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.