Indiana

Triple Play Issue: Fall/Winter 2010 Author(s): Katie Morell Located just 30 miles southeast of downtown Chicago, Gary, Indiana, is known for far more than being the birthplace of the “King of Pop.” Although it is fashionable to stop and take photos of Michael Jackson’s childhood abode, most people come to Gary in search of fortune at its Vegas-style casinos. With sparkling gaming properties around almost every corner, Gary and the surrounding area is arguably the gaming capital of the Midwest. Starting with Gary’s Majestic Star Casino & Hotel, visitors are in...

Speed Demons Issue: Fall/Winter 2010 Author(s): Colleen Kennedy Sledding has long been a winter tradition, but if your trusty-rusty saucer and backyard hill no longer compare to your fondest childhood memories, head to Indiana’s Pokagon State Park for the ultimate winter thrill: tobogganing. Park interpreter Fred Wooley estimates the run draws 60,000 tobogganers annually. Since its original construction by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the run has evolved into one of the Midwest’s only refrigerated double-tracks. After launching from the 30-foot tower, riders drop...

Make Like a Skeleton Issue: Fall/Winter 2010 Author(s): Kathy Witt The foot bone’s connected to the leg bone . . . the leg bone’s connected to the hip bone . . . Crawl all over a skeleton in Indianapolis at the recently opened, 100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, located adjacent to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Funky Bones, a grouping of 20 fiberglass “bone” benches flung onto a swatch of grass within the park, forms the shape of an enormous, stylized human skeleton, topped in rakish fashion by a smiling skull. The black and white skeleton scu...

Fruity Fun Issue: Fall/Winter 2010 Author(s): Jane Ammeson When autumn leaves create a canopy of color, drive the winding country roads that lead to Mitchell, Indiana. It is here, in this charming 19th-century town in the southern part of the state, that the bright orange fruit of the persimmon tree is celebrated in one of Indiana’s oldest events, the Mitchell Persimmon Festival. For many, persimmons are an unknown fruit, but in the fall, here in the rolling green hillsides, ripe and abundant persimmons are turned into pulp used to make puddings, pies, muffins a...

Historic Holes Issue: Spring/Summer 2010 Author(s): John Tidyman There is a fascinating history at French Lick Resort and Casino in French Lick, Indiana . The French Lick Springs Hotel, built in 1845 by William Bowles, M.D., was one of the region’s premier attractions, known for its healing mineral waters. It was here that tomato juice was first served, and, in 1931, it was French Lick that served as the Democratic Party headquarters, where FDR gathered support to win the Democratic presidential nomination. The best part of French Lick’s history, however, is the wide...

Tasting Tour Issue: Spring/Summer 2010 Author(s): Amy S. Eckert It should come as no surprise that Southern Indiana makes good wine. Part of the fertile Ohio River Valley, it was only a matter of time before vintners recognized this region as grape-growing country. In fact, the Swiss began wine cultivation in southern Indiana in 1806, right after they settled in the region. Today, six wineries comprise the Indiana Wine Tr ail , located in the state’s southeastern corner near the towns of Versailles, Vevay and Madison. While the wineries of Southern Indiana share a c...

Feats of Flight Issue: Spring/Summer 2010 Author(s): Jennifer Rogers For many families, the air show is a summer tradition as important as lemonade or visits to the beach. And with good reason — air shows display fascinating feats of both scientific and human excellence that never lose their magic. Generations of vacationers have been mesmerized by the loud roar of a jet shooting through the clouds, and throughout the spring and summer, there are myriad opportunities to introduce your own family to the excitement. Here are some of the season’s highlights: The New York Ai...

The Cat's Meow Issue: Spring/Summer 2010 Author(s): Paula Carter Lion roars and leopard cries echo across a rural stretch of land outside Center Point, Indiana , where 100 acres of what would be farmland have become a veritable jungle. The Exotic Feline Rescue Center is home to more than 200 big cats that have come to Indiana to live out their lives after being rescued from ill-equipped private owners or other derelict conditions. Guests are invited to come to the center and see the cats up close. “You’ll get closer then you have ever been before,” says Jean Herrberg...

The Simple Life Issue: Spring/Summer 2010 Author(s): Jane Ammeson Take a family trip to Northwest Indiana’s Amish Country , where women in bonnets steer buggies past luxuriant green farmsteads and young boys, dressed in black hats, ride their bikes to school. Hitching posts are just as important as parking meters and there are times when the streets, lined with lorries laden with summer produce, resemble a scene out of the 19th century much more than one of today. Take a two-hour cruise on the St. Joseph River aboard the Elkhart River Queen, a historic 1948 paddleboat...

