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It's Christmas at Zaharakos!
By blogger Paige Harden, posted Dec. 12, 2013
Photos by Paige Harden
I recently went to Zaharakos to enjoy the holiday merriment and a scoop of delightful peppermint ice cream. This was the first time I had been in the ice cream parlor since they added their 2013 holiday decorations and I was overjoyed by the winter wonderland before me. The holiday spirit has most certainly taken over the shop.
Growing up in Columbus, Zaharakos was practically part of our family. If we were ever downtown for any reason, The Commons playground and Zaharakos were at the top of our to-do list.
By blogger Paige Harden, posted Dec. 12, 2013
Photos by Paige Harden
I recently went to Zaharakos to enjoy the holiday merriment and a scoop of delightful peppermint ice cream. This was the first time I had been in the ice cream parlor since they added their 2013 holiday decorations and I was overjoyed by the winter wonderland before me. The holiday spirit has most certainly taken over the shop.
Growing up in Columbus, Zaharakos was practically part of our family. If we were ever downtown for any reason, The Commons playground and Zaharakos were at the top of our to-do list.
Even today, I have to admit that every time I walk through the doors of Zaharakos, I feel like a 5-year-old girl gleefully waiting for her favorite treat in the world. I even get the urge to sit at the too-tiny-for-adults table.
Elaborate Christmas decorations have always been a part of Zaharakos’ history, and I’m glad to say that the new ownership has kept that tradition alive.
The shop is decorated from floor to ceiling. I counted three gorgeously decorated Christmas trees, though I’m sure I could have missed one. Each of the ornate soda fountains throughout the shop features elaborate holiday displays including ornaments, evergreens, garland, ornaments and cheerful holiday figurines.
Elaborate Christmas decorations have always been a part of Zaharakos’ history, and I’m glad to say that the new ownership has kept that tradition alive.
The shop is decorated from floor to ceiling. I counted three gorgeously decorated Christmas trees, though I’m sure I could have missed one. Each of the ornate soda fountains throughout the shop features elaborate holiday displays including ornaments, evergreens, garland, ornaments and cheerful holiday figurines.
I think the only place devoid of decorations are the walking paths, the chairs and just enough room on each table for people to place their dishes.
Every other square foot of the building is beaming with jingle bells, candy canes, snowmen, tinsel, whimsy and wonder.
While most of the decorations are new, I did notice two items that were on display that I remember from my childhood (I was born in 1982, so these figures have to be more than 30 years old).
Every other square foot of the building is beaming with jingle bells, candy canes, snowmen, tinsel, whimsy and wonder.
While most of the decorations are new, I did notice two items that were on display that I remember from my childhood (I was born in 1982, so these figures have to be more than 30 years old).
As they have every year that I can remember, a plastic snowman and plastic Santa Claus greet children as they approach the table and chairs built just big enough for toddlers. I can remember talking to those figures when I was a kid, probably telling Santa which My Little Pony I wanted for Christmas and asking the snowman if he knew Frosty.
During my visit last week, I was lucky enough to have stopped by at the same time as an a cappella group. The Three Handsome Gentlemen Men’s Quartet a cappella group had stopped by for a treat after a holiday performance in Columbus and delighted customers with an impromptu performance of “Jingle Bells.” Watch the video on YouTube.
During my visit last week, I was lucky enough to have stopped by at the same time as an a cappella group. The Three Handsome Gentlemen Men’s Quartet a cappella group had stopped by for a treat after a holiday performance in Columbus and delighted customers with an impromptu performance of “Jingle Bells.” Watch the video on YouTube.
I can’t begin to express my gratitude to all of those who played a part in bringing back Zaharakos. It is without question one of Columbus’ most cherished treasures.
I love taking my nephews to the parlor and telling them about my first memories at Zaharakos and giving them a taste of my favorites: Cinnamon and chocolate sodas and the Gom Cheeseburger. My favorite holiday treat, however, is the peppermint ice cream which is made fresh on site.
I don’t know if it is the centuries-old soda fountain or the long-forgotten customs kept alive, but Zaharakos has a way of taking you back. On almost every visit, after all but the stubborn fudge stuck to my ice cream dish has been eaten, my family sits around reminiscing about how Columbus and our family has changed and how nice it is that some things will never change.
