face with bell tower
Main Entrance
A devastating fire occurred in November, 2022. This fire completely destroyed the pitched roof of the 1901 main building and the flat roof of the gymnasium that was a 1923 addition. Both roofs collapsed during the fire.
View of gym addition
Gym wall, roof gone
The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Following is from the original application for this listing: The architectural style of the 190l-l9l0 main section of the building shows Richardsonian Romanesque influence, which is evident in the bell tower, rock-faced lintels and voussiot’s, arched doorways and belfry openings…
Sign placed well before the fire
Local references report that sometime after the school closed in 1986 the structure was used as a community center. The fire damage that is visible is quite extensive. Rebuilding would be very costly, if not cost prohibitive.
The address is Hagerstown, Indiana, but the Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum is out in the middle of Hoosier farmland. This fascinating museum has two different focuses: Wilbur’s birthplace and living conditions of the mid 1860’s and the success of Wilbur and Orville’s history making powered human flight at Kitty Hawk North Carolina in 1903.
Yes, that is the Wright Flyer in the background
The flight museum and other Wright Brothers artifacts are housed in a separate building next to the family home and the visitor center. The exciting focus of this is the full life size and historically accurate reproduction of the original “Wright Flyer”.
Floor level view of the Wright Flyer
Wright Flyer Specification Drawing
This construction of the Wright Flyer was completed after referencing the original specifications drawings from the Smithsonian. The plane and other displays are in a lower level providing a striking view as you stand on the landing at the top of a short flight of stairs.
Kitty Hawk Camp work shop and living quarters (note the cots pulled up in the rafters)
Kitchen in the shop/living quarters
In addition to the plane itself, this lower level display also includes a representation of the Brother’s Kitty Hawk Camp. Here is their work and living quarters while at the site of the flight tests. The building had work shop areas, kitchen facilities and sleeping cots that are pulled up during the day.
Also included is a display of 1900s storefronts, including the Brothers bicycle shop. We have been to the Kitty Hawk Park and Memorial, where there is a metal reproduction of the Flyer, Orville and Wilbur and other support folks. Seeing the repro plane at this museum was a thrill, as it is of the original materials.
It is remarkable that a mere 66 years after Wilbur and Orville’s first flight man was walking on the moon. Take a trip to the Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum. You’ll be amazed at the quality and quantity of the displays.
Theater entrance
Laughter and music made for an entertaining evening at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre last night. We saw a delightful stage version of the musical Waitress, featuring the music of Sara Bareilles and inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s movie. Nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Waitress celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the culinary magic of delicious pies.
Jenna, center, pours sugar as she prepares a new pie with Becky, left, and Dawn, right
Jenna is a waitress in a small roadside diner, stuck in an abusive marriage, and dreams of getting away to start her own shop. Jenna’s fellow waitresses include Becky and Dawn. All three go through romantic encounters, sharing their singing talents along the way. Please be aware, this show is an adult themed show, not suitable for kids.
Ogie surprises Dawn with flowers at the diner where she works
Keirsten Hodgens makes her Beef & Boards debut in the role of Jenna, along with Chanel Edwards-Frederick in the role of Jenna’s friend, Becky. Grace Atherholt plays another friend, Dawn, with Brett Mutter as Ogie, Logan Moore as Earl, and Douglas E. Stark (He owns the place!) as Joe. Also making their Beef & Boards debuts are Noah Berry as Dr. Pomatter and Adam du Plessis as Cal, the diner owner.
The waitresses wipe off tables as they prepare to open Joe’s Pie Diner
These talented cast members were superb in their singing, line delivery and character development. The degree of professionalism in this production is evident across all Stephanie Torns, who performed in the original Broadway cast of Waitress, is both Director and Choreographer for the show. Kristy Templet is music director of the terrific on stage orchestra. This theatrical production is unique and eclectic with a touch of erotic thrown in. Prepare to laugh and be entertained.
Jenna gives her new doctor, Dr. Pomatter a pie she’d intended for her former doctor
Waitress is on stage through Aug. 31. Tickets include Chef Larry Stoops’ dinner buffet and select beverages. To buy tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664. Waitress is rated PG-13 for mature content including adult language, violence, and adult themes.
