Grab the gals and plan your getaway

By Amy Lynch

Girls just want to have fun, and a “Just Us Girls” packaged trip in Richmond and Wayne County offers a perfect opportunity to do just that.

In addition to the fabulous food, great shopping venues, and array of discount coupons and freebies my friends and I enjoyed as part of the package, the highlight of my recent Just Us Girls trip was an overnight stay at the Historic Lantz House Inn in Centerville.

Daniel Lantz, a wagon maker, originally constructed the handsome brick Federal-style home along the Old National Road (now U.S. 40) in the early 1800s. The property takes in three separate buildings connected by a graceful arch, a distinctive architectural detail common to Centerville during that era.

These days, the Lantz House is owned and operated by Marcia Hoyt, a Richmond native who returned to the area in 1992 after a period of time living in Oregon. Marcia spent two years lovingly restoring the historic property before opening its doors to the public as an inn in 1994. Since then, Marcia’s dedicated efforts have garnered plenty of attention and media recognition, including an appearance on the cover of Midwest Living magazine in December 1996.

From the moment we stepped through the door for our Just Us Girls stay, we felt comfortable and comforted. A cozy fire burned in the sitting room, beckoning us to sit down and relax for a little while before Marcia showed us to our rooms. Throughout the home, the furnishings are an eclectic but tasteful mix of antique, traditional and contemporary items.

Upstairs are four spacious bedrooms (Just Us Girls package rates run from $87 to $155.95/person per night plus tax), along with a common area where guests can sit to read or watch television. The bedrooms are outfitted in simple and elegant Shaker-style beds, and each includes its own en-suite bathroom.

After a very restful night’s sleep in our peaceful surroundings, we feasted on the sumptuous breakfast Marcia prepared – fresh fruit with a tangy orange yogurt sauce, her signature soufflé-like lemon ricotta pancakes with sausage links, and all the coffee we could drink. After our leisurely meal, we had to reluctantly admit it was time to pack up, check out, and get on with the rest of our Just Us Girls getaway, although we all agreed we could easily have spent the entire weekend just relaxing at the Lantz House and been perfectly happy about it.

Before heading out, we strolled through Marcia’s stunning gardens. Her gardens alone are worth a visit to the Lantz House. Full of native bushes, trees and perennials, the verdant green space is home to hostas, wildflowers and a majestic century-old gingko tree — all provide a beautiful backdrop for weddings, events or just a quiet afternoon in the sun. I guess we’ll just have to plan to make a return trip…

The Lantz House is just one option amid a variety of local Just Us Girls accommodations. Each package also includes a packet for each guest full of wonderful coupons, freebies, discounts and store credits to use at local businesses like Warm Glow Candle Outlet, the Secret Ingredient and J&J Winery. Whatever your tastes, intentions and budget, there’s a Just Us Girls trip out there that’s sure to be an ideal fit. And if not, the Richmond-Wayne County Indiana Visitor’s Bureau can customize an adventure just for you.

For more information, contact the Richmond-Wayne County Indiana Visitor’s Bureau at (765) 935-8687 or toll-free at 1-800-828-8414, or go to http://www.visitrichmond.org//.

Freelance writer Amy Lynch was born and raised in Richmond, later graduating from Indiana University with a double major in journalism and English. She currently lives in Indianapolis where she writes for several local and regional magazines in addition to maintaining her own food and travel blog at http://www.amysfoodflights.wordpress.com./

Lemonade Day is almost here!

Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 20th - Lemonade Day is almost here!!

Driving through Wayne County, Indiana last year on our way to see … a car show? an art exhibit? something? … we were surprised and even a tad perplexed by the plethora of lemonade stands popping up on every corner and beside every road along our route.

After the third or fourth cheerful face and sun-sparkling pitcher of homemade lemonade, we stopped for a quick and refreshing taste before heading northward to our destination. My hope had been to return early enough in the day to sample more of the sweet-tart elixir, but it wasn’t meant to be.

So it was with real delight that I learned about this Sunday’s Lemonade Day in Wayne County. It was only after I looked into the story a little more closely that I learned about the real purpose of this nationwide event and the positive impact it can have on our communities.

Before the first Lemonade Day was held in Houston, Texas in 2007, Richmond native and founder Michael Holthouse, was inspired by his daughter Lissa. He came up with an idea to give children a real-life look into the world of business. For a month prior to Lemonade Day, each child works with a committed adult to understand the steps necessary to set up and operate their own enterprise. The hands-on work of adding and subtracting, research and marketing and debt and profit culminate in the satisfaction that can only come from experience.

