Indiana Bats are Invaluable, and They Do Not Deserve a Bad Rap

It's not a lamppost - I know it's hard to identify at this angle, but the box on top of the tall post in the photo is a bat house. The house on the shorter post is a blue bird house, which unfortunately barn swallows like to commandeer for themselves.

An Indiana bat could use this space for shelter in the summer. Bats in this part of the country have to migrate and hibernate in the winter. Indiana owns the distinction of a bat species named in its honor - Myotis sodalis is a smallish, plain grey batty with the common name Indiana bat. In summer months it lives all over the eastern and Midwestern United States; in winter the bats come together and hibernate in groups of thousands in just a few caves.

An endangered species, the number of Indiana bats has declined by about 50 percent in the past 25 years. Part of this decline has been caused by the deadly White-Nose Syndrome, a fungus which is thought to have caused over five million bat deaths by 2012. The bats are dying as the disease spreads during the hibernation process.

Conservationists are familiar with pioneering scientist Merlin Tuttle, who has worked most of his life to keep bats alive. Humans have been slow to understand the importance of bats in the world ecosystems. Bats pollenate plants, disperse seeds, and eat tons of insects. Bats are for the most part shy and reclusive, but humans have beaten, chased, smoked them out of caves and attempted to annihilate them.

As a teenager, Tuttle discovered one of the country's largest populations of hibernating bats in a Knoxville, TN cave. Thus began his long career as a scientist and persona número uno for bats. For decades, he learned to communicate with stubborn farmers, landowners, and moonshiners so as to get passage to explore caves - sometimes places humans didn't seem to know about. Repelling, climbing, risking life and limb - his lifelong passion is legendary.

By 1986, Tuttle was leading the new Bat Conservation International group, and Austin, Texas had seen an incredible influx of one and 1/2 million Brazilian free-tailed bats. They had settled downtown beneath the city's Congress Avenue Bridge, and their nightly cyclone trail darkened the skies as the millions streamed out to feed.

Tuttle did a huge job convincing people the bats were harmless and actually very helpful in so many ways. Among his other accomplishments, Tuttle petitioned the US Fish and Wildlife Service to list the grey Myotis bats as federally endangered, after having discovered vital bat roosts had been burned out by kerosene torches. These are bats that would scour the night air for insects, eating Mosquitos and crop pests. A single bat can eat 3000 insects per night, feeding by echolocation.

Bats can be difficult to distinguish from one another. Indiana bats are only about two inches long and weigh 1/4 ounce. Scientists have to look at size of feet and length of toe hairs to differentiate Indiana bats from other species. If you happen to find a bat, don't touch it with your bare hands. If it bites you, it will need to be destroyed and tested for rabies (unlikely though to have it). In a summer night sky, I enjoy watching a bat feed, fluttering and darting over the water. I think of the female, nursing her single young, that needs a month's worth of growth and mother's milk before it can learn to fly. Regard the bat, respect it, and see it as the blessing it is.

Community Gardens at IPFW Bloom and Grow

Near Crescent and Coliseum Boulevards in Fort Wayne is the great pedestrian bridge that is passage for students as they walk to campus from student housing. It had been named for a patron, but now the bridge is again unnamed. Tucked under it nearly, on the top of a little hill is the Allen County, Indiana Cooperative Extension Office, in a grassy corner meadow on the IPFW campus.

There you will find the IPFW Community Gardens, which have been planned, built, maintained and manned by trained gardening volunteers. Purdue Master Gardeners go through intensive training to gain the skills needed to do the work that they do here. A beautiful variety of gardens are laid out. Classic English country gardens, raised vegetable and flower beds, ornamental grasses are here for all to see.

As a visitor, one can walk and wander all through these lovely gardens, on the paths laid out. Signage helps a person identify flowers and plants. Different themes abound, and different styles and biomes of plants are carefully tended here.

The Allen County and Purdue Master Gardeners become volunteer leaders after their training. Participants do many kinds of community service to support their passion for their craft. They volunteer to answer phones at a call center, and respond to questions online as well. They conduct community seminars and participate in teaching programs for children.

Applications for the training program are available online. Volunteers can attend scheduled classes regularly. Plant science, nutrition and soil are topics in early sessions. Students go on to cover insects, diseases and weeds in the next few weeks. The intensive lessons also include vegetable gardening, herbs, caring for roses, and annuals and periennials. All this preparation really shows in what they accomplish at the community gardens.

I remember seeing lovely Indiana plants there too - tall sunflowers and corn stalks, and home-grown, mouth-watering tomatoes. The cheerful zinnias, the adorable potting sheds and garden houses were charming. Hydrangeas, roses, petunias - a plethora of pansies were all a delight. I found myself being drawn back and back to visit. The smells, the wind chimes, so pleasant to meander through. I appreciate all the work done there. The gardens are outdoor and seasonal, so be prepared and go at the right times of year for best viewing.

