What better place to celebrate the Green than in Ireland, Indiana,?

Ireland is a small town outside of Jasper. With a name like that, you know they'll be taking St. Patrick's Day to the max. Be there and be green!

 

 Schedule of Events include: St. Patrick's Parade, Light UP Ireland, Irish Trot, Cornhole Tournament, Mayor for A Day, Shamrock Shenanigans, St. Paddy's Pie Contest, Miss Shamrock Queen Contest, Irish Road Rally, O'Ducky Race, McArtisan Show, Backyard BBQ Competition, Ireland's Got Talent, Kid Games, Coed Volleyball, and much, much more. 

Stop in at the Shamrock Cafe for a green beer and entertainment all night long! 


When: Friday March 15th to Sunday March 17th!
4997 W St. Rd. 56 Jasper, IN 

For more information:

812.482.4271 

Click here for more info

2013 Jasper Home Expo

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The Jasper Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 2013 Home Depot Expo this weekend, Friday, March 1:  3 p.m.  -  7 p.m.

Saturday, March 2:  8 a.m.  -  3 p.m.

AT THE ST. JOSEPH CHURCH PARISH CENTER

(BEHIND THE CHURCH NEAR THE CORNER OF 13^TH & NEWTON STS.)

The expo showcase  products and services

of many members of the Jasper Chamber of Commerce including:

2 Sign Guys  -  3D Kitchen & Bath  -  Action Pest Control  -  American Red Cross  -  Astro Security

B & B Extermination  -  Bath Fitter  -  Brookside Village  -  Champion Window of Evansville

DC Broadcasting  -  Dubois County Soil & Water  -  Dubois County Newcomers Club

Edward Jones/Craig Hanneman - Englert’s Home Comfort Supply Center  -  F.C. Tucker/Steve Luegers  Frontier Communications  -  Graber Insealators  -  Gudorf Supply Company  -  Habitat For Humanity HLS Health + Wellness  -  Hoosier Hills Credit Union  -  Hulsman Refrigeration

Indiana Small Bus. Development Center  -  Jasper Garage Doors  -  Jasper Gift Basket & Popcorn Co. Jay’s Computers & Repair Service  -  Keusch Windows & Doors  -  Kid City USA  -  Liberty Tax Service Memorial Hospital & Health Care Center -  Northwood Retirement Community

Office & Business Resources  -  PSC  -  St. Charles Health Campus - Southern IN Steel/Fire Ring King

Southern Wireless Communications  -  Springs Valley Bank & Trust  -  Sternberg Furniture

Superior Insulation  -  The Print  Shop at Hedinger Beverage

The Timbers of Jasper  -  Tri-Cap  -  Volunteer Dubois County  -  WITZ/WQKZ

NO ADMISSION CHARGE!

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

$200 Grand Prize Drawing!!

Prizes – Give-a-ways – Fun!

For more information, 
- 812-482-6866

Indiana Uplands Named an American Viticulture Area

We thought we'd share this great article by Howard W. Hewitt which appeared in the Tribune-Star. Wineries on the trail that are in Southern Indiana include French Lick, Winzerwald, Carousel and Turtle Run.

Uncorking the Uplands

Indiana winemakers believe validation and credibility come with the federal government’s designation of the Indiana Uplands as an American Viticulture Area.

Indiana Secretary of Agriculture Gina Sheets, members of Purdue University’s Wine and Grape team and representatives of Indiana’s nine Upland wineries made the announcement Tuesday at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Butler Winery owner and winemaker Jim Butler has pursued the designation for nearly 10 years. The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau granted the designation as the Indiana Uplands.

“I think what we want to develop now is when people see the name Indiana Uplands, it conjures up something in their minds about the area and the wines,” Butler said. “We want customers to have a real familiarity they can depend on knowing that they’re going to get a good wine.”

The 4,800-square-mile Uplands AVA stretches from the Morgan-Monroe County line near Bloomington south to the Ohio River, a distance of more than 100 miles The east-west boundaries run from Jasper in Dubois County to Knobstone Ridge near Starlight, overlooking the Ohio River Valley.

