Joseph Moore Museum of Natural History

If you are a parent to a young child then you can agree with me that long car trips are a definite no; the kids get tired, they want to stop at every Mc Donald’s you pass, and then comes the dreaded temper tantrums. I try to avoid long trips as much as possible with my two year old, so why take a long trip out of town when I can avoid all the hassle and take him to a local museum here in our home town of Richmond. Not only is it close to home but its completely free!

We walk into the Joseph Moore Museum of Natural History and we were immediately welcomed by a young gentleman at the gift shop desk. The first room we came to had a huge collection of ancient artifacts; old tools, arrow heads, and pottery. I found this section quite intriguing and informative. In the middle of the hall is a unique x-ray display. Children can interact with a collection of different animal x-ray images and place them on a light board to examine. Along with the x-ray activity was a microscope that displayed on a large monitor for you to view. There was an assortment of snake skins, a bee hive, rocks, wood, and many more objects my son enjoyed viewing under the microscope imager.

Directly at the end of the hall sits the vertebrate paleontology collection. The collection houses many specimens including a mastodon, a giant sloth, a wolf and an Allosaurus. Immediately my son runs to the Allosaurus and screams with excitement “dino!!” He’s amazed by the size of it and asks daddy to pick him up to see it better. The most interesting to me was the giant beaver which was found in nearby Randolph County. To think these huge creatures once roamed around our area is amazing! My son would have stayed in the paleontology collection for hours if I would have let him, but we decided to venture downstairs.                                                             

Once you get to the bottom step you feel like you may have accidently taken a trip to Egypt, there are hieroglyphs on the walls and a mummy lying in front of you. If you look close enough you can actually see through the mummy’s wrappings at spots and see the toes. Creepy! Did you know that Indiana only has two permanent mummies on display? Both of these are in Richmond! The one we visited here and the other located at the Wayne County Historical Museum.

The next room is full of live reptiles and a hands on activity center. My son loved being able to touch real snake skin, coral, animal hide, animal antlers, and many more exciting objects. I love that the Joseph Moore Museum is so hands on for children. When you’re a young child you want to touch and explore everything you see and they are allowed to do just that.                                                        

Besides the toy dinosaur we bought my son at the gift shop the whole trip cost us nothing. Overall we had an exciting day of educational fun. I highly encourage you to visit their website www.earlham.edu/joseph-moore-museum/  and plan a trip to the museum on the Earlham College Campus, 801 National Road West, Richmond, IN 47374. Open year round: Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 1-5 pm.

                

Written By:

Angel Gray

A mother, photographer and avid hiker, Angel enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family. She graduated midterm from Richmond High School in 2009 as a member of the National Honor Society and received her Honors diploma. You can spot her working hard at the Richmond/ Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau in Richmond, Indiana.

The Two Sisters Books & More

Did you know that The Two Sister's classy shopping bag is the new accessory of Richmond, IN? Well it is, if you take a look at Richmond High School you will see many students carrying their books with these wonderful bags.

The elegant black with gold letters is a stand out statement that reading can be fun. The picture of display is of the owners Patty and Kate. Patty who I spoke with a few days ago told the bag creater that she use to wear cowboy boots and her sister always had a bow in her hair. If you look at the details of the bag and logo, then these are the two sisters.

As kids, Patty and Kate always wanted to own their own book store. With the help of their father, an english major was another inspiration to start this business. Local college discounts are in place with student I.D. as well as military discounts to customers as their father served 20 years.

The sisters love tea and sell mostly black tea as it is their favorite. Loose tea leafs are now available for purchase with the stand out seller of Romeo and Juliet in the shape of a heart. Did I mention they have a Harry Potter room under their staircase?

Written by:

LaChelsa Ozbun

A senior majoring in Communication studies at Indiana University East. She is a resident of Randolph County but thinks of Wayne County as her backyard. She is interning at Richmond/ Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau in Richmond, Indiana. She is passionate about food, being creative, planning events as well as attending.

Paint the Towne

Paint the Towne is a wonderful place to GET-A-WAY from life for awhile. You get to choose the piece of pottery you want to paint. They have a variety of plates, mugs, animal figures and tea pots. Available is a wide range of colors to choose from and stencils to help along the way. Just think of your design and paint away as you chat with friends. Paint the Towne does the rest for you, they will glaze and fire the piece and then should be ready within a week for pickup!

Don't forget to put your initial on the bottom to recognize your own art work. The people are great especially Maria the owner, she has been nothing but a friend to me from the first time I stepped foot in her door.  If you are in need for a space and a fun time for your child's birthday party, Paint the Towne is the place. They have a party room in back to hold for birthdays.  

Written by:

LaChelsa Ozbun

A senior majoring in Communication studies at Indiana University East. She is a resident of Randolph County but thinks of Wayne County as her backyard. She is interning at Richmond/ Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau in Richmond, Indiana. She is passionate about food, being creative, planning events as well as attending.

The Firehouse BBQ & Blues

The Firehouse BBQ & Blues is a wonderful place to be especially if you enjoy fun, food and music. Two Richmond firefighters turned their careers into dreams others can share. Co-owners Rich Bolen and tom Broyles opened the Firehouse BBQ & Blues after renovating a seven decade firehouse.

