Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2015 i Indianapolis Monthly

LARRISON’S DINER locked up at 3 p.m., and we arrived with just five minutes to spare. My husband and I were in Seymour, taking an audio tour of John Mellencamp’s boyhood haunts, and the throwback grill was the first stop. “We know you close soon,” I said as we slipped in. “May we just have some sodas to go?” Instead, the Larrison’s crew insisted we sit down for a cheeseburger and a root-beer float. Inspired by Jeff Vrabel’s list of Mellencamp’s best Indiana concerts (“R-O-C-K in the Hoosier State,” p. 66), we drove Seymour’s back roads listening to the voices of those who knew the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer way back when, on a CD we picked up at the Jackson County Visitor Center. The tour presents the…

BUZZWORTHY The Ratings Are In Judging by the feedback, plenty of readers tuned in to our oral history of David Letterman (May). “That was great. You ought to do this professionally.” Richard Pachter (@rpachter), via Twitter “Well done. Very interesting. Nobody can compare to Dave. #EndOfAnEra” Kris Kotelly (@kkotelly), via Twitter “I’d love more of these anecdotes.” Art Howard (@arthoward), via Twitter “Fabulous @IndyMonthly Letterman piece, a ‘creative nonconformist’ who could spot absurdity and make it up as he went.” Seth Wickersham (@sethwickersham), via Twitter THE IM POLL WE ASKED READERS ... WHERE DOES DAVE RANK AMONG THE FUNNIEST HOOSIERS OF ALL TIME? Vote on our monthly poll at IndianapolisMonthly.com/Polls. Closing Credits I just read “Goodbye, Dave” (May), and I wanted to follow up on Jane Pauley’s story about Letterman.…

What to play at Game Paradise TAKE A TURN Game Paradise, 1110 E. Prospect St., 972-4263, gameparadisestore.com Pay-to-play parlor with 2,000 board games and a $5-per-hour cover charge Have you memorized the Cards Against Humanity deck? TRY PERSONALLY INCORRECT The Game Paradise staff describes the other black-box card game as even raunchier than CAH. The mechanics are similar, but PI leaves out the “fluff” cards and includes an “insert name” feature that lets you craft downright awful things about fellow players. Hint: Do not play with Mom. Want to ROFL? TRY TELESTRATIONS Each player receives a secret word, draws it, and passes it to the next person, who does the same thing based on the doodle—an illustrated version of Telephone. Can the original word survive several guess-and-sketch rounds, or will…

Combine Anthropologie’s earthy aura with the cosmetics aisle at Whole Foods, and you’ve captured the essence of Eva Maison in Broad Ripple. Owner Josh Posner tapped the island vibe of his native Aruba to create a space brimming with natural skin, hair, and makeup lines artfully displayed on rough-hewn tables. Posner is partial to one brand, though: Aruba Aloe, acquired by his family in 2000, bills itself as the world’s oldest aloe company. “Tourists buy the lotion by the box,” Posner says of the line’s signature soothing cream ($18 to $24). The product gets scooped up just as frequently at Eva Maison, along with S.W. Basics eye-makeup remover ($14) and Herbivore Botanicals sea-mist hair texturizer ($20). Posner offers samples and hopes this customer-friendly approach will help him win a little…

ON OCTOBER 6, 2014, same-sex weddings became legal in Indiana. Despite predictions that the seven-headed beast of Revelation would rise from the sea and smite us, God wasn’t nearly as upset as some imagined and decided to forgo the apocalypse. Indiana’s modern equivalent of the Pharisees, the Republican leadership, held a press conference, wailed and gnashed their teeth, and then went in search of someone else to crucify. I feel sorry for the people who predicted the collapse of Western civilization if gay people were allowed to marry. It’s clear they were wrong, and they are probably embarrassed about the fuss they made. Plus, it’s hard work being an alarmist, having to constantly fan the flames of fear. I hope our state legislature and governor were able to take a…

Inspired by his grandfather’s farming methods—diversified, with no genetically modified seeds and all heritage-breed cows and pigs—former construction worker Nate Parks and his wife, Emily, operate Silverthorn Farm on 120 acres of cropland just east of Lafayette. There, Parks applied his familial knowledge to revitalize the depleted soil for his organic farm, and the couple now grow greens and heirloom tomatoes for top Indy restaurants such as Cerulean, where executive chef Alan Sternberg uses Silverthorn produce in his inventive dishes. What does a farm like Silverthorn get out of working with local chefs? Parks: About a third of my business is restaurants now. The rest goes to the Broad Ripple Farmers Market and the CSA. Selling to chefs really stabilizes our income. We know chefs will always need our vegetables…

