To many, if you walk in to a social security office and are told "you need an appointment," it can…read moreseem non-welcoming and abrasive. I get it. It is almost a non-positive experience and you have not even engaged with anyone other than the security guard telling you "you need an appointment." So with that, knowing the rolling turd that the SS system can be in our country, do yourself a favor to simply call and make an appointment before you show up. Some offices allow "walk-ins," but this office seemed questionable on this to me, but maybe late day they do based on the other Yelp review (not sure on this and rolling the dice a bit to assume they will take you as a walk-in). Also note, it probably took me being on hold for 45 minutes before I could get through on the phone to make the appointment, but scheduling for the Terre Haute SS location seemed pretty wide open, like even next day. The Terre Haute Social Security office is almost like a boutique experience versus larger metropolitan areas where the appointment takes weeks to book and there are dozens of people waiting when you do show up for your appointment. So Terre Haute, consider yourself lucky. I needed to help my mom and dad change their addresses and also update deposit info. Jessica who is helping us for our appointed time, could not have been nicer. Like sincerely so. Between arrival, check in at the Kiosk machine and actually getting called to Jessica's desk, maybe 15 minutes. So this experience was pretty good, all things considered. Come prepared and have your stuff organized and it will help to ensure a positive outcome for yourself.

We didn't have a appointment but a gentleman still helped us by providing us with a print out and…read moreanswered a few questions that we had and this was actually on a Friday afternoon.

Walking into this library, I thought it was your run-of-the-mill library. There were books and…read moreplaces to read. There was a teen area with a tv. Public computers offered free legal advice. Downstairs in the kid's area, there was a regular size door for adults and a pint size door for kids that was unique. A nice play area for the kids helped them learn and love the library. There was a pretty awesome tree house down in the kid's area. But when I turned the corner upstairs, things got really interesting. The digital library was housed in a former historic Carnegie Library, now a wing of the library. Tony, the head of the digital media, came out of his office when he heard our gasps to tell us the history of the Carnegie structure. Like many libraries in Indiana, the library in Greencastle was funded by a grant from Andrew Carnegie over 100 years ago. The town provided the land and commitment to maintain and Carnegie paid to build the building. The library, now the Putnam County Public Library, still maintained the original oak woodwork and fireplace mantles of the historic structure. Beautiful stained glass decorated the windows and the sky light. Historical photos of the original furniture (which is still in use today) and staff were on the wall. Tony explained that the Library had maintained and renovated the Carnegie space when they had expanded and modernized in the 1990s. Today, the center house historical information. He also showed us art by the famous Wilbur Kurtz, a former resident and art instructor in Greencastle. I highly recommend a visit if you like history and architecture. Talk to Tony (the staff is awesome). There's plenty of parking near the Library. The new section is fully accessible with restroom facilities. .

"Read.Think.Create!" is part of a six-installation public art trail in Greencastle, Indiana. This…read moreparticular piece is located inside the Putnam County Public Library and is directly over the circulation desk (Fun Fact: The circulation desk is the original Carnegie Library circulation desk). Read.Think.Create! was created by Greencastle Civic League Artists Amy Welch and Heather Wright to celebrate the old and new of libraries. It adds a beautiful energy to this 1902 library that was renovated in 1995 but still retains much of the original furniture and design. This installation is within walking distance of two others. Greencastle, in general, has quite a bit to offer within a fairly small distance. Of course, the city is also home to DePauw University. There's not much else that can be said about this mural as it's simple yet colorful and well-maintained. Putnam County hasn't caught on to the public art scene as much as some other communities, though this six installation trail is fun to experience and definitely worth checking out if in the area. I would not consider Read.Think.Create! a destination public art piece, however, if you're in Greencastle it's worth checking out the library and its art work. While this mural was the first of the six to be envisioned, it was actually completed after the nearby "Greencastle Blossoms." This is free to check out during library hours.

In fair disclosure, my involvement with Ryves Hall Youth Center in Terre Haute, Indiana came on two…read moredifferent occasions - the first in which I spoke to children and youth involved with the organization as part of a social justice awareness event and the second due to a fundraiser/awareness event where Ryves received part of the funds from the event. If you know anything about my work as an activist, then you likely know that I gravitate toward grassroots efforts where the modest amounts that I raise will actually make a difference. Ryves Hall Youth Center, a program of Catholic Charities of Terre Haute, is such an operation. Located at 14th & Locust in Terre Haute, Ryves serves children aged 3-17 with services that range from a pre-school to after school supports to a meal, recreational programs, educational supports, mentors, tutors, sports programs, scouting programs and so much more. During my first visit to Ryves, I fell in love with the place as this diverse group of young people listened with focus and enthusiasm as I attempted to plant seeds of hope for some of Terre Haute's most at-risk children and youth. You could tell the staff and volunteers cared about the kids and I promised at the time that I'd return despite being on an event and living nearly 100 miles away. So, as I entered Ryves this past weekend it felt good to have honored that commitment. This was a more casual, less formal visit that involved meeting the kids and learning more about Ryves Youth Center. For example, I learned a fun fact - the first Scout at Ryves to attain Eagle Scout was a youth with Down Syndrome. I loved this. No child is turned down for entering Ryves and the organization serves a diverse population comprised largely of those kids considered "at risk" and many whom are homeless or in circumstances where their only meals are at Ryves or at school. Having had the chance to share a meal with these kids, I can testify that the food is healthy, tasty and well prepared. Ryves offers a program called "TIME for Me," a trauma-informed mentoring program that pairs of children with trained mentors who've also been trained for awareness on the various traumas that impact the lives of these kids. In terms of access, a person in a wheelchair does best if entering through an East entrance that offers a level surface and fewer obstacles. The facility, which is at a building known as Etling Hall, is shared with a food pantry and is housed in an older building that comes with all the challenges of an older building housing a non-profit. Ryves did recently have a grant that paid for some flooring upgrades and the involvement of the community has made the building more accessible than one might expect. Ryves advertises itself with a banner that was created for it proclaiming it the "Miracle on 14th Street" and, indeed, this has been my impression from two visits to the small but mighty youth center. They accomplish a lot with very little and provide stability and healthy role models for kids who truly need it.