Children throughout Wayne county will be selling the fruits of their efforts – freshly squeezed – this Sunday, May 20th beginning at noon. Simply buying a cup, or two or three, is a delicious way to encourage the independent spirit of entrepreneurship.Those few cents will provide the youthful business owner with funds to cover their expenses, repay any investors, donate to a charity that each child selects, set a portion aside for savings, and yes – even spend some of it for fun!

This year more than 150,000 young tycoons from 36 cities will set up lemonade stands in towns, along country roads and in neighborhoods. Their month-long preparations will bloom and flourish in a day long celebration of the liquid sunshine known as lemonade!

Please be a real part of their success by stopping at a couple of stands this Sunday afternoon. For an investment of a few cents and a few sips, you, too, can reap the rewards of these kids’ enthusiasm and diligence. Enjoy!!!

If you would like more information, or if your community is interested in participating in next year’s Lemonade Day, please visit the links below:

http://waynecounty.lemonadeday.org/

http://lemonadeday.org/

Susan Ray is a freelance writer and co-founder of a local writers’ group. She loves her life in Indiana and is passionate about discovering and sharing the little known treasures and the unexpected beauty of the Hoosier state with newcomers and natives alike. “When I first visited Indiana, I expected the stereotypical corn and beans and flat landscape. What I found instead were acres of history, culture and adventure!” Susan often shares these forays into the wonderland of Indiana with her companionable husband and sends far too many postcards to her Tar Heel son and daughter-in-law. Visit her blog at http://discoveringhome.com/ and take a look at the latest news from the writers’ group at http://wordwritesguild.org/

Dinner… and all that jazz

By Amy Lynch

Color me awed. Last night, I discovered that the Gennett Mansion, a majestic historic Main Street home in my hometown of Richmond, Ind. hosts a series of absolutely awesome gourmet dinners open to the public. Seriously, how could I have not known about this before now?!? This was without a doubt the best food I’ve ever eaten in Richmond, and right up there with some of the best food I’ve eaten lately, period.

Here’s the skinny: the lovely and hospitable Donna and Bob Geddes currently own the Gennett Mansion and live on the third floor. This Colonial Revival mansion was originally built in 1897 as the home of Henry and Alice Gennett, who lived in the house for nearly 40 years. Scratch the surface of Richmond history and you’ll uncover a whole slew of information about the Gennett and their legacy — the family manufactured pianos and later paved the way for new recording technology. Some of the most prominent jazz, blues, gospel and country music recording artists of the early 20^th century recorded right here in Richmond, including Louis Armstrong, Hoagy Carmichael and Gene Autry. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a designated Indiana Landmark.

Since taking possession of the property in 2006, the Geddes have painstakingly been restoring it to a renewed level of grandeur. Their efforts have paid off handsomely, and Donna and Bob have generously opened the mansion for tours, weddings, live music, private parties, corporate events and a series of     Farm-to-Table dinners like the one my dad and I attended last night.

And what a dinner this was. The Geddes have employed the talented Chef Jen Ferrell to create sumptuous menus for these meals featuring locally sourced, organic products. Jen grew up in Brown County, earned a degree in environmental management from Indiana University before later easing her way into a cooking career, and moved to Richmond eight years ago when her husband took a job with Earlham College.

We arrived at 6:30 p.m. and had a chance to settle in and snoop around the house before the dinner began. Everything was gorgeous, from the fresh daisy centerpieces to the polished woodwork. The architecture and interior design alone is reason enough to come here. There’s a beautiful Starr piano standing in the main hall, a gleaming wood staircase and elegant furnishings throughout. Our dining room (one of several) was decked out with a beamed ceiling, bowed windows and a fireplace large enough to stand in. It was fun to see how the rich and famous of Richmond must have lived back in the early 1900s.

There were nearly 20 guests for dinner last night, although Donna said they can accommodate up to 40. Donna and Bob did all the serving themselves, and I spied on Chef Jen in the kitchen. This was an ambitious undertaking for only three people to pull off, and they did so flawlessly.

Our first course set the tone for what was to come with a triangular polenta cake with braised local bison from a farm up between Lynn and Winchester, all topped with a roasted red pepper paprika sauce. The bison was flavorful and tender, and the corn cake light, fluffy and steaming hot. We were off to a great start.

Next up was a salad of greens from the chef’s very own garden — a mix of torn romaine lettuce, spinach and bok choy with a few shaved purple radish slices on top and a sprinkle of almonds. The dressing was a white chocolate citrus, which has to be one of the more unusual salad dressings I’ve ever tasted. It was really delicious; the white chocolate flavor was not at all overpowering, just an interesting and subtle note in the overall fresh mix of ingredients. 