The 500-head herd on this northeast-Indiana spread feeds on hay Cook raises himself—each animal scarfs down 10 to 20 pounds daily. Days making hay are real busy. 6:30 A.M. After checking the weather and eating breakfast, I see how the cows and calves are. (One time an animal got its foot stuck in a knothole in a tree. We used a saw to cut off the knot.) Then we feed them and see if they need hay. We have about 175 bulls and heifers, 100 to 150 cows just for breeding. 9 A.M. Mowed hay has to be raked to help it dry thoroughly, but you don’t want it too wet or too dry. Moisture translates to actual pounds on your animal. The longer it sits in the sun, the…

PAWPAW The native tree fruit has flavor notes of mango and banana—and is, in fact, the northernmost member of a tree family that spreads south to the tropics. HARVEST TIME Late July into August OUTDOORS Mature forests, rural and urban INDOORS This spring, Upland Brewing Co. debuted a Pawpaw Sour Ale aged in oak barrels. BLACK WALNUT The nuts of this native hardwood resemble the store-bought variety often grown in California and Florida—but taste better, insist the initiated. HARVEST TIME Late September and October OUTDOORS Forests, parks, mature neighborhoods INDOORS Chef Brandon Canfield of The Loft serves a black walnut–and–parsley pesto with roasted chicken. WANT TO FORAGE? Get permission before entering private property, and avoid areas with polluted soil or clearings likely sprayed with herbicides. Rules on public lands (like…

PICK YOUR PRODUCE TAKE A FRESH APPROACH Vegetable production is on the rise, particularly in Central Indiana—the number of veggie farms in Marion County alone nearly doubled from 2002 to 2012. PROS Farm-to-fork cultural cachet. CONS Competition from California and Mexico. KEEP IT SMALL CASE STUDY 1 Matthew Jose started BIG CITY FARMS (bigcityfarmsindy.com) by approaching near-eastside property-owners about planting rent-free on their vacant lots. After a few years, he moved to a couple of one-acre plots—paid for in produce—behind Midland Arts & Antiques downtown and at a northwestside residence. He sells the likes of carrots and cucumbers through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions and farmersmarket and farmstand sales. Yield: About $45,000 a year. Before expenses. BUY / LEASE YOUR OWN 4 near-eastside lots 2020–2038 Langley Ave. Terms: Available through the…

HOZIER’S FACE-MELTING HIT “Take Me to Church” was fully entrenched in its 37th week on Billboard’s Hot 100 when St. Joseph Brewery & Public House opened in May, repurposing a 135-year-old Catholic parish on College Avenue into a sanctuary of beer. Naturally, that song became St. Joseph’s unofficial girls’-night-out anthem, the perfect party tune for anyone intrigued by the novelty of sipping an IPA in the Lord’s house—with all of the requisite jokes about lightning strikes and people bursting into flames as they walk through the door. There is no question that the brewery’s seven owners (a team that includes managing partner Karl Mann, executive chef Scott Reifenberger, and the folks behind Chatham Tap and Ralston’s Drafthouse) embraced the building’s ecclesiastical floorplan; massive pointed arches and lancet windows soar toward…

“I was never a big chicken-eater. I always wanted steak or pork chops. One day we were playing around with a pan-seared chicken breast for a photo shoot, and I said, ‘Boy, you throw some shrimp on there, and that would be a good dish.’” TONY’S FAVORITE CHICKEN AT DAWSON’S TOO Two pan-seared chicken breasts layered with shrimp, spinach, and mushrooms and topped with a spicy garlic cream sauce NAMED AFTER Co-owner Tony Hill TRY IT 773 E. Main St., Brownsburg, 858-8400, dawsonstoo.com “We are from Chicago and moved here in 1968. I wanted to remake an Italian recipe from up there, since there wasn’t a lot of Italian food in Indianapolis. My son and husband have poker parties, so I made it for them, and they raved about it.”…

WHEN IT COMES TO FINDING the perfect place to say “I do,” it’s tough to beat an outdoor venue. No matter if your ceremony or reception takes place alongside a lake, on a sandy beach, beneath a gazebo, or among glorious gardens, when Mother Nature has a hand in the occasion, she can bring an extra-special magic to an already memorable event. But sometimes pulling off a flawless outdoor wedding isn’t as easy as it looks. The weather may not cooperate, and there may be added expenses and considerations when it comes to everything from your makeup to your flowers. So before you commit to an al fresco celebration, first see what our wedding pros have to say. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN Few things go according to schedule, so it’s…

