Northside Diner named best breakfast in Porter County Indiana @indianadunes

Northside Diner in Chesterton, Indiana.
Photo provided by Indiana Dunes Tourism and used with written permission.

By Dustin Ritchea
Indiana Dunes Tourism

Porter, Ind. — Indiana Dunes Tourism, in partnership with the Northern Indiana Tourism Development Commission (NITDC), is proud to announce Northside Diner in Chesterton as the Porter County champion of Indiana’s Cool North Breakfast Wars!

The ten best breakfast restaurants in Porter County squared off for eleven days against each other in an online voting contest to decide who served the best breakfast in Indiana Dunes Country and all of Indiana’s Cool North.

“We’re so flattered to be a part of this competition and overwhelmed by the love we have received from our community,” said Northside Diner owner, Kerry Lively. “I’m proud to serve our patrons every morning and excited that the most important meal of the day may just be the best one too.”

Northside Diner will now move on to the regional final to compete alongside six other county winners to see who will be crowned Best Breakfast in Indiana’s Cool North.

“Breakfast Wars is such a fun way for us to celebrate the unique restaurants in our local communities,” said Kailey Davenport, Indiana Dunes Tourism’s Community Engagement Director. “There’s been so much passion, loyalty and excitement throughout this competition. All it takes is bacon and eggs to bring people together, and that’s what tourism’s all about.”

The voting for the regional round will begin Friday, March 16, 2018 at 10 a.m. EST and will be hosted on the regional website at www.IndianasCoolNorth.com/BreakfastWars.

Anyone can vote once in the final round per valid email. Votes from the county round do not count, so make sure to vote again for your favorite restaurant. The regional round lasts ten days and the winner will be crowned on Monday, March 26.

The seven winning restaurants that will vie for Best Breakfast in Indiana’s Cool North are the following: Castaways in Plymouth, Jennie Rae’s Restaurant in Rolling Prairie, Country Corral Restaurant in Shipshewana, Macadoo’s Family Restaurant in Mishawaka, The Golden Egg Pancake House in Elkhart, American Table Restaurant in Warsaw and Northside Diner in Chesterton.

Indiana’s Cool North Breakfast Wars is a joint initiative of the Northern Indiana Tourism Development Commission (NITDC) and its member convention and visitors bureaus in Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Marshall, Kosciusko, Elkhart and LaGrange counties. NITDC is the leading regional economic development authority focusing on sustainable tourism through effective partnerships, including the development of Indiana’s Cool North Campaign. Indiana Dunes Tourism is the official destination marketing, planning and development organization for Indiana Dunes Country/Porter County, Ind.

For more information about this year’s Breakfast Wars, please contact Kailey Davenport at kailey@indianadunes.com or Robby Bearss at rbearss@nitdc.com.

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Jay County Fiber Arts Festival, Mar. 9-10, 2018 @JayCoTourism

Jay Community Center in downtown Portland, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2017, all rights reserved.

By Blake Watson
Jay County Visitor & Tourism Bureau

The Jay County Fiber Arts Festival is scheduled for Mar. 9-10, 2018: Friday 10 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM. The Fiber Arts Festival, which features classes, fiber artists, food, vendors and demonstrations, is located at the Jay Community Center, 115 E. Water St., in Portland, Indiana.

Here’s a little bit about Dick Reel, Fiber Fest Spooner and Wood Working Demonstrator:

Musicians have long used a variety of instruments to entertain crowds for centuries. One of the most interesting and storied instruments used involves spoons.

American folk music has a rich history, which includes musicians using spoons that are sometimes accompanied by jugs and washboards.

The method as to how spoons are played is simple, as it involves the musician setting a rhythm and hitting the spoons against one’s knee and palm of hand.

Every year, during the second weekend of March, Dick Reel entertains a multitude of visitors who attend the Jay County Fiber Arts Festival in Portland, Indiana.

Reel is often dressed in his signature attire of suspenders and a long sleeve-shirt. Attendees of the Fiber Arts Festival are often scene marveling at Reel’s talents of creating music with spoons.

Dick Reel. Photo provided by Jay County VTB and used with written permission.

It is a known fact that many of those who attend the Fiber Arts Festival always make it a special priority to visit with Reel and witness his playing of spoons.

Reel’s hobbies involve woodworking with various varieties of wood. He also enjoys demonstrating his woodworking skills, as he has done for several years at the Jay County Fiber Arts Festival.

