Indiana Barns:Iconic as the soil of the Earth

 In July of 1969 I moved into Elkhart County.  One of the first impressions that grabbed my attention and fascination were the barns. I would ride my bicycle along the county roads and see these large structures which commanded a sense of respect. I gained a sense of respect for the labor of the farmer. I gained a sense of respect for the pride of family identity they presented as I read family names and dates of construction on the upper areas of the barns.

   These structures of farm culture preserve a character of history. They are as iconic as the soil of the Earth is beautiful in its utilitarian fruitfulness.

Some of these barns show evidence of better times having passed decades ago.

Some continue to be useful in productive manner.

Some serve as historic punctuation in a story that reaches back into farm history and forward into the future.

Thanks to Gail Shively for giving me a tour of the Kosciusko County Farm buildings.

Indiana takes barns so very seriously that you can get a deduction of valuation for an “Heritage Barn”. To find out more about this deduction and eligibility requirements visit:

https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-6-taxation/in-code-sect-6-1-1-12-26-2.html

You may visit the official Indiana forms access page to download the form “Statement of Deduction of Assessed valuation attributed to Heritage Barn”

This form is found at: https://www.in.gov/iara/2362.htm

And yet more information on the history of Indiana Barns is found at: http://www.indianabarns.org/about

Elkhart County

Mike at Elkhart County Courthouse

   It was July, 1969 that I moved from Detroit Michigan to Elkhart County Indiana. And while I enjoyed Detroit, the Tigers, my school, Carstens, I gained, in Elkhart County, a deeper connection to nature. Detroit was all brick, cement, glass. One reported area in terms of city blocks, such as “that bank occupies a full city block.”  In Elkhart County, the report was “his farm was of 150 acres.”

    I enjoyed the aroma of disturbed soil being prepared for planting.

 The weather was given a wide stage upon which to perform its visual and sonic effect as rolling fields of corn, green and uniform, received the alternating blessings of rain and sun.

   The evenings were alive with the sound of peepers, frogs, and other musical creatures.

    It was the nighttime sky above acres of farmland that became the instance in which I learned how to spot the Big Dipper.

   Yes, the theater of nature, Elkhart County, not only entertained my senses; it informed my intellect causing a richer connection with nature.

Arthur Franklin Mapes described Indiana well in his poem which has been made the Indiana State Poem…

” God crowned her hills with beauty,

Gave her lakes and winding streams,

     Then He edged them all with woodlands

As the setting for our dreams.”

I claim those sentiments for Elkhart County even more so.

Wanatah Indiana, The Silver Horseshoe, and the Lincoln Train

Wanatah Indiana is a delightful, inviting town with a sense of local focus, state pride, and national identity.

About nine miles east of Valparaiso along US 30, Wanatah is worth a short divergence from your schedule.

Traveling from Warsaw to Valparaiso, I decided to explore this small town. 

Discovering the Silver Horseshoe Bar and Grill, I decided to venture in and have a hamburger. Quite a tasty burger. The cook mentioned that they are famous for their burgers because they use a blend of tree hamburger meats. I don’t know anything about cooking, but that was indeed one great burger. Friday nights they serve perch and bluegill. But don’t try to get a pizza on Friday; the fish is so popular they have little time for anything else. You can get pizza any other day of the week.

Yes, Wanatah is locally focused, the Silver Horseshoe is evidence.

Wanatah also exhibits state pride. A casual walk through William F. Hunt Park revealed to me a a tree-stump carved in the likeness of a cardinal, the state bird of Indiana. The rich color and precision of carve are witness to the diligence of state pride these people possess.

And one thing you just can’t miss, also on the campus of the park, is the Abraham Lincoln train. The memorial display offers information.

Wanatah, I enjoyed a tasty hamburger, was impressed with your cardinal, and inspired by your sense of national identity.

Thank you for making your town a model of American

The Silver Horseshoe is located at 104 S Main St, Wanatah, IN 46390.

You can find them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Silver-Horseshoe-Bar-Grill-433491600381155/

Drop in sometime. And tell them Mike sent you!