I love taking my nephews to the parlor and telling them about my first memories at Zaharakos and giving them a taste of my favorites: Cinnamon and chocolate sodas and the Gom Cheeseburger. My favorite holiday treat, however, is the peppermint ice cream which is made fresh on site.
I don’t know if it is the centuries-old soda fountain or the long-forgotten customs kept alive, but Zaharakos has a way of taking you back. On almost every visit, after all but the stubborn fudge stuck to my ice cream dish has been eaten, my family sits around reminiscing about how Columbus and our family has changed and how nice it is that some things will never change.
About Zaharakos
Opened in 1900 by three Greek brothers with the last name "Zaharako." The store closed in 2004, but was restored and reopened in June 2009. Its mahogany bar, with two marble and chrome soda fountains, dates back to the early 1900s. There is a Tiffany-style lamp on the bar and a Welte Orchestrion pipe organ.
According to Indianapolis Monthly Magazine, Zaharakos is No. 1 on the list of 50 things every Hoosier must do.
Location: 329 Washington Street, Columbus, Indiana
Phone Number: 812-378-1900
Visit their website.
View the menu.
Hours: Open seven days a week: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Will close at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day.
The shop will close at 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve and will be closed on New Year’s Day.
Zaharakos will be closed from January 6 through January 17 for annual maintenance.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS of Zaharakos at its Christmas best here.
Opened in 1900 by three Greek brothers with the last name "Zaharako." The store closed in 2004, but was restored and reopened in June 2009. Its mahogany bar, with two marble and chrome soda fountains, dates back to the early 1900s. There is a Tiffany-style lamp on the bar and a Welte Orchestrion pipe organ.
According to Indianapolis Monthly Magazine, Zaharakos is No. 1 on the list of 50 things every Hoosier must do.
Location: 329 Washington Street, Columbus, Indiana
Phone Number: 812-378-1900
Visit their website.
View the menu.
Hours: Open seven days a week: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Will close at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day.
The shop will close at 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve and will be closed on New Year’s Day.
Zaharakos will be closed from January 6 through January 17 for annual maintenance.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS of Zaharakos at its Christmas best here.
A Christmas Village in The Commons
By blogger Paige Harden, posted Dec. 10, 2013
Photos by Paige Harden
The Commons transformed into a festive Christmas Village on Saturday, December 7th, offering families a full afternoon of free holiday entertainment and activities.
While the weather sadly led to the cancellation of the annual Festival of Lights Parade scheduled for later that evening, the joy had not been dampened in the Commons. Hundreds of children gleefully went from station to station, keeping the Christmas spirit alive in Columbus.
By blogger Paige Harden, posted Dec. 10, 2013
Photos by Paige Harden
The Commons transformed into a festive Christmas Village on Saturday, December 7th, offering families a full afternoon of free holiday entertainment and activities.
While the weather sadly led to the cancellation of the annual Festival of Lights Parade scheduled for later that evening, the joy had not been dampened in the Commons. Hundreds of children gleefully went from station to station, keeping the Christmas spirit alive in Columbus.
Rose Wright, owner of Sweet Rose Bakehouse, provided a gingerbread house that stood three feet tall. Rose and her family built the frame and helped children decorate the house with icing, gingerbread, and candy. Mayor Kristen Brown even chipped in, adding her own special touch to the house.
“This has been a really nice collaborative effort,” Rose said. “The kids have been very excited to help.”
The gingerbread house will be on display the entire month of December at The Commons.
“I think the kids will really enjoy coming back to see the finished product and to show off the parts they helped with,” Rose said.
“This has been a really nice collaborative effort,” Rose said. “The kids have been very excited to help.”
The gingerbread house will be on display the entire month of December at The Commons.
“I think the kids will really enjoy coming back to see the finished product and to show off the parts they helped with,” Rose said.
This was the first year for the holiday celebration at the Commons, providing a free event for the community to celebrate Christmas.
Along with the gingerbread house, children could make keepsake ornaments, explore holiday model train displays provided by the Columbus Area Railroad Club, and enjoy sweet treats from local bakeries. The day also featured performances by storytellers, carolers, musicians, dancers, and magicians. Santa Claus even made a special appearance as part of the day’s magic show.
