Cracks and Thumps: Lafollette to Elkhart

small creek before wooded area in Tennessee

       In late September of 1963, eight years old, I would walk to West End Grade school in Lafollette Tennessee. I would cross a small creek. I would then make my way through a wooded area and then up a steep hill. The school lay beyond the hill.

 

in 1963 this was all wooded area in Tennessee, steep hill upper right

   I remember along the way through the wooded area, in the moist, crisp fog, walnuts would fall. I heard them crack upon tree limbs and then thump upon the ground. That experience and memory comforts me as if God reassures me through my walk in life.

    After school, along the path back home, I would gather many of those walnuts and, with my grandfather’s hammer, crack them open for their fruit. My goodness did my hands become stained with walnut oils. It was all much fun!

 

Woodland Conservation Garden Wellfield Botanic Gardens

    This morning, walking along the Woodland Conservation Garden at Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart Indiana, I was inspired again as I heard some nuts crack upon limbs and then thump upon the ground. I don’t know if they were acorns or hazelnuts, but squirrels seemed not to care much as they quickly grasped them and hurried along.

   Shallow rain puddles adorned the walkway as these squirrels jumped and skittered about.

   I love autumn. It is truly my favorite season.

   Also, neither acorns nor hazelnuts stain your hands!

If you get a chance, you ought to visit Wellfield Botanic Gardens for a wonderful seasonal experience!

You can read more about this place at their website:

 https://wellfieldgardens.org/

And tell them Mike sent you!

A gift of a Beatles ticket from Sharon

   The ticket pictured belonged to Sharon Sommers until she, as a wonderful gesture, gave it to me last night at the church’s Administrative Council Meeting.. Sharon has learned what a Beatles fan I am and figured it carried more sentimental value to me than ever it would to her. I explained that receiving it was “a very big deal, as if Neil Armstrong were to give you something related to his moon mission.” She responded “seeing the smile on your face is worth it!”.

   Sharon, far left in photo, serves as Financial Secretary at the Claypool United Methodist Church in Claypool Indiana, she serves food at our community dinners, and she serves to enhance my collection of Beatle memorabilia by her gift.

   She explains in her note, kept from 1964,  that she had been asked to go to this concert by a friend.

I asked her to describe the event. She said “It was loud!”

   I’m sure Beatle fans out there who, like me, were never able to attend a Beatle concert will understand…as I looked at the ticket, felt its texture, and “lived” her description of the event, I could almost imagine myself there at the Indiana Fairgrounds, outside, as a group of four people from England ascended the stage and performed a radically different popular music. I imagined the energized crowd of fans, perhaps still numb from the Kennedy assassination just months earlier, eager for some new, fresh experience to begin the process of a “cultural resurrection” of some kind.

Thank you, Sharon, for this great gift. Of course I shall cherish it along with your story which accompanies it. Imagine receiving such a gift at a church business meeting!

And also, I’m sure as many other Beatle fans read this, they are stirred with envy!

Mike's Once in a Lifetime Beatle Moment

South Bend Tribune photo by Andrew S. Hughes

Originally set to be at the Morris Performing Arts Center, it was moved to the Century Center

Mike and Son, Eric waiting for the doors to open.

Sir Richard Starkey, also known as Ringo Starr, former Beatle, performed along with his All-Starr Band at the Century Center in South Bend on Sunday, September 9, 2018.

   Having been a Beatle fan since that culture-defining moment on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, I have always sought opportunity to be in presence of a Beatle. I was pleased when my Son, Eric informed me of this concert.

I immediately committed myself to attending. I purchased three VIP tickets the moment they went on sale. I planned to wear my Sgt. Pepper costume. I was going to make this event much more than an experience of rock and roll music. I intended to make it a once-in-a-lifetime celebration!

totally sold out

   Having purchased the Sgt. Pepper costume for a 50^th Anniversary Party for the Sgt. Pepper album in 2017, I felt wearing it may be my best chance of being recognized by Ringo. Our seats were close enough to the stage. And I made myself as prominent as I could without gaining unwanted attention from security. 

 And sure enough I was successful!

Ringo and band

 Often referred to as a “Shout Out” in concert vernacular, Ringo pointed at me and said from the stage “Sgt. Pepper, I see you there.” then, turning to the other side of the venue added “Sgt. Pepper is over here. You can’t see him, but he looks good.”

   Bam! Or whatever exclamation one may choose, I was recognized by a Beatle, by Ringo Starr, by one knighted by the Queen of England! Each of those three personal roles is significant to me in many ways.