Bremen Indiana, A Historic Water Tower, and the Downtown'r Restaurant

The road from US 6 into Bremen Indiana presents a sign with the description “Bremen: A Good Town”. I immediately felt welcomed. Most towns and cities intimidate a visitor with greetings such as “You won’t want to Leave” which prompts my apprehensions. But Bremen presents a humble, inviting, “you’re my friend” kind of reception which is quite pleasant.

   I drove from Elkhart, my town, to get a few photos of the historic water tower in town. I decided to have breakfast at the “Downtown'r” which is at 101 Plymouth. Upon entering the door I was greeted by the owner, Anna, with a “Hello!” Anna seems to greet everyone coming through that door. She certainly presents a “you’re my friend” kind of reception. Yes, I was already beginning to think that “A Good Town” was honestly promoted. Anna greets many of the folk by name. She says many of the customers are regulars.

   This is one of the very few restaurants that I know of that open for business at 4:30 AM. Anna says it is to accommodate the factory workers and the retired farmers.

   Folks, the food is great. If you are visiting Bremen, I suggest you visit Anna at the Downtown'r. And tell her Mike sent you.

   Hours for the Downtown'r are 4:30-1 Monday through Friday. They are open on Saturday and Sunday, but I did not catch the hours. You can call to confirm hours at: 574-546-5458.

   But as I said, I was there to get some photos of this beautiful piece of history, the water tower which is on Jackson street.

   The tower, built in 1892, is a cylinder shape with the name of the town in vertical letters.

   The cement stone identifier reads: “Bremen Water Works: Trustees J.P Glass, I.F Wine, H.J. Ringle, William May, T.F Knoblock. With James Madden as Contractor.

Hopefully, I got all of those names right. If I did not, let me know at cmsettles@juno,com

   Also, on August 10, 1975, it was recognized as part of the celebration for the bicentennial of the nation’s Declaration of Independence in 1976.

   They were even thoughtful enough to provide a gazebo with a resting seat, and aromatic lilacs to attend a visitor.

   Bremen, you are indeed a good town. I felt pretty good every moment I was there, in the Downtown, walking the clean streets, visiting this historic site of which you are obviously proud.

   Also folk, not to worry, Bremen also has a contemporary water tower overlooking a beautiful cemetery.

Union City Indiana, A Great Place to Visit

Union City Indiana

For those who enjoy grasping history by the coattails and swiveling it around for a good face to face encounter, Union City Indiana is a place to visit. I count at least three antique stores supported by a pride of city legacy that any municipality would envy!

Susan Linder

Susan Linder, owner of the Union City Christian Bookstore and President of the local Chamber of Commerce, was very helpful regarding my interest in the history of this city. She directed me to the statute of founding father Jeremiah Smith  in front of the Union City Library, a Carnegie library.

Union City is also home to a former Indiana governor Isaac P. Gray.

Founder Jeremiah Smith

This city carries much historic wealth. But it also lives in the present with a peaceful and pleasant nature. It is a clean city. It is an appealing city.

The Union City Christian Bookstore is one place that lives in the present and looks toward the future.

For those who enjoy collecting antiques, on Saturday, September 22, 2018, there will be a “Gathering of Street Side Vendors and Antique Auction” sponsored by the Union City Chamber of Commerce. From 9 AM until 4 PM one can spend some time engaging in the commerce of antiques. I encourage you to visit. You never know what great deal you may run upon.

Susan Linder with customer Audrey Wild

Of course you don’t have to wait until September to visit. While I was at the bookstore, customer Audrey Wild handed me an invitation to the “Church of God”. Now that’s what I call always being prepared!

As I am a United Methodist Pastor, I could not help but notice the Wesley UMC in Union City.

Yes, Union City has a wonderful history. It lives a vibrant present. It reaches toward the future with an optimistic attitude. And much more important, I was impressed by the hospitality of everyone I spoke with. Union City not only wants a face to face encounter, she intends to pull her history forward into a relevant and vibrant future!