Woodworking accomplishments of Reel involves his philanthropic donation of his specialty crafted wooden benches to the Laporte County 4-H Auction and the Purdue Agriculture Alumni. Over the years, Reel’s donated, crafted wooden items have raised over $15,000.

Notable awards that Reel has been the recipient of includes: Bob Hiler Outstanding Alumni Leadership Award, John P. Daley Jaycees Community Leadership Award, LaPorte County Historical Society Historian of the Year Award and Purdue Alumni Certificate of Distension Award.

Reel’s accomplishments also include the Pioneer Land, which he helped develop that is found at the Laporte County, Indiana Fairgrounds.

Organizers of the Jay County Fiber Arts Festival are honored to have such a remarkable and talented musician and woodworker participate at the event.

Mark your calendars now to attend and check out all the offerings, including Reel’s wooden demonstrations and playing of spoons.

For more information about this event, please visit http://www.visitjaycounty.com/fiberfest or contact Fiber Arts Festival organizers directly at 260-726-3366.

“Just Us Girls” Packages in Richmond, Indiana @Visit_Richmond

“Just Us Girls” Pouch in Richmond, Indiana.

By Bob Burchfield, Editor
AroundIndy.com, LLC

The other day I was sightseeing in Richmond and Wayne County, Indiana. While visiting with Nancy Sartain at the Richmond/Wayne County Convention and Tourism Bureau (CTB), I came across a unique package that should be of interest to women.

If you stop by the CTB, located at 5701 National Road East in Richmond, you can pick up a “Just Us Girls” pouch (see photo above) containing eight (8) coupons (see below) for discounts on purchases at local galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and more (see below).

There is also a Visitor Savings Booklet included in the pouch, with 54 discount, free admission, BOGO, and free gift offers (see the “Experience Richmond” image below).

All coupons expire on Dec. 31, 2017. So now is the time to round up a group of your best friends and head to eastern Indiana to take a day trip with your BFFs, do some shopping, have some fun, and enjoy some good savings on products and services at area venues.

For more information, go to http://visitrichmond.org/, or call 765-935-8687.

Review: Rosie’s Place Cafe in Noblesville, Indiana

Rosie’s Place Cafe in Noblesville, Indiana.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2017, all rights reserved.

By Bob Burchfield, Editor
AroundIndy.com, LLC

Every now and then, if you get lucky, you make one of those remarkable little discoveries for yourself that makes you ask, “Why didn’t I know about this place before?”

Such was the case on April 27, 2017, when I made my first visit to Rosie’s Place Cafe in downtown Noblesville, Indiana, across the street from the courthouse on the east side of Courthouse Square. It won’t be the last!

It’s a bustling little cafe with a delicious selection of breakfast and lunch menu items — and an absolutely amazing bakery renowned for its Gooey Butter Cookies (I’ve read that they sell tens of thousands annually!).

Gooey Butter Cookies — buy ’em by the bag!
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2017, all rights reserved.

The staff was very attentive and accommodating and cooperative in spite of the fact that I was being obtrusively pesky with all the photography. But as you can see in the photos below, there was simply too much to pass up for this old shutterbug! [grin]

I can’t articulate the delicious combination of tastes and flavors like some professional food critics and bloggers, but my eyes know what they like when they see it, and my taste buds know what they like when they taste it! The menu items contain generous portions and have strong visual appeal, color, and taste!

The Salmon BLT at Rosie’s Place. Wonderful.
AroundIndy.com staff photo, (c) 2017, all rights reserved.

I’m sure the locals are very familiar with Rosie’s Place, but this was one heckuva find for this out-of-towner (although I am a Hamilton County boy from birth, born in Arcadia). If you’re in the neighborhood, check it out. You’ll be glad you did!

Rosie’s Place is located at 68 North 9th Street in Noblesville, and is open Mon-Fri 7 am to 3 pm and Sat-Sun 8 am to 2 pm. For more information, visit http://rosiesplace.net/, or call 317-770-3322. There’s also an additional location at 10 South Main Street in Zionsville (317-344-6500).

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: Rosie’s Place provided AroundIndy.com, LLC with free samples from its bakery in exchange for the promotional consideration.

Breakfast Tacos at Rosie’s Place, one of the cafe’s popular menu items.

Classic Eggs Benedict at Rosie’s Place.

A remarkable bacon and egg cheeseburger at Rosie’s Place.

Strawberry Parfait at Rosie’s Place.

Garden Gate Festival in Huntingburg, April 22, 2017

Image provided by the Dubois County Visitors Center.