Indiana State University MAKE BLUE PART OF YOUR FUTURE Indiana State gives you more of what you’re looking for in a university from the moment you set foot on campus. We’re for blue skies and a brighter future. We’re for recycling, wind power and trees. We were Indiana’s first Tree Campus USA. We’re for a great education and we’re for affordability – not only in tuition but in all student costs. We’re for scholarships – big time! Indiana State awards more than $8 million in student financial awards each year. We’re also for helping you graduate on time with a new Sycamore Graduation Guarantee for new first-time students, in which we work together to ensure you’ll graduate in four years or any remaining classes are free. Life as a Sycamore…

There is a unique energy at Indiana Wesleyan University – a combination of innovation, purpose and faith – and it takes just one visit to experience it. IWU students discover their God-given individuality and life calling, and develop in character, scholarship and leadership. IWU is about an hour’s drive from the two largest cities in Indiana, offers 80 undergraduate and more than 30 graduate degrees. The University academic programs are nationally known for their innovation, creativity and success. In fact, our nursing majors have consistently exceeded the NCLEX national pass rate for the past five years. Students run the school’s coffee shop, McConn Coffee Co.; conduct, publish and present research at conferences at places like Cambridge and Harvard; and travel the globe for academic studies, mission work and performances, including…

At Manchester University, you’ll find a close-knit community and develop strong, meaningful relationships that will shape the core of who you become. You’ll make lifelong connections through participation in more than 60 student organizations and NCAA Division III athletics, and with faculty and staff who are accessible, passionate and dedicated to providing a supportive environment to help you flourish. We strive to create the best academic and experiential education so that you graduate ready to be your best self. You’ll discover your true passions, develop critical thinking skills, and acquire a deeper understanding of a wide variety of subjects. You’ll participate in immersive handson experiences such as undergraduate research projects, study abroad opportunities and internships that will lift you over the competition aft er graduation. Manchester is a place of…

SJC ‘s Biology and Business Departments are “Centers of Excellence” that lead our students to successful outcomes through internships, alumni-based networking, and hands-on experience by PhD experts in their field. Forensic Science is a unique concentration within the Biology Department and all incoming STEM students, including Computer Science and Mathematics, have the opportunity to move-in to campus early to meet current student leaders and conduct research with professors before classes begin and throughout freshmen year. Business students have the luxury of utilizing a new state-of-the-art business lab with two 80-inch monitors used to SKYPE alumni CEOs and other successful professionals who benefited through the Core Program’s integration within their major. Digital Media & Journalism and Computer Science both have received remarkable upgrades to technology and facilities to provide students with…

The University of Southern Indiana serves nearly 9,500 undergraduate and graduate students from 89 Indiana counties, 36 states, and 51 nations and offers studyabroad opportunities in more than 50 countries. A public higher education institution, located on a vibrant, beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, Indiana, we offer 80 degree programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions, and the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. USI is a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University and offers continuing education and special programs to more than 15,000 participants annually through Outreach and Engagement. We’re continuing a tradition of affordable excellence. At USI, you’ll engage with a faculty committed to teaching, learn to solve real-world challenges, and develop priceless relationships and memories that will…

JEFF VRABEL While working for the Chicago Sun-Times in 2002, freelance writer Jeff Vrabel first met John Mellencamp backstage after a show. “His publicist said, ‘Hey, John wants to say hi if you have time,’” the journalist recalls. “If I have time! It wasn’t like I was going to tell him to hang on while I finished a taco.” Although Vrabel says he was a bumbling mess during that interview, he had no such problem producing “R-O-C-K in the Hoosier State” (p. 66). His writing has appeared in GQ, Men’s Health, and Time. “Check It Out” has appeared on basically every mixtape he has made for 28 years. MICHAEL KORYTA Novelist Michael Koryta’s work tends to be pretty dark, and this month’s excerpt of his latest book (“Deep, Dark Secret,”…

Imagine West Side Story if Tony and Bernardo had been wielding drumsticks instead of knives. That’s what you can expect from the DrumLine Battle taking over Georgia Street on August 8 for a day of total percussion warfare. 1 Part of the DCI World Championships, the series of head-to-head competitions is “serious drumming with a lot of fun,” says DCI’s John DeNovi, who modeled the event after the 2002 movie Drumline. Since Indianapolis hosted the first battle three years ago, DCI has taken the spectacle to 15 other countries. 2 The drumming blitzkrieg features some 20 teams from around the world facing off in pairs on Pan Am Plaza and the Georgia Street Boardwalk, with the winner advancing to the next round. Spectators crowd the edges of the performance spaces,…

