I was in Anderson recently for a work obligation and it gave me the opportunity to check out…read moreAnderson University's Centennial Prayer Labyrinth. If you've followed me for any length of time, you already know that I am a lover of labyrinths and enjoy discovering the ones located in Indiana or in other cities that I visit. The Anderson University Labyrinth was developed in 2018 as part of the university's 100th anniversary celebration. It's an 11-circuit Chartres design that is 42-feet in diameter. It's located directly north of the soccer field in a tree-lined field. It's also behind the Fine Arts Building. It's a beautiful setting and five years after its construction I have to say it's also being beautifully maintained. As is true of most labyrinths, the labyrinth here is very much considered a place for prayer and meditation. It was initially opened during Homecoming and Family Weekend in 2018 and is a public, outdoor, and permanent labyrinth. It's made of acid-stained concrete and my understanding is that it was one of the last outdoor labyrinths made by Paxworks. The Centennial Prayer Labyrinth continues to be appreciated by the university. During my visit, I saw a couple of other people stop by and spend some time on it. Anderson is only 43 miles from Indianapolis and lovers of labyrinths would do well to check this one out. As a side note, this is not the only labyrinth in Anderson as First United Methodist Church also has one located inside Davis Park. The circuits themselves are not wide enough for a wheelchair, however, the labyrinth itself is easily accessible and I had little difficulty honoring the intent of a labyrinth while using it. While I'm not quite sure I consider this to be a "destination" labyrinth, for those within Madison County it's a welcome addition to the spiritual traditions at Anderson University and a labyrinth to which I look forward to returning in the near future.

This is a small memorial dedicated to our Fallen Hoosier Heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice…read moreafter 9/11 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. It is the brainchild of Don and Carol Peed and is a beautiful memorial and is an excellent honor to those heroes. The memorial honors more than 200 local herons and is maintained by Vietnam veteran and local groundskeeper, Dennis Zavada. You will find it near Westfield High School, just outside of downtown Westfield. The memorial was dedicated in 2009 and consists of plaques with the name of each honored soldier, where they were from and when they died. Originally the memorial started with white crosses vice the plaques. There is also flagpoles with flags representing each branch of service behind an American flag, a Family Member Military Service Flag, and a POW/MIA flag. There is also some granite and stone plaques that are dedicated to gold star families, and instrumental people that made the memorial possible. You will also find brick pavers that are dedicated to special people, with lots of room for expansion. The memorial is very well maintained and looks awesome. I reminds me of something that you would see at the Arlington National Cemetery. It grabbed my attention as I was driving down the road. There is free street parking available right in front of the memorial and it is easy to get to. The memorial's first cross was in memory of Jeanette Winters, a Marines Corps sergeant who was killed in 2002. and the last memorial belongs to U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez who was one of 13 American service members killed in August in an attack on the airport in Kahul, Afghanistan as the US was exiting the war in 2021. It is amazing the impact that only a few people can make. This memorial is managed primarily by two people with support from local veteran's groups. The Memorial plays host to a Memorial Day service each year that is organized by the Carmel VFW and the American Legion. It is well attended. I love we a community puts something together to honor anyone that served, especially when it is as well done as this memorial. This is definitely worth a visit but I would make it part of a larger itinerary with attractions such as Big Hoffas, the Anti-slavery Cemetery, or nearby Asa Bales Park.

Here stands a faded, yet significant historical marker in Lebanon, Indiana. On February 11, 1861,…read moreAbraham Lincoln addressed the citizens of Lebanon enroute to be sworn in as the 16th president of the U.S. He made the address from the rear of the railroad passenger car on which he travelled. There is no longer any evidence of a railroad at this location.

I love a happy ending…read more At one point, Elwood's historic Carnegie library was on its way out. One of multiple libraries funded by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, this Carnegie library was built in 1903 to support the growing Elwood, Indiana library that had been first established on May 3, 1899. The library was built to house 20,000 volumes. By 1994, it was obsolete with circulation expected to pass 100,000. In 1997, this library was closed and a new public library opened. The Carnegie Library remained closed and inactive and by 2020 was added to Indiana's "Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties List." In 2021, the current owner purchased the building with the intention of both preserving its history and creating a historic event center. Mission accomplished. Opened in 2023, the Carnegie Indiana hosts weddings and other events including a recent event for Catalyst Youth Center in Elwood. Other events have included private parties, corporate events, bridal showers, and baby showers. The Carnegie Indiana is extensively and amazingly renovated. The venue can be rented, of course, and has multiple options. The Carnegie is fully climate controlled and has a historic dining/reception area equipped with the library's original oak octagonal circulation desk (now a bar/food service area). There's a catering kitchen. Downstairs offers a spacious bridal suite, groom's billiards room, and will soon have a speakeasy cocktail lounge for smaller events or cocktail hours. (The Carnegie does not provide bar service). Rental includes full access to upstairs gathering/dining rooms, ADA-compliant restrooms on each floor, spacious lower level suites/billiard rooms, dining tables, and chairs as needed. The folks here have done a terrific job of maintaining the building's historic features and also offering enough updates (including pretty darn good accessibility) to make the building pleasing for contemporary events. I've done some outreach events in Elwood and have really grown to love the community. The Carnegie is a perfect venue for this Indiana city that is only about 30 miles from Indianapolis and having had the chance to experience it I would not hesitate to host my own events here.