Events like this one are yet another reason I love calling Columbus home! I can’t wait to see what activities will be added to next year’s Columbus Christmas Village.
The entertainment schedule included the following:
Along with the gingerbread house, children could make keepsake ornaments, explore holiday model train displays provided by the Columbus Area Railroad Club, and enjoy sweet treats from local bakeries. The day also featured performances by storytellers, carolers, musicians, dancers, and magicians. Santa Claus even made a special appearance as part of the day’s magic show.
Events like this one are yet another reason I love calling Columbus home! I can’t wait to see what activities will be added to next year’s Columbus Christmas Village.
The entertainment schedule included the following:
- First Baptist Church Hand Bell Quartet
- Bartholomew County Library Storyteller
- Sine Nomine Carolers
- Three Handsome Gentlemen Men’s Quartet
- Dance Street, Performance/ Interactive dance lesson
- Kristen Wright, Soloist/Guitarist
- Magic Show with Travis Easterling
Hotel Indigo offers artistic accommodations in Columbus
By blogger Amy Lynch, posted November 2013
By blogger Amy Lynch, posted November 2013
Hotel Indigo has to be one of the most unique places I’ve ever stayed, and I mean that in the best possible way. The art hotel trend seems to be taking off around the country, but Hotel Indigo is distinctive in that it manages to achieve a great balance of both art and architecture, and the forward-thinking town of Columbus, Ind. is an ideal locale for such a facility.
Right from the approach, you know Hotel Indigo is definitely not your average cookie-cutter franchise. With huge exterior murals, colorful large sculptures, a funky beamed entrance and lovely landscaping, the emphasis on appearance and aesthetics is immediately obvious.
Right from the approach, you know Hotel Indigo is definitely not your average cookie-cutter franchise. With huge exterior murals, colorful large sculptures, a funky beamed entrance and lovely landscaping, the emphasis on appearance and aesthetics is immediately obvious.
It gets even better inside. The lobby’s a showroom of interior design, form and function — a smartly outfitted space filled with intriguing details like Modern European-style furniture, sleek lines and brilliant pops of color. Pleasantly, the vibe feels warm and welcoming, not at all haughty or austere. This is also where you’ll find Miles, the hotel’s friendly resident canine ambassador. It’s a great spot to kick back with a newspaper and a cup of coffee, or to just sit and take it all in.
Evocative design elements flow throughout the rest of the hotel as well. Common hallways feature geometric-patterned carpeting, bright colors, and large-scale images. I was lucky enough to snag one of the spacious suites for my stay. A white towel cleverly folded into the shape of a dog greeted me from the kitchenette table in the cozy sitting room, and my bedroom was a comfortable retreat with red paint, a rich wood headboard, a small balcony and an oversized black-and-white butterfly wing treatment on one wall. In contrast, the bathroom was decked out in serene neutrals with a white subway-tiled tub, separate shower, and stalks of bamboo in a vase on the sink.
I loved my stay here, and I can see how this hotel would appeal to a wide range of customers, from business executives to couples to families with young kids. I didn’t get a chance to check out the pool facilities or the Gallery Bar and Bistro just off the lobby, but I’m putting these items front and center on my to-do list for next time. Hotel Indigo also offers quite a few package deals that include meals, drinks and admissions to Columbus attractions (don’t forget to ask about these options when you make your reservations).
Hotel Indigo is located at 400 Brown Street, in the downtown Columbus Arts District. Close by are locally-owned restaurants, bars, galleries and other attractions, and the 26-mile People Trail. For rates, reservations, and more information, call (812) 375-9100 or (877) 846-3446, or visit www.hotelindigo.com.
In the spirit of Déjà vu Fine Art and Craft Show we’re RECYCLING this post from last year’s show.
This event is one you don’t want to miss!
Deja Vu made me a fan of recycled art!
By blogger Paige Harden, re-posted November 2013
This event is one you don’t want to miss!
Deja Vu made me a fan of recycled art!
By blogger Paige Harden, re-posted November 2013
I recently attended the eighth annual Déjà Vu Art and Fine Craft Show in Columbus, and I have to say that I will never look at trash the same way again. Before this show I would have never used the word spectacular to describe empty soda cans, broken crayons, or hair rollers from my grandma’s generation. Having never attended a recycled art show, I was amazed by the magnificent pieces the artists created using once discarded items.