    What may be a passing moment of trivial regard to most people is a story-worthy, self-esteem enhancing experience to me. After fifty-four years of me recognizing Beatles, one has finally noticed me!

    Feeling quite proud of my humble personal accomplishment, there is another, yet more satisfying experience to report.

   I was indeed hoping to get the attention of Ringo by wearing the Sgt. Pepper costume. But, it turned out to be something that enhanced the experience of other concert-attendees. Many people asked me to pose with them for selfies. I was pleased to say “Yes!”

This is Peggy who saw the Beatles live in 1964 and 1965

   That people would invite me to be part of their personal celebration and memorabilia of this singular moment made me feel very special, like a part of a huge family!

   I have often said “If one is willing to make a fool of one’s self, unexpected opportunities will present themselves!”

   I had fun at this concert!

   Of course who would not!

    Ringo, dressed in black leather pants, a t-shirt which looked as though it had photos of flowers imprinted upon it, and a jacket of plaid red and black adorned with sparkles, performed energetically and sang with strong voice.

    Even jumping about on stage to the beat of music, at age seventy-eight, I was impressed with his performance.

    Along with Ringo was his band, comprised of  Colin Hay ("Who Can It be Now", "Land Down Under"), Steve Lukather ("Africa", "Hold The Line", "Roseanna"), Gregg Rolie ("Black Magic Woman", "Evil Ways") and new member Graham Gouldman of 10cc ("I’m Not In Love", "Things We Do For Love").  On percussion and sax is Warren Ham and on drums Gregg Bissonette.

    As Ringo was singing "Don't Make Me Cry" it occurred to me "I wish Ringo would sing that with Mick Jagger!" Their voices would sound great together on that song.

    

    On the back of the Beatles 1967 “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” album there is this promise. “A splendid time is guaranteed for all.” Ringo continues to fulfill that promise!

I would like to thank my wife, Sherry, for taking the photos. Also, Sherry much enjoyed the concert. She especially enjoyed the Greg Rolie performance of Santana material.

South Bend Tribune photo by Andrew S Hughes
I stand in aisle making myself available for selfies

The Ghosts of Al Capone, Rita Hayworth at the Barbee Hotel

It is the provocative nature of legend that inspires poetry, song, and a sense of having been “in the room” or “witness to history in the making”. It is the creative nature of entertaining an audience, even of one, that accommodates the gift of story-telling.

   The Barbee Hotel on Barbee Lake in Kosciusko County Indiana accommodates legend and story-telling.

   Legend has it that Clark Gable, Carol Lombard, Rita Hayworth, Al Capone and other such notable folk have stayed at the Barbee, and not only while they were living, but afterward as well.

  A brief survey of Google searches will confirm that these stories about ghosts, Prohibition day bad-boys and hide-away movie stars are many and multi-perspectived.

   Now, I don’t want to seem dismissive of these stories which many folk claim with a sense of “local pride”. By golly, I sincerely hope they are all true! But also, I know how the slightest suggestion of fact invites that fact to attract hearsay evidence and present it as “how-dare-you-contest-it” reputable.

My post here about the Barbee and its famous history is surely not to confirm or debunk the truth. I leave that to the haunts and their witnesses.

My intent is to celebrate the Barbee Hotel as the home of legend and story, to whatever degree of truth it may host.

   Sherry and I had dinner at the Barbee Hotel Restaurant tonight. The food was great. Amy, our waitress, provided excellent service!

    Sherry and I had sensible meals, but, when our waitress asked about desert, our spirits must have been inspired by the haunting cinematic history of the place and we felt like Indulgent movie stars. So, we shared a Black Raspberry Ombre Cake.

 But the reason why I wanted to have dinner there was to “be in the room” of the stuff of legend. Much like sailing a ship through the Bermuda Triangle, the story, the sincerity of belief of the tellers, means more to me than the factual qualities which may or may not be substantiated. The sensationalism of folklore is much more appealing to me than the dry fact of someone’s supposed signature on an ancient hotel register.

So what if Al Capone stayed in room 301! So what if he did not!

I hope with all that I am that after I depart there will be stories that Mike Settles stayed in some notable hotel, drove some unique automobile or otherwise made wonderfully great some otherwise good but common thing or place. I envy Rita Hayworth her continuing role as a spirit at the Barbee. I hope that the ghost of Mike Settles haunts some movie theater or restaurant thereby enriching its legendary cultural identity.

I invite you to visit the Barbee for dinner.

And tell them Mike sent you. They will still insist that you pay.

You can find out more about the Barbee Hotel at:

https://www.facebook.com/Barbee-Hotel-112898158721460/

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