This is one of the many realistic-looking statues hanging around the downtown Carmel Arts & Design…read moreDistrict. This one is called "Things to Do," and it was created by artist J. Seward Johnson Jr., who is an American realism artist. This statue, like all of Seward Johnson's sculptures that I've seen so far, toe the line between realistic and uncannily creepy. I tend think that they lean more on the creepy side myself, so I try not to look at these statues that much when I pass them on the street. This statue depicts a woman sitting on a bench with a pen and notebook, deep in thought with her sunglasses in hand. I can relate to the sentiment of the statue because, like this woman, I, too, have lots of things to do daily. And like this statue, I, too, must make lists to contain the multitude of things I need to do and remember. The statue is located on southeast corner of Range Line Road (or Rangeline Road -- it's spelled both ways sometimes) and Main Street.

The town of Kirklin has become a charming antique destination. I counted at least four independent…read moreantique stores which are open Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. A wonderful coffee shop and a nearby pub are opened daily for meals. A new bakery is on the corner, but I haven't had the chance to visit as it has odd hours. Also, I saw a distillery that is opened later in the day. The town also has an original Carnegie library that is worth visiting and only a block from the center of town. The library is a good place to take a restroom break as most of the shops do not have public restrooms. I also love the little post office and find the service exceptional. The town just received a $600,000 grant to revitalize the downtown area. I will be interested to see what new attractions will come. The town is a perfect little day trip for antique lovers or girl's day out. The ride through Indiana farmland land is lovely. During good weather, the town hosts a flea market on the second Saturdays. There is plenty of free street parking but you have to be careful crossing the street because the traffic moves quickly in 421.

The Cragun House in Lebanon, Indiana is the home of the Boone County Historical Society since being…read moregifted to the Society by the Cragun family in 1988. The home was built in 1893 by Lebanon school superintendent and newspaper publisher Strange Cragun. It has hosted a myriad of famous people during its heyday including former vice-president Charles Fairbanks, Indiana poet James Whitcomb Riley, and former Indiana Governor Samuel Ralston among others. Tours of the home are available and it's also available to rent. It continues to be decorated with a Victorian charm. The Society notes that the house can accommodate groups of up to 30 people. The home is a 2-1/2 story Queen Anne style with a round corner tower (I love those!) and a beautiful wraparound porch. It's located in a super visible place right on Main Street in Lebanon. The home is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Cragun family actually lived in the home from 1893-1987. Strange Cragun at various points served as Principal of schools in Zionsville, Whitestown, and Lebanon. He eventually purchased what was then the Lebanon Patriot, the county's oldest newspaper and a pre-cursor to the current Lebanon Reporter. I haven't been in the home often because, quite frankly, it's simply not wheelchair friendly as one would expect from a home built in 1893. It's not surprising, but it's a beautiful home with a stunning wraparound porch. I remember wheeling into Lebanon on my Tenderness Tour events and being in awe of the home. The exterior of the home underwent significant upgrade in 2015.

It seems that Whitestown is continuing to grow and grow, which is fantastic news. I'm usually only…read morethere for work related events, but after following the Town of Whitestown's social media accounts for the past year or so, I've been kept in the loop for all kinds of community events they've been hosting. And several take place at this building! The town now hosts a brew fest here, which I haven't tried yet, and their annual National Night Out, which I've taken part in for the past three years. For NNO, it's a great space to bring the town together, showcase local business, offer games and rides to kids and provide an overall great experience for local families. The only downfall I've noticed is the lack of parking, especially now that's the town is regularly having events here. For now, thankfully neighboring businesses don't seem to mind offering up their spare parking spots. I'm eager to watch this town continue to flourish and hope to see even more events take place at this spot!