These incredibly talented artists took pre-existing materials, reinterpreted them and gave them an entirely new life as recycled art. I was in admiration of the quirky and beautiful ways these artists used Upcycling to turn everyday trash into creative treasures.
I loved each exhibit but I need to tell you about some of the artwork that really caught my attention.
Michael Hapner, aka the Cornbelt Cowboy, paints hundreds of spots and dots on everything from lamps and guitars to bicycles and saddles. The title of each piece is named after family, friends, current events, and life experiences. His passion lies in reducing the amount of trash in the landfill. He told me that he is famous for saying, “If you are going to throw it to the curb, I'm going to pick it up.” Hapner said his most popular items are his polka-dotted bicycles with saddles for seats. These whimsical bikes sell for $5,000 and he sells them by the dozens to art lovers as far away as Asia.
Lorie Maschino turns unwanted spoons and forks into beautiful jewelry. She creatively combines beads and sparkly jewels with various pieces of flatware to create gorgeous necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. My mom was so in awe of one of the bracelets that she bought it after just one look.
Flatware was a common theme at this year’s art show. Several artists put their own unique spin on how to make spoons desirable. One such artist had visitors huddled around his table the entire day. Gary Hovey began sculpting wildlife out of stainless steel flatware eight years ago. One of his most popular pieces, a gorilla, was created using more than 1,000 forks and weighs 105 pounds. Gary said his favorite sculptures are modeled after wildlife, including bears, elephants, and game fish. Where does he get all of his flatware? From his number one fan, his dad. Every month Gary’s dad visits numerous garage sales and flea markets and mails Gary a 50-pound box of flatware. In 1994, Gary was diagnosed with Parkinson ’s disease. Rather than viewing his debilitating disease as a burden, Gary focuses on the therapeutic nature of his work and says art gives him motivation to persevere.
The mother-daughter team of Karla Gauger and Audrey Barnes got their start in Upcycling when Karla’s son joined an environmental club in college. Karla said she got the motivation one weekend when her son brought home hundreds of soda cans to take to the recycling center. Today, Karla and Audrey create a wide range of products from aluminum cans, including earrings, headbands necklaces, and bracelets. It’s hard to imagine that these beautiful pieces were once someone’s trash.
I am now a major fan of recycled art and plan to attend the Déjà Vu show every year. I love the unique perspective these artists bring to the world! This show has inspired me to take a second look at those items I once thought of only as trash.
See my photos from the show, below >
These incredibly talented artists took pre-existing materials, reinterpreted them and gave them an entirely new life as recycled art. I was in admiration of the quirky and beautiful ways these artists used Upcycling to turn everyday trash into creative treasures.
I loved each exhibit but I need to tell you about some of the artwork that really caught my attention.
Michael Hapner, aka the Cornbelt Cowboy, paints hundreds of spots and dots on everything from lamps and guitars to bicycles and saddles. The title of each piece is named after family, friends, current events, and life experiences. His passion lies in reducing the amount of trash in the landfill. He told me that he is famous for saying, “If you are going to throw it to the curb, I'm going to pick it up.” Hapner said his most popular items are his polka-dotted bicycles with saddles for seats. These whimsical bikes sell for $5,000 and he sells them by the dozens to art lovers as far away as Asia.
Lorie Maschino turns unwanted spoons and forks into beautiful jewelry. She creatively combines beads and sparkly jewels with various pieces of flatware to create gorgeous necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. My mom was so in awe of one of the bracelets that she bought it after just one look.
Flatware was a common theme at this year’s art show. Several artists put their own unique spin on how to make spoons desirable. One such artist had visitors huddled around his table the entire day. Gary Hovey began sculpting wildlife out of stainless steel flatware eight years ago. One of his most popular pieces, a gorilla, was created using more than 1,000 forks and weighs 105 pounds. Gary said his favorite sculptures are modeled after wildlife, including bears, elephants, and game fish. Where does he get all of his flatware? From his number one fan, his dad. Every month Gary’s dad visits numerous garage sales and flea markets and mails Gary a 50-pound box of flatware. In 1994, Gary was diagnosed with Parkinson ’s disease. Rather than viewing his debilitating disease as a burden, Gary focuses on the therapeutic nature of his work and says art gives him motivation to persevere.
