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./

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.