Mother-daughter duo Karen E Laine (formerly Jensen) and Mina Starsiak set out to revitalize Fountain Square when they started home-rehab biz Two Chicks and a Hammer in 2008. That plan recently got expedited when HGTV asked the pair to revamp 10 area homes in six months for their very own show, debuting early next year. Karen, the mom behind the operation, kicks back at this earthy-urban pad between takes. TABLE A handmade piece crafted from salvaged barn wood. ART Karen photographed an English castle and turned the image into a charcoal print. FLOORING Though Two Chicks and a Hammer puts hardwood in most of its projects, Karen prefers this “indestructible” laminate knockoff from Lumber Liquidators. ANTIQUE She topped this vintage tool chest with glass to use it as a coffee…

Tattoo artist Marlon “Infamous” Jones counts Paul George as a client. When he’s not behind the needle, he’s searching for stylish additions to his wardrobe, like this coaster-sized Diesel watch. WHY THIS TIMEPIECE? I liked the gold, but more so the size of the face and all the different dials. It has four time zones and a lot of little specks on it. I’m OCD about details in tattoos, which is why I like this watch—it has a lot of detail. WHAT DO YOU PAIR IT WITH? I usually wear it when I get spiffy. I try to dress up a little bit. ANY WISH-LIST ITEMS? I need more sunglasses. I had a nice pair of Cartier glasses when I was in college at Michigan State. They had the wood…

LIMESTONE GLEAMED in the spring sun as Elder Paul Sinclair patrolled the grounds of a project that has consumed much of his life these last few years. A square-jawed former linebacker at Brigham Young University, labor lawyer at the downtown law firm Ice Miller, and high-ranking official in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Sinclair has presided over the construction of the Church’s first temple in Indiana, a structure situated on a plush 50-acre parcel not far from the tony McMansions of Carmel. At the property’s entrance near the intersection of Spring Mill Road and 116th Street, a churlish private security guard hired by the Church stood sentinel outside of a black Dodge Grand Caravan. Inside the temple gates, construction workers poured caulking in the footpaths that encircle…

WHAT IT’S LIKE As president of one of only 12 land-based salmon farms in the world, McCowan wants to change how consumers view farm-raised seafood with Bell’s steelhead trout and coho salmon. I trained as a machinist at Ivy Tech. I never imagined I’d turn my love of fishing into my livelihood. 7:30 A.M. I respond to emails early, looking for sales and sample requests. We have about 70 employees at Bell Farms. When I was 9, my dad took me fishing on the Wabash River to catch the big flatheads and catfish. At one time, I had 58 aquariums in my garage. 9:30 A.M. When I walk into the fish building, the first thing I want to smell is clean water. If the fish are feeding well, it’s very…

COOK’S BISON RANCH This third-generation farm has raised bison (known for lean red meat) for 17 years and ships steaks, brats, and burgers. The $66.99 Steak Sampler comes with a pair each of ribeyes, New York strips, and sirloins, plus a free American Buffalo cookbook to boot. 866-382-2356, cooksbisonranch.com FAIR OAKS FARMS Slices of award-winning Muenster or smoky Gouda ordered online will be packed on ice and shipped by UPS from this northwest-Indiana mega-dairy (which also recently started producing Fairlife milk, distributed by Coca-Cola). 219-394-2275, fofarms.com FISCHER FARMS A bulk order of $100 or more of all-natural meat—from baby-back ribs ($5.98 a pound) to rump roasts ($6.94 a pound)—can be delivered from Jasper to Goose the Market, Georgetown Market, or Pogue’s Run Grocer for pick-up every Friday. 812-481-1411, ffnatural.com MAPLE…

FAIR OAKS FARMS Visitors get a peek behind the barn door at this northwestern Indiana grange with educational dairy and pig adventures that allow people to view the animals. The glass-encased kitchen at the 300-seat Farmhouse Restaurant gives diners an up-close view of chef Paul Polizzi’s pork mastery as he creates bacon-wrapped meatloaf, hand-breaded tenderloins, and slow-cooked short ribs. 856 N. 600 E, Fair Oaks, 877-536-1194, fofarms.com JOE HUBER’S Quaint white barns and little apple-red tractors give this 200-acre Southern Indiana spread a small-town feel. Here, tradition reigns, from U-pick strawberries every summer to family movie nights in the pasture. Chef Katie Huber whips up food her ancestors used to cook on the farm, like fried biscuits swiped with smoky-sweet apple butter and chicken and dumplings made from scratch. 2421…

