Showing posts with label Brazil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brazil. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Christmas wonder at Forest Park
Saturday, October 08, 2016
Can there be a better place to live?
Can there be a better place to live than in Brazil, Indiana?
Twice in the past week I have been reminded of how much pride we should have in our fair city.
The sesquicentennial celebration in Forest Park couldn’t have been better. (I’ve even learned how to spell “sesquicentennial” without looking it up.)
My goodness. Did you see that parade of people who have worked hard and made Brazil great? There were so many businesses that have been here for more than 50 years. And, nine businesses that have been here longer than a century.
The city officials were named and honored. These are people who sacrificed much more than they were paid to keep necessary services going in Brazil.
Robert Hostetler gave a history of the city, citing people I didn’t know about. I certainly didn’t know how Brazil was named by the storekeeper who thought we needed a U.S. Post Office.
Did you see the smile on the face of the consul from Brazil, South America when Mayor Wyndham presented him with a key to the city? You didn’t? Well, check out the photo gallery on our website, www.thebraziltimes.com.
How touching it was when people were handed envelopes filled with items placed in the time capsule 50 years ago. Many of those people were children when their parents thoughtfully placed photos and other keepsakes in the time capsule to be given them decades later. It gives me chills to think about it.
One of the newest celebrations took place this past weekend.
The Tri Kappa Fall Frenzy in the park was bigger and better than the first two and, as of this writing on Saturday, it looks like sunny weather will prevail for the whole festival.
Oh, sure, we have our differences. Some folks we have to love like a porcupine — from a distance — but our differences help make us great.
Happy birthday, Brazil. How I wish I could be around in another 50 years!
Twice in the past week I have been reminded of how much pride we should have in our fair city.
The sesquicentennial celebration in Forest Park couldn’t have been better. (I’ve even learned how to spell “sesquicentennial” without looking it up.)
My goodness. Did you see that parade of people who have worked hard and made Brazil great? There were so many businesses that have been here for more than 50 years. And, nine businesses that have been here longer than a century.
The city officials were named and honored. These are people who sacrificed much more than they were paid to keep necessary services going in Brazil.
Robert Hostetler gave a history of the city, citing people I didn’t know about. I certainly didn’t know how Brazil was named by the storekeeper who thought we needed a U.S. Post Office.
Did you see the smile on the face of the consul from Brazil, South America when Mayor Wyndham presented him with a key to the city? You didn’t? Well, check out the photo gallery on our website, www.thebraziltimes.com.
How touching it was when people were handed envelopes filled with items placed in the time capsule 50 years ago. Many of those people were children when their parents thoughtfully placed photos and other keepsakes in the time capsule to be given them decades later. It gives me chills to think about it.
One of the newest celebrations took place this past weekend.
The Tri Kappa Fall Frenzy in the park was bigger and better than the first two and, as of this writing on Saturday, it looks like sunny weather will prevail for the whole festival.
Oh, sure, we have our differences. Some folks we have to love like a porcupine — from a distance — but our differences help make us great.
Happy birthday, Brazil. How I wish I could be around in another 50 years!
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Clay County kicks off Indiana's bicentennial year
Clay County raised Indiana's bicentennial flag on Friday at noon.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
The popcorn king was a grandpa, too
Many
of us remember the TV commercials starring Orville Redenbacher. He
was always seen in his striped shirt and bowtie.
“Hi, I’m Orville Redebacher from Valparaiso, Indiana,” he would say.
That line rankled some folks who knew he was born in Brazil, Indiana, a town that had a Popcorn Festival dedicated to his memory each fall.
For the past several months I have been corresponding with one of his grandsons, Kevin R. Fish, an author who contributed to “Indiana’s 200,” to be published by the Indiana Historical Society in November.