To cleanse our palates after that, we each received a small glass dish of mint julep sorbet. Made with fresh mint and top-shelf Kentucky bourbon and topped with a pink rose petal, it was as tasty for the eyes as it was the mouth. I drank a couple of mint juleps during a tour of Churchill Downs earlier last month and thought they were nearly cloyingly sweet, but as a little icy treat, the recipe worked perfectly. I even stirred a little bit into my iced tea to give it a slight minty kick. Perfection.

The main course was a real showstopper – beef croustade with roasted asparagus. Here’s the breakdown: take a tender piece of local steak, top it with porter roasted onions and gorgonzola cheese, then wrap the whole thing in phyllo dough like a little beggar’s purse and bake. It was soooooo delicious, like a beef Wellington but with phyllo instead of puff pastry. The asparagus on the side was perfectly tender; we also received a small basket of fragrant rosemary yeast rolls and a compound herb butter to spread on top.

Prior to bringing out the dessert, Donna served some wonderful coffee she’d brought back from a recent trip to Costa Rica (in addition to her Gennett responsibilities, she also works as an international flight attendant!), along with a cute trio of accoutrements to dude up our cups. What a fun and whimsical idea to stir in raw sugar, chocolate chips and fresh whipped cream.

Dessert was a picture-perfect slice of lattice-top sour cherry pie          (I overheard Chef Jen saying the cherries had come from Wesler’s Orchard) and a little scoop of housemade coconut ice cream sitting pretty beside it. Wow. I couldn’t imagine a better end to a better meal. Chef Jen made the rounds to each table during dessert, I’m sure collecting compliments all along the way. This meal blew my mind.

Last night’s dinner carried a per-person price tag of $38, which seemed extremely reasonable for the amount and quality of food we received. There is no alcohol served, only water, coffee and iced tea, but diners are perfectly welcome to bring their own wine or beer.

The Farm to Table dinners take place once a month or so; watch the Gennett Mansion Facebook page for updates (https://www.facebook.com/TheGennett). I, for one, am thrilled to know these events are taking place in my little old hometown, and plan to make a return trip as soon as details are posted.

For more information:

Gennett Mansion

1829 E. Main St., Richmond

(765) 935-0055

http://www.gennettmansion.com/

Born and raised in Richmond, freelance writer Amy Lynch now makes her home in Indianapolis with her husband and three-year-old son. Read more about her food and travel adventures at http://www.amysfoodflights.wordpress.com/

An Authentic Italian Restaurant - Galo's Italian Grill

As I write this, I am sitting in catch-your-breath-beautiful Western North Carolina.

You might ask why I am thinking about Richmond, Indiana while surrounded by the blue mountains, lush forests and rushing rivers of this gorgeous place.

Well, I am hungry.

Really I am.

And I am thinking about Galo's Italian Grill.

I'm thinking about how welcoming the staff is the minute I walk in the door ... I'm remembering the fragrance of fresh tomatoes and zesty oregano and melting mozzarella … I'm imagining the taste of finely prepared and lovingly presented dishes.

Galo's Italian Grill knows the importance of developing exquisite meals from the basics. Hot foods are served hot and cold foods cold; the use of quality ingredients results in delicious flavors and just a pinch of this herb and a dash of that seasoning can release the hidden characteristics of succulent olive oil, invigorating garlic and imported Italian pasta. Galo's even understands that a traditional wood fired oven is vital when baking an authentic Italian pizza.

The Bruschetta that comes to the table is always fresh, warm and fragrant. That's because every loaf of bread, each bun and every roll had been baked that very morning. Baked by the Galo's family and their dedicated staff just minutes away at

5^th Street

Coffee and Bagels, across from the Olde Richmond Inn.

It is that dedication and professionalism, blended with Galo's real joy in nurturing each guest, that makes the Galo's dining experience so special. In this day of tasteless food generated from a mediocre kitchen and delivered by a stranger, what a delight it is to find a locally owned, family (in every sense of the word) restaurant that deeply appreciates their customers.

Did you know that Galo is the name of the owner, and that he and his marvelous wife, Linda, met while working in a restaurant together? Over 20 years ago they chose to raise their family and pursue their dreams in Richmond. During that time they have become an integral part of the community and have graciously welcomed generations of families into the comfortable dining room of Galo's Italian Grill at

107 Garwood Road

.