When Summer Days Fall into Autumn

The lone grebe is back, fishing by himself across the pond. He's a loner. Is he a happy bachelor, or a sad one? I don't know, but he seems content.

The swallows circle, catching mosquitos in the air. They dip, bank and dive, turning on a dime.

Wild turkeys cross the country roads. A flock of seven or eight grazes slowly as cows do: plump, sturdy and social. I'm drawn to them - I want to get out and follow on foot.

The overcast sky is ponderous and oppressive. The reflecting water is not blue, but the color of the mirror it is - dull grey: new steel/car bumper grey. The wind has changed, and blows from an uncommon direction.

One tiny sugar maple has transformed itself into an orange streak among the greens and dull wheat browns.

An old wooden wire spool sits bare and waiting, as if a giant seamstress had dropped it from the heavens while sewing. I'm going to paint it and make it into an outdoor table.

Bones ache and cold seeps up through the floor into my feet. Blankets come out and we walk around the house draped like native Americans.

I haul the window air conditioning unit out by myself. It's filled with spiders, webs and eggs: a perfect home for them. I take a Q-tip, wind it around the lot and drop the whole cotton-candy mess out the open window. I struggle to lift, then carry the heavy contraption, thinking of Atlas holding the earth. A collection of water runs out of it onto the bed.

Going back to close the window, I see a lone, large garden spider hiding flattened in a corner. If I close the window, it will crush her.

I find a pencil to shepherd her out of the jamb. Instead of climbing out the open window, she runs back and forth from one end of the trough to the other. I finally get my tool under the large spider, launch it through the opening and close the window. Fall begins.

Indiana Dunes West Beach, Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk is a Pleasure for the Senses

I'm trying some different places along the shores of Lake Michigan. The swimming at New Buffalo, Michigan, is some of the best I've encountered along the Lake Michigan waterfront. The way in which the beach slopes off, deep enough for swimming without yards of wading, and the rolling semi-surf: it made up for the wait for parking at the crowded town waterfront. Be prepared to grab all your chairs, coolers, towels and bags - and walk in. There at the mouth of the Galien River, a natural harbor led to the town and marina, where many pleasure boats launch to go out around the breakwater. There's a little boardwalk sidewalk out to the beach area.

2000 residents live in New Buffalo, which has a lovely old-fashioned street shopping district. Amtrak runs three trains through the station daily, and tribes of native Americans run the Four Winds Casino nearby. There are bathrooms, showers and lifeguards at the beach area, and a good playground area for kids.

This is also a good spot for boat watching, as the beach is adjacent to the river and channel where the boats are shunted out to the Great Lake. People climb on the rocks on the pier here, and it doesn't look made for that, so I say caution should be used walking out. We also saw an unfortunate incident in which a boat was blown into the rocks trying to get out the breakwater, and the crew needed emergency assistance. As we know, not all boating conditions in wind are favorable.

34 miles to the west, closer to Chicago, I traveled to West Beach of the Indiana Dunes. It's featured in my second and third photos above. This beach sits near Gary at the southern-most tip of Lake Michigan. It has nice trails, including a 6-mile bike loop. I believe this is the Marquette trail, a repurposed rail line. For walking trails, one is along a flat area with an oak savanna, and another is a more strenuous dune climb with steep stairs. The walks are potentially beautiful, with forested dunes and views of the great lake and Chicago skyline in the distance. Through a spot that had been sand mined in the 1920s, prickly pear cactus can be seen along with green herons and other waterfowl in a re-established wetland.

It does cost $6 to park at West Beach, and there are 600 spots. There's a website with West Beach surf reports: air and water temperatures, surf heights and wind, etc. It wasn't surfable when I was there but that's fine. Be careful with all the rail crossings in this area. I-80/94 is nearby too, making travel easy from Detroit and Chicago.

One random note: I'm amazed at the way people don't know better and let their kids scramble all over the dunes and beach grass. Other places, California or Florida, the public seems better educated about this. I repeatedly saw a park ranger have to tell kids not to climb on the grass because it kills it. The grass holds back the sand and keeps the dunes from blowing away. The kids are just looking for somewhere to jump off, but I do hope all people get the message.

The last beach I'm writing about today is the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. Reclaimed in an industrial area, it sits right next to the massive US Steel in Portage on the great lake. The top photo above shows its fishing pier and harbor exit. It formerly held settling ponds, industrial byproducts and sewage treatment facilities. It became a brownfield reclamation in 2008 and reopened with a beach, trails, pier, and 900 restored feet of breakwater.

A 3500 square foot public pavilion is a key feature of the lovely place. Its modern design and use of glass resembles a sail in the wind. It's a Gold LEED certified building, meaning it's been awarded for leadership in energy efficiency and environmentally sound design. The whole redesigned area was planned by the city of Portage and the National Parks Service.