The Bottleworks District of Indianapolis is a vibrant area in close proximity to the intersection of I-70 and I-65, once known as the “spaghetti bowl”. Bounded by N. College Ave, 10th Street, Bellefontaine St, and Massachusetts Avenue, this is the home of The Garage Food Hall.
Comfy patio, great for socializing
Beautiful 30’s era architecture
Intimate outside seating
The Garage Food Hall is a 30,000 square foot food and market hall that occupies two of the historic Coca-Cola bottling plant’s original garage buildings. The Art Deco terracotta facades faithfully protect the 1930s industrial architecture facades. Large roll-up doors allow for a seamless indoor and outdoor experience.
Authentic “British” Fish & Chips
Hard Truth Distillery
Mouth watering Asian Hibachi Grilled
The Garage hosts a variety of food and beverage vendors each bringing top culinary creative chefs and drink creators together in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Distilleries, breweries and wineries are represented. Menus from around the world also serve hungry visitors with about any type of cuisine you can think of.
Traditional Mexican cuisine with Asian-fusion taqueria
Gaucho’s Fire: The best of Brazil’s street food
Per visitindy.com: “Axle’s is the spot for a cold one after work”
In addition to the many food and drink vendors at this unique and historic facility, there are retail and service businesses included in the roster of establishments. Specialty gifts, clothing, spa services and a full service barber and beauty shop are among the non food vendor offerings.
Fun picture at the electric bicycle shop
Parking is absolutely hassle free at The Garage. Lot 4, adjacent to the building. Open Monday – Friday from 9AM -5 PM parking is only $2.00. Weekdays 11 AM – 3 PM First hour is Free. More details at The Garage website here.
It is sixty miles from Seattle, closer yet to Tacoma and is the prominent feature on the horizon of this part of the State of Washington. Mount Rainier, also known as Tahoma, is an active volcano in the Cascade Range.
I took this pic from the highway near SeaTac Airport
Mt. Rainier is believed to have had some minor eruptions between 1820 and 1854, but these might have been merely rockslides or ash and pumice falls. Geologists think the most recent major eruption was in 1450 AD/CE.
Another view of Mt. Rainer (courtesy Alaska Airlines)
Mt. Rainier is 14,400 feet high and is is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous lower 48. The threat of eruptions is real, and evacuation drills are in place for the immediate vicinity. The biggest threat is from lahars, volcanic mudflows that form when the glaciers melt. These volcano spawned mud slides destroy anything in their path.
Sher and I recently had a trip to the Seattle area to visit family. one evening we all went to Everette to have dinner at the Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse. This Japanese cuisine that is cooked before diners on a large iron griddle. The chef is a talented cook and a lively entertainer as well.
Setting for dinner plus a beer, grill behind
House salad with ginger dressing
There were five folks in our party, and we were joined by another couple at the same horseshoe shaped table. We started with a ginger topped salad and drinks. Sher had ordered a vegetarian meal with fried rice without egg. I ordered a chicken and steak meal. Our chef put on quite the show, keeping up a nearly constant discussion with us.
Preparing the veggies
Serving Sher’s veggie plate
We all thoroughly enjoyed our dinners. The portions were frankly huge, no body wasn’t filled! Our chef was both a dynamic and exciting entertainer and superb cook. He most definitely kept us enthralled by his dexterity and sometimes scary use of cooking tools. He also kept us smiling. He once flipped a slice of butter across the grill while declaring “BUTTER-FLY”!
Part of the Olympic National Forest includes some interesting hiking trails designated the Quinault National Recreation Trail System. We turned off of Highway 101 and hit the South Shore Drive near Lake Quinault. We came across this information sign and decided to stop.
Easy walking on the gravel trail
The look of a Pacific Northwest rain forest
New growth on top of a very old stump
Ferns and other ground cover
Delicately curled fern leaves
The forest on the portion of the trail we walked was tagged a rain forest and had some amazing vegetation. The trail itself was an easy to traverse with a firm gravel base. We spent a good hour on this section of the trail appreciating the thick dense foliage including massive trees and delicate leaves. “Nature at its awesome best” is a perfect description of this Forest.
Roadtirement 