In one of our exchanges, Kevin wrote the following and gave me permission to make liberal use of it in this column:
There are some facts that reveal Redenbacher’s personal character. He always remained the same kind of person even though he became a public figure. Fame never went to “his head.” For example, beginning in high school in the 1920’s, he always wore a bow tie, though this piece of clothing had been traditional since the late nineteenth century, but was not very popular by the time of his death in 1995. At his house in Valparaiso, Indiana, both he and Grandma Corinne accommodated their grandchildren. There was a plastic log cabin in the basement, in which there was room for some of the children to sit. There was also a billiard table in the basement. On one occasion, he and I played a game of billiards, but he did not beat me right away, waiting until only the eight ball was left, then he won by sending it into one of the table’s pockets.
One other matter about Grandpa involves our family reunions. Our first reunion was in 1991 in Scottsdale, Arizona, near where Cousin Lori lived. The second one was in 1993 in Santa Cruz, California, near my brother Gary’s house in nearby Scotts Valley. After staying in Santa Cruz, we went to Gary’s house. The last reunion was at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It was at this last reunion that there were many board and domino games, and Grandpa played one in which he was an expert. The whole purpose of these reunions was to demonstrate Grandpa’s lifelong belief in a family staying together.
I told Kevin that his memories of Orville struck a chord with me because of my own grandfathers.
I never knew my Grandmother Zellers and Grandma Phillips passed away when I was 3.
Grandpa Zellers stayed with us through the winter on several years and my Grandpa Phillips was not an outgoing man. I don’t remember him every playing with my cousins or myself, though we knew he loved us very much.
Grandpa Zellers loved playing checkers with me. On one occasion, Mom left me in his care while she went grocery shopping. When she got home, she laid a 3 Musketeers bar on the table in front of me.
The only regret I have of those years was the time when I was 11 and Grandpa wanted me to play a game of checkers. I turned him down, thinking I was too busy.
When he was past 80, he played Whiffle ball with me. He was never too busy or too tired.
Grandpa Phillips retired from the railroad when I was, perhaps, in my teenage years. He had Dad, my cousin, Rick, and me ride in the cab with him on his last run from Chicago. At the end of his trip, a photographer was waiting to take his photo in front of the train engine.
For many years after he said he wished he had Rick and I in the photo with him.
I often think of those things when I talk to my grandchildren on the phone or when I can be with them.
It was especially poignant to me when I was visiting with the kids in Missouri and John wanted “ to do something” but didn’t know what.
So, we built a fort out of couch cushions and whatever we could find.
For months after, whenever we were together, John said, “Grandpa, let’s build a port.” I guess, maybe, he confused a fort to guard against Indians with a place where ships dock. (Yes, I know the “fort” scenario is politically incorrect, but we had fun.)
On another occasion, all the grandkids were in the recliner with me and we would rock up and down, like we were in a boat on the ocean. When one got down, I told them to hurry back into the boat because “Bruce” the shark would eat them.
A few months later, Rose and I were reading a Golden Book about “Nemo,” the little clown fish in the Disney movie. The shark in that book had a different name but Rose insisted it was “Bruce.”
Guess Disney will have to revise that book.
Thanks, for sharing, Kevin, on behalf of all of us grandparents.
• • •
“Hi, I’m Orville Redebacher from Valparaiso, Indiana,” he would say.
That line rankled some folks who knew he was born in Brazil, Indiana, a town that had a Popcorn Festival dedicated to his memory each fall.
For the past several months I have been corresponding with one of his grandsons, Kevin R. Fish, an author who contributed to “Indiana’s 200,” to be published by the Indiana Historical Society in November.
In one of our exchanges, Kevin wrote the following and gave me permission to make liberal use of it in this column:
There are some facts that reveal Redenbacher’s personal character. He always remained the same kind of person even though he became a public figure. Fame never went to “his head.” For example, beginning in high school in the 1920’s, he always wore a bow tie, though this piece of clothing had been traditional since the late nineteenth century, but was not very popular by the time of his death in 1995. At his house in Valparaiso, Indiana, both he and Grandma Corinne accommodated their grandchildren. There was a plastic log cabin in the basement, in which there was room for some of the children to sit. There was also a billiard table in the basement. On one occasion, he and I played a game of billiards, but he did not beat me right away, waiting until only the eight ball was left, then he won by sending it into one of the table’s pockets.