To get in to this park, one drives along the Burns Waterway. This is a channel from the Portage Marina that runs alongside the massive US Steel plant complex. The park has free parking and 125 spaces. It's open daily sunrise until 1/2 hour after dusk. One can see the Chicago skyline in the distance here, of course, too. All these places are just over a two-hour drive from Fort Wayne. So, these are easy day trips, or good overnight and weekend excursions. I highly recommend it. The scenery, the colors, the sunsets are wonderful.

Riverside Gardens in Leo-Cedarville Park offers a fun variety of activities

It's bring-your-own horseshoes, but there's a beautiful park all ready and set up for it at Riverside Gardens in Leo-Cedarville, Indiana. All the rules are listed on the sign in the above photo. The pits are nicely groomed, as if they don't get a lot of use there. But other interesting features of the park, recently finished for the most part in 2014, are very popular. These include a kids' splash pad (pictured left), sand volleyball courts (very well used), kids' playground equipment (popular), and paved walking trails.

There's a lovely wildflower garden with native plants at the south end of the park along the walking trails. Another wonderful feature is a paved stone creek with running water for play. Kids climb and splash through it, and it's so popular, I've seen photographers taking pictures of graduates or seniors next to the rambunctious kids.

Once native American lands for people such as the Miami and other tribes, this part of Indiana was slowly taken over by white settlers in the 1800's. Mastodon bones were discovered nearby in 1879, hence the origin of IPFW's mascot name for the Fort Wayne college campus and teams.

Leo-Cedarville's Riverside Gardens is located on the banks of the St. Joe River in northern Allen County. Just off Schwartz Road, Leo-Grabill Road and State Highway 1, it's a short drive north out of Fort Wayne along the tree-lined river and some Amish country. At that spot in the river, the Cedarville Dam was built in 1956 to help supply water to Fort Wayne. The Cedarville Reservoir filled up and retained 500 million gallons which could be treated for the city's water supply.

The Hurshtown Reservoir was later built to further back up supply: it holds 1.7 billion gallons. By 2001, a survey of local residents revealed most didn't want commercial development at this juncture of the river and Schwartz Road, so plans for the park and other town master planning began. The town had incorporated in 1996, so the park is a result of a park board, which was formed and which draws up park rules and collects fees for pavilion rentals.

The large octogonal pavilion with its connecting parts rents for $125/for a resident and a little more if one is not. The smaller pavilions, also very nice for picnics and get-togethers, go for $75/day for non-residents and a little less if the renter is local. There have been many special events this summer, such as kayak rentals along the shore. A farmer's market offers local goods every Tuesday in the summer, and live music concerts encourage folks to come and set up their lawn chairs Friday nights in the summertime.

We got a kick out of a car drive-in show, featuring plenty of cool classic cars and also some awesome newer things: I think the Tesla stole the show with this crowd. And then there's the Fourth of July Freedom Fest every year - the fabulous fireworks display and festival over and along the river. Lots of thoughtful planning goes on, and the work has paid off. You can google the town's website to learn more, or just drive there and check it out for yourself.

Warren Dunes along the Lake Michigan shoreline is a great day trip from Fort Wayne or Chicago

I get really excited when I am able to swim in Lake Michigan in July or August. Earlier than that, I'm afraid it's just going to be too cold. Why do I like to swim in the Great Lake instead of a pool? Here's what I say - it's a wonderful combo. The water looks sparkling, clean and crisp, unless you go when a storm or something has stirred up the bottom. There are no sharks to think about. There is nothing sharp or dangerous on the bottom on which to step. When I go, I prefer days with enough heat and wind to make waves form. These are usually short waves in which one can glide and even bodysurf. Something about the moving water feels great. People are there with their body boards or short foam rafts. Lots of folks have other beach games, volleyball, frisbee, paddleball or are tossing balls - that sort of thing.

The swimming in the big lake - I describe it as being buffeted, sort of like being in a washing machine. It can be a little difficult to do a long crawl stroke, if a person turns the head to breathe and a wave breaks, but a nice backstroke or side stroke works well in the waves. Just treading water is so pleasant. On a sunny day, the water is so blue, the beach grass so lovely green, the dunes are a garden of sand.

There's a parking lot here big enough for lots of patrons, but in the water itself, one doesn't feel crowded. There's an impressive stand of tall dunes here - people flock up them, panting, and lurch back down, or run. The tallest, called Tower Hill, is a mountain of sand 240' tall. Other nearby hills are named Mt. Fuller, Pikes Peak, and Mt. Edwards.