I want to know why I get fired for talking about something that a old lady said. But the woman in…read moredaycare Tonya can put a black child in the library and camera but nothing happens to her. They grab on them kids but nothing said. But when I say something that Ms Ruth was mad about they calling me in the office. Great job pinkstaff.

Irishman Covered Bridge, also known as Honey Creek Bridge, can be found within Fowler Park…read more Besides driving through the park to visit, you can use the small parking lot along Bono Road and walk into the park from that entrance which accesses the bridge and the Pioneer Village. This is one of the State's oldest covered bridge which makes it interesting to view the building structure. However, because of a massive restoration project (the flooring is being replace for safety and preservation of the structure), the bridge was off limits to pedestrian traffic. The bridge used to be in service but in 1971, it was relocated to the park where it now spans a small inlet off Ruble Lake. The bridge sports the classic red side walls and white faced ends that are popular in Parke County. The bridge is 75' long, so it is one of the shorter spans left in the state. I hope the repairs are completed and can preserve this bridge much as the pioneer village has saved log cabins from the area. Review #2957

It's a new bridge but still done in that classic style. We took this in before the Covered Bridge…read moreFestival so we could enjoy the beautiful area before the crowds. If you come during the festival this place is filled with activities and vendors

Such a pretty view of a little waterfall near this old mill! There's also a historic marker nearby…read more Phone service connectivity is a major issue when touring Parke County, so it was a huge perk to get free wifi at this location as I planned my next stop.

A little distant from the town of Casey but it's still one of those "Largest Things" that you need…read moreto see if you're in the area. This is the World's Largest Horseshoe and yes, it's large. You can see that here as I parked next to it for scale. The claim to fame as world's largest became official in 2013, when this 1,144-pound cast iron horseshoe was verified by Guinness World Records. Then in 2015 it was surpassed by a slightly larger horseshoe in Kentucky that weighed half as much. So I wouldn't say that you need to go out of your way, unless you're interested in the world's largest things. Or perhaps you're already here for the Martinsville Agricultirual Fair. [Review 19672 overall - 127 in Illinois - 644 of 2023.]

I think most drivers aren't aware of the number of bridges they cross but they would sure be aware…read moreof them if they were missing. Imagine the hassle of trying to drive your vehicle over some stream or creek instead of zipping on by at 40 or more miles per hour. This is one such bridge and if it wasn't for the sign, I wouldn't have been aware of the historic nature. National Road and this bridge were here before US-40 was built nearby and of course, I-70 passes by a few miles away. So think back in time and here we are. The marker reads, "This Bridge was completed by Army Engineers sometime between 1834 and 1837 as part of the Old National Road, between Cumberland, Maryland and Vandalia, Illinois, was authorized by the enabling act of 1803 and was the Nation's first federally financed highway. The Bridge is a prime example of the Stone-building art and early American Engineering. Stones were precisely cut and fitted together without bond or mortar. Many stone arch bridges were built along the Cumberland Road, but this was the only one is still in use at the time of the marker dedication." The marker was erected in 1976 by the Clark County Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.. There is not room to pull over on the bridge but there is a nearby crossroad where you can stop and see the bridge from the side. It's an impressive structure especially considering that it is over 150 years old and in constant daily use. [Review 19671 overall - 126 in Illinois - 643 of 2023.]

Reviewing historical structures like this can be difficult, but for any Historic National Road…read moreenthusiast - it's a must-do! If you are heading west out of town, be sure to check out the Old Stone Arch Bridge. No, you can't pull over and look but you can turn left on Oak Crest Road and pull off there. That way, you get a nice view of the bridge. If you want to read the historical marker, then you gotta walk up a-ways. By the way, did you know Abraham Lincoln went across this bridge many times during his lawyer days?

Just passing through before I get to Indianapolis. Heading to Philly after we leave here. This town…read moreis small and service oriented. Walmart is the go to store, almost pizza is served and liquor and beer prices are just as expensive as gas in 2022! As you are traveling on Hwy 41 (the highway that drives through the entire city) you will notice that stop lights dominate the flow of traffic. It is a quiet town... most business close around 6pm. Almost fine dining closes shortly after sundown... this place reminds me of a place where you will get a good education, go to church and become a rock scientist! It seems like this place is where people come for school or retirement. We came here for a college graduation - now that this is over, and I am not in retirement yet... I guess it is time to go back to Atlanta GA

I love Terre Haute. The parks are wonderful and so well cared for. The school system is one to be…read moreproud of. Especially after having to move away and experience what it's like to NOT have Vigo County Schools, you really appreciate what a good school system really is. Ohio Blvd is my favorite city street and the historic neighborhoods are fun to drive through. Even the city cemetery, Highland Lawn, is a beautiful place to drive, bike or walk. The police department and Sheriff's department are both dedicated to keeping Terre Haute safe. I have lived on the southern coast for many years, but I am moving back home as soon as I retire where I can enjoy four seasons again. Autumn and Halloween are magical there, sledding down Deming Park hill in the winter is special too. What's not to love? You have to live away to know what you're missing.