Cinnamon, Spice, and Everything Nice!

Tooth cavities are the worst diagnosis for dessert lovers everywhere.  It is the greatest offense to be told you have a cavity.  To those with a sweet tooth being told you have a cavity is the equivalent of being told you can’t have air.  Not the ideal scenario!  So imagine my sheer agony as I walked into the dentist’s office, knowing I had at least two cavities!  As I sit in that chair, dreading the horrid news, I shuddered as I thought about life without sweets.  The dentist strolled, obviously oblivious to my inner meltdown.  He did what dentists do best and looked at my teeth for several minutes.  It felt like years to me.  Finally, he spoke.  “Everything looks great! You don’t have any cavities, but maybe a slight sweet sensitivity!” 

So this morning, after “properly” brushing my teeth with my new special, sensitivity toothpaste, I decided for a sweet breakfast.  I ventured west, into the lovely town of Centerville.  I stopped at the quaint, family-owned Cinnamon Spice Bakery (first time, mind you).  I was amazed at the variety of fresh donuts they had!  Éclairs, twists, and the really good-looking kind that I don’t know what their name is!  Of course, éclairs are my favorite, so I got one of those!  But not only were there donuts in this bakery, but they also had noodles, fudge, cake pops, apple fritters, gourmet popcorn, and much more!  And the cost was just as beautiful as the donut was delicious!  $0.86 for my long, delectable donut!  Best money I’ve ever spent!  I will definitely be heading back soon…right after I brush my teeth again! 

If you want to check the bakery out for yourself head west through Centerville.  It will be on the right! 

Cinnamon Spice Bakery

6884 National Rd. W.

765-855-3344

cinnamonspicebakery.com

Brooke is a junior at Indiana University East, studying Nursing. She works at Reid Hospital & Health Care Services in the Food & Nutrition Department; and, also at the Richmond/Wayne County Tourism Bureau.  She enjoys spending time with friends and family and exploring the great outdoors.

Visiting the Amish Businesses Day!!!

I headed out the other day to explore the businesses in our Amish community.  I stopped first at the Fountain Acres Food Store in Fountain City.  I had been there a few times several years ago and hadn’t been too interested at the time.  Since then I have learned to bake delicious treats, cook meals, and do my own laundry.  After going back today I have a newfound appreciation for the Fountain Acres Foods Store.  Aisles of spices, herbs, and extracts to make any dish a sensation!  Numerous rows of candies, preserves, and freshly made pies and cakes made my mouth start watering.  Laundry soaps!  Home herbal remedies!  Snacks! Cheeses (and free cheese samples…can you say yum?)!  A deli!! This store had everything I could have ever dreamed of, in order to make my kitchen and laundry room experiences complete! 

After spending a good hour in Fountain Acres I ventured out to Miller’s Dry Goods.  It was significantly smaller compared to the store I had just come from, but it was packed to the brim with goodies!  Hand-crafted clothing, carvings, kitchen utensils, Bibles, books, toys and much more!

And it’s not just the products that make these stores one-of-a-kinds, but it’s the workers!  Both businesses I visited are owned and run by our local Amish community.  I have met so many people who believe the Amish to be plain, ordinary people.  I could not disagree more.  They are no different than anyone else—give them a smile and they’ll give one right back to you!!  Sure they may dress differently and have different beliefs, but if you look around in your workplaces, extended families, or friends you’ll find you associate with people who are very different than yourself!

I challenge you to venture out and discover these businesses for yourself.  Not only will you be amazed at what the human hands are capable of, but you’ll also learn new things about the people in this community.  And who knows…you might even make a new friend!!

Brooke is a junior at Indiana University East, studying Nursing. She works at Reid Hospital & Health Care Services in the Food & Nutrition Department; and, also at the Richmond/Wayne County Tourism Bureau.  She enjoys spending time with friends and family and exploring the great outdoors.

Wayne County Historical Museum

Before today, the last time I was at the Wayne County Historical Museum was in elementary school as a field trip, and quite frankly, I didn’t remember any of the exhibits.  Well…I remembered visiting the gift shop!  In the past few years I’ve heard such wonderful things about the museum, so I decided I would go check it out for myself.

I was absolutely stunned after I walked through those doors after 11 years.  I spent a couple of hours just looking at and reading about the exhibits; there are over 60 exhibits at the museum!   I learned about Richmond’s history, Egyptians, the Civil War, pioneer days, and much more!  I could have spent a few more hours just looking around! 