A River Runs Through It Issue: Spring/Summer 2010 Author(s): Jane Ammeson Beneath the rolling green hills of southern Indiana, the sinewy 21-mile Myst’ry River courses through the subterranean passages of Bluespring Cav erns near Bedford, Indiana . Serious spelunkers can crawl through the caverns, most of them still unexplored, in an area known as Limestone Country because of the porous rock beneath the surface — perfect for forming caves. But for those of us who like a more relaxed adventure, the best way to travel the longest subterranean river in the United States is on a ...

Art and Adventure Issue: Fall/Winter 2009 Author(s): Lori B. Murray Known as The Art Colony of the Midwest, Brown County, Indiana , and the town of Nashville provide a one-two punch of unique shopping and outdoor adventure, making it the perfect getaway for you and your friends. This combination of downtown activity and beautiful state park solitude means there’s a little something for everyone in your group. First, you’ll never tire of Nashville’s one-of-a-kind shopping experience, with hundreds of boutiques, galleries, museums and artists’ studios. Take it a step furth...

Beyond the Blue Issue: Fall/Winter 2009 Author(s): Jane Ammeson Designed to make a bold statement, the Blue Chip Casino’s new Spa Blu Tower can be considered a mission accomplished. The $130 million structure rises above the windswept dunes near the shores of Lake Michigan in Michigan City, Indiana . To replicate a ship in full sail, the exterior of the 22-story tower is done in gradations of blue glass, delineated by LED light bands on every other floor. Inside, the first floor pulsates with energy. Dining options include It’s Vegas Baby!, a contemporary homage to t...

What Lies Beneath Issue: Fall/Winter 2009 Author(s): Amy S. Eckert Just 30 minutes west of Louisville, Kentucky, the town of Corydon, Indiana , prides itself on its Civil War-era historic sites, small-town charm and unspoiled Ohio River scenery. But Corydon’s most exciting attractions lie well underground. Three southern Indiana cave systems wend through the limestone beneath Corydon, offering visitors the chance to play spelunker for a day. Marengo Cave, discovered in 1883, draws more visitors than any other in Indiana. Orange stalactites and sparkling stalagmites punc...

Feed the Giraffes Issue: Spring/Summer 2009 Author(s): Marie Catanese It’s a jungle in Fort Wayne, Indiana , this summer. African Journey, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s newest exhibit, opens in June and invites visitors to not only observe, but also feed 16-foot-tall giraffes. (Did you know that giraffes’ tongues are black and can be more than 18 inches long?) Fully accessible pathways bring you and your family quite close to wildebeests and nearly nose-to-nose with 500-pound lions. The centerpiece of the safari is the winding Savannah Trail. Follow snaking paths and br...

Hoop it Up Issue: Spring/Summer 2009 Author(s): Amy S. Eckert An isolated fire forced Indianapolis’ NCAA Hall of Champions to close its public exhibits in 2008. But the organization capitalized on its misfortune, using the opportunity to redesign its space in a way that will leave sports fans cheering.   After entering the NCAA Hall of Champions, with a colonnaded façade bearing the slightest resemblance to a Greek temple, visitors can view an introductory film inside the hall’s state-of-the-art, 1,000-square-foot theater. Video clips tell the story of the fo...

In the Swing Issue: Spring/Summer 2009 Author(s): Becky Linhardt How good is the golf in Hamilton County, Indiana ? Better than good — course standards are high enough to attract the Senior Open this year and a PGA Tour event, the BMW Championship, in 2012. Although both events are at a private course, Crooked Stick Golf Club, the level of play is exceptional for all of the premier public and private courses in this golfers’ heaven just north of Indianapolis. “Because of all of the great golf courses in the area, we go above and beyond to give our guests the country ...

Indy Indulgence Issue: Spring/Summer 2009 Author(s): Kathy Witt With more than 100 shops, restaurants and charming B&Bs in its historic downtown, Madison, Indiana, has got a weekend with the girls written all over it. Not only was it voted “The Prettiest Small Town in the Midwest” by Ladies Home Journal, but it also has the largest historic district in the Hoosier State, with over 133 blocks on the National Register of Historic Places. Book rooms at one of nine B&Bs and let the innkeepers fuss over you. Several have two-night packages tailor-made for girlfri...