In Berrier County on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, Warren Dunes State Park and woods covers 1950 acres. There are three miles of shoreline in the park and six miles of hiking trails. Although often full in the late summer months, the park offers 221 modern or rustic campsites and 3 modern mini cabins. Reservations are available online. The park is open year round, and maintains several nature trails. Most are a mile or so long, but keep in mind also would be strenuous if one is climbing a dune. A six-mile long cross-country ski trail is also listed on a map.

The park's listed activities sound like fun. A naturalist will be talking about astronomy and the Perseid Meteor shower on August 15. This will be followed by storytelling around the fire and roasted marshmallows/s'mores. Sounds like a good idea for parties of campers there.

I enjoyed the concession stand design, a big area with showers and access on all sides. Many people bring really nice shade set-ups these days: high-tech, purposeful equipment that is open towards the water and locked down tight on the backside. Seems like the portable chairs are better and lighter these days too. Remember the hats and sunscreen. Also, walking barefoot on hot sand doesn't work. You see folks doing the mad/ouchy dash. Pick your footwear carefully. Shoes are best, but wear ones with which you are willing to deal with sand. I prefer good sandals meant for the job; flip flops are awful and you won't see them on me. But Merrill and Orthoheel are good types of outdoor, rugged and attractive sandals.

We also saw a huge inflatable waterslide in the park. There sure is lots for the kids to do here! Edward K. Warren purchased the site from a struggling friend and by 1930, according to Wikipedia, the acreage had become a state park. It's a beautiful piece of America. When I go to Michigan City or Indiana Dunes or New Buffalo or here, I always see and hear folks speaking different languages, whether they are coming by train from Chicago or are foreign visitors here on a holiday. People of the world know a good beach when they see one.

Taking a group dance lesson made us feel sort of like being in middle school

We did something different from our usual Saturday night routine last week. I had read about community open dances held at the local college campus. An organization sponsors a group lesson with an instructor at 7, after which others are there for open dancing to music provided by DJs. The dance instructor is different every time, and the type of dance taught changes. Salsa dancing, waltz, West Coast swing - on our night the featured dance was East Coast swing.

So, we arrived at the Walb Ballroom at the IPFW campus in Fort Wayne. This is in the student union building, and in a spacious area to provide for a dance floor. We paid our $10 a person and lined up for the lesson. The female instructor, who teaches ballroom styles at a local Fort Wayne school, separated all men and women and had them facing each other in two lines. Her hair was an interesting mix of bright red and jet black strands cascading down her back. She was loudly mic'ed, and shouted her instructions at the class like a drill Sargent: "don't look at me, ladies with your back to me! Just listen!" (bad idea for me in a dance class). And making the lines continually change partners - frustrating for the couples who had come together to learn with their partners, not stag. Complicating things was the fact there were more women than men lining up, so not enough partners we're there for the girls. The girls were happy to cross lines and pair up to dance together, but the instructor kept breaking them up and having them wait for an available guy.

There was a hip bump step also located in this East Coast swing, that I can best describe as awkward since my partner is at least 6" taller than me. I guess this little turn-out step is this teacher's way of adding a little flair to her dance, but it strays from the basics, which are what we're there for. We need more practice to calculate the distance we need to stay from each other while turning, among other things. It's a work in process.

So we struggle through the rest of the lesson with some laughs and more or less success. Then the group lesson is over and others are strolling in before the open dance begins. We see folks have set out snacks, water and cans of sodas - a nice spread of simple stuff and youth friendly (non-alcoholic). In fact it is nice to see a wide variety of ages here, and there are many young folks; late teens or early-20s. Good for them, interested in learing how to dance with others!

So the dancing went on for a good two more hours. A song list was distributed as a play list for the featured songs and dance styles for the evening. 54 songs were lined up to be played by the DJs. Dance styles included tango, the hustle, cha cha, rumba, fox trot, and samba. I have to say there were some really excellent dancers present. Tango dancers with wonderful poise and flair strutted confidently. Line dancers, swingers (the dance kind), and waltz-ers were in full representation. We were out of our league but I enjoyed it anyway. I can see how people get into it.

Www.fwdancesport.org is the club which organizes these events. The next group lesson is September 12, with the hustle being the focus. I'm sure the club members would be thrilled to see all of you, experienced or not.

A Poem for Earth Day

Springtime on the River in Leo

We were there, looking out at a serene, reflective river. Then, "that's a beaver!" said the one. A thick, sturdy brown creature paddled out from under the pier floating cow-style, doing a dog paddle, as if such a thing were possible from an aquatic rodent mammal. It cruised around and about, almost lollygagging along the shoreline. Spring water was calm and I agreed: maybe it was a beaver or an extremely large muskrat.