The mother-daughter team of Karla Gauger and Audrey Barnes got their start in Upcycling when Karla’s son joined an environmental club in college. Karla said she got the motivation one weekend when her son brought home hundreds of soda cans to take to the recycling center. Today, Karla and Audrey create a wide range of products from aluminum cans, including earrings, headbands necklaces, and bracelets. It’s hard to imagine that these beautiful pieces were once someone’s trash.
I am now a major fan of recycled art and plan to attend the Déjà Vu show every year. I love the unique perspective these artists bring to the world! This show has inspired me to take a second look at those items I once thought of only as trash.
See my photos from the show, below >
Photos from previous shows >
Art for the masses
By Blogger Amy Lynch
Photos by Amy Lynch
You don’t have to go very far in Columbus to get a taste of what the town is all about — namely, great art and architecture. Signing up for one of several tour options at the Visitors Center is certainly a fun and informative way to see what’s what, but it’s easy to enough to simply stroll around and take in the town’s more than 40 attractive public art offerings.
Walking through Columbus seeking out public art is like embarking on your very own private treasure hunt. The Visitors Center itself is actually a great place to start, where employees can offer helpful tips on do-it-yourself excursions. The facility is also home to the brilliant “Yellow Neon Chandelier and Persians” chandelier by Dale Chihuly hanging in the stairwell. The flower-like creation is visible through the front windows of the building; guests are welcome to come inside for a closer look and great photo ops from several angles.
By Blogger Amy Lynch
Photos by Amy Lynch
You don’t have to go very far in Columbus to get a taste of what the town is all about — namely, great art and architecture. Signing up for one of several tour options at the Visitors Center is certainly a fun and informative way to see what’s what, but it’s easy to enough to simply stroll around and take in the town’s more than 40 attractive public art offerings.
Walking through Columbus seeking out public art is like embarking on your very own private treasure hunt. The Visitors Center itself is actually a great place to start, where employees can offer helpful tips on do-it-yourself excursions. The facility is also home to the brilliant “Yellow Neon Chandelier and Persians” chandelier by Dale Chihuly hanging in the stairwell. The flower-like creation is visible through the front windows of the building; guests are welcome to come inside for a closer look and great photo ops from several angles.
Large-scale sculptures abound in Columbus, from the kinetic “Chaos I” masterpiece by Jean Tinguely housed in the Commons building to Jo Saylors’ playful “Crack the Whip” bronze creation of four children chasing each other and Dessa Kirk’s glorious “Eos,” a tribute to the Greek winged goddess of the dawn. Renowned sculptor Henry Moore designed the looming arch that adorns the plaza outside the Bartholomew County Public Library, and a series of expansive murals grace the walls of Columbus buildings. And gear heads will want to stop in Cummins corporate headquarters to see Rudolph de Harak’s intriguing “Exploded Engine” in the lobby. The landscaping outside is lovely, too.
Kids can even get in on the action with a visit to the hands-on Luckey Climber, also located within the Commons. At 35 feet tall, this is Columbus’ largest (and perhaps most interactive) piece of public art. The public bike racks scattered throughout downtown also double as art with a colorful “C” design in keeping with the city’s marketing efforts.
For more information about Columbus’ vibrant collection of public art, call (800) 468-6564 or (812) 378-2622, or go to www.columbus.in.us.
Check out this blog post about Columbus' very own Robert Indiana painting, in City Hall, here >
Building blocks:
Bus tours offer a good look at Columbus’ architectural landmarks
By Blogger Amy Lynch
The little town of Columbus, Indiana has earned itself a big reputation when it comes to architecture. Ranked 6th in the nation for architectural innovation and design by the American Institute of Architects, Columbus is often mentioned in the same breath as much larger cities like Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Among other accolades, the Smithsonian Magazine has called Columbus a “veritable museum of modern architecture.”
Bus tours offer a good look at Columbus’ architectural landmarks
By Blogger Amy Lynch
The little town of Columbus, Indiana has earned itself a big reputation when it comes to architecture. Ranked 6th in the nation for architectural innovation and design by the American Institute of Architects, Columbus is often mentioned in the same breath as much larger cities like Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Among other accolades, the Smithsonian Magazine has called Columbus a “veritable museum of modern architecture.”
