CATS run wild at Beef & Boards

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The Andrew Lloyd Webber composed musical CATS is running at Indy’s beloved Beef & Bords Dinner Theater through November 22, 2026. This famous production first opened in London in May of 1981. It is still considered one of the longest- running Broadway shows.

CATS is tagged by many as a  “concept musical”. The production is primarily a collection of individual cat characters presenting their stories by way of music and dance. The large cast does represent a group of many local felines gathering for an annual event in the neighborhood. No detailed plot line here, just a group of cats all wanting to be picked for a “new life” by the boss cat “Old Deuteronomy”.

The cats excitedly welcome Old Deuteronomy (Josiah Ray McCruiston)

The cast costumes and makeup are frankly remarkable. The technical aspects do turn actors into cats. In addition to visual, the cast also has nailed feline movements as they walk, jump and run around the stage between dance numbers. The audience is warned to not touch the cats as they spend a lot of time in the aisles of the theater. Be ready for a cat to come to your table! At intermission there is tons of interaction between cats and audience.

Demeter (Olivia Broadwater), left, and Bombalurina (Amy Owens) sing about the criminal cat “Macavity”

The quality of the singing and dancing in CATS will delight and amaze you as you allow yourself to completely enjoy the experience. The dance moves are enchanting as well as exciting with the jumps and leaps and synchronous choreography. I’ve never seen as many airborne “splits” before!

The cats explain the reasoning behind “The Naming of Cats” in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS

Kristi Templet is in her 20th season at B&B. Her musical direction and performing skills provide a level of professionalism rarely found. The range of music styles are wonderful and are a very important part of the overall quality of the show. Director/Choreographer Anne Beck is an accomplished Broadway performer with years of experience. This experience clearly shows with the dance numbers here on CATS.

Grizabella (PsyWrn Simone) sings the iconic “Memory” in CATS

Featuring spectacular dancing, tumbling and acrobatics, amazing makeup and colorful costumes, CATS is an unforgettable and immersive experience. Just relax and enjoy the story each cat offers in both song and dance.

The female cats are delighted when Rum Tum Tugger (Collin Skelton), center, performs in CATS

Tickets are available exclusively through Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre at B&B Website or by calling the box office at 317.872.9664. Patrons are advised that tickets purchased from third-party sellers may not be valid for performances and may include additional fees. CATS is on stage through Nov. 22.

 

Arnies restaurant closes after 45 years serving Edmonds WA

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One of our favorite establishments we discovered during our visits to family in the Seattle area was a restaurant on the waterfront at Edmonds, Washington. Arnies restaurant had been in business for 45 years until the 22nd day of September of this year. That afternoon a sign was posted on the front door declaring that the restaurant was permanently closed.

Fresh fruit with Yogurt dip to start

Local TV FOX 13 broke the news. Several potential customers were seen driving to the restaurant just to be surprised by the written signage declaring that Arnies was now closed. An Arnies partner had been quoted as saying that “Unfortunately, the current business climate does not allow us to continue.”

Sparkling Mimosa (OJ also available)

Decadent warm sticky bun

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sher and I both really enjoyed all aspects of Arnies. The atmosphere in Arnies was friendly and had a high class feel to it. The Sunday Brunch was really our favorite offering. It started with a delightful fruit tray and a freshly baked cinnamon roll. The fresh OJ or Mimosa was also a great start.

This pic was taken the last time we ate at Arnies. Glad our daughter took this.

We are going to miss Arnies. Our trips back and forth to Seattle were always an adventure of one kind or another. Of course the highlights continue to be the time we get with our family, including sharing a meal prepared with care and with quality at Arnies. There are plenty of great restaurants in the Seattle area, but now Arnies is gone. We will always remember and cherish the good times we had at Arnies.

Stream Cliff Historic Farm is more than a winery

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Draw a triangle with Louisville, Indianapolis and Cincinnati as the points and in the center you’ll be close to the Stream Cliff Historic Farm near Commiskey, Indiana. We were surprised when we found this listing for a winery in south eastern Indiana that we had not seen before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The now famous heat wave of September was not enough to keep us from adding this new to us winery site to our travel agenda last Saturday. We packed some drinks and headed out in search of a new winery to see.

 

The Steam Cliff faculty is a beautiful farm with quite a fascinating history. This is a seventh generation family farm. The John Hunt Morgan Trail of the Civil War Confederate raid runs across the property. A barn from 1821 and a chapel dating to 1880 are memorable structures. History is a strong and vital part of the Stream Cliff property.

 

The farm has many different features. There is a full service restaurant that features herbs and edible flowers  from the farm. Freshly baked breads and delicious homemade deserts coupled with unique sandwiches and salads make for a wonderful culinary treat in the hills of southern Indiana. Mother’s Day celebrations are popular by reservation.

Several display gardens are laid out in clever use of quilt patterns. These are wonderful photo ops and ideas for your own gardens. In addition, there is a large nursery that is Indiana’s oldest herb farm. It specializes in culinary herbs and ornamental perennials and annuals. Some classes are also part of the nursery’s offerings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Winery of course was the main reason we made the trip. The winery offers a 5 sample “flight” with many of the on site made wines. Sher and I both had a 5 sample serving, which we were able to share and  let us sample 10 of the wines! We ended up purchasing two different wines, “Grandpa’s Blackberry” and “Captain Jack”. It was a most comfortable experience, and an enjoyable taste adventure.

Our hostess told us about about a holiday event that includes a full dinner and a walking tour of the property and the buildings. We are planning to go back and do this tour. Their website is www.StreamCliff.com

 

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.