Make A Splash Issue: Spring/Summer 2009 Author(s): Kathy Witt New attractions make Santa Claus, Indiana , even jollier. In 2009, the world’s friendliest park, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari , welcomes Pilgrims Plunge, a “shoot-the-chute” ride that will break a record by becoming the world’s tallest water ride, with a drop of 131 feet. The modern twist? A rapid ride up to the top on an open-air elevator. And the splash? It’s 90 feet wide. Also new for 2009 is the technologically savvy HoliWatch program, a wristband-style radio frequency identification device ...

Movin’ On Issue: Spring/Summer 2009 Author(s): Kathy Witt Back in the early- to mid-1800s, when the nation’s first federally funded interstate highway was laid, it was with a whipstitch combination of dirt, gravel, tree stumps and planks. Stretching 824 miles across six states between Maryland and Illinois, the road was often a snarl of carriages and Conestoga wagons, travelers on horseback and on foot, and herds of cattle and sheep, all kicking up clouds of dust and generally ignoring the right-of-way. Talk about road rage. Although still heavily traveled, to...

Road Warriors Issue: Spring/Summer 2009 Author(s): Kathy Witt Have a capital good time in the “RV Capital of the World.” Elkhart County, Indiana , is home to the “shrine” to the RV — the 80,000-square-foot RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum . This fun and far-reaching collection dates back to the early 1900s towables and journeys along the RV’s evolutionary timeline to today’s state-of-the-art motor homes. The exhibit even boasts a custom 1934 trailer built for Hollywood siren Mae West.  Vintage RVs are displayed among murals of scenic American destinations. The n...

Hidden Treasures Issue: Fall/Winter 2008 Author(s): Tracey Teo Whether it’s a laid-back vibe, easygoing locals or a leisurely pace, some destinations just scream “vacation.” Any spot that’s christened Antique Alley certainly qualifies. The nickname, given to a 60-mile Indiana loop trail that stretches from Richmond to Centerville, Indiana, suggests a weekend of cruising with shopaholic friends. Rare furniture, handmade quilts, Depression glass — those who enjoy the thrill of a bargain hunt revel in the more than 1,200 antiques dealers in this aptly named region. Th...

High Stakes in Hoosier County Issue: Fall/Winter 2008 Author(s): Amy S. Eckert Don’t worry if gamers seem a tad distracted from their winning hands at casinos around the Midwest. It’s likely the casino enthusiasts have their eyes on central Indiana. Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana , completed a $100 million expansion this summer, adding an additional 54,000 square feet of casino space. Now, visitors can tempt Lady Luck at more than 2,000 new electronic slot machines and a wealth of table games, while more serious thrill seekers can test their skills at Hoosier Park’s High Limit ...

How Does Your Garden Grow? Issue: Fall/Winter 2008 Author(s): Kathy Witt Northern Indiana’s Amish Country always boasts pastoral allure: The sight of women in bonnets and men in horse-drawn carriages sets a picturesque scene that proves irresistible to tourists. The area’s first Quilt Gardens Tour adds to that appeal. Through first frost, the landscape throughout Elkhart County is abloom with traditional and contemporary Amish quilt patterns and artistically rendered murals depicted in vast, floral displays. The 12 gardens — some of which are so large they require hand-water...

Love Blooms Issue: Fall/Winter 2008 Author(s): Amy S. Eckert Race cars made Indianapolis famous. But don’t let the city’s enthusiasm for sports fool you. Indy has a romantic side. Begin a romantic getaway with a stop at the South Bend Chocolate Company downtown. A gift of Cherry Blossoms — cherries, pecans and caramel dipped in white chocolate and decorated with red swirls — scores high marks for its decadent flavors and its red and white colors. Gift givers can go one step further by preordering custom-made flavor combinations and candies embellished with a pers...

Pack Mentality Issue: Fall/Winter 2008 Author(s): Randall Edwards The discordant song of a wild wolf pack in full howl tickles the ancestral memory and stirs the hair on the nape of your neck. It’s a performance that speaks of the wild like no other sound. This heavily modulated chorus is the highlight of a visit to Wolf Park , a nonprofit education and research facility located in Lafayette, Indiana . It’s home to several packs of gray wolves, which roam fenced enclosures together, encouraging chorus howls and other natural pack behavior. The staff hopes the unpredic...