One other matter about Grandpa involves our family reunions. Our first reunion was in 1991 in Scottsdale, Arizona, near where Cousin Lori lived. The second one was in 1993 in Santa Cruz, California, near my brother Gary’s house in nearby Scotts Valley. After staying in Santa Cruz, we went to Gary’s house. The last reunion was at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It was at this last reunion that there were many board and domino games, and Grandpa played one in which he was an expert. The whole purpose of these reunions was to demonstrate Grandpa’s lifelong belief in a family staying together.
I told Kevin that his memories of Orville struck a chord with me because of my own grandfathers.
I never knew my Grandmother Zellers and Grandma Phillips passed away when I was 3.
Grandpa Zellers stayed with us through the winter on several years and my Grandpa Phillips was not an outgoing man. I don’t remember him every playing with my cousins or myself, though we knew he loved us very much.
Grandpa Zellers loved playing checkers with me. On one occasion, Mom left me in his care while she went grocery shopping. When she got home, she laid a 3 Musketeers bar on the table in front of me.
The only regret I have of those years was the time when I was 11 and Grandpa wanted me to play a game of checkers. I turned him down, thinking I was too busy.
When he was past 80, he played Whiffle ball with me. He was never too busy or too tired.
Grandpa Phillips retired from the railroad when I was, perhaps, in my teenage years. He had Dad, my cousin, Rick, and me ride in the cab with him on his last run from Chicago. At the end of his trip, a photographer was waiting to take his photo in front of the train engine.
For many years after he said he wished he had Rick and I in the photo with him.
I often think of those things when I talk to my grandchildren on the phone or when I can be with them.
It was especially poignant to me when I was visiting with the kids in Missouri and John wanted “ to do something” but didn’t know what.
So, we built a fort out of couch cushions and whatever we could find.
For months after, whenever we were together, John said, “Grandpa, let’s build a port.” I guess, maybe, he confused a fort to guard against Indians with a place where ships dock. (Yes, I know the “fort” scenario is politically incorrect, but we had fun.)
On another occasion, all the grandkids were in the recliner with me and we would rock up and down, like we were in a boat on the ocean. When one got down, I told them to hurry back into the boat because “Bruce” the shark would eat them.
A few months later, Rose and I were reading a Golden Book about “Nemo,” the little clown fish in the Disney movie. The shark in that book had a different name but Rose insisted it was “Bruce.”
Guess Disney will have to revise that book.
Thanks, for sharing, Kevin, on behalf of all of us grandparents.
• • •
I have a new book out! It is titled, "Being Frank About Family and Friends," and is available on
Kindle and Kindle apps. amazon.com/author/frankphillips.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Being Frank about discipline
Frank’s column for week of March 29, 2015 — 1908 scholarship “Pointed Suggestions"
I am a child of the '60s, a decade from which we are still reeling, and if we aren't careful, historians will one day look back and remember it as a key time in the decline and fall of the American Empire.
I was a teenager during the '60s. That meant there were lots of questions, few answers and even more important decisions to make.
College was one of those decisions.
Neither one of my parents had formal education beyond high school. My grandfather worked on the railroad from a very young age. He put Uncle Doc and Aunt Jessie through college but did not go to college himself.
Uncle Doc became a dentist (hence the nickname, "Doc") and Aunt Jessie became a school teacher who taught English in the Gary school district while Doc had his practice in the same area.
So, when I was growing up, Doc and Jessie were two of my college role models. So were my cousins, Rick and Lou Ann. They were 6 and 12 years older than me and both attended Michigan State University long before I had to make any decisions about higher education.
During the 1960s, the philoosophy that led to lack of discipline for children became prevalent. It’s not too surprising that also in the ‘60s campus demonstrations became all too common.
Just how many “students” were involved in the rioting may never be known; I'm sure it was a minority, but the point is, the lack of discipline at home manifested itself in the riots.
The same children who were not corrected for throwing their cereal on the floor as infants expected they would not be disciplined for taking over the university administration building as young adults.
