It May Not Be Spring But It Sure Feels Like It..Check Out These Events

Super Bowl Fans!! Comfort Suites of French Lick, just 2 hours from Indianapolis, has hotel rooms available for the BIG event. The French Lick area, Home of NBA legend Larry Bird, offers a casino, snow skiing, go karting, golfing, historic buildings, an airport and many dining options. Call us today for a SUPER experience in historic French Lick!! 812-936-5300. www.comfortsuites.com

Congrats to Marengo Cave which  made Yahoo sports news...for the sport of caving! new caving options for this year including the return of the Triple Crown of Caving! http://marengocave.com/

Think spring! Think golf! Think French Lick Resort! The weather has  inspired...how about you? Are you ready to plan your spring and summer golf outings? Nowhere else in the world can a golfer play courses designed by Donald Ross, Pete Dye and Tom Bendelow in the same sentence at one resort destination. http://www.frenchlick.com/golf

Activities at Spring Mill St Pk this week: Fri, Feb 3, Cornhusk Doll Crafting, 6-8 pm; Sat, Feb 4, Hike Around the Lake, 1:30 pm & From Wool to Yarn, 5-7 pm; Sun, Feb 5, Pioneer Village Stroll, 3 pm. Details, 812-849-3534.

If you're looking for some exciting indoor Mini Golf, you will love the black-light Indoor Mini Golf Course at Golf Shores Fun Center in Corydon! Try it out with the optional 3D glasses for a real thrill! (The glasses cost $1 and are yours to keep.)   Video Arcade, Snack Bar (now offering soft pretzels), Coffee Shop, and Wi-Fi lounge are always available for indoor thrills and relaxation. Along with espresso and other coffee drinks,  Golf Shores Coffee Shop is now offering Hot Cider, perfect for taking the chill off of a cold winter's day. Be sure to stop in a enjoy a cup! http://golfshoresfuncenter.com/

Stay Two Nights for the Price of One! Spring Mill Inn is offering a special weekday rate this winter. Stay two nights for the price of one! Spring Mill Inn is located in the heart of Spring Mill State Park in Mitchell. The inn offers an indoor pool, newly refurbished guest rooms, a game room and free Wi-Fi. Special 2-for-1 rate available through March 1, 2012 for two consecutive night stays, Sunday-Thursday.  

Call 1-877-LODGES1 or click here to reserve your room online.

 Bluegrass Concert Sat, Feb 11

Bedford North Lawrence Performing Arts Center

The Not Too Bad Bluegrass Band is based in southern Indiana and has been performing for over 25 years. Come early to enjoy a performance by the Bedford Dulcimer Society in the lobby before the concert. Tickets are $20 each and are available at the door. Children under 18 are free with a paying adult. For more information, call 812-279-6542.  

 Click here for more information.

Chocolate & Wine

Feb 11-12, Feb 18-19

The Indiana Uplands Wine Trail presents Chocolate Lover's Weekends in February. Each of the winery will offer different chocolates carefully paired with a selection of wines. The Uplands Wine Trail showcases nine wineries throughout southern Indiana, including Limestone Country's own Carousel Winery in Bedford.

Click here for more information. 

See Us at the Boat Sport & Travel Show!

Visit the Limestone Country booth at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show, Feb 17-26. The booth will have a lot of new travel information for you, including a new Visitor Guide and what's new in Limestone Country! You'll find us at the Travel & Tourism Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Limestone Country offers a chilly weather getaway!

Sled the hills of Otis Park, go birdwatching or hike the Spring Mill State Park trails. Spend the night in the cozy inn to enjoy a lodge-like atmosphere, an indoor pool and country cooking, all tucked away in the quiet of natural park setting. 

It's Up to Us!

The Schnitzelbank is now one of just two restaurants vying to win the Super 46 Tournament as the best sandwich in the state.  So we all need to get out the vote. Click on the link below to vote before next Thursday and then pass this on to friends -- and even foes.

Thank you to all of our friends who have been voting for us through the entire tournament.  We have succeeded in making it to the Finals and are in the process of making our final push to win the Super 46 Tournament.  For this round you may vote once per email address and we encourage you to let your friends know to vote. 