Whether I'm meeting girlfriends for Pasta Mediterranean and a refreshing glass of wine on the patio, or if this is “date night” for just the two of us, making Gorgonzola New York Strip an absolute necessity; Galo's is the perfect place to relax and reconnect with the people we treasure. Perfectly crafted food and very reasonably priced meals combine to make Galo's an affordable option for everyone who enjoys real food and caring service.

Galo's Italian Grill has shared the seasons of life with generations of diners. Romantic meals with champagne and engagement rings have lead to wedding rehearsal dinners. Before Galo's knows it, couples are bringing their children in for birthday celebrations and soon parents have become grandparents; then suddenly it's time for a jovial, loving family reunion – right where it all started!

When I tell family and friends throughout the country about Galo's, it's impossible to describe the beautiful dining room, the freshness of the ingredients, and the aroma and  flavor of the food without including the attentiveness of the servers and the obvious involvement of the owners themselves. No matter if you are a visitor or a long time resident, I hope to see you at Galo's Italian Grill soon - and often. You'll recognize me by my blissful smile and empty plate!

                       Galo's Italian Grill              Richmond/Wayne County Visitor's Bureau

Susan Ray is a freelance writer and co-founder of a local writers’ group. She loves her life in Indiana and is passionate about discovering and sharing the little known treasures and the unexpected beauty of the Hoosier state with newcomers and natives alike. “When I first visited Indiana, I expected the stereotypical corn and beans and flat landscape. What I found instead were acres of history, culture and adventure!” Susan often shares these forays into the wonderland of Indiana with her companionable husband and sends far too many postcards to her Tar Heel son and daughter-in-law. Visit her blog at http://discoveringhome.com/ and take a look at the latest news from the writers’ group at http://wordwritesguild.org/. Photos by Gabe Sauerland http://gabesland.blogspot.com/

Scott Shafer - A Wayne County Treasure

By Amy Lynch

Tucked into a small off-the-road studio on Morton Avenue just north of U.S. 40, you might drive right on by Scott Shafer’s pottery-making facility and store without even realizing you’d passed it. But you’d be doing yourself a huge disservice. With beautiful handmade stoneware and pottery for sale, this shop is definitely worth a stop and a look around.

With more than 30 years of experience, Scott Shafer knows his stuff when it comes to stoneware. A Knightstown native, Scott’s passion for pottery began back in high school. After an apprenticeship

in Colorado with Earlham College graduate David Blakeslee, he eventually settled into Wayne County, where he’s been pursuing his passion full-time since 1979. 

Scott’s enthusiasm for his work is obvious, and he’s happy to show interested visitors around his studio and kilns, telling stories with a twinkle in his eye. Items for sale in the small shop range from large decorative wood-fired pots, bowls and vases to everyday-appropriate plates, coffee mugs and soup bowls. The colors of each item are vibrant and distinctive, and each hand-thrown piece is unique in its own way. Scott personally constructed the on-site gas and wood-fired kilns he uses to create his wares.

Functional as well as attractive, each piece Scott offers is safe to go in the microwave, oven and dishwasher, and all the glazes he uses are lead-free. Can’t find exactly what you want? No worries – Scott can create custom-designed pieces, such as the pretty green polka dotted-pattern he devised for Marcia Hoyt’s table service at the historic Lantz House Inn just around the corner in Centerville.

If you’re in the market for locally made, one-of-a-kind pottery and stoneware pieces, you owe it to yourself to pay Scott Shafer a visit.

Scott Shafer’s Stoneware Pottery Studio is located at

610 N. Morton Ave.

in Centerville. For more information, call (765) 855-2409 or visit http://www.shaferstonewarepottery.com/.

Born and raised in Richmond, freelance writer Amy Lynch now makes her home in Indianapolis with her husband and three-year-old son. Read more about her food and travel adventures at http://www.amysfoodflights.wordpress.com/.

Big Dawg bites into local brewing scene

by Amy Lynch 

Something big is brewing on Richmond’s west side — J&J Winery has recently added Das Bier Big Dawg Brew Haus to its picturesque location on U.S. 40, giving it the very unique distinction of being the only winery/brewery combo in Indiana.

The new brewing enterprise unveiled its wares at a chili cookoff in October to great response, promptly selling out of seven kegs worth of beer that included IPA, dry Irish stout, Imperial oatmeal stout, Oktoberfest and pumpkin-spiced ale.

The process of creating new beers for Das Bier Big Dawg is definitely a collaborative team effort. J&J Winery owners Jeff and Melody Haist oversee all the brewing operations and marketing efforts. The winery’s live music coordinator Mike Miller plays a big role in brewing and distribution, and Richard Shroyer, a local science teacher and award-winning home brewer, consults on recipes.

