Beef and Boards brings Johnny Cash Ring of Fire to Indy

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Beef & Boards production of Ring of Fire brings the massive volume of Johnny Cash’s iconic songbook to the stage in a different kind of musical. The opening song “Country Boy” is presented by actors who not only sing but also expertly play an unbelievable variety of  instruments. This number sets the stage for the entire show.

The cast opens Ring of Fire with the song “Country Boy.”

B&B’s long time veteran Jeff Stockberger’s direction led the cast to move effortlessly from song to song and to messages that offered distinctly different themes and emotions.

Devin McDuffy plays the accordion in “Daddy Sang Bass”

Devin McDuffy, an Indy area born and raised debuts with an energy, character, vocal and instrumental talent that just shines with every thing he does. What a delight of a performance to view!

Luke Darnell (left) and Tyler Breeding perform “Folsom Prison Blues”

Both of these men are also making their first showing at Beef & Boards. Both have long and impressive resumes and bring that talent to Ring of Fire. Whether singing or playing the guitar their on stage ability shines through with great clarity. Feel the energy with each note played.

Mary Catherine Fahrenbacher plays the guitar as she sings “All Over Again”

Mary Catherin Fehrenbacher comes to B&B from New York City. She is an actor, musician and music director. Her credits include an awesome list of world famous productions. Her clear voice and instrumental talents make her portrayal of June Carter Cash a memorable part of this offering of Ring of Fire.

Sarah Hund appears as Minnie Pearl to perform “Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart”

This is Sarah Hund’s 33rd show at B&B! I can’t say I’ve seen them all, but for sure have seen the lion’s share of her wonderful performances. In this show she is also assistant director and associate music director. Perhaps younger audience members will not remember Minnie Pearl on Grand Ole Opry, but Sarah’s portrayal is just perfect. Yes that is a price tag on a string hanging from the hat. Ring of Fire showcases her remarkable talent across all genres and atmosphere in the songs she sings.

As I said at the beginning, this is a different kind of musical. Don’t expect a lot of narration of storylines nor long scenes of actors interacting with their lines. Just sit back and enjoy the wide variety of Johnny Cash’s inspired music pieces.

Tickets are currently on sale exclusively through Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre at Beef & Boards Website or by calling the box office at 317.872.9664. Ring of Fire runs through Oct. 4.

RIP Dolly Parton, her statue in bronze

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It was sad news today hearing of the passing of Dolly Parton. Her statue is located on the courthouse yard of Sevierville, Tennessee, her home town. The statue was placed in 1987, and shows Dolly as a young lady before she gained international fame and fortune. Almost by accident we spotted the bronze when on our first trip to Pigeon Forge several years ago. Sevierville is right next to Pigeon Forge, where Dolly World and  Dolly Parton’s Stampede show is located.

Delicate loving butterfly on Dolly’s guitar

Rest in Peace Dolly
January 19, 1946 – August 25, 2026

Snoqualmie Falls Washington

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One of the most popular attractions in the Seattle area is the Snoqualmie Falls, a 269 foot single drop waterfall. The falls are near the town of Snoqualmie, which also offers interesting attractions to tourists and locals alike.

View from the observation deck

The area became an active logging site in the 1870’s with logs actually floated over the falls. In 1889 a railroad was built, opening the logging trade further. The town of Snoqualmie was platted in 1889 as well, and by the 1890’s Charles Baker had constructed an underground hydroelectric plant at the falls. Some of the original generators still function today.

 

 

 

 

It is very easy to gain access to the falls. Free parking is available, and an easy walk on the pedestrian bridge leads to the concrete paths to observation decks. If you prefer, for $7.00 you can park next to the gift shop next to the observation decks.

Salish Lodge, note the wedding tent

Beautiful scenery from the observation deck

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Salish Lodge and Spa offers high end accommodations, spa, and dining. Many use the striking views as a place for weddings. It overlooks the river, the generating plant and the top of the falls.

The walk to the observation decks is easy with only a couple of places with widely spaced steps. There were quite a few people enjoying the sights, but we felt comfortable and not crowded. The layout was very nice, and all of the paved paths and safety fencing was kept in excellent condition. It is easy to see why Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington state’s most popular scenic attractions.

Colonial is good Bread says the door

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Old advertisements have always been popular, it seems. Keep your eyes open and you never know when you’ll spot a piece of pure Americana.

The back of the oval sign says “Thank You”

We found a nice example of a vintage (pre 1958) functional advertisement in the form of a working wooden/screen door on the Whistle Stop Cafe in Osgood, Indiana.  The well worn metal cross piece proudly announces that “Colonial is good Bread”. Colonial Bread began in 1928 in Oklahoma City. The name was changed to Rainbo Bread in 1958 when the recipe was changed.

Complete Colonial Bread screen doors are bringing quite a lot on the online sites like eBay, Pinterest and Etsy. Just the signs without doors also command high prices. By the way, the meals are delicious and affordable at the Whistle Stop Cafe.

 

Oldenburg Indiana 1871 Sorrowful Mother Shrine

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Oldenburg Indiana is known for its rich religious history. Founded in 1837 by German settlers, it is known as the “Village of Spires” due to the multiple church steeples that make up the town’s skyline.

Located about a mile outside the town limits visitors will find the beautiful Sorrowful Mother Shrine, erected in 1871 by Siegfried Koehler, who had arrived in Oldenburg from Alsace, France in the late 1830’s.