WHAT IT’S LIKE As part of Aspire Indiana, a mental-health center, this farm where Jackson works as foreman hires those with a barrier to employment, like depression or a learning disability. All revenue from the organic fruits and veggies is reinvested in the program. Thursdays in the summer, we’re harvesting for market. 8 A.M. I obsess over the weather. I have a few weather pages bookmarked on my computer. To have a general idea of what you’re about to get hit with is good. About 10 of us harvest, all by hand. We harvest as much as possible early, getting kale and chard while they’re still in the shade. Inside eight greenhouses we grow tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, tomatillos, and peppers. Mosquitoes like to attack in the houses, so you’re trying…

Fresh-faced Tinker Street chef Braedon Kellner has used Dunbar Heritage Farms’ live greens and herbs from the beginning. While scouting ingredients for an opening-day menu at the Indy Winter Farmers Market, “I saw these red-frill mustard greens that Dan and Dana were selling, and I made a beeline to their stand,” he says. Now Kellner’s menu often features the rainbow-colored hydroponic greens the Dunbars dote on in their Lebanon greenhouses. The Dunbars each had careers in other fields before farming. How has that helped this relationship? Dana: I worked for many years in restaurant management. Dan worked as a network engineer for Key Bank, though he was raised on a traditional grain farm. I have the knowledge to work with restaurants and communicate what we have better because of my…

Routine brushing and flossing, a diet low in sugar, and regular dental checkups all contribute to healthy teeth and gums. But even people who are disciplined in their oral hygiene sometimes need a little something extra. Pain in and around the teeth, gum issues, and misaligned teeth may require seeing a specialist in addition to your general dentist. GUM DISEASE Gum disease develops over time, especially with a lack of regular dental care. All of us have bacteria living in our mouths. It’s always there, but the trouble begins when we don’t clean our teeth well enough to keep it under control. “Although frequency of brushing is important, thoroughness is the key,” says Dr. Robert Hindman, a periodontist with West 10th Dental Group. “You can brush three times a day…

IF YOUR BEER slides down the bar at Fat Dan’s Deli, it might be a product of owner Dan Jarman’s DIY handiwork. “I like to tinker, but I’m no carpenter,” says the Indy native, who spent his formative years in Chicago developing a taste for the Jewish delis of the Gold Coast. He did a lot of the woodwork at his colorful shrine to the Windy City. Turns out, he’s a man of many talents. A lifelong home cook and onetime Waffle House dishwasher who abandoned his dreams of being a soccer star after a knee injury, Jarman tried his hand at a range of fields (from commercial real estate to political campaigns) before he threw his hat into the restaurant ring. He knew he wanted to bring in some…

ALL SUMMER LONG, I have boycotted supermarket strawberries, especially any packaged in a clear plastic container. You see, those berries taste like Styrofoam. I won’t swear to that, given that I’ve never consumed Styrofoam, but I imagine the two share common traits, including white spongy centers. I suspect those berries are picked before their time and spend too many weeks in refrigerated transport. The last time we enjoyed good strawberries was when we picked them ourselves. Our granddaughter Clara, then 3, trudged through bounteous fields with us on a farm in Michigan, jamming the fresh berries into her mouth. The cashier did not charge us extra when she saw the smeared red stains on Clara’s hands and face. A cute kid loving the merchandise is about as good an advertisement…

OPEN SINCE JULY 2014, The Barn at Kennedy Farm in Lizton hosts about 100 weddings per year. When couples visit the venue, nearly all of them sign a contract right then and there, says owner Kim Svoma. It’s indicative of just how popular these pastoral settings have become. And in Central Indiana, couples have a growing number of options. For those looking to hold their celebration in a barn, here are some questions to think about before committing to such a site. • Is there heating and air conditioning? Though Svoma’s venue was constructed with comfort in mind—“each wing of the barn is built in a cross shape, and each wing has 10-foot doors that open up so there’s a really nice cross breeze,” she says—not all barns will be…

Nothing beats an in-person visit for learning more about a school. But when it comes to educating yourself on how to pay for those four—or more—years, there are many online resources that are worth your time. Here are some helpful places to start. ■ Studentaid.ed.gov, the website of the office of Federal Student Aid, breaks down the types of assistance available— loans, grants, and scholarships—and how they work. It also includes a guide to loan repayment and a tool that looks at the type of loan, its balance, and its interest rate to estimate monthly payments after graduation. ■ The Paying for College section of consumerfinance.gov explains the differences between federal and private loans, lets you compare costs for up to three schools, and offers advice on repaying student loans.…