I spoke with Manager Steve as pictured while he prepares drinks for customers.

I have actually met all three guys on my many visits to the Firehouse BBq & Blues. I have been during the Battle of the Bands this past year as well as College night in the Depot. The food is amazing and the fun music festivities atmosphere is always a hit. I recommend anyone to try the cheesy poatoes! The best part, they come in a mason jar as the bowl, talk about cute displays!

Paulees is another business located in the Depot. As their facility in now apart of constuction, Firehouse has added the facility to be apart of theirs. The small breakfast cafe is a big hit as it always has been as Paulee's slogan of "eat and get out." Lets just say, you came to eat and that is it. Many Richmond folks understand the humor behind it all and Paulees little quotes.

If you are planning to have a wedding rehersal or birthday party why not have it at the Firehouse BBQ & Blues. They have a great banquet room with great catering. The room holds 80 people and the food will be brought to you. Just call for details.

Written by:

LaChelsa Ozbun

A senior majoring in Communication studies at Indiana University East. She is a resident of Randolph County but thinks of Wayne County as her backyard. She is interning at Richmond/ Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau in Richmond, Indiana. She is passionate about food, being creative, planning events as well as attending.

Yamato

Yamato Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi

I enjoyed a great lunch combo of two california rolls (my choice of roll) which I substitute cream cheese rather than the avocado and soup or salad. As much as I love their clear soup I had to go with the salad to enjoy some Yum Yum sauce! I put the sauce on everything I order.....honest!

There is a sushi bar available to sit at along with dine in booth and table, plus a hibachi room.

The wonderful wall accent helps divide the room apart as the multiple colors switch in and out.



This family was very welcoming as I watched their food be prepared by the chef.





The wonderful sushi chef prepared a wonderful design (free handed) to my plates :) thank you!



Written by:

LaChelsa Ozbun

A senior majoring in Communication studies at Indiana University East. She is a resident of Randolph County but thinks of Wayne County as her backyard. She is interning at Richmond/ Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau in Richmond, Indiana. She is passionate about food, being creative, planning events as well as attending.

Innkeepers and Shopkeepers Provide Sweet Service on the Chocolate Trail

For the epicurean explorer, there’s no sweeter adventure than a trek on the Richmond- Wayne County Chocolate Trail.  Wayne County is the perfect territory for the trail because it is so like chocolate!

Just as chocolate is delicious because it’s a perfect combination of fabulous ingredients like butter, sugar, and cocoa,  Wayne County is a wonderful place to spend time because it’s comprised  of especially satisfying towns, people, and places. 

Olympian Candies

On the self-guided Chocolate Trail, an adventure awaits to please all the senses.  Flashing a Chocolate Trail passport from one side of Wayne County to the other allows those in pursuit of taste sensations to experience such delights as a legendary chocolate covered caramel at Abbott’s Candy Store abbottsalso.com in Hagerstown, delectable Greek creams from Olympian Candies which has been located downtown Richmond since 1909, and even a glass of chocolate-raspberry wine at J&J Winery jjwinery.com in Richmond. 

Warm Glow Candles warmglow.com in Centerville provides a chocolate scented votive that creates a delicious ambiance in any room of the house, and there are numerous other trail markers with scrumptious treats and special surprises.  It’s recommended to plan most stops Tuesday through Saturday as a few places are closed Sunday and Monday. 

This year, in addition to the already established chocolate delight destinations on the trail, an overnight feature has been added to accommodate those who want to extend the sweet experience into the evening or use it as the theme for a getaway weekend.

Chocolate Trail overnight packages include:  “Chocolate Daze” at the Quality Inn in Richmond; “For the Love of Chocolate” at Philip W. Smith B&B and Martha E.Parry B&B in Richmond; “For Chocolate Lovers Only” at The Potter’s WheelB&B in Richmond; “Sweet Chocolate Dreams” at Best Western in Richmond; “The Chocolate Escape” at Country Keep Cabins in Centerville; “For Those Who Love Chocolate” at the Historic Lantz House Inn in Centerville; and “Sweet On Chocolate” at Holiday Inn in Richmond. 

Step off on the Chocolate Trail year round by visiting the Old National Road Welcome Center, 5701 National Road East, Richmond, IN (I-70, Exit 156A), to obtain your FREE chocolate passport.  For more information about the Chocolate Trail and overnight packages, or to learn more about other activities in Richmond-Wayne County Indiana, visit www.VisitRichmond.org or call 800-828-8414.

Quality components are essential whether creating palate-pleasing fare or welcoming communities.  An outing on Richmond-Wayne County’s Chocolate Trail provides ample opportunities to enjoy both.  Get your passport today and forge a trail and a memory you won’t forget.

 

Written by:

Clare Seffrin Bond, a writer, life coach and marketing specialist, lives and works in Richmond, Indiana. A native of Wayne County, Clare enjoys exploring the historical sites of the area, as well as the many new locations offering excellent cuisine and live music. www.theroadtoclarity.com