One of the best ways to see what all the fuss is about is via a guided bus tour of the city’s most notable architectural attractions. All told, this interesting and informative two-hour journey covers nearly 70 buildings and pieces of public art from an impressive roster of renowned architects, designers and artists. I.M. Pei, Eliel Saarinen, Eero Saarinen, Richard Meier, Harry Weese, Dale Chihuly, Henry Moore — the gang’s all here.
The bus tours of Columbus architecture start and end at the recently-renovated downtown Columbus Area Visitors Center, where guests can browse a vast inventory of artsy gift items and souvenirs before and after their excursions. A short video kicks off the tours with a little back story on how Columbus became the architectural powerhouse it is today, and offers a quick primer on some of the buildings you might glimpse along the way.
The bus tours of Columbus architecture start and end at the recently-renovated downtown Columbus Area Visitors Center, where guests can browse a vast inventory of artsy gift items and souvenirs before and after their excursions. A short video kicks off the tours with a little back story on how Columbus became the architectural powerhouse it is today, and offers a quick primer on some of the buildings you might glimpse along the way.
You’re sure to see quite a few distinctive churches on this tour, including the boxy First Christian Church with its imposing clock tower across from the I.M. Pei designed Bartholomew County Public Library (check out the Henry Moore sculpture out front), the circular St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and the almost-alien soaring spire of North Christian Church. Other structures worth singling out include the handsome Bartholomew County Courthouse, the retro Fire Station No. 1 (see photos, below), the Cummins Inc. headquarters and the former Irwin Union Bank. Several stops offer opportunities to get off the bus, stretch your legs and venture inside buildings for unique vantage points and additional photo ops. Even if you’re not an architecture buff per se, most folks still find the unusual structures and historical aspects of the tour highly interesting.
Be aware, this bus tour is geared more toward adult passengers; kids are likely to get a little bored and antsy during the ride. If you’ve got little ones tagging along, the self-guided walking tour of downtown architectural landmarks might be a better option, followed by a stop at kidscommons children’s museum, some active time on the Luckey Climber at the Commons (photo below), and an ice cream break at Zaharako’s.
The bus tour of Columbus architecture is $20 per person. Reservations are a smart idea, as seats are limited and tend to fill up well in advance. For a schedule of tour dates, times and other information, go to www.columbus.in.us.
A weekend of all things Scottish at The Columbus Scottish Festival
By Blogger Paige Harden
"I love seeing people who are passionate about their culture."
One of the reasons I’m so proud to call Columbus home is the way this community embraces and almost demands cultural diversity. I love learning about how other people live, and am so lucky to live in a community that provides numerous opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy and learn about cultures from around the globe.
I recently attended the 21st Columbus Scottish Festival. I have been to this festival three times in the past, and each time I discover something new and exciting about Scottish heritage and culture.
As in previous years, this year’s festival featured everything Scottish, including bag pipes, Highland Games, rugby, re-enactors, sheep dog trials, a Highland Dance competition, children’s activities, food and merchandise vendors, Highland clan tents, and a European car show.
The first time I attended the festival, I spent a great deal of time watching the athletes competing in the Highland Games. I was in shock and awe watching the amateur and professional athletes throwing unusual and heavy objects across a field. The competitions included throwing 50-pound stones, heaving 150-pound logs, and chucking 20-pound burlap bags filled with straw over a bar with a pitch fork. Watching the athletes throwing these objects amazed me, but learning the history was even cooler.
Highland Games originated in the 11th century as competitions to find the strongest men to serve as body guards for the king. The fastest men would be chosen to be couriers to deliver important messages. Cool, huh?
Surrounding the athletic field, Highland clan tents displayed relics that would make a history teacher weep with joy. Each clan displayed shields, maps of where their descendants lived in Scotland, examples of clothing and armor, and information on crops that they grew or animals that they raised.
I love seeing people who are passionate about their culture and how it has influenced who they are today. We each have such unique backgrounds and it’s important that we remember and celebrate who we are.
By Blogger Paige Harden
"I love seeing people who are passionate about their culture."
One of the reasons I’m so proud to call Columbus home is the way this community embraces and almost demands cultural diversity. I love learning about how other people live, and am so lucky to live in a community that provides numerous opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy and learn about cultures from around the globe.
