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/.

Autumn Inspiration in Southern Wayne County

Whether we live in a big city, the suburbs, a small town, or in the country, we tend to travel the same routes day after day, rarely deviating from our comfortable, well-worn paths.  We get used to the same sights and sounds and forget there is something different, interesting, or awe-inspiring, just minutes away. This summer, as I scouted sites for our Hometown Scavenger Hunt, I was reminded of how easy it is to live and work just miles from beautiful landscapes, interesting buildings, significant historical sites, and unique resources, without ever realizing they are so close and accessible. I was also reminded of how energizing and inspiring it is to get out and about to explore and happen upon unexpected pleasures.

One of my favorite places to explore during my 120-mile scouting trek was the area in the southern part of Wayne County, south of Centerville, near and around Abington.  I keep thinking how pretty it must be there this time of year, as the leaves change color.  I also keep remembering the fresh, hot, homemade apple pie that was offered to me at the old Abington General Store, at the corner of Abington Pike and Pottershop Road. I think I need to make another trip there soon to see the fall colors and sit inside the store, near their potbelly stove, or out front in a rocking chair, and eat that pie with a cup of hot coffee.  After my treat I would browse the antiques and collectibles in the quaint store, which has been in business for over 125 years (in a structure which is c. 1840s).   (Abington General Store Hours are Mon.-Sat. 8-4, phone (765) 855-3706).  

If you go to experience this perfect fall-like activity for yourself, you should also visit some of the other beautiful sites nearby, ones I visited during my scouting trip this summer.  West of Abington, off Pottershop Road at Abington Township and Chapel Roads, I was awe-struck by the most beautiful old chapel, surrounded by a lovely cemetery, rolling fields, and dense woods.  The brick Doddridge Chapel, with its tall, white steeple and arching windows, looks like something out of a movie.  I can imagine having a small romantic wedding, a harvest picnic, or family pictures taken there.  I am sure history lovers and genealogy buffs would love to wander through the gravestones that date back to the mid-1700s, including markers for Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans. 

The drive back east on Pottershop Road was breathtaking in the summer and should be even more beautiful this fall, with its panoramic views of the Whitewater Valley. I drove back east through Abington to US 27, turned left then took a quick right onto Estep Road, where I saw beautiful old farms and homes.  The steep and winding, stone wall-lined drive to the historic Elkhorn Cemetery is located on the left, just over the stream.   It’s another great resource for genealogists and history buffs, or those who just want to walk outdoors in the autumn splendor.  It's one of Indiana's oldest cemeteries dating back to 1806. Vist http://www.waynet.org/ at http://www.waynet.org/community/abington/default.htm for more information and images of the area.

For more southern Wayne County beauty, continue north on Esteb Road, turn right on Beeson Road, right on Straightline Road, then left on Boston Road, to Boston, Indiana, where you’ll find one of Wayne County’s artistic treasures, Magaws of Boston. In an interesting Arts & Crafts style home at 5774 State Road 227, the Magaws create unique, contemporary metal and wood sculptures for gardens, interiors, and businesses; they are nationally and internationally known. If you want to browse their studio and see their one-of-a-kind sculptures, you will need to call ahead for an appointment -- (765) 935-6170.  

To make this a full-day’s trip, you can first visit Dougherty Orchard and Historic Centerville before you head south to Abington.   Dougherty Orchard is the oldest family-owned orchard in Indiana and is located off Washington Road (north of US 40/National Road and south of I-70), halfway between Cambridge City and Centerville. While there you can pick your own apples, eat caramel apples or drink cider, visit their petting zoo, and purchase produce, jams & jellies, and gift items.  Centerville is home to the amazing Warm Glow Candle Outlet, Webb’s Antique Mall and other antique shops, Scott Shafer Stoneware Pottery, and its Main Street is lined with unique historic structures, including the home of Oliver P. Morton, Indiana’s Civil War Governor.

For more information about this fall journey in Wayne County, Indiana, contact the Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau’s Welcome Center at 765-935-8687 or 800 828-8414, or visit us at www.visitrichmond.org.

Amish Flavor in Wayne County

Sometimes I go someplace for the first time and I want to kick myself for not experiencing it much sooner.  Fountain Acres Foods is one of those places.  My parents have been telling me for years how good their deli meats are, and a friend of mine raves about their bulk baking ingredients, but I never got the chance to go until a few weeks ago.  Now I’m hooked. If I went there twice a week it wouldn’t be enough for me. Unfortunately I can only get there every few weeks so I crave their freshly baked whole wheat bread all too often.  The loaves I take home with me get eaten much too quickly and my family constantly asks when I am going to get more. They no longer want to eat the grocery store bread I buy; they say it tastes like sawdust in comparison. I even find myself daydreaming about their deli sandwiches, made with their fresh bread, oven roasted turkey or ham, baby Swiss cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and mayo…a bargain for $3.  

Fountain Acres, on US 27 on the south side of Fountain City in Wayne County, is an Amish owned and run store with a deli (they claim over 80 difference cheeses), fresh baked goods, bulk foods, candy, spices, local produce, outdoor furniture and yard decorations, wind chimes, flowers and more.  Their candy aisle alone is mind-boggling.  Just about any kind of candy you can imagine, in 2 different sized bags. They offer samples of many of their deli items, which I find is a treat in itself. Those who are gluten-intolerant will love their gluten-free section, including gluten-free flour and oats.  They also now carry 49 flavors of loose-leaf teas, herbal, black, white and flavored.  Their freshly ground peanut butter is delicious and comes in several unique flavors – honey roasted, chocolate, cashew, almond, hazelnut, natural unsalted, cappuccino (my favorite), butterscotch and Kickin Hot. 

Bring your checkbook or plenty of cash because they don’t take credit cards. Also make sure you have time to drive around the area…the countryside is beautiful. A historic Quaker Meetinghouse sits just around the corner, as do several beautiful Amish farms.  The Levi Coffin House, a station on the Underground Railroad, which the History Channel claims is a top 25 destination, is just up the road. Located at 1140 Whitewater Road, Fountain City. Fountain Acres hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm; they are closed on Sunday.  For more information call 765-847-1897.