None of this is new but it does set the scene to show how much things changed over the decades leading up to the '60s.
In 1908, Mary I. Hendricksen's mother, Grace Dickson, received a scholarship to attend six months of training at Indiana Business College.
The scholarship carried with it some “pointed suggestions" for behavior as follows:
Let others alone.
Attend strictly to business at all hours.
Heavy walking, running and jumping in the halls, slamming of doors, cutting, marking or defacing wood work or walls, loitering before of after school hours around or in the vicinity of the building, and use of tobacco in and about school positively forbidden. For any violation of same students are subject expulsion.
Unless business or special work calls you to the office, your place is in your department, and this you can only leave by permission from your teacher.
We cannot graduate and recommend as fully qualified amanuenses, any whose shorthand speed is less than 100 words, or typewriting speed less than 45 words per minute, or who fail to pass a rigid examination in orthography or write a good hand.
Students who remain out of college without a permit from the teacher, will not be allowed to make up for lost time.
A strict record of the attendance f all pupils is kept. No allowances are made for holidays or absences, except in case of serious illness, or upon special permit. In no instance will any payment of tuition be refunded.
The obligation given by purchaser of this scholarship promises punctual attendance, orderly deportment and cheerful compliance with college rules.
Under no consideration will students be allowed to use the telephone during school ours. Other hours at our option.
Remember, this institution does not obligate itself to furnish a position unless the pupil completes our full commercial course.
I offer this to point out how different “acceptable" behavior is today than 100 years ago.
Today, high school students call their teachers by their first names and know who to go to, to buy illegal drugs. In 1908 "heavy walking, running and jumping in the halls" was cause for the disciploine of college students.
As I say, unless we are careful, we may be living the decline and fall of the American Empire.
Frank Phillips is a reporter for The Brazil Times.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Review - 'Damn Yankees' gives us heart
By FRANK PHILLIPS
frankphi@hotmail.com
Friday, March 9, 2007 9:27 AM CST
Young Joe Hardy is back in town. So are Lola, Mr. Applegate and the Washington Senators!
If that sounds like a big crowd, it is. “Damn Yankees” is a big production for our little theater on National Ave. There are 30 cast members, some in dual roles.
Community Theatre of Clay County Inc. presents “Damn Yankees” tonight and Saturday with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the show beginning thereafter.
*
The cast did a marvelous job overcoming opening night jitters and there were no muffed lines or miscues from where we sat.
The show features wonderful 1950s music with lines like, “What Lola wants, Lola gets!”, “You've gotta have heart ...” and “Good-bye, old, girl; my old girl ...”
The plot revolves around a die-hard Washington Senators fan in the 1950s when Mickey Mantle & the New York Yankees absolutely dominated baseball. The show asks the question, “What would it take for the Yankees to lose the Pennant, just once?”
The answer is a visit from the devil of a flashy dresser, Mr. Applegate, who persuades Joe Boyd, an overweight, 50-ish, real estate salesman to sell his soul for a chance to lead the Senators to victory over the Yankees and the rest of the league.
Matt Tribble and Michelle McCrea are standouts as Joe and Meg Boyd. Squint and Tribble looks like a very young Tab Hunter.
T. J. Sneddon is delightful as the devilish Applegate; so is Julia Kapke as Lola.
The rest of the cast does a great job as well, including David Maurey, Micahlyn Allen, Carl McKinney, David Landes, Jim Garber, Bernie Jackson, Kevin McCrea, Jordan Allen, Mike Allen, Ashton Swearingen, Chris Swearingen, Bob Lambrecht, Harold Burton, Melody Lunsford, Carolyn Warner, Jo Ann Stearley, Rebecca Beyers, Bob Pell, Candace Johnson, Amy McCluskey, Mikki Mears, David Swearingen, Trey Reberger, Jase Glassburn, Caroline Disney and Katie Walsh.
The show comes on the heels of last month's “Jim Garber ... And Friends!”, an “informal evening musicale” put together by Garber.