Hoosier State Escape Issue: Bonus Online Content Summer 2008 Author(s): Ed Condran If you’d said the word “spelunker” to my three young children before our May family vacation, you’d have been greeted by a trio of slightly amused, very confused faces. But thanks to one adventurous trip to southern Indiana with the kids — Jillian, 9, Eddie, 6, and Milo, 2 — that funny word now holds meaning and fond memories. In fact, between exploring the subterranean playground of Marengo Cave in Marengo , canoeing down the tranquil Blue River just four miles away, and enjoying whimsical attractions ...

Animal Attraction Issue: Spring/Summer 2008 Author(s): Miriam Carey The mission of the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo in Fort Wayne, Indiana , is simple: help people gain a greater appreciation of wildlife, encourage family fun in a natural setting and help save the world’s wild animals and wild places. The zoo knows that the future of the environment and its inhabitants rests in the hands of children. As a result, the staff takes seriously their goal of educating young visitors, ensuring that not only are kids entertained by the zoo’s 1,500 creatures, but also enlightened t...

Artfully Done Issue: Spring/Summer 2008 Author(s): Gerald Bartell Every grade school has one: a child who seems to live, breathe and think art. He or she is contented to be immersed in a world of creativity — seemingly living life with a sketch pad, camera or piece of clay in hand. Classes and day camp programs at the  Indianapolis Art Center in Indiana cater to the sculptor, painter and potter in every kid (and parents, too). Lessons in the fine arts fill the summer here, with classes teaching the techniques of painting, drawing and printmaking. Pottery camp tea...

Playtime With a Purpose Issue: Spring/Summer 2008 Author(s): Kathy Witt Jump into a giant toilet. Be a bubble. Play a rousing round of tug-of-war. Don’t just watch cartoons; make your own! These are some of the active and imagination-sparking possibilities at  kidscommons , a children’s museum in  Columbus, Indiana , with three floors bursting with interactive learning and fun for families with toddlers to early teens. The action-packed museum has a 17-foot wall to climb, a hollow sycamore tree to explore and a house where kids can climb from chimney to attic. The...

Wager on the Water Issue: Spring/Summer 2008 Author(s): Miriam Carey Don’t be alarmed by the rhythmic ringing and dinging sounds that emanate from a bend in the Ohio River in Evansville, Indiana . It’s just the sound of gamers at play aboard the floating Casino Aztar riverboat, where more than 1,200 slot machines stand sentinel along with 50 gaming tables, allowing visitors to try their hand at everything from blackjack and craps to roulette and seven-card stud. Plus, Casino Aztar gives you a way to put all those coins clogging up your piggy bank to fun use: Not only do ...

Break Away at the Brickyard Issue: Spring/Summer 2008 Author(s): Amy S. Eckert Auto racing enthusiasts have flocked to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 1909, settling themselves into the world’s largest spectator sporting facility with more than 250,000 others. Now those who would rather experience speed first-hand have more reason than ever to visit the Brickyard.   The Speedway offers visitors the chance to ride in or drive an IndyCar themselves through the Indy Racing Experience . Participants suit up in authentic race gear and either join an experienced Indy Racing L...

Swan Song Issue: Spring/Summer 2008 Author(s): John Tidyman The Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Indiana , boasts the Indiana National Golf Club (two regulation courses), a wonderful spa, a host of packages and accommodation options and a singular attraction for golfers: the Academy.   The United States Golf Academy at Swan Lake is committed to making you a better golfer. Every touring pro has at least one teacher; why not the rest of us? PGA professionals, selected on the basis of teaching ability, depth of golf skills, commitment to students and a passion fo...

A Sure Bet Issue: Fall/Winter 2007 Author(s): Susan R. Pollack In modern times, basketball superstar Larry Bird put his southern Indiana hometown on the map when he became known as "the hick from French Lick."  Decades before that, from the early 20th century through the Roaring Twenties, the hamlet in southern Indiana's rolling hills flourished, drawing celebrities and infamous guests — from Groucho Marx and Bing Crosby to John Dillinger and Al Capone — to its mineral waters that flowed from the region's natural springs and to the illegal gambling halls that ...

Art Smart Issue: Fall/Winter 2007 Author(s): Lori B. Murray Shopping is the main activity in Nashville, Indiana , with more than 200 stores and galleries lining the picturesque village streets. Many of the shops feature the handmade creations of Brown County artisans . Dubbing itself the Art Colony of the Midwest, Nashville celebrates 100 continuous years of creativity this year. The town traces its artistic roots to painter T. C. Steele, who moved to Brown County in 1907; in the ensuing years, many of his colleagues followed him to the quaint town located an ho...