I recently attended the 21st Columbus Scottish Festival. I have been to this festival three times in the past, and each time I discover something new and exciting about Scottish heritage and culture.
As in previous years, this year’s festival featured everything Scottish, including bag pipes, Highland Games, rugby, re-enactors, sheep dog trials, a Highland Dance competition, children’s activities, food and merchandise vendors, Highland clan tents, and a European car show.
The first time I attended the festival, I spent a great deal of time watching the athletes competing in the Highland Games. I was in shock and awe watching the amateur and professional athletes throwing unusual and heavy objects across a field. The competitions included throwing 50-pound stones, heaving 150-pound logs, and chucking 20-pound burlap bags filled with straw over a bar with a pitch fork. Watching the athletes throwing these objects amazed me, but learning the history was even cooler.
Highland Games originated in the 11th century as competitions to find the strongest men to serve as body guards for the king. The fastest men would be chosen to be couriers to deliver important messages. Cool, huh?
Surrounding the athletic field, Highland clan tents displayed relics that would make a history teacher weep with joy. Each clan displayed shields, maps of where their descendants lived in Scotland, examples of clothing and armor, and information on crops that they grew or animals that they raised.
I love seeing people who are passionate about their culture and how it has influenced who they are today. We each have such unique backgrounds and it’s important that we remember and celebrate who we are.
Just across the field, sheep dogs tugged at their leashes, begging their owners to let them get to work. As the first dog took the field for competition, a volunteer explained the origins of sheep herding competitions. She said that these competitions began unofficially between shepherds that wanted to show off the talents of their canine working partners.
At the festival competition, dogs were asked to move sheep around an open field, directing them into a small pen. The dogs were as far as 300 yards away from their handlers and received commands by listening to the sounds of their handler’s whistle. I was amazed by these dogs! I could not believe that there was no fence around the competition field, and the sheep went exactly the way the dog and handler wanted them to.
While watching this competition, I spent nearly the entire time imagining what this would look like with my 11-year-old cocker spaniel named Jackson. First, he would run about 50 feet and have to stop for a break (he is an air conditioning, lay on the couch kind of dog). There would be absolutely no herding or following my commands – I can’t even get him to come most of the time. I imagine he might catch a second wind if he got a whiff of the food booths and might be willing to put in some extra effort if he thought he might sneak a few bites of haggis.
Speaking of haggis – I decided to be brave and try it this year. If you have never heard of it, haggis is a traditionally Scottish dish that consists of the heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep, minced with suet, onions, oatmeal, and seasonings and boiled in the stomach of the sheep. I tried really hard to enjoy this mixture of very unfamiliar tastes, but I just couldn’t stomach it.
Other than my failed attempt at finishing my haggis, the 2012 Scottish Festival was another great success! Thank you to the army of volunteers who make it possible every year. Three cheers for bagpipes and kilts!
For more information on the Columbus Scottish Festival, visit www.scottishfestival.org.
And check out the links to three short video clips I posted from the festival >
At the festival competition, dogs were asked to move sheep around an open field, directing them into a small pen. The dogs were as far as 300 yards away from their handlers and received commands by listening to the sounds of their handler’s whistle. I was amazed by these dogs! I could not believe that there was no fence around the competition field, and the sheep went exactly the way the dog and handler wanted them to.
While watching this competition, I spent nearly the entire time imagining what this would look like with my 11-year-old cocker spaniel named Jackson. First, he would run about 50 feet and have to stop for a break (he is an air conditioning, lay on the couch kind of dog). There would be absolutely no herding or following my commands – I can’t even get him to come most of the time. I imagine he might catch a second wind if he got a whiff of the food booths and might be willing to put in some extra effort if he thought he might sneak a few bites of haggis.
Speaking of haggis – I decided to be brave and try it this year. If you have never heard of it, haggis is a traditionally Scottish dish that consists of the heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep, minced with suet, onions, oatmeal, and seasonings and boiled in the stomach of the sheep. I tried really hard to enjoy this mixture of very unfamiliar tastes, but I just couldn’t stomach it.
Other than my failed attempt at finishing my haggis, the 2012 Scottish Festival was another great success! Thank you to the army of volunteers who make it possible every year. Three cheers for bagpipes and kilts!
For more information on the Columbus Scottish Festival, visit www.scottishfestival.org.