Although this reporter was out of town and didn't get to attend, the Feb. 16-17 offering also featured a large ensemble including the Greengrass Strings, the Brazil Choral Society and the Wabash Silver Cornet Band.
Some of the memorable music included “O Susanna”, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”, “Deep River”, “The Preacher ad the Bear”, “I'm My Own Grandpa”, “Puttin' On the Dog” and “Old Man River”.
Truly, our local theater troupe is one of Clay County's gems, attracting 14 visitors from Crawfordsville last night. Visitors from all over Indiana and elsewhere make it a practice to attend performances at the Lark Theatre, across from Riddell National Bank, on National Ave.
For tickets and more information about upcoming shows, call Barbara Randall, 448-8772.
frankphi@hotmail.com
Friday, March 9, 2007 9:27 AM CST
Young Joe Hardy is back in town. So are Lola, Mr. Applegate and the Washington Senators!
If that sounds like a big crowd, it is. “Damn Yankees” is a big production for our little theater on National Ave. There are 30 cast members, some in dual roles.
Community Theatre of Clay County Inc. presents “Damn Yankees” tonight and Saturday with dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the show beginning thereafter.
*
The cast did a marvelous job overcoming opening night jitters and there were no muffed lines or miscues from where we sat.
The show features wonderful 1950s music with lines like, “What Lola wants, Lola gets!”, “You've gotta have heart ...” and “Good-bye, old, girl; my old girl ...”
The plot revolves around a die-hard Washington Senators fan in the 1950s when Mickey Mantle & the New York Yankees absolutely dominated baseball. The show asks the question, “What would it take for the Yankees to lose the Pennant, just once?”
The answer is a visit from the devil of a flashy dresser, Mr. Applegate, who persuades Joe Boyd, an overweight, 50-ish, real estate salesman to sell his soul for a chance to lead the Senators to victory over the Yankees and the rest of the league.
Matt Tribble and Michelle McCrea are standouts as Joe and Meg Boyd. Squint and Tribble looks like a very young Tab Hunter.
T. J. Sneddon is delightful as the devilish Applegate; so is Julia Kapke as Lola.
The rest of the cast does a great job as well, including David Maurey, Micahlyn Allen, Carl McKinney, David Landes, Jim Garber, Bernie Jackson, Kevin McCrea, Jordan Allen, Mike Allen, Ashton Swearingen, Chris Swearingen, Bob Lambrecht, Harold Burton, Melody Lunsford, Carolyn Warner, Jo Ann Stearley, Rebecca Beyers, Bob Pell, Candace Johnson, Amy McCluskey, Mikki Mears, David Swearingen, Trey Reberger, Jase Glassburn, Caroline Disney and Katie Walsh.
The show comes on the heels of last month's “Jim Garber ... And Friends!”, an “informal evening musicale” put together by Garber.
Although this reporter was out of town and didn't get to attend, the Feb. 16-17 offering also featured a large ensemble including the Greengrass Strings, the Brazil Choral Society and the Wabash Silver Cornet Band.
Some of the memorable music included “O Susanna”, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”, “Deep River”, “The Preacher ad the Bear”, “I'm My Own Grandpa”, “Puttin' On the Dog” and “Old Man River”.
Truly, our local theater troupe is one of Clay County's gems, attracting 14 visitors from Crawfordsville last night. Visitors from all over Indiana and elsewhere make it a practice to attend performances at the Lark Theatre, across from Riddell National Bank, on National Ave.
For tickets and more information about upcoming shows, call Barbara Randall, 448-8772.
Thomas law office has new owners
By FRANK PHILLIPS
frankphi@hotmail.com
Friday, March 9, 2007 9:27 AM CST
A downtown Brazil landmark will have new owners.
For years, John, Amos, David and Andy Thomas used the brick building at the corner of Franklin and National streets as their law offices. They were joined at one time by Ed Pease, who went on to become this district's congressman.
Now, Amos Thomas continues his law practice and is the 44th District State Representative, but John is retired and David and Andy work for the State of Indiana in Indianapolis.