Now, I sat not moving in April and feeling guilty, perhaps a Catholic-mother type of guilty or a Midwestern-Christian type of guilty, just as bad. As if the world didn't want me to sunbathe or listen to the birds sing: the wren, the robin, the finch, the catbird, the goose and duck. Red bud trees curved like bonsai after their limbs had been broken by the winter's ice and snow. No leaves yet, their tiny pink buds were dots still, their bright brilliance a promise that was yet to be unveiled.

Yesterday's rainbow sherbet. It was so good. Did I once say 'sher-Bert?' now it has become sorbet, always was. Oh, happy colors. At rainbow's end - we come again -

The birds hammer away. Do they sound loud to themselves? Do their heads vibrate? Paper whites, tulips, daffodils, vinca, lies, untold truths, secrets. "So-and-so needs lots of feedback," meaning 'reassurance,' he said and I thought, as he was talking about a co-worker. Really, I thought.

As for me, I'm glad to hear the distant lull of a trolling motor on a fishing boat far down the waterway. I wait for the beaver/giant muskrat to paddle back by me.

A little girl knocked on the door, asking for someone who wasn't home. She watched me shut the door, carefully lingering: holding her breath, she heavily drew it in, and then let it back out. I saw her as she ran through the front yard and around to the flowering magnolia. Nearly flying past, she reached out and clung to a large blossom attached to a low-hanging limb. Her hand wanted it so badly but she seemed afraid, of being yelled at, any minute: she was new to the neighborhood. Briefly, I saw a moral struggle written on her small face. Sweet, sweet anguish of life. Temptation.

I stayed inside, smiling, watching from a window. Unbeknownst to her, and to the beaver rat - creature on one side of the house, earth child on the other.

The Quiet Man is a classic movie about love and Ireland

Just now, mid-April, the grass is becoming green again in Indiana. It's so pleasant to see spring, with daffodils and paperwhites opening their cheerful faces. Green coming back reminds me of one of my all time favorite movies, The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Director John Ford won the Academy Award in 1952 for this epic romantic comedy set in rural Ireland. In 2013, the film received recognition from the National Film Archives at the US Library of Congress as being culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.

In the story, Sean Thornton (played by John Wayne) returns from life in Pittsburgh to his boyhood home of Inisfree, Ireland. He falls in love with fiery redhead Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O'Hara). Mary Kate's brother, Squire Will Danaher, does not approve of the courtship, however, and conflict ensues. The story explores Irish customs in a modern setting, and the cinematography in the Irish countryside is breathtaking and won awards. Irish language and traditions are featured and celebrated. The movie is charming and wonderfully acted by an impressive ensemble cast.

Without giving too much away, the couple marry, but after feeling tricked brother Will refuses to pay the dowry that was to accompany the bride. Groom Sean cares nothing about the money and possessions that were promised, but bride Mary Kate cares deeply about her heirloom treasures. She wants her own things about her in her new home in the quaint old cottage - things that included family linens, a spinet piano, an ancient baby cradle, etc. A custom that was so common in Ireland was becoming lost in the post-war days of much of the United States.

Other traditions are woven into the story seamlessly - the gathering and singing in pubs, horse racing, the sale of livestock at a town marketplace, the ways Protestant and Catholic Irish worked out living together as neighbors. Emotions, whether anger, mirth, spirit or love, are portrayed passionately.

The action in the film keeps it moving as well - John Wayne athletically riding his horse, the long walks through the fields, the prolonged choreographed fight scene. The countryside is a character as well - ancient chapel ruins, trout fishing streams, horse carts and trains. It's all a feast for the eyes, ears, and heart.

I wasn't alive in 1952 when this film was created. I can only imagine a United States and a Europe healing from the great wars a few years before. Maybe it's the Irish in me, and the love of the idea of a strong and spirited woman, that makes me rewatch this old classic every few years. I recommend it especially if you enjoy a great musical score, this one featuring some traditional Irish folk songs in addition to songs composed by Victor Young.

Garrison Keillor shines at IPFW Omnibus Series

The creator and host of NPR's "A Prairie Home Companion" graced the stage at the wonderful concert venue Auer Hall, IPFW college campus recently. IPFW, home to both Purdue and Indiana University in Fort Wayne's satellite campus, is nestled in a lovely spot next to the St. Joe River on the city's north side. Keillor at 72 is still a 6' 3" tall, imposing figure and gently, wholly commands the room.

Garrison spoke, sang and paced without stopping for two-and-a-half hours April 1, no fooling. As he did when we saw him at Fort Wayne's Embassy Theatre, he began by singing a Cappella, his deep tenor voice ringing out, sounding stronger and more melodious than it does on his radio show. He chooses a song that most people know, such as a patriotic song, folk song or hymn, and persuades the audience to sing along, which they do willingly.