I encourage you to visit! And tell them Mike sent you!

A beautiful library

A clean and pleasing city!

The Union City Christian Bookstore sells books!

Wesley United Methodist Church

Wonderful window at the WesleY UMC

The Union City Christian Bookstore sells jewelry.

Loosen Up with Quentin Flagg

Quentin Flagg

A child of the 1960s, I am always making references to rock songs and performers in my sermons. Karen, a parishioner at my church latching on to my appreciation of rock, invited me to see Quentin Flagg perform.

Karen Smith, a regular

    As Sara, Quentin’s wife describes “He delivers a high energy performance of 1950s and 60s rock and roll”.

And it was high energy! Before the show, dressed in black suit and teal tie, Quentin almost looked like a pharmaceutical sales person. As the show progressed he more and more assumed the appearance of a well-performed Elvis. In fact that is where it all began for him twenty years ago. He publicly performed a tribute to Elvis and decided then and there that he wanted to do that for a living.

    Quentin’s performance is much more than a tribute to Elvis or any other artist. This is not a hobby for Quentin. This is his profession. This is his achievement of self-actualization, a rare thing for anyone to accomplish.

audience

    As he began his first song, the audience participated in finger-snapping, hand-clapping response as Quentin’s vocal abilities and dance moves carved broad smiles upon the faces of everyone there.

A regular on Thursday nights, the crowd also is regular in attendance. Being in an audience of about eighty people, we were not merely paid spectators, Quentin creates a sense of community. And Quentin recognizes this community. Addressing many people by name he declares…”this one is for you!”

Yes, Quentin started out the evening looking very polished. But as the songs sang through, and especially during “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” the teal-colored tie came off and the well-styled hair loosened up.

Quentin signing photos after performance

fan in Quentin t-shirt

  He reported, just before singing Buddy Holly’s “True Love Ways” that he sang that song on his wedding night. The audience sighed in emotional punctuation to this report. He went on to say that Sara, his wife, cried as he sang that romantic song. I assumed he meant that she cried from a sense of stirred love for him rather than displeasure.

Sara

Oh yes, Sara…she keeps him straight on his set list. And she also teaches first grade in Knox. I’m sure teaching provides her with “entertaining” opportunities as well!

   Quentin caused us all to loosen up a bit. You’ll loosen up too!

Come on out to the American Countryside Farmer’s Market at 22751 County Road 26, Elkahrt Indiana, 46517 on Thursday nights at 6 PM

Entrance fee is $5.00 (you can’t beat that!)

Oh yes…and tell him Mike sent you!

Quentin and Mike

You can find out more about Quentin at his website…

Quentinflagg.com

Katie Prendergast Creates a Sense of Musical Freshness

Special Promoter's Note:

Given some very uncooperative conditions during the week before the performance, I zealously assert that Katie is indeed a professional in the highest sense of the word!

photo by Sue Woznicki

I would like to express my gratitude to Sue Woznicki for her wonderful skill at the graphic artwork she put together for the Katie Prendergast Concert. The work on the poster and ticket was beautiful and outstanding. And also for the Facebook post artwork.

graphic art by Sue Woznicki

   Also, a big “thank you” again to Ryan Clay whose serendipitous discovery of Katie and her excellent talent made this concert possible. Of course, having studied education to become a teacher, one would expect Ryan to be able to notice talent!

Thanks to my son, Eric and my wife Sherry for tying up loose ends and focusing my attention where it needed to be.

And to Keith Priser for recording the event and offering suggestions (Keith has had much professional experience around the Warsaw and Nashville Tennessee areas)!

   But most of all I say “Thanks! Katie!” for a truly entertaining experience Saturday night, November 18, 2017. I am genuinely impressed with your craft of lyric. Your composition of melody lived beyond what was expected! One concert attendee, John, said “I expected her to be good. But being 17, I thought all of her songs would be similar in sound. I was pleasantly surprised. Her range of topic in lyric and feel for melody was really good!”