“I have friends who’ve brewed for years, so I was around it and was always interested,” Miller says. “I spent a lot of time at the Heorot (in Muncie) and really gained an appreciation for craft beers. I had been to Shroyer’s home brewery, drank his beers and really liked them. He and I brewed together and two weeks later, Jeff, Melody and I started a brewery. Jeff and I brewed many experimental batches and had a few different tastings over the ten-month period while waiting on our approval.”

Rounding out the team, Shawn Mead takes care of all IT responsibilities and technology for the brewery, and artist Jon Terzini of Terz Design created a series of clever eye-catching beer labels for the finished products. 

The Das Bier house lineup includes a range of styles to please different tastes, including a dry Irish stout, hoppy Trippel IPA and a fruity raspberry wheat. Additionally, a continually evolving rotation of seasonal beers might include creatively flavored offerings like cerveza amber with lime, a Christmas-themed chocolate peppermint stout or a summery apricot IPA. The roster changes all the time, making each trip a potentially new tasting experience.

“We just play around with different flavors, try them out and see what tastes work best,” Miller says.

Customers can try out Big Dawg beers for themselves at the J&J tasting room by ordering a “flight” of four samples for $10 or a pint for $3.50 to enjoy on site, or filling up growlers to take home (expect to pay $12 to $15 per fill). Miller estimates the brewery is turning out 100 gallons of beer a week, and anticipates making Das Bier products available at local restaurants and liquor stores in Richmond, Muncie and Indianapolis in the future. Look for beer dinners to make an appearance on the J&J calendar before long, too.

Cheers!

For more information about J&J Winery or Das Bier Big Dawg Brew Haus, call (765) 965-9463 or visit www.jjwinery.com

Born and raised in Richmond, freelance writer Amy Lynch now makes her home in Indianapolis with her husband and three-year-old son. Read more about her food and travel adventures at www.amysfoodflights.wordpress.com.

Paulee Restaurant — a Richmond tradition

By Amy Lynch

Lifelong Richmond resident and Pearl Harbor survivor Paul Brittenham passed away on Oct. 5, 2011 at the ripe old age of 94, but his legacy lives on at the popular northside diner he founded back in 1948.

Brittenham opened Paulee Restaurant several years after returning home from his military service tour. A businessman first and foremost, he knew his profits depended on frequent turnover. With just 10 seats to work with, Brittenham discouraged dawdling, often telling customers to “eat and get out!” His loyal patrons didn’t mind, and the winning combination of good food and fair prices kept them coming back. The restaurant still draws crowds of devoted regulars, some who’ve been known to come in for breakfast, leave and then return a few hours later for lunch.

An on-site fixture for decades, Brittenham retired just a few years ago at age 89, passing the torch to Jenny Orbik, a loyal employee who had worked for him for 20 years and didn’t want to see the restaurant close. Orbik has made the business a family affair; her son Josh and daughter Jessica can be found helping out behind the counter on any given day.

Not much has changed at Paulee through the years. The joint still serves good, no-nonsense food in a nostalgic diner atmosphere, much as it did when it opened decades ago. If you’re in the mood for a hearty basic breakfast, this is the place to go. Eggs come any way you want alongside toast and meat choices that include bacon, fresh or smoked sausage, ham, chopped steak, pork chop and even tenderloin. Biscuits and gravy fans take note – the recipe at Paulee is top-notch, and available in one, two and three biscuit portions to please any appetite. The three-egg omelets are another popular breakfast choice, and if you need a sweet treat, Paulee carries donuts and Danishes from local bakeries.

For lunch, Paulee offers a lineup of classic burgers, sandwiches and soups, along with an old-fashioned daily special along the lines of cabbage rolls, tuna casserole or green beans stewed with sausage and potatoes.

Today, Paulee Restaurant finds itself ideally situated amid prime real estate in Richmond’s emerging Historic Depot District. Neighborhood improvements, the renovation of the depot itself, and the addition of new businesses are attracting a whole new generation of clientele to the area, many happy to be discovering Paulee for the first time.

Whether you come in for breakfast or lunch, you’ll find Paulee’s prices more than reasonable for the amount and quality of food. Just don’t forget to hit the ATM first, this cash-only diner doesn’t accept credit cards.

420 N. 8^th St., Richmond

(765) 962-5621

Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Closed Sunday

Born and raised in Richmond, freelance writer Amy Lynch now makes her home in Indianapolis with her husband and three-year-old son. Read more about her food and travel adventures at http://www.amysfoodflights.wordpress.com/