*
So, the building has been for sale.
It has been sold.
Linda and Ron Harms, owners of Re/Max Homes and Land real estate agency have bought the building for the agency.
The Harms plan to relocate their business to the building at 33 W. National Ave. by April 1.
Meanwhile, the Thomas name will remain on the door: Amos has leased office space from the Harms.
A grand opening time will be announced at a later date.
frankphi@hotmail.com
Friday, March 9, 2007 9:27 AM CST
A downtown Brazil landmark will have new owners.
For years, John, Amos, David and Andy Thomas used the brick building at the corner of Franklin and National streets as their law offices. They were joined at one time by Ed Pease, who went on to become this district's congressman.
Now, Amos Thomas continues his law practice and is the 44th District State Representative, but John is retired and David and Andy work for the State of Indiana in Indianapolis.
*
So, the building has been for sale.
It has been sold.
Linda and Ron Harms, owners of Re/Max Homes and Land real estate agency have bought the building for the agency.
The Harms plan to relocate their business to the building at 33 W. National Ave. by April 1.
Meanwhile, the Thomas name will remain on the door: Amos has leased office space from the Harms.
A grand opening time will be announced at a later date.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Weather brings early trick -- no treat in sight
By FRANK PHILLIPS
frankphi@hotmail.com
The weather was all trick and no treat on Wednesday, almost three weeks before Halloween.
The National Weather Service issued a Freeze Watch effective Thursday night through Friday morning, but the freeze came early.
At 5:30 this morning, the temperature had dipped to 29 degrees at Northview High School, according to Weather Bug, and the thermometer on Riddell National Bank downtown was at 28 degrees at 6 a.m.
The lesson for gardeners was, if you waited until the last day to cover your plants, you waited one day too long.
The National Weather Service did issue a Freeze Warning, effective from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, still a little late for people who went to bed before they heard the weather forecast Wednesday night.
The weather service warning stated:
“ARCTIC AIR WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE INTO INDIANA TODAY AND TONIGHT. SKIES WILL BECOME MOSTLY CLEAR TONIGHT WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR GOOD RADIATIONAL COOLING. TEMPERATURES WILL DECREASE AFTER MIDNIGHT TO FREEZING OR A LITTLE BELOW. THEY SHOULD INCREASE ABOVE FREEZING AFTER 9AM ON FRIDAY.
“A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION.”
The warning is in effect for most of central Indiana.
The good news is that temperatures are expected to warm up to near 70 degrees by Tuesday and should reach the lower 50s today, according to The Weather Channel.
To find local conditions, weather watches and warnings and the forecast for Clay County, turn to http://www.thebraziltimes.com, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
frankphi@hotmail.com
The weather was all trick and no treat on Wednesday, almost three weeks before Halloween.
The National Weather Service issued a Freeze Watch effective Thursday night through Friday morning, but the freeze came early.
At 5:30 this morning, the temperature had dipped to 29 degrees at Northview High School, according to Weather Bug, and the thermometer on Riddell National Bank downtown was at 28 degrees at 6 a.m.
The lesson for gardeners was, if you waited until the last day to cover your plants, you waited one day too long.
The National Weather Service did issue a Freeze Warning, effective from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, still a little late for people who went to bed before they heard the weather forecast Wednesday night.
The weather service warning stated:
“ARCTIC AIR WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE INTO INDIANA TODAY AND TONIGHT. SKIES WILL BECOME MOSTLY CLEAR TONIGHT WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR GOOD RADIATIONAL COOLING. TEMPERATURES WILL DECREASE AFTER MIDNIGHT TO FREEZING OR A LITTLE BELOW. THEY SHOULD INCREASE ABOVE FREEZING AFTER 9AM ON FRIDAY.
“A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION.”
The warning is in effect for most of central Indiana.
The good news is that temperatures are expected to warm up to near 70 degrees by Tuesday and should reach the lower 50s today, according to The Weather Channel.
To find local conditions, weather watches and warnings and the forecast for Clay County, turn to http://www.thebraziltimes.com, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)