 Voting for this round will end Thursday, 2/2 at 8am.  The Champion of the competition will be announced Thursday, 2/2 at 10am.  All of your help has taken the Schnitzelbank to where it is today and will continue to carry us to the #1 restaurant in Indiana!

For those of you who don't know, the Schnitzelbank has been selected by Indianapolis Monthly Magazine for their Super 46 Sandwiches' List in celebration of the coming of Super Bowl XLVI to Indiana!  The list contains the 46 best sandwiches in Indiana that Super Bowl visitors, and residents alike, should eat while they are in Indiana.

One More Vote!!!  Voting for the Finals ends Thursday, 2/2 at 8am.  Please go online to the following link and vote for us.

Super 46 Voting Link

 

There's just so much happening in Southern Indiana....

  

Marengo Cave made Yahoo sports news today...for the sport of caving! New caving options for this year including the return of the Triple Crown of Caving!

This Sat, Jan 28, the Duke Energy World of Discovery at the Lawrence County Museum will present their own Virginia Turner doll, Judy D & her wardrobe! Kids aged 4-12, with an adult, are welcomed for a wide variety of free activities from 11 am-2 pm. Details, 812-278-8575.

Super Bowl Fans!! Comfort Suites of French Lick, just 2 hours from Indianapolis, has hotel rooms available for the BIG event. The French Lick area, Home of NBA legend Larry Bird, offers a casino, snow skiing, go karting, golfing, historic buildings, an airport and many dining options. Call us today for a SUPER experience in historic French Lick!! 812-936-5300.

 

The 5th annual southern gospel music concert featuring "The McKamey's" and Rodney Beasley & Sons, will be held on March 31, at the Crawford County 4H Park at 6pm. Tickets on sale now.

French Lick's latest fun activity! There is more to come this spring when the outdoor miniature golf course is opened. Who wants to come out and have some fun?

Explore! Events!

"Like making music? Little Grantville Bluegrass has Jam Sessions every Thu at 7 pm. Bring your acoustic instrument with no skill level required to play along. Free admission, food available, & lots of good picking & strumming! Details 812-275-1705

Thinking of skiing? Check out Paoli Peaks' SNOW REPORT

Lawrence County Concert Association presents the Not Too Bad Bluegrass Band, Feb 11, at the BNL Performing Arts Center starting at 7:30 pm. This group always provides an entertaining evening & it beats watching the weather! Details, 812-279-6542.

Cave County Canoes announces NEW BOATS are in! We are adding Mad River to our large and growing fleet of boats just for you! twelve "Journey" canoes were unloaded today.

See Kenny Loggins "Live" in French Lick on Saturday, February 25th! Rooms are still available at Comfort Suites of French Lick. Call us today at 812-936-5300 or www.comfortsuites.com

Midwest RC Raceway & Hobbies in Bedford has completed their offroad track & is opening it up to practice. Check out their hours or call for details, 812-583-0155.

Carrying on the Tradition of Good German Food in Jasper

A must for those who love great German food is the Schnitzelbank which first opened under this name in 1933 and has been owned and run by the three generations of  the Hanselman family since 1961.  But even before that, the site had housed eating and drinking establishments that stretched back to before 1908.

Located in Jasper which has a large German population -- by some accounts almost 90% of the population is of German descent, there’s a lot of great history here. Both Jasper and Huntingburg had breweries and after prohibition began, the local farmers continued making their own moonshine called Dubois Dew (Dubois is the county name). 

The Schnitzelbank Restaurant is much more sophisticated now then its early origins when it was dubbed The Last Chance Saloon or The First Chance Saloon depending on whether you were approaching it or leaving it.  The wait staff wear dirndls and all the food including the sauerkraut and mashed potatoes are made daily on site.

I enjoy eating there so much that I was happy to see that they published a cookbook called Ein Prosit: A Collection of Fine Family Recipes and Spirits.  And after looking through it and noting the various schnitzel recipes, I would like to do a story on schnitzels—so if anyone has any old family recipes, please let me know.  The book contains recipes for numerous schnitzels including Berner Schnitzel, Jager Schnitzel, Schwein Schnitzel and Weiner Schnitzel.  Having only heard of the later before, I was surprised that there were that many different types of schnitzel.  If there are even more types of schnitzel, please let me know.  In the meantime, here are some Schnitzelbank recipes.