Garrison orates without notes: telling stories about his beginnings in radio, growing up in Minnesota, and how he started his radio show that continues to this day - begun in 1974. He was born in small Anoka, and in his weekly radio show he bases a fictional town, Lake Wobegon, upon his real experiences as a young man. If you aren't familiar with it, tune in to WBOI 89.1 FM on Saturdays, 6 p.m. His show also features musical guests, skits and ficticious commercials. Story themes are often about Midwesterners, Lutherans, Minnesotans, English majors, cowboys, and the Chatterbox cafe, to name a few.

But that's the radio show - at IPFW Garrison was alone on the stage. He talked about clashing with management in radio over the years: when he would misspeak politically, tell off-color jokes, or otherwise mess up. He talked about writing radio news in college and having it broadcast to no one because the signal was turned off by mistake. He is eloquent and hypnotic, a spellbinding storyteller. I think he is a national treasure. Who knows how long any of us will continue to be around - so check out Garrison Keillor if you get a chance, while you still can. There will be a live taping of A Prairie Home Companion in Goshen, IN on May 2, so that might be a chance to get tickets and see him out on the road.

Fort Wayne's Botanical Conservatory is a great attraction and landmark

On a cold day in early March when we longed to be outside but the snow was looking crusty and uninviting, we went instead to downtown Fort Wayne. The first Thursday of the month, 5 - 8 pm, is $1 night at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. It's in the tall heart of downtown at 1100 S. Calhoun, across from the picturesque Catholic cathedral. Owned by the city of Fort Wayne, the conservatory features three separate indoor biospheres as well as four outdoor gardens. There is 25,000 square feet of indoor gardens featuring 1200 plants and 500 different species. There's also educational exhibits, meeting spaces and a gift shop.

Upon entering, the first space a guest encounters is the Showcase Gardens, a seasonal display. Currently featured is Changing Tides, with colorful art made using recycled materials. Artist Sayaka Ganz created elaborate jellyfish, coral, dolphins and kelp by fusing objects such as utensils, tools, etc. This exhibit hangs among the hibiscus, gardenias, orchids and bamboo. We saw Boy Scout groups coming in and participating in a scavenger hunt to identify pieces in the composed art.

The second, or middle environment in the Botanical Conservatory is the Tropical Garden. It smells wonderful - it's flower perfume. This glass "greenhouse" has orchids, palms, the mimosa tree and Bird of Paradise plants shown above, and two cascading waterfalls. It was relaxing and transformative for me to be in there in the winter weather. We paused and strolled, and sat by the upper waterfall. Unfortunately an area in the lower center was roped off with no admittance. It appeared to be closed for repairs but there was no sign.

Farthest in, the third bio-environment, is the Desert Garden. 72 types of cacti are displayed representing plants in the Southwestern United States. We saw the Saguaro, prickly pear, mesquite, creosote, yucca and more. In the Midwestern US, one forgets unless one has travelled to Arizona or such state, a citizen doesn't see these specialized plants. Probably lots of children there are seeing many of these plants for the first time.

We reminisced about attending weddings and corporate events in the Botanical Gardens over the years. It's a wonderful setting in which to mingle, eat and even dance while music is played and food is catered. It was good to revisit it. The BC is closed Mondays and major holidays. Check their website for hours. Adults are regularly charged $5 and kids are $3. There are other great opportunities, such as classes and volunteering, at this unique place: check it out, and take your out-of-town visitors if you're looking for something to do.

Logan's Roadhouse has a country music feel with its Nashville roots

What is a roadhouse? This place was full of old road signs of all kinds. I saw antique signs for motor oil, Chevrolet, neon beer signs, and photos of old service stations. Buckets of peanuts were on the table and nut shells were thrown on the floor. Large TV screens showing sports programs were hanging up high, scattered around. It was noisy, with predominantly country music playing very strongly. I did hear them play a John Mayer tune for something different.

Logan's waiters and waitresses are dressed in jeans and flannel plaid shirts. For drinks, they promote a few specialties such as fruit flavored lemonades and iced teas. My companion had a plain lemonade and was pretty happy with it. I had a specialty combo margarita with a cran-raspberry lemonade - it was nice.

For entrees, we chose hamburgers and baby back ribs. I thought their yeast rolls were outstanding. The rolls were served very hot when salads came out, which was great timing. I liked my green salad - nice red onions and cucumbers, and filling.

But the ribs, a half slab, were a little dry. My companion also said so after wanting a taste. The seasoning was spicy and smoky, so I liked it. But for ribs, I had a better recent experience at Fort Wayne's old Rib Room on East State Boulevard. Logan's were good, but too dry - maybe it needs another try.

Entrees come with some choices for sides. Sweet potato fries, mac & cheese, veggies. I had the streamed broccoli - ok but very plain. My friend chose the homestyle fries with the burger, and we both thought they were tasty but a bit too salty. I need to go back and try a some other things, like a steak and an appetizer, because I didn't get a complete sense of the menu on this one trip.