   There is this one song Katie sings. I think the title is “I’m Only Seventeen”. Well, for being only seventeen she sure reaches toward a very mature strength in vocal ability, literacy in lyric and variety in melody!

photo by Sue Woznicki

It was a great, enthusiastic, and engaged crowd that filled the capacity of this performance venue. They left in hopes of “more to come”.

Katie does not want it to end there on that stage at Goshen College last Saturday night.

Performances are being planned for the spring of 2018 and also into the summer.

If you would like to book this talent for your party, event, or “happening”, please contact Mike Settles at cmsettles@juno.com

a very proud Mike with his star Katie
photo Sue Woznicki

Katie Prendergast Performs at Goshen College November 18, 2017

photo by Mike Settles

I have become quite impressed with Katie Prendergast.

When I hosted my Sgt. Pepper Celebration at “Blank Space” in Goshen on June 2, 2017 Keith Priser, my main performer, had to take a bit of a break to rest his voice. While exploring the First Friday activities in Goshen he, and my consulting Beatles historian Ryan Clay happened upon Katie singing and playing guitar. Ryan, taking notice of Katie's exceptional talent, prompted Keith to include her in the Sgt. Pepper Celebration by singing a couple of songs. Katie returned with Keith and Ryan and approached the stage.

When Katie strummed her guitar, and opened her mouth to sing everyone in the room stopped talking, stopped walking, stopped eating cake, they turned their eyes and ears toward Katie and consumed every note to which Katie gave breath.

It was one of those very rare moments in my life that happened upon a truly singular phenomenon that compelled my attention and follow through.

So, I followed through. I found Katie’s mom and suggested the opportunity of a performance featuring Katie. Patty, Katie’s mom, was thrilled by the idea and so here we have it…

Logos by Sue Woznicki

   Katie will be performing on November 18 at 7:PM at Goshen College in room 19 of Newcomer Center. As tickets are only $5.00 each, they will sell out quickly!

   Allow me to introduce Katie to you…

    At 17 years old she is very mature, competent, and uniquely polite. Her social and personal grace, along with a commanding smile, sets one at ease and invites friendship.

As much as she is accomplished vocally, also she values the craft of songwriting. When I asked her who she favors as musical artists she mentioned Dodie Clark (check her out on YouTube), Bright Eyes, and, with a chuckle, Taylor Swift (very early in Katie’s career). As Katie mentioned these artists it was their songwriting that she most praised.

   Katie takes songwriting seriously and so I asked “How do you go about composing a song?” She begins with a melody. But, to give that melody a vehicle, she free-associates some “silly” lyric , as she puts it. After she is happy with the melody, the chord changes and movement, she then writes a lyric befitting that melody. As she described this process it reminded me of the story of how Paul McCartney composed “Yesterday”, which began as “Scrambled Eggs”!

While difficult for her to summarize, in general the themes of her lyrics speak of “being yourself”, “being trapped in adolescence” and “rain”. She finds a gentle rain to be comforting and enabling of the creative spirit.

When it comes to performing, she approaches the stage, the moment of performance with a sense of excitement accompanied by its cousin panic. That’s good for the audience…a superb performance shall always be accomplished by the attendance of those two motivators.

   Yes, she plans on college. She has yet to make up her mind whether it will be toward a medical career or a performing career. Perhaps she can acquire both…

   This young lady, a sense of social responsibility, takes her ukulele and voice to hospice patients and provides musical entertainment. I was quite very impressed with her care-giving heart!

photo by Patty Prendergast

Yes, I am impressed with Katie and I’m sure you will be too.

Contact Mike Settles at cmsettles@juno.com for tickets to her November 18, 2017 performance or for information on how to book her for your own event.

Space is limited for the November 18 performance so get tickets early!

Mary Ellen Bajdek and National Punctuation Day

September 24 is National Punctuation Day. The website celebrating this day describes itself as…

“A celebration of the lowly comma, correctly used quotation marks, and other proper uses of periods, semicolons, and the ever- mysterious ellipsis.”