By Whitney Hall
Dubois County Visitors Center

Embrace the sounds of JAZZ pouring through the air in Huntingburg, Indiana during the Garden Gate Festival, taking place on Saturday, April 22, 2017.

Now in its sixth year, the Garden Gate Festival returns once again to feature Jazz, Art, Wine, and Craft Beer as well as other additions.

The Garden Gate festivities begin at 8 a.m. Eastern Time (EDT) with the Huntingburg Kiwanis Car Show. Be sure to make plans to see classic and antique cars lined up on Huntingburg’s Historic 4th Street. The car show is scheduled to last until 2:30 p.m.

This fun-filled day continues as individuals put on their running shoes and participate in the “JazzedUP” 5K and 10K, beginning along Huntingburg 4th Street. Proceeds from this run/walk benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

At 11 a.m., Kimball Electronics presents The Art Garden, featuring over twenty different artisan vendors with handcrafted items, art pieces, and vintage finds.

The Art Garden takes place behind the Old Town Hall located on Geiger Street and just steps away from Huntingburg’s 4th Street. The Art Garden continues well into the evening and will be joined with food, wine, craft beer, and jazz music.

Hungry? Along with art, Old National Bank presents the Food Garden, featuring delicious local and regional food booths. The Food Garden opens at 11 a.m. and features a wide variety of snacks and entrees. The sweet aromas will make mouths water.

Admission for the festival is free for children; for adults, the cost for general admission is $5. For those 21 years and older, the sampling admission is available for $15, including entry, wine and craft beer samples, and a commemorative glass.

Wine enthusiasts will be overjoyed with The Wine Garden presented by The City of Huntingburg and the Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce, featuring thirteen Indiana wineries in attendance, including Best Vineyards, Blue Heron, Buck Creek Winery, Cedar Creek Winery, Easley Winery, Ertel Cellars, Huber Orchard Winery, Madison County Winery, Monkey Hollow Winery, Patoka Lake Winery, Pepper Ridge, Windy Knoll Winery, and Winzerwald Winery.

Wine will be available to be purchased by the bottle. Craft beer lovers will be happy to hear that over ten different craft beers will be available at The Beer Garden presented by OFS Brands, including options from Basket Case Brewing Co., Breckenridge, Carson’s, Dogfish Head, Quaff On!, Schnitz Brewery & Pub, St. Benedict’s Brew Works, and Urban Chestnut. 12 oz. craft beer pulls will be available for $4.00 each. Also, the Dubois County Suds Club will be offering samples of home brew.

Redstone Car Service will be having vehicles on 4th street that people can pay to take them to their destination after the festival. The Garden Gate Committee and community partners wants everyone to make it home safe and make smart decisions.

While all this is taking place, a wonderful lineup of jazz ensembles will be featured on the stage in The Jazz Garden presented by Jasper Engines & Transmissions. The first jazz performance begins at 12:30 p.m. with the Vincennes University Jazz Ensemble. This jazz ensemble performs traditional big-band arrangement of various styles including swing, Latin, and popular jazz.

At 2:00 p.m., After Hours takes the stage, specializing in jazz and pop with jazz styling. After Hours has performed at hundreds of area events, and we are happy to welcome them for the first time to the Garden Gate Festival.

At 4:15 p.m., welcome the original stylings of Hot Jive Stew on the stage, with their premier guitarist Brian Curella. Curella has been performing in the Louisville region for over 25 years. He is known for his skilled guitar playing as well as his powerful tenor with a smooth voice. His jazz stylings feature aspects of Bossa Nova, Swing, Hard Bop, and Blues.

At 6:30 p.m., the Wade Baker Quintet takes the stage. It is the Wade Baker Quintet’s goal to play an eclectic fusion of jazz, hip-hop, funk and groove music while keeping the integrity and spirit of the traditions of the jazz masters we respect so much. Most of the tunes performed live are original compositions or compositions by other band members/close friends which makes the listener’s experience truly experimental, new and exclusive. In addition to playing new music, the band also performs standard jazz repertoire with more modern arrangements of the tunes, developed by members of the group.

In between these jazz ensembles, the award-winning Jasper High School band will be performing. Recently, this band was an ISSMA State Jazz Finalist, receiving a Gold rating with distinction in Group I, as well as taking second place at the Ball State Jazz Festival.

The Garden Gate Festival is coordinated by the Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce and Garden Gate Advisory Committee. A portion of proceeds from this event are given back to the Huntingburg community.

Coolers, pets, smoking, weapons of any kind, and pop-up tents are not permitted.

For more information, go to www.gardengatefestival.com.