We did like the Logan's desserts we had. They offered something fun - a small portion (so fewer calories) of three desserts. One was peanut butter, one brownie, one strawberry cheesecake. They are served in a little farm-type metal bucket that can be taken home as a souvenir. It's a thoughtful marketing gimmick for a sweet-tooth finish that isn't too filling.

We went to this busy location - on Lima Road at Ludwig, near Smith Field, Lowe's and Meier. They have another Fort Wayne location southwest on West Jefferson. Logan's is a chain in about 23 states, so you may have one near you. I think a lot of my Indiana and Illinois friends would feel right at home here.

Cataract Falls is worth a trip to central and southern Indiana

The largest waterfall in Indiana is south and west of Indianapolis, and not far from the above mentioned McCormick's Creek State Park. Near Lieber State Recreation area, Cataract Falls has two sets of falls on Mill Creek. The upper part of the falls has a steep plunge of about 20 feet (top picture). The lower falls is shown in the bottom photo. It is half a mile downstream, and its water falls about 18 feet.

A covered bridge is built near the upper falls. Constructed in 1875, it was open to car traffic until 1988. The bridge has recently been restored by the Indiana DNR. Cagles Mills Lake sets at the receiving end of the falls.

A mill was erected in 1820 by settler Issac Teal near the lower falls. Wildlife and fish provided resources for the settlers as well. A Jennings family later bought the mill and improved upon it adding flour, saw and woolen mills, along with shops and a general store to form the community of Cataract.

Owen County, Indiana, is not far off Interstate 70 which connects Indianapolis to Terre Haute and then goes on to Effingham, Illinois. This lovely Indiana county has tons of wonderful scenery just a few miles off the highway, yet it seems as though few folks have stopped to see. There are lots of great trips like this from Fort Wayne, but I think many of our Hoosier friends don't know what treasures exist in our neighboring counties. This is a great picnicking spot, a place to take the kids for a runabout and some back-to-nature time. Sometimes we need to remind them (and ourselves) what life was like before we had all the screens and techy gadgets competing for our attention.

McCormick's Creek State Park is a jewel in south central Indiana

I wish I had a photograph of this lush, green Indiana State Park. Alas, but no - how did that happen? Below is a trail map of sorts with the park's highlights.

Perhaps if you live near Bloomington you know of this quaint park, surprisingly not far off an exit on Interstate 70 south of Indianapolis. Along the confluence of the White River and McCormick's Creek, beautiful canyons and ravines provide great hiking trails, camping and exploring in this diverse state park. The wonderful, old Canyon Inn houses lodging, a restaurant, outdoor handball courts, tennis courts, and a pool. A saddle barn offers trail rides and haywagon rides. And a nature center provides exhibits, bird watching, and naturalist-led activities.

Before white explorers found the spot, Miami Indians hunted and fished along these rugged banks. In 1816, the homesteader John McCormick claimed 100 acres and tried to settle in with lumbering, hunting and farming. In 1888, a physician purchased part of the homestead and made it a 'sanatarium,' a place for people to get well. In 1914, the deceased doctor's estate went for auction and was purchased by the state of Indiana.

So, in 1916, McCormick's Creek State Park was dedicated as Indiana's first state park. The peaceful Canyon Inn is situated on the site of the original sanatarium. We stayed there, ate, and walked down the trails to the creek from the lodge. It's peaceful, verdant, relaxing. We found a pair of abandoned trail shoes that we still own - don't know what happened to the owners. The newish kicks were too good to pass up and leave on the rocks.

We also took advantage of the saddle barn. Guides took us on a group trail ride through the forest, something I think is a great opportunity in a public state park. I loved walking and trotting the horses along the fragrant trails, seeing ferns and flowers, birds and squirrels. It made me very happy. Go find yourself some beauty outside when the weather will allow. Indiana is lovely - don't let any foolish television shows make you think otherwise. I recommend stopping here, especially for all my Hoosier and Illini friends.

Bob Evans Restaurants gear into online and takeout markets

This statue at Kyle Field, Texas A & M University in College Station, represents the "12th man" in football. The term 'twelfth man' is an analogy for the fans who are considered to be participants, urging the team on to win. Aggies, as the fans are known there, are famous for their enthusiasm. In this bronze statue, students are depicted to be cheering and singing the "War Hymn", in which they link arms, overlap their feet, and sway back and forth. This so-named, nine-foot-high War Hymn Monument is a whopping 1700 pounds of bronze.

Hometown values, loyalty, country life, simplicity, farm and home - I think of this statue. The type of people also remind me of the people I see at Bob Evans restaurants. People ready for food that is in no way fancy, but filling and comforting. Food that could be served up home-style and feed a lot of people. Bob Evans Restaurants started in Ohio, and are now in 600 locations in nineteen states.