My favorite exhibit was downstairs, the Starr Gennett Collection.  I took piano lessons for many years, and I actually have a Starr piano in my living room.  I broadened my knowledge about the Starr Gennett Company while I was in that room.  In the exhibit room there was an Imperial Grand piano.  It was gorgeous, to say the least.  I read that 12 were made.  Ten of them were sent to a girl’s college in Glendale, OH, which later burned to the ground.   I also learned the Starr Gennett company was contracted to make wings and propellers for the planes in WWII. 

History has never interested me before, but now I have such an interest in the past!  To stand among the artifacts, the vintage phones, school hacks (horse-drawn school “buses”), antique ambulances, clothing, and cars, it was as if I was transported to a different time.  Years ago someone touched these items.  They used them.  It made me yearn to meet these people, to live as they did. 

I stayed in the same time frame as I walked outside to the village.  The village is complete with a bakery, print shop, blacksmith, one-room schoolhouse, and the 1823 Solomon Dickinson Log Cabin.  In between the Blacksmith Shop and the Children’s History Center there was a cage about the size of my bathroom.  Now, my bathroom is not large by any means.  I learned that this cage, nicknamed “Old Pokey”, served as the county jail until 1930. 

I will definitely not wait another 11 years before I go back!  I highly recommend heading down to the Wayne County Historical Museum and releasing your inner history buff!  Check out their events page at, http://waynecountyhistoricalmuseum.com/events.htm!  

Brooke is a junior at Indiana University East, studying Nursing. She works at Reid Hospital & Health Care Services in the Food & Nutrition Department; and, also at the Richmond/Wayne County Tourism Bureau.  She enjoys spending time with friends and family and exploring the great outdoors.

Discovering the Depot District

Historic Depot District.  What comes to mind when you read that phrase?  For me, it used to mean old buildings, with struggling stores, and poor business.  After discovering the Depot District for myself, it means a passport to the past.  The only business I had ever ventured in before was the Little Sheba’s Restaurant.  However, recently I spent the whole afternoon meandering in and out of several businesses. 

I didn’t know what to expect so I went to the Depot District with an open mind.  I started my afternoon journey at CoCo’s Boutique and CoCo Cooks for You.  I spent a good half an hour just looking at all the boutique had to offer.  CoCo’s has everything from purses to scarves, baking utensils to cloth napkins, and aprons to different kinds of pasta.  Since I am a financially strapped college student most of the items were out of my price range.  However, several items caught my eye.  I saw what looked to be an ordinary purse at first, but on second glance I realized it was completely made out of pop tabs and yarn.  I was very tempted to trade a tank of gas for that $30 purse! A few steps further I came across some dark chocolate pasta.  I have never tried that kind of pasta before!  Even though I was feeling adventurous, I thought I would skip trying new foods!

After I had my fill of the wonders of CoCo’s boutique I waltzed over to Ghyslain Chocolatier.  I had my Chocolate Passport, courtesy of the Welcome Center, and I wanted to pick up my free chocolate from the display case.  I looked at the artsy chocolates for several minutes before deciding on which one I wanted.  I ended up trying the Champagne Cognac, a dark chocolate ganache infused with Cognac extract.  It had a very bitter powder on the outside of the truffle, but a very sweet inside!  The combination of bitter and sweet ended up being a symphony of flavors in my mouth.

After gazing at all the beautiful desserts in the display case at Ghyslain, I ventured onto Maria Mitroine’s Market and Parker’s General Store.  It was as if I stepped back a few decades into a store from Little House on the Prairie!  There were aisles of preserves, oils, candies, and many other mouth-watering goodies!  There was even a chessboard set up on a barrel so customers can relax a bit during or after shopping! 

My other stops included Country Classics and Foster’s “E” Street Gallery.  Country Classics blew me away with its uniqueness.  As you walk in there are awnings that slant towards you from both sides.  I was told by the employees that the awnings were donated sidings from Amish barns.  The awnings are free-standing.  There are no holes in the walls from nails or anything of the sort, in order to preserve the integrity of the building.  There were one of a kind scarves, purses, candles, and a large selection of folk-art home decor, and much more! I was very impressed by this little store!

Foster’s “E” Street Gallery amazed me beyond words.  I still lack the words to properly describe how I felt in that store.  I saw old cigar boxes, spectacles, an old dentist’s chair, Vintage clothes, instruments, silverware, coins, and jewelry.  I easily spent an hour just walking through and looking at all the antiques!

I hope to head back as soon as I get the chance!  The Depot District is wonderful!  But don’t take my word for it!  Discover the Historic Depot District for yourself.  Go for an adventure!  I guarantee you won’t regret it!  

Brooke is a junior at Indiana University East, studying Nursing. She works at Reid Hospital & Health Care Services in the Food & Nutrition Department; and, also at the Richmond/Wayne County Tourism Bureau.  She enjoys spending time with friends and family and exploring the great outdoors.