As a favorable reflection upon Mary Ellen Bajdek, sophomore English teacher at Concord High school 1971, I would like to, on this National Punctuation Day 2017, bring attention to the importance and fun of grammatical aspects of the English language.

I thoroughly enjoyed her class. Diagramming sentences and identifying the various phrase types and uses was for me a consuming hobby.

I remember having an argument in class with her one day over a paragraph we were reading. I insisted that the phrase we were focusing on was a participial phrase; she argued that it was an adverbial phrase. I maintain that my argument was correct. But, given that the argument was taking too much class time, I acquiesced to her standing and moved on.

I very much was entertained by that argument.

Mrs. Bajdek, wherever you are, thank you for making grammar fun for me.

During high school and college, I was very good at grammar and spelling. If you pay attention to my blog postings and Facebook postings, you will notice I have become sloppy.

Always feel free to correct me when you see an error. But do so as Mrs. Bajdek always did…with a confident and sincere smile on your face!

You can find out more about National Punctuation Day at:

http://www.nationalpunctuationday.com/

Kris Brownlee...A Soundscape to Twilight

Kris Brownlee

 Though this review focuses on Kris Brownlee’s performance at Ignition Music Garage in Goshen, I would like to point out that he is a great talent developer as well. Previously Kris introduced Elkhart to saxophonist Elizabeth Mis, and tonight, at Ignition Music Garage, he introduced Goshen to the very entertaining Chloe Grace. Her vocal qualities compare to any on the popular charts, even better. She composes melodies that give her voice opportunity to dance around as if tickled by the stories her poetry tells. She seemed pleased to have such a responsive audience here in Goshen.

Chloe Grace and Kris Brownlee band

   Thank you Chloe Grace for bringing your vocal grace for us to enjoy. And thank you Kris for arranging it!

You can learn more about Chloe Grace on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ChloeGraceC/photos/?ref=page_internal

    Yes, this review is about Kris.

   I first heard Kris play at Elkhart Jazz festival. And then also at Fernwood Botanical Gardens around the Niles Michigan area.

Every place I have heard him play was in the evening as the sun was setting.

I describe his music as “soundscape to twilight”.

    Tonight in Goshen we experienced cool temperatures as a soft sun began to set. The light poured through windows into the venue and seemed transformed into an ambiance that enabled a relaxation to set in. Whatever distractions anybody entered with, they evaporated quickly as Kris and his band begin to play.

They began by playing a cover of a Grover Washington tune “Let It Flow”. I paid particular attention to the bassist, Jordan Swartzendruber. Jordan’s musicianship reminded me of the funk sounds I heard during the 1970s.

 A little later, as Kris was introducing his own material, he described it as “funk/vibe”. I was pleased to know that my description was “in the ballpark”.

Kris and his band, Jordan Swartzendruber on bass, Andrew Hauser on drums, Jeff Keefer on Keyboard, and Paul Erdman on superb lead guitar, play a smooth jazz that reaches to that place in the soul that enables a joyous emotional response. Their music is neither a disturbing staccato nor a pedestrian tranquilizer. This music awakens sensitivities without numbing them like so many other loud, aggressive ego-centric artists I have heard.

Kris has a sense of humor. While introducing “Closer”, a slow romantic number, he said “snuggle with the one you love, or the one you came with…or just any random person!”.

Kris' mom and dad

Kris’ mom and dad were in the room. I had opportunity to ask them for a description of Kris’ music. His dad reported “he keeps workin’ it until it is perfect”. Both parents seem quite very proud. Kris is proud of them too. When I asked Kris to point me toward them, he said “my dad is the one with the Vietnam Veteran hat!”

Folks…Kris’ music is as smooth and engaging as his personality.

You should find opportunity to check out this jazz experience.

If you have a musical itch, this band will scratch it.

You can find out more about Kris at:

https://www.krisbrownlee.com/

The Mighty Panther

art by Jim Gary Phillips

On our return from vacation in Lafollette Tennessee on April 28, Sherry and I stopped, as we usually do, at the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea Kentucky. While enjoying lunch there, I noticed a painting on the wall beside our table. I was quite amused. The intensity of color grabbed my attention. But also, there was this story being told in this painting.

