Throughout this month, more than a few of my columns have mentioned Indianapolis, prompting readers to write me with a few of their own favorite Indy area suggestions to share.
With this summer's big push for "staycations," the term used for rest and relaxation trips within a one day drive from home as a way to save money, retired teacher Cheryl Mikuly of Hammond has the following options to offer:
"Good Morning Phil,
On the subject of Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Zoo has some wonderful programs which allow you to go behind-the-scenes and get close to some of the animals. The one I chose (and loved) was a plan called 'the Art Adventure.' Tombi, a 32-year-old elephant born in Kenya, is a painter. I chose three colors and she took it from there to paint my picture. I have attached a picture of the artist at work. I wonder how she might look in a beret? What I especially liked is that she enjoys painting. She has a sad past, coming to the Indianapolis Zoo in 1989 from a small zoo in Michigan where she was the only elephant. Despite being isolated from her family, she is a wonderful 'auntie' to the calves.
And did you know if you Google the words 'World's Largest Ball of Paint,' it is located in Alexandria, a little town northeast of Indianapolis? It's interesting how Mike Carmichael got started on this project in 1977. He got into the Guinness Book in 2004, if I remember correctly. Since this attraction is located near his home, you have to call and set up a time to visit. Last month, my friend and I applied layer No. 21,911 to this same ball, using a long-handled paint roller.
Just a bit north of Alexandria, is Fairmount, home to four famous people: actor James Dean, cartoonist Jim Davis, Dr. Robert Sheets, retired director of the National Hurricane Center and Emmy-award-winning journalist Phil Jones.
On the way home, a last stop was around Lafayette to the Battle Ground at the Wolf Park. We took a guided walking tour, which was excellent, but that is only the beginning of what is available. In addition to giving us the opportunity to see and appreciate these magnificent wolves, this non-profit facility does research and hosts educational seminars. There are feeding and interacting demonstrations with wolf and bison encounters and even 'howl nights.'
I always look forward to your columns. It's always fun to learn something new! Keep up the good work. Your loyal reader, Cheryl Mikuly"
In the know
Following a column I wrote just after Fourth of July weekend about a visit to McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant in Indianapolis, I received a telephone call from Linda Marler of Valparaiso. While on their way to Indianapolis, Linda's husband Doug happened to be reading that very column, which mentioned I was pleasantly surprised to find my waiter was originally from Dyer.
"Phil missed the boat on this one," Doug told his wife. "He must not have any idea that the executive chef at that McCormick & Schmick's is from Hobart." Now, thanks to the Marlers and their phone call, I'm in the know. I'm told Marc Tromble, son of Don and Trudy Tromble, happened to be home visiting for the family barbecue over that same holiday weekend, cooking up a delicious rack of lamb. (So much for hamburgers and hot dogs!) Before his Indy career, previously, Chef Tromble worked at the famed Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, the longtime home to the annual Oscars telecast, and also at Chicago's Mon Ami Gabi in the Lincoln Park area.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.
Today's Celebrity Birthdays
Actress Gloria DeHaven is 84. Radio personality Don Imus is 69. Country singer Tony Joe White is 66. Actor Larry Manetti ("Magnum, P.I.") and singer David Essex are 62. Singer-turned-Congressman John Hall (Orleans) is 61. Guitarist Blair Thornton of Bachman-Turner Overdrive and actress Belinda Montgomery ("Doogie Howser, MD") are 59. Actress Edie McClurg ("Small Wonder") is 58. Actor Woody Harrelson and guitarist Martin Gore of Depeche Mode are 48. Actor Eriq Lasalle ("ER") is 47. Drummer Yuval Gabay (Soul Coughing) is 46. Guitarist Slash of Velvet Revolver (and Guns N' Roses) is 44. Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman is 42. Model Stephanie Seymour is 41. Singer Sam Watters of Color Me Badd and actress Charisma Carpenter are 39. Singer Dalvin DeGrate of Jodeci and country singer Alison Krauss and drummer Chad Gracey of Live are 38. Actor-comedian Marlon Wayans ("The Wayans Brothers") is 37. Country singer Shannon Brown and actor Omar Epps and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky and baseball star Nomar Garciaparra are all 36. Singer Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child) is 29. Actor Daniel Radcliffe ("Harry Potter" movies) is 20.