Completing college applications can be a daunting task. Here’s some advice from Manchester University’s Adam Hohman to help make yours shine. Q How can applicants stand out to an admissions counselor? A One of the most important things a student can do is answer a question in a way that expresses who they are. For example, if the question is about involvement, instead of listing what they’ve done, it’s much more engaging when they tell stories about what they’ve done or express why they enjoy doing it. Those responses stand out when you’re looking at myriad applications. Q What are common mistakes you see? A Leaving off an email address or providing an email address they don’t intend to utilize. It can cripple a university’s ability to communicate effectively. Also,…

Indiana University Bloomington attracts students from around the globe who want the ideal college experience—great traditions, a gorgeous campus, international culture, Big Ten sports, and an active academic climate. Founded in 1820, IU Bloomington is situated in a small cosmopolitan town in beautiful south-central Indiana and is the flagship campus of Indiana University’s seven campuses statewide. Innovation, creativity, and academic freedom are hallmarks of IU Bloomington and its world-class contributions in research and the arts. From world-famous events like the Little 500 bicycle race and our beloved Hoosier basketball legacy to the unwavering commitment to emerging technologies and degrees that prepare students for careers of the future—IU Bloomington is unlike any other. YEAR FOUNDED: 1820 CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 46,416 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 18:1 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED: 180+ MASTERS, DOCTORAL, AND PROFESSIONAL DEGREES…

What’s more important than a job? At Anderson University, that’s a question we ask ourselves oft en. While 95 percent of our graduates find success in the workforce, what is equally significant is that they enter the job market with an understanding that a life rooted in faith and service leads to a life and career of distinction, excellence, and impact. 17,000. It’s the number of students who have traveled overseas throughout the last five decades—not solely to experience different cultures, but to study, to serve, and to share, making global connections as they learn about different worldviews, customs, and complex issues. 22,000. It’s the physical manifestation of hands and feet in action, the hours of community service given by the AU community each year—to organizations like Operation Love, Vision…

Founded in 1834, Franklin College, located 20 minutes south of downtown Indianapolis, is a residential, four-year undergraduate liberal arts institution with a scenic campus spanning 207 acres, including an athletics complex and a 31-acre biology woodland. Franklin’s outstanding faculty provide rigorous academic programs promoting critical thinking, effective communication, creativity and innovation. Franklin is where students have a unique opportunity to grow and where leaders are born. The college offers its approximately 1,000 students bachelor of arts degrees in 51 majors from 25 academic disciplines, 42 minors, 11 pre-professional programs and five cooperative programs. Franklin also offers a Professional Development Program and an Intercultural Honors Experience and is one of the few U.S. colleges with Leadership Studies built into the curriculum. The academic calendar includes two traditional four-month semesters and a…

Students from nearly all 50 states and from more than 70 countries are attracted to Earlham College in Richmond. Located about an hour’s drive from Indianapolis, Earlham is recognized internationally for excellent teaching and for preparing its students to make a positive difference in the world: scientifically, intellectually, artistically, economically, socially. Earlham is ranked among the top 10 liberal arts colleges nationally for its commitment to undergraduate teaching excellence, a commitment that matters deeply to student success and the ability of students to engage the complex, interconnected world around them. Classes are the ideal size for discovery and discussion. A global perspective comes naturally to the campus community. Earlham is ranked sixth among all colleges and universities in the U.S. for the percentage of international students enrolled. Additionally, two-thirds of…

The NFLtight end and recent Clemson grad is ready for a (fingers crossed) healthy season after months of training, watching movies, gawking at aircraft carriers—and chewing on his secret addiction. IM: WHAT’S YOUR DEGREE IN? Health sciences. My injury history of late is well-documented; I’ve spent a lot of time with physical therapists. This year, I’d like to spend a little less time with them. IM: WHAT DO YOUR TRAINERS THINK ABOUT YOUR ALLEGED GUMMY-BEAR HABIT? Oh, my goodness. I just love gummy bears. I used to get a couple pounds from a candy store in Carmel. It started with gummy worms when I was a kid, and I’ve evolved to bears. I’ve had my share of cavities. I’m trying to focus on the physique this season—but they’ll be on…

You’re performing at a few state fairs on this tour. What’s your favorite fair food? A person has to get a corndog, corn on the cob, and some miniature doughnuts. After that, it’s a matter of personal preference. Are you more of a bumper-cars or Ferriswheel guy? I am a double-Ferriswheel guy—two wheels at the ends of a long beam that itself revolves. You ride it at night, with an excitable female clutching onto you as you gaze bravely at the horizon. You’ve done A Prairie Home Companion all over the world. What has been your favorite place to host? Believe it or not, Goshen College in Indiana. They had a student choir and an audience made mostly of Mennonites, so they sang like angels. You just hummed a note and…