It's A Scream Issue: Fall/Winter 2007 Author(s): Gerald Bartell Jack Frost isn't the only one who casts a chill over the rolling hills of southern Indiana come fall. According to local folklore, spirits swoop through homes, museums and cemeteries, raising the hairs on the back of visitors' necks and supplying frightfully fun ways to peruse Bloomington, Indiana . Indiana University may have as many ghosts as deans: A woman in a yellow nightdress reportedly stalks Reed Hall Dormitory, and benevolent spirits at the Wylie House Museum, the home of IU's first president, ...

Set the Mood Issue: Fall/Winter 2007 Author(s): Betsa Marsh Scented candles burn, soft music plays and the fireplace glows. At Stonebridge Inn & Spa in Batesville, Indiana , the staff will happily set the mood for a memorable weekend. Guests and significant others need only pack an overnight bag and show up. "We have a lot of gentlemen who ask us to arrange everything," says Ashley Schuerman, co-owner and innkeeper. "They want us to pick a romance package, so that it will be a surprise for both of them." The mansion, set on three lush acres an hour outside I...

Gears, Golf and Gambling Issue: Spring/Summer 2007 Author(s): Bob Beasley Driving along the Ohio River as it bends its way to form the border between Kentucky and Indiana, the small-town images evoked by the music of native Hoosier John Mellencamp hold mostly true. That is, until you see a giant structure in the distance looking as if it somehow made a wrong turn on its way to Vegas or Atlantic City. Belterra Casino Resort and Spa  in Belterra, Indiana is a welcome site for road-weary travelers in search of some well-deserved R&R. Along with the expected offerings of...

Indy Interactive Issue: Spring/Summer 2007 Author(s): Gerald Bartell Taking kids to museums in the summer may seem like asking them to write essays while their friends play at the beach, but family-friendly museums in Indianapolis offer exhibits and activities that will vie with paddleboats, diving tanks and waterslides for fun and stimulation. The Indianapolis Museum of Art has two permanent installations that get kids moving and thinking. Do-Ho Suh's "Floor" brings visitors onto a smooth glass floor where visual perceptions are altered to reveal the secret of floor sup...

Ride 'Round Issue: Spring/Summer 2007 Author(s): Betsa Marsh There's a striking, circular symmetry to Jackson County's signature bicycle rides: round wheels, round routes, round barns. The central Indiana county will show off its white-washed barn treasures during the 10th Volksride Ride to Recycle June 16 and the 16th Round Barn Bike Ride July 7. Jackson County is lucky to have three round barns, remnants of a phenomenon that started in Northern Indiana, then drifted south about a century ago. All are on private farms, where the owners take good care of the curi...

Waterfront Rendezvous Issue: Spring/Summer 2007 Author(s): Miriam Carey Cuddling up on a three-mile-long beach to watch the sunset while listening to the wind rustle the wild dune grasses might sound like a long, expensive journey to the Hamptons, but this romantic spot is just a short jaunt to Michigan City in northern Indiana . Michigan City's charm includes picturesque waterfront views, miles of quiet, sandy beaches, historic architecture and romantic little inns. Serenity Springs offers a wide range of private bungalows to visitors who want a quiet getaway. Featuring so...

In the Company of Wolves Issue: Spring/Summer 2006 Author(s): Nadine Ekrek Wolves are highly elusive, misunderstood creatures. Some of the animal kingdom’s most intelligent, sensitive and highly social species, wolves by their very nature avoid people. In fact, there is no documented case to date of a healthy wolf attacking a human. And yet, for centuries, they have been feared as bloodthirsty predators. Many people are surprised to learn that wolves, much like humans, have a strong sense of family and loyalty — their relations in the pack are close-knit and complex. Those int...

Mass Appeal Issue: Spring/Summer 2006 Author(s): Gerald Bartell Mass Ave in Indianapolis cuts diagonally across the city’s grid of parallel streets and puts no period after its name. But more than layout and grammar set Mass Ave apart from its neighboring streets. Indoor and outdoor art exhibits, nightclubs offering live jazz, and theaters staging plays such as “Southern Baptist Sissies,” draw artists to the neighborhood.          Mass Ave’s restaurants draw artists and laymen alike. Traditionalists can head to th...