The Altar

Prayer bench

 

 

 

 

 

The statue on the altar is actually a plaster cast of the original that Koehler brought with him on the ship from France. The original was found to be hand carved from black walnut, and now is in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Oldenburg to protect it from vandalism.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary

Seven Sorrows pictured

 

 

 

 

 

The shrine is found on a country road, and is in a beautiful setting. Trees, lawns and a stone bench ad to the ambience. While it can be locked, the shrine was open the day we visited. This is a Holy and Sacred place, and you can feel peace and serenity at the location of the shrine.

The Bears of Blue River by Charles Major, 1901

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When I was in 4th grade I, like most every other 4th to 5th grader in Indiana was introduced to and told to read The Bears of Blue River by author, lawyer and politician Charles Major. Balsar Brent, a pioneer boy of age 13 begins his story when he encounters a huge bear while fishing on the Blue River. Surviving this encounter provides the start of this book, full of nerve wracking adventures, great danger, and many acts of bravery.  Balsar’s subsequent encounters with Indians, bears and wolves successfully provides a dynamic rendering of daily pioneer life in 1820s Indiana.

Charles Major lived most of his life in Shelbyville, and his influence has been most appreciated in the community for years. Major’s first book was published in 1898, When Knighthood Was In Flower which was very successful, having been adopted into both theater and film. He published The Bears Of Blue River in 1901.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statue in front of Major Elementary School, early 1950’s

The statue of Balsar holding his pet bear cubs Tom and Jerry was placed in front of an elementary school named for the author. After the school was demolished in the sixties, the statue remained in storage until it was placed on the town square years ago. Once the new downtown project to redo the square was designed, the statue of Balsar and the cubs was restored and placed in the center of the structure housing the fountain and nice seating.

Graves of Charles Major and his wife, Alice, in Forest Hill Cemetery, Shelbyville

Back when Sher and I were in elementary school, reading The Bears of Blue River was a requirement. I so remember being totally absorbed while reading the book. What a series of adventures Balsar enjoyed. I’ll always remember the excitement and danger of the stories. (Wait ’til you read about the Fire Bear!) I’d suggest if you have kids in the 7 to 10 year old range, get them a copy of The Bears of Blue River. Heck, get one for yourself. You just might enjoy an exciting trip back to pioneer Indiana in the 1820’s.

Unique Texas roadside souvenir opportunity

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On one of our trips to Austin, Texas to see our oldest son and his family we all took a day trip to Bastrop, an historic town East of Austin. On our way back we spotted a big Texas flag, a big trailer and a couple of longhorn steers that had been saddled.

Then on second look, things became clear. One of the steers was munching on a flake of hay. The second, next to the trailer and flag had a folding step ladder set next to the saddle. Finally you see the sign: “$10 Photo”. It’ll be easy to climb the ladder, set in the saddle, and get a souvenir photo of you riding a real Texas longhorn. This cowboy has a unique side hustle.

Old concrete fence posts dot rural Midwest country roads

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A 1915 Purdue University guide to concrete fence posts

Take a drive on most any rural Indiana road or some other Midwest states and it won’t be long until you spot some rather massive concrete pillars apparently serving no purpose. These are in fact old and now abandoned concrete fence posts. Decades and decades ago almost all farmsteads raised livestock, including work horses, thus strong “cattle and horse tight” fencing was an absolute necessity.

Constructing livestock fencing that is functional and remains functional year after year is a skill that farmers and ranchers had. One of the important parts of a good fence is the end post and/or corner posts. These posts anchor the wire fence that stretches along the length of the particular fence line. If the end and corner posts do not hold, the fence wire will sag and livestock will get out, causing quite the kerfuffle.

Remnants of fence wire is still wrapped around this post

White wing to the left of the post keeps the post from leaning from the tension of the fencing wires.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former large entrance to a fancy farmstead

Old concrete fence posts can be seen alongside many roads in the country. Sometimes you can tell from the locations of these relics coupled with the position of mature trees where once stood an old house and barn yard. Some will be painted, others will be nearly covered with weed and bush growth. They do stand as a reminder of the days when all farm families raised livestock as a part of their livelihood.

Link to a 1915 Purdue University guide to concrete fence posts

 

 

Johnny Cash’s life at Indy’s Beef & Boards “Ring of Fire”

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Opening August 27th at Indy’s beloved Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre will be a celebration of the legend that is Johnny Cash. For this show Beef & Boards welcomes six new talented performers and a few veterans to its stage for Ring of Fire. Johnny Cash’s remarkable story is told through his music, featuring more than two dozen of his hits, from “I Walk the Line,” to “A Boy Named Sue,” to “Folsom Prison Blues,” and the famous title tune.  This show celebrates but never impersonates the
Man in Black.

The talented cast

Ring of Fire burns for 48 performances through Oct. 4. Beef & Boards’ freshly-prepared dinner buffet, is included, along with coffee, tea, or lemonade. Gourmet desserts and bar beverages are available for purchase. Tickets are currently on sale exclusively through Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre or by calling the box office at 317.872.9664. Don’t be disappointed, get your tickets soon.

 

Ancient tree stump at Smokey Point I-5 Rest Stop

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Usually interstate rest areas are straight forward: a truck and RV parking lot and a separate car parking lot. In between are the restrooms, vending machines and a scattering of picnic tables and a “pick up after your dog” park.

The Story

However, the Northbound I-5 Smokey Point Rest Stop at mile marker 207 north of Seattle has the above mentioned features (including an RV dump station) and a huge tree stump. Yes, it is a piece of local history. The story of this artifact is fairly well documented on the story board. The striking size of the stump is obvious in the photo.

The Stump

When I first saw this I thought that it was some kind of new picnic table shelter. Then I saw the story board. Strange but true are the things you find when traveling!