NEW FRONTIERS Inside a former elementary school in Leesburg, next to the town’s Little League baseball diamonds, two third-generation duck farmers are plotting world domination. John and Scott Tucker, co-presidents of Maple Leaf Farms, have helped turn a little mom-and-pop operation in northern Indiana into the country’s biggest exporter of the fowl—a $170 million company now responsible for 70 percent of the nation’s White Pekin ducks. That the world headquarters of anything could exist in this hamlet of 556 people seems preposterous. And indeed, Maple Leaf’s beginnings were more humble. In 1958, Don Wentzel, a former trader on the Chicago Board of Trade, purchased a small duck farm in Milford, a town just north of Leesburg. At the time, the U.S. duck industry was based in Long Island, where it…

NEW FRONTIERS The busted pump on the shrimp tank, the latest malfunction in a series of issues, was the last straw. The part had broken during the night, and now Karlanea and Darryl Brown had 225 pounds of dead crustaceans— shrimp that were supposed to be served at DigIN, a tasting event featuring Hoosier food. That morning in August 2011 should have been an exciting moment for RDM Shrimp. The Browns had spent the past year learning to raise shrimp near Fowler, becoming just the third such farm in the U.S. Sending a big order to one of the most popular foodie affairs in Indianapolis was to be a milestone. Instead of celebrating, the Browns found themselves scrambling, separating out 4,500 good shrimp from the spoiled crop. This latest round…

“I always know Eric is on his way when I see ‘The Creeper’ pull up the street,” says R Bistro executive chef Erin Kem, referencing the nickname of the navy-blue former FBI surveillance van Eric Murphy drives to deliver his mushrooms to Indy-area restaurants. The van is a perfect fit for the bald, mustachioed Murphy, who also works weekly shifts as a firefighter. Kem nearly swoons describing the shiitakes and portobellos Murphy raises in a climatecontrolled room. “They’re gorgeous, absolutely pristine,” Kem says. “That umami—I can’t get enough of it.” R Bistro has sourced locally for more than a decade. How did Shamrock Farm get picked? MURPHY: I started raising mushrooms about three years ago when I bought the mushroom business originally founded by Steve and Anita Spencer in Sheridan.…

Ask John Mellencamp fans for memories of his best shows in Indiana, and one thing quickly becomes clear: The guy has performed in a lot of places around here. He has played bars and football stadiums, basketball arenas and fancy theaters, Farm Aids and guerrilla gigs. Regardless of venue, though, the shows have rarely disappointed. “As much praise as he’s gotten, I think he’s still underrated as a live performer,” says Anthony DeCurtis, a contributing editor at Rolling Stone who received his Ph.D. in American literature from Indiana University. “I saw him in 1992, and it was just torrid. I don’t think I’d seen John in an arena to that point, and I remember thinking, ‘Boy, he’s not having too much trouble filling up this space.’” In honor of Mellencamp’s…

BAR REV ’tender Adam Hayden plays off of Old Town Greenwood’s historic vibe with a menu of classic sippers infused with booze you might find on the shelves of an 1800s tavern. Here, Hayden shakes up one of his old-school favorites, Italian-distilled Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, with rum (instead of gin) for a sweeter, smoother take on the traditional Aviation cocktail. THE AMELIA Serves 1 INGREDIENTS • 2 ounces Crusoe Organic Silver rum • ¾ ounce Luxardo Maraschino liqueur • ¼ ounce creme de violette • ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice • 1 Luxardo Maraschino cherry DIRECTIONS 1. Combine all of the liquid ingredients and some ice in a cocktail shaker. 2. Shake well. 3. Strain the drink into a glass and drop in the cherry before serving.…

NEARLY AS BIG as a steering wheel, with a soft and biscuity interior encased in shiny, saltflecked skin, the massive twists from Elkhart-based Ben’s Soft Pretzels give fans plenty to praise. The brand recently launched its first Indianapolis store in Circle Centre mall, joining more than 40 other shops scattered around Indiana, Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois (with two more Indianapolis outposts in the works). The slickly branded mall kiosk has come a long way since its early days, when its namesake, Amish baker Ben Miller, began selling soft pretzels at a South Bend farmers market in 2004. The pretzels are made using Miller’s secret Amish/Dutch recipe, so closely guarded that the baking mix is shipped to each individual store, where employees make the dough fresh onsite each day. The…