Remebering a 'Rebel' Issue: Fall/Winter 2005 Author(s): Kathryn Lemmon When he died, James Dean had Liz Taylor’s phone number in his little black book, as well as a bug exterminator’s direct line, proving even rebels must at times lead normal lives. Dean died 50 years ago at the age of 24 when his Porsche Spyder collided with another vehicle on a California highway. He was both a Hoosier farm boy and the universal symbol of "independent attitude." He lies buried in his hometown of Fairmount, Indiana – gone but certainly not forgotten. Each year in late September, the...

Hair-raising History Issue: Spring/Summer 2005 Author(s): Betsa Marsh The old bordello closed years ago, but somehow the ladies of the night seem to linger in their familiar haunt. Open wine bottles suddenly appear in the basement and on the second floor, where the ladies once took their customers. A woman has been seen in the upstairs rooms, and doors have been known to suddenly close on visitors. The rooms are now just storage for the Slippery Noodle tavern on South Meridian, the latest incarnation of this Indianapolis inn that was built in 1850. The Slippery Noodle is ...

Weekend on the Farm Issue: Spring/Summer 2005 Author(s): Betsa Marsh Scoop up the horse manure, hack down the cornstalks. From sunup to sundown, there's always work to be done on Frederick Zimmerman's farm, and this weekend, guess who's supplying the extra pair of hands? If you're not slopping the hogs or splitting the firewood, you're helping Bee, the missus of the house, scramble eggs and fry Mennonite toast on a sizzling wood-fired griddle. Everybody pitches in during this Weekend on the Farm at Conner Prairie living history museum in Fishers, Indiana, a 36-hour immer...

River Town Revene Issue: Fall/Winter 2004 Author(s): Betsa Marsh If You Go ... Whitehall Bed & Breakfast, 1229 W. Main St., Madison, Ind., 812/273-3024. www.whitehallbb.com . Rate: $150. Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, 601 W. First St., Madison, Ind., 812/265-3526. Open early April-mid-Dec.: Tues.--Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m.; closed mid-Dec. early April. www.laniermansion.org . The Heritage Center and Madison Railroad Station, 615 W. First St., Madison, Ind., 812/265-2335. Last weekend of April-Oct. 31: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m. Remainder ...

Tibet in Indiana Issue: Fall/Winter 2004 Author(s): Kathryn Lemmon If You Go ... Tibetan Cultural Center, 3655 Snoddy Rd., Bloomington, Ind., 812/331-0014. www.tibetancc.com . Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Snow Lion, 113 S. Grant St., Bloomington, Ind., 812/336-0835. Mon.-Thur. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (dinner menu all day Sun.). Lunch $3.95-$6.50, dinner $6.95-12.9 Tibet seems a world away from the Hoosier heartland, but it's not nearly as far as you might think. Visit the Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington, Indiana, and you'll understand...

Fort Fun Issue: Spring/Summer 2004 Author(s): Peggy Sailors "Family fun" is not an oxymoron in Fort Wayne, Indiana . Proof is at Science Central , a hands-on museum that promises to make science, math and technology enjoyable for everyone, from toddlers to teens and adults. Giggles and shrieks of delight come from wide-eyed tots as tiny fingers reach into a pool of water and gently stroke a starfish. A few feet away, two teen-agers try their hand at making rainbows and even tornadoes. Then, they stick their heads in a cloud. Emerging, they exclaim, "That's way c...

Fossils and Footprints Issue: Fall/Winter 2002 Author(s): Kathryn Lemmon It may seem difficult to believe, but an ocean and coral reef existed in Indiana some 350 million years ago. Falls of the Ohio State Park , in Clarksville, Indiana , is undisputed proof. Nowhere else in the world does such a vast, exposed fossil reef of the period exist. This ancient ocean floor contains visible remains of a variety of undersea creatures, their skeletons cast for full view by visitors. The entire coral reef stretches from Louisville, Kentucky, to Indianapolis. This particular spot earne...

History's Hellion Issue: Fall/Winter 2002 Author(s): Clare DeCapua In the 1930s, John Dillinger was a notoriously devious bank robber who had a way with charming women and evading police. Now you can see the world through his eyes at the museum dedicated to his short but turbulent life. Located in Hammond at the 23,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Indiana Welcome Center, The John Dillinger Museum walks visitors through the first half of the twentieth century, focusing mainly on the '20s and '30s, when Dillinger was at large in the Midwest. Born in a middle-class India...