Bavarian Meat Loaf

One and three quarters pounds ground beef, finely ground

Seven ounces ground pork, finely ground

Nine ounces bacon, ground

Salt

One pinch nutmeg ground

Four teaspoons black pepper

Water as need for mixing loaf

Two tablespoons butter

One medium onion, minced

Knead ground beef until smooth, add ground pork, bacon and spices and mix thoroughly.  While kneading, add enough water to keep mixture smooth but not too thin, 

Spread butter evenly in roasting pan and evenly sprinkled minced onion inside of butter pan.  Form meat into a loaf and place in open pan.  Brush top with water. 

Bake meat loaf in preheated oven about one hour at 350.

Schnitz Red Cabbage (Rothkohl)

1 medium to large red cabbage
2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. lard or vegetable oil
2 medium cooking apples, peeled and cored- cut into 1/8" wedges
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp. sugar
2/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup onion- chopped fine
1 small onion peeled
1 cup boiling water
4 -6 whole cloves

Directions: wash the cabbage under cold water. Remove the outer leaves and cut the head lengthwise into quarters.

Remove the core and cut each quarter crosswise into fine strips. Put the cabbage in a bowl and add the sugar, salt, vinegar - tossing to mix thoroughly. Heat the lard (or oil) in a large 4-6 qt sauce pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and apples, stirring frequently until the apple slices are slightly browned. (about 5 minutes) Add the cabbage, the bay leaf and the whole onion, pierced with the cloves. Stir the mixture well and then add the boiling water.

Bring the contents of the pan to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, and then turn the heat down to a low simmer.

Cover and allow to simmer until the cabbage is tender- about 1.5 to 2 hours. Make sure that the cabbage remains moist.

When ready hardly any liquid should be left. If mixture looks too dry add a tablespoon full of boiling water. Remove the bay leaf and the whole onion. Add the red wine and stir. Serve in a heated bowl.

Anyone interested in purchasing the book call go to the restaurant’s website www.schnitzelbankgr.com or call 812-482-2640.

Schnitzelbank Makes It to the Final Four!

 Hoosiers Select the Final Four Super 46 Sandwiches

The final four sandwiches in Indiana Office Tourism Development's Super 46 Sandwich promotion have been determined with two of the final four sandwiches' restaurants located outside of Indianapolis.  

And Explore! Southern Indiana's Schnitzelbank's famed Bratwurst sandwich is one of the four finalist.

You know what this means. You've got to vote!

The remaining restaurants in the promotion include: Triple XXX Family Restaurant in West Lafayette, Rock Cola 50s Café in Indianapolis, Papa Roux in Indianapolis and Schnitzelbank in Jasper. The contest began with 46 sandwiches with eight from restaurants located outside of central Indiana.

Voting to determine the final four lasted a week, and garnered 36,450 votes. The top four sandwiches are listed below and include the restaurant it will go up against to determine the final two.

Schnitzelbank's Bratwurst in Jasper (1) vs.
Papa Roux's Roast Po' Boy in Indianapolis (7)

Triple XXX Family Restaurant's Duane Purvis All-American in West Lafayette (2) vs.

Rock Cola 50s Café's Mile High Club Sandwich in Indianapolis (8)

The Super 46 Sandwich promotion was launched by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee and the publishers of Indianapolis Monthly, to showcase Indiana foods and restaurants to Super Bowl visitors. Since voting began on Jan. 3 for the Super 46 Sandwiches, 199,548 votes have been cast.

Voting for the Super 46 Sandwiches will continue in a bracket-style playoff that coincides with the NFL Playoffs. Voting to determine the final two sandwiches will continue at Super46.com. Each visitor to the site may only vote once per round. Below is the voting schedule for the remaining rounds:

 

Round 3 CONFERENCE (4 sandwiches, 2 matchups) from 10 a.m. on Friday, January 20 - 9:59 a.m. on Friday, January 27

Round 4 SUPER BOWL (2 sandwiches, 1 matchup) from 10 a.m. on Friday, January 27 - 9:59 a.m. on Thursday, February 2 

Super 46 Voting Link

 

What's Going On Southern Indiana Style

This week's events at Spring Mill State Park

Wed, Jan 18, Candlewicking Embroidery; Fri-Sun, Jan 20-22, Create a Seasonal Craft at the Nature Nook at your leisure; Sun, Jan 22, Pioneer Village Stroll, Weavers Cabin, 2 pm. Details, 812-849-3534.