The chain (which it is, and the locations are not franchised) started with one truck stop diner near the original Bob Evans farm in Rio Grande, Ohio. Bob Evans produced many of his meats and sausages, and expanded to produce more as his restaurants grew. It still holds to a theme of country living. The idea that breakfast can be served all day pervades.

There are three locations in Fort Wayne, and one in Auburn, IN. On a cold night recently we tried the location on Meier Drive, east of the Fort near Interstate 4-69. One person in our party had the chili, or three bean soup: and although he said it could have been served warmer, it was very good. The sourdough rolls were our choice over biscuits and did not disappoint. For those patrons wishing to stay gluten free or choose fewer carbs and calories, the volumous menu makes this very selectable.

I was impressed there is a separate door and counter/wait area for patron takeout. I suppose busy working families could easily choose this on the commute home. Later I looked at the Bob Evans online ordering website. I found the website to be very user-friendly, with lots of categories and descriptive menu selections. Lots of variety and serving sizes are available for groups, all of which makes a lot of sense to me. I didn't know Bob Evans, of all businesses, would be doing such a good job on the Internet.

I have heard the restaurant is popular with some loyal followers, who make it a regular or daily hangout. For my meal I tried the broasted chicken, which I found to be good, and it was comforting, southern, and somehow reminded me of my childhood town and home. Nothing fancy, it was old-fashioned even, and tasty.

I splurged and went for a slice of a coconut cream pie. It was hard for me to decide between that and a chocolate French silk pie, but I chose the former. Good it was, but a little too cold in the center. I think I need to go back for breakfast now, because I think that's also what a lot of diners go to eat there.

I think the Bob Evans restaurants are mainly in the Midwest, even though the grocery store products likely have a wider distribution. The eateries stretch toward the near Northeast and also to the upper south parts of the U.S. Although not really my cup of tea, it was interesting to be there - entering and exiting, one has to walk past candy counters, coffee for sale, fudges and other products - I am impressed with the company's marketing, from online to point-of-sale. Good job, Bob Evans in Fort Wayne, IN - I'll be back.

Cabaret at the Civic Theatre heats up a cold February

On a chilly Fort Wayne Valentine's Day night, it was very pleasing to go see a steamy live show. In fact, it was a delight to enjoy the Civic Theatre's performance of Cabaret, which will continue its run at the Arts United Center in downtown Fort Wayne on weekends through March 1, 2015.

The songs are so fun, and alternatingly cheerful and sad - they are the ones you remember from the movie version and the Broadway stage. Set in Berlin, Germany, it is the story of the rise of nationalism and Nazi power, and how it effected citizens around this particular setting: the people connected to the racy nightclub Kit Kat Club.

Evan Hart plays a fabulous Emcee, nearly stealing the show for himself with his portrayal of this role. Inviting, sexy, provocative, emotive - he does it all, struting confidently in his suspenders and lipstick. He sings well, and adds the dance elements neatly - I especially liked his hand work and boot steps. Bridget Pearson made a convincing Sally Bowles, and I was almost frustrated with how good I thought her English accent came across; maybe I found the assumedly intentional over-pronunciation distracting. I was pleased, though, with how well I could hear all the characters' lines.

I was also impressed with Maggie Kole Hunter, portraying Fräulein Schneider, on how powerfully she sang and played her role. And Gary Lanier was delightful as Herr Schultz, the Jewish fruit vendor who is the love interest of Fräulein Schneider. The beautiful high vibrato in his voice was thrilling to hear in his vocal solos.

This cast did a nice job with the dancing - I thought they tackled some difficult, seemingly Bob Fosse-inspired numbers. The cast was dancing on chairs in heels, doing handstands and splits, etc.: I'm sure much of that credit goes to choreographer Leslie Beauchamp. The show was sexy for conservative Fort Wayne, but not too sexy- just right. The set featured audience members seated at lounge tables on each side of the stage, and the orchestra is set up high on stage at loft level. It all works well and transitions easily with the story without fuss.

The Arts United Center, formerly known as the Performing Arts Center, is an impressive venue for local performances. Its modern, concrete architecture is a great fit next to the art museum in this downtown corner. Much of Fort Wayne's architecture is traditional and historic, so the moderness of this building is a nice complement for our town. I like the modern theatre, but I feel the seating must be updated, because the stark uniform rows of seats are, alas, not completely user-friendly. At the very least, the long rows desperately need a perpendicular aisle or two to make it easier for patrons to get to their seats. I also believe that the seats need to be angled to face the stage from the sides - sitting there requires turning at an awkward angle.

Tickets are available for Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8 p.m., and Sunday shows at 2 p.m. now through March 1. Inexpensive wine, beer, and other refreshments are available at the show. I think this is a perfect choice for date night. Welcome to the cabaret!