And check out the links to three short video clips I posted from the festival >
Post from The Indianapolis Museum of Art, June 25, 2013 :
- IMA's guest blogger David Force, an architect living and working in Columbus, and a member of the IMA's Design Arts Society board, offers observations on The Venturi Chippendale chair, with reference to Venturi's work on Fire Station 4 in Columbus.
- "With the opening of the new Design Galleries late in 2013, this stunningly simple Chippendale Chair by the architects Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown stands out as unique in the incredible compendium of modern design that the IMA has accumulated in recent years."
- Read the full blog here.
Blogger Carrie Lambert and family visit Columbus and post some family fun tips about their discoveries at kidscommons, The Commons, Tre Bicchierri, and Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor, as well as some time spent with the self-guided cell phone tour. Read the full post and see all the photos here.
Post by Lou Glazer, May 18, 2013 :
- "In the 1950s the CEO of the Cummins Engine Company in a small southern Indiana town understood, what we are still having trouble understanding today in Michigan, that place matters."
- "Michigan’s future success is in large part dependent on our political and, a larger portion of, business leadership understanding what Mr. Miller understood more than a half century ago and political and business leadership in most American big metropolitan areas understand today. That the models for future economic success in a flattening world are New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland plus non-coastal cities like Minneapolis, Denver, and Madison. That the path to future prosperity is increasingly talent driven and that to concentrate talent you need a big metropolitan area anchored by a vibrant central city with the quality of place increasingly mobile talent values."
- Read the full post here >
Blogger Amy Finke provides insider scoops for visitors to her former hometown. To read the post, go here.
Cranbrook student, Chad Alligood blogs about his brief stop in Columbus. To read the post, go here.
We love independent bookstores! With their charm and authenticity, they offer an experience you just can't get a big box store. Columbus is lucky to be home to Viewpoint Books, since 1973! Read the blog post here.
Hands-On Marshmallow Making Class at 240Sweet
By blogger Nicole Wiltrout, posted February 2013
In many ways, February is a month for sweets. We celebrate our sweethearts with sweet treats, after all. And there’s no better topping for a winter favorite hot chocolate than marshmallows. So it’s a perfect time to attend a marshmallow making class at 240Sweet.
Last month, I got to experience the fun of this learning experience. At the class, Chef Alexa Lemley leads her guests through the process of making these award-winning marshmallows. From boiling the sugar to 240 degrees (hence the name!) to blending the puffs for 10 minutes in the industrial mixer, you’ll get a sense of the science and the art of marshmallow-making.
By blogger Nicole Wiltrout, posted February 2013
In many ways, February is a month for sweets. We celebrate our sweethearts with sweet treats, after all. And there’s no better topping for a winter favorite hot chocolate than marshmallows. So it’s a perfect time to attend a marshmallow making class at 240Sweet.
Last month, I got to experience the fun of this learning experience. At the class, Chef Alexa Lemley leads her guests through the process of making these award-winning marshmallows. From boiling the sugar to 240 degrees (hence the name!) to blending the puffs for 10 minutes in the industrial mixer, you’ll get a sense of the science and the art of marshmallow-making.
During her demonstration, Chef Lemley will also entertain your taste buds by offering samples of a few different flavors, freshly toasted just like a marshmallow should be. I don’t really consider myself a huge fan of marshmallows. I’ll indulge in the occasional s’more around a campfire, but beyond that, I don’t tend to be drawn to puffs. But 240Sweet’s creations deserve a dessert category all their own. Thick, creamy, and packed with bold flavors, I could definitely get my sweet tooth fix just eating them plain. It’s no wonder they’ve been featured in countless national publications, like Food and Wine and Oprah.
The final step in the process is spreading the goo around on a big pan and topping it with its additional flavor elements. Our class watched the Banana Pudding flavor being made, so that meant sprinkling on lots of vanilla wafer crumbles. It’s amazing how sticky yet spreadable this concoction is.
The final step in the process is spreading the goo around on a big pan and topping it with its additional flavor elements. Our class watched the Banana Pudding flavor being made, so that meant sprinkling on lots of vanilla wafer crumbles. It’s amazing how sticky yet spreadable this concoction is.
Check out this fantastic post on Urban Indy!
View more posts HERE >