“Nature to nature, down by the lake, the mighty panther and the dreadful snake.”

Obviously, the story is about the panther in battle with the snake. But they look as if they are in play. It looks lighthearted, as if they are just friends horsing around. It tickled me.

I mentioned my amusement to Sherry. She liked it also.

Having left the Center, I then forgot all about the painting. Until yesterday when Sherry presented it to me as a birthday gift. I was once again amused.

It now hangs on the wall in my office at the church. It serves as a muse to inspire sermon I suppose.

Sherry is great about paying attention and then delivering as gift those things mentioned.

I once mentioned a ring at Snyder’s Jewelry store in Goshen…received it for my birthday.

I mentioned a desire for a “Mickey Mouse” watch. Got one for Christmas.

She gives me biographies about Winston Churchill.

When I turned 60, she arranged for me to have a boat ride on the Dixie Sternwheeler, which is a paddle boat on Webster Lake in North Webster, Indiana.

She arranged for me to receive an autographed photo of Jimmy Carter.

When I mentioned my appreciation for Movado watches…I received one.

And now this painting!

I keep mentioning how much I like the Lincoln Continental, and that it is back in production. I shall keep my eyes open!

Thank you, Sherry for enriching my life with these gifts, and your attention.

I love you!

You can find out more about the artist Jim Gary Phillips at:

http://www.amerifolk.com/artists/jim-gary-phillips/

Thanks Again, Dean Lamb...and Happy Birthday!

Today would be the birthday of my friend Dean Lamb. He passed away September 13, 2013. To honor his memory I offer the following, taken from the tribute I delivered at his funeral service. 

  I got to know Dean at the Meadowood Free Methodist Church in 1973. We were in the same Sunday school class taught by Vi Elliot. In casual conversation, I discovered that he liked science fiction and progressive rock music. A friendship was immediately created. We exchanged phone numbers. 522-3070 was the only phone number I had reason to memorize. It eventually became a handle for requests for assistance.

    In 1973 I drove a 1965 Chevell Malibu. I was as incompetent then as I am now about automobiles. The car kept stalling at intersections. I called Dean, 522-3070. He not only diagnosed the fuel filter, he changed it for me.

    Dean became my go-to person when I needed answers to practical problems. He also had this magical ability that I always dreamed of, but was too afraid to try on my own. He could swim. And he had a swimming pool! Dean knew enough about the physical properties of water and buoyancy, he knew enough about how I would behave, he knew our “geek” language that we shared, to eventually get me to let go of the side of the pool. And once I did, once I discovered that I would just float there… Once I discovered that it actually took effort and will to submerge, my life was dramatically changed for the better. Not only could I swim, but if I could learn to swim, what else could I learn to do! Dean may not have known it, but he changed the direction of my life, enabling me toward risk-taking and goal setting.

   522-3070 was good for many things. Did I mention that I am incompetent when it comes to automobiles? Flat tires. I get out the jack. What a contraption. I find a place to secure it under the truck. Oh yes, put on the brake. Can’t get the lug-nuts to move…I call 522-3070.

    It wasn’t always automobiles. Since I have known Dean, I have moved at least six times. 522-3070.

    And Dean always valued that telephone number. It had been that home’s number since the house was built in 1955. He wanted to keep the number. Some say it was out of some sentimentality that he kept it. I think it was because he didn’t want me to have to the trouble of learning a new number.

Dean was always there, always dependable.

And these were not mere inconveniences that Dean helped to resolve. Everything has a consequence.  Everything can be life changing. There is a little common proverb that may help to illuminate the point…

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

Many called upon Dean for help, and he, in that simple gesture of affirmative response, made lives continue, conditions improve, hope restored.

Dean was kind and helpful.

    The Apostle Paul speaks of kindness…

From Galatians we read…

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

    Dean was an example of those attributes.