Ski Southern Indiana

The weather is perfect for skiing at Paoli Peaks!! Call us today for the best ski packages! 812-936-5300 or www.comfortsuites.com

Barry Motes - Parables

 

The Krempp Gallery at the Jasper Arts Center is pleased to present the work of artist Barry Motes. His work is based on a personal investigation of spiritual themes and their relationship to the physical world. The Parables paintings, which he will be exhibiting, are based on Biblical stories that convey transcendent truths.

Motes has reinterpreted some of these stories using allegorical figures in surreal, contemporary landscapes, meant to challenge a cynical post-modern audience. He uses traditional painting techniques to create persuasive images with symbolic meaning and psychological resonance. Visit www.jbmotesart.com to learn more about the artist.

Exhibit Dates; January 4-31^st; Gallery Talk/Reception: January 22, 12-2pm
812.482.3070 or Jasper CommunityArts

17th Annual Ferdinand Gun and Knife Show is being held at the Ferdinand Community Center on January 21^st- 22^nd. For more information, call 812.367.2684 or visit www.ferdinandindiana.org

17th Annual Winter Antique Show  runs from January 21^st- 22^nd at the Huntingburg Event Center  and features antique dealers from Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. Antique furniture, jewelry, and collectibles for sale. Door prizes and concessions. Admission $3. Show times are Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EDT; Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm EDT.

For more information contact the Huntingburg Chamber at 812.683.5699 or visit www.huntingburgchamber.com.

We've Got Things for You to Do

Happy Wine Trails to You

 !

 

Try new vintage wines at quaint wineries in Southern Indiana this weekend, Jan 14 & 15. It is a delightful way to make the best of wintertime.

Spring Mill State Park

The fireplace is warm & inviting at the Spring Mill Inn. Come in from your brisk hike & make a winter craft while you thaw out in the Nature Nook, any day, any time, no charge. Have a cozy weekend!

Hiking

Hemlock Cliffs in Crawford County are open year round for those who like to hike. Be sure to check out the wonderful ice formations.

 

Hands-On Learning

Kids - tell mom & dad you want to go to the new World of Discovery at the Lawrence County Museum ofHistory in Bedford. The reason why? The Duke Energy World of Discovery for kids 3-12 just opened this month. Bring the kids by any Saturday from 11-2 for interactive   fun and learning.

Chinese New Year Celebration
Revel in Chinese New Year fun, January 21-26, at French Lick Resort. Traditional parties include family, food and fire. So wear the customary red, symbolizing fire, to drive away bad luck and bring your friends and family to welcome the Year of the Dragon to the Casino, West Baden Springs Hotel and everywhere in between. Celebrate with traditional feasts, an eighty foot dragon and pyrotechnics to breathe fire into the New Year!

West Baden Springs Hotel Chinese New Year Package
Package includes accommodations for one night, Chinese-themed dinner for two at Sinclair’s, Chinese dragon performance and Chinese jazz group in the Atrium. Hotel packages start at $286.

Chinese New Year in French Lick Casino
There will be plenty of surprises in the Casino that include red envelope “lucky money” giveaways, fortune cookies, food, a dragon and more! Diamond Jim’s Trattoria will be serving a Chinese feast in addition to its regular fare.

Chinese New Year Family Fun Fair
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Our popular family fun fair with Chinese flair from décor to games, entertainment and more! Bouncy houses, carnival games and fun in our warm indoor Valley Links Golf Learning Center provide hours of entertainment for the whole family all with a Year of the Dragon theme!

It's Time to Play "Name That Cave"

Number 1

Now that the Indiana Trail has been accepted by the state , is officially "official and on the "official" Indiana state map we thought we'd share some of our favorite cave photos. 








For more information visit http://www.indianacaves.com/

Number 2

And now for Name That
Cave.


Let's see how much you know about 
Indiana Caves. Match the numbers with the names of Indiana's caves:




Bluespring Caverns
Marengo Cave
Squire Boone Caverns

Number 3

Number 4

Number 5