Keep Your Cool From food to flowers, pro tips for a smooth outdoor wedding AN EXCLUSIVE LOCAL GUIDE HERE COMES THE BRIDE A beautiful gown, lush bouquet, and dazzling jewels will make it a day neither you nor your guests will forget. PHOTOGRAPHY by Tony Valainis MODELS Brooke Deighton and Eleanor Klemsz, courtesy Helen Wells Agency HAIR by Monica Dickey and Brandyn Kiser for Salon 01 MAKEUP by Jordan Hall and Patsy Havens for Pro Soto Beauty Studios LOCATION The Barn at Kennedy Farm in partnership with Visit Hendricks County LOVELY IN LACE Maggie Sottero “Darla” gown, Sophia’s Bridal, Tux and Prom, 7015 U.S. 31 South, 882-1244, sophiasbridalandtux.com. Dabakarov 14K white-gold 6.85 ctw diamond pinwheel pendant and 18K whitegold 3.44 ctw diamond cluster stud earrings, Moyer Fine Jewelers, 14727 Thatcher…

Students from nearly all 50 states and from more than 70 countries are attracted to Earlham College in Richmond. Located about an hour’s drive from Indianapolis, Earlham is recognized internationally for excellent teaching and for preparing its students to make a positive difference in the world: scientifically, intellectually, artistically, economically, socially. Earlham is ranked among the top 10 liberal arts colleges nationally for its commitment to undergraduate teaching excellence, a commitment that matters deeply to student success and the ability of students to engage the complex, interconnected world around them. Classes are the ideal size for discovery and discussion. A global perspective comes naturally to the campus community. Earlham is ranked sixth among all colleges and universities in the U.S. for the percentage of international students enrolled. Additionally, two-thirds of…

Scholarship opportunities, class size, location, rankings, student life, graduate employment rates. As you narrow down your list of college options, the list of factors only seems to grow longer and more complicated. Picking your shortlist may have been easy, but choosing one from that list can be a daunting task. Here are some things to consider when choosing between better and best. Ask yourself what’s most important to you. When deciding whether one college’s student life outweighs another college’s scholarships, Craig Coe, assistant director of admissions at Indiana Wesleyan University, says that it really depends on the student’s preferences. “Something that may be important to Student A is not at all important to Student B,” he says. Some people will say cost is the most important factor, while others may…

College fairs are a great way to learn about a wide variety of schools—especially if you’re just starting to explore your options and you’re not entirely sure what type of school might fit you best. Here are a few upcoming fairs you might want to attend. WHAT The Center for Leadership Development’s College Prep Conference and College Fair WHEN & WHERE 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. August 22 at the Indiana Convention Center DETAILS Students in grades 8–12 are invited to attend the event, which will include breakout sessions on topics like college applications, financial aid, and the role of parents throughout the admissions process. The cost is $15; register by August 7. MORE INFO 923-8111, cldinc.org WHAT The National Association of College Admissions Counseling Indianapolis National College Fair WHEN & WHERE…

Explore the world. Start within. At Bellarmine University, educational success is made attainable with the help of dedicated faculty and advisors. All students are able to sign up for the courses they need to complete their majors, guaranteeing graduation within four years. Bellarmine is a consistent presence on lists of top colleges, including U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and The Princeton Review. The university is home to faculty scholars who are passionate about teaching -- and you’ll get to know them well, thanks to a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This world-class learning environment is centered on a growing campus just five miles from downtown Louisville, home of top corporations, small businesses and innovative non-profits. A few blocks from campus, the quirky Highlands neighborhood is a bohemian wonderland that has it…

At DePauw, it’s the combination of the intellectual challenge of our academic life with our vibrant campus culture that gives students the tools and confidence to succeed. Simply put, the foundation of every DePauw story lies in incredible peers and a remarkable faculty who will not only know your name, but will also push and support you at every step of your DePauw career. Rooted in our own brand of the liberal arts, DePauw students become agile thinkers and problem solvers. You’ll jump from a history course to a biology lab or a course in literature because we know that the most pressing challenges of the day can only be solved with the perspective of multiple disciplines. And regardless of what you choose to study, the dedicated staff of the…

“We believe. You belong here.” Olivet Nazarene University is a welcoming place for you to grow academically, socially, spiritually and professionally. Olivet is the distinctive college experience — the perfect blend of academic excellence and Christian values, and premier facilities on a campus that affords park-like serenity within easy reach of big-city culture and vitality. Engineering and nursing have the highest enrollments among the university’s 120+ academic areas. Engineering and nursing majors consistently exceed national averages on exams that measure professional readiness. In fine arts, Olivet’s School of Music is an Apple Distinguished Program in recognition of an initiative that provides an iPad to marching band members and music majors. Through study-abroad opportunities, internships and worldwide mission trips, you can experience the global classroom. Olivet also offers master’s degree programs,…