“This legitimizes the area as a grape-growing region,” said Kathleen Oliver, executive vice president of Oliver Winery, one of the Midwest’s largest wineries. “I think that’s something we already knew. We have something special in our topography with well-drained soils and a climate ideal for growing grapes. This raises the level of awareness that there is something unique about our region. It’s just like Napa or Sonoma. We are now something special.”

There are more than 200 American Viticulture Areas in the United States including the Ohio River AVA shared by West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Butler said most southern Indiana wineries have never wanted to use the AVA designation, which would have forced them to put “Ohio” on their Indiana-made wines.

But Bruce Bordelon, Purdue’s viticulture specialist, said it takes more than a designation or label to make the Uplands stand out. “Quality is always the goal whether it’s Michigan, Indiana, Ohio or Washington and California,” he said. “This is an affirmation that what we’re doing is successful and mainstream and good as any region in the world.”

Indiana has approximately 650 acres in vineyard and 63 bonded wineries. A substantial amount of Indiana wine is made from grapes grown out of state. The nine established wineries in the Uplands AVA are Best Vineyards Winery, Elizabeth; Brown County Winery, Nashville; Butler Winery, Bloomington; Carousel Winery, Bedford; French Lick Winery, West Baden Springs; Huber Winery, Starlight; Oliver Winery, Bloomington; Turtle Run Winery, Corydon; and Winzerwald Winery, Bristow. There are also a few vineyard-only properties.

The winemakers acknowledged the big step is using the AVA designation to push quality, increase tourism and sell more wine.

“The big marketing point is they’re going to be able to put Uplands AVA on their wine bottles,” said Jeanette Merritt, marketing director, Indiana Wines & Purdue Wine Grape Team. “When people go out to buy wine, they are looking for those special designations. Having the Uplands designation on the bottle and being able to promote that is going to encourage people to buy those wines.”

Butler said it’s a process that could take decades, but an important first step.

Dan Adams, winemaker and owner of one of the Uplands’ smallest wineries, Winzerwald, said everyone from Oliver to his small operation benefits. “We have to get the word out and tell people we have unique qualities like a Napa or Bordeaux,” he said. “We’ll eventually achieve the same level of recognition that other areas have achieved. Some of those areas have had years, if not hundreds of years, head start on us.”

Looking for ideas for Exploring Southern Indiana?

Hoosier Hills Marina

Patoka Lake Floating Cabins

 Come by to pick up your FREE Visitors' Guide at our Booth (#610) at the Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show in the Champions Building - beginning this weekend!  The show runs from February 15 to 24.  

Other must stop booths include:

Marengo Cave, Hoosier Hills Marina, Lawrence County Tourism, Indiana Caverns, and Patoka LakeMarina and Lodging.   

The Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show offers in over 650,000 square-feet of pure, outdoor goodness in six super-sized buildings including acres of boats, RV’s, fishing tackle and hunting gear, outdoor destinations, paddle sports equipment, educational seminars, outdoor celebrities and unique and entertaining attractions. 

The fairgrounds are located at 1202 E. 38th Street, Indianapolis.

For more information, click here.

http://indianapolisboatsportandtravelshow.com/show-info

Its not too late to plan a romantic Valentine's Day

February 15th

Burning up? Fever on the rise? We’d better call the doctor. Dr. Noah Drake, that is. The one and only Rick Springfield, singer, songwriter, musician, composer, actor and a household name on two continents, performs for one night only at French Lick Resort. With success in a band, as a solo artist and an actor, Springfield is best known for Jessie’s Girl, I’ve Done Everything for You and Don’t Talk to Strangers.  :00 pm; Phone: 888-936-9360; www.frenchlick.com

February 16th

Chocoacholics will want to check out the Valentine's Day Chocolate Festival at the West Baden Springs Resort. The deliciously fun event will on Saturday, February 16th from 1pm to 4pm in the Clifton Ballroom. Admission is $25 per person.

Visit any of the Indiana Uplands Wine Trail Wineries, including French Lick Winery, to sample chocolate delicacies paired with wine to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Complimentary event. Saturday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm & Sunday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Phone: 812-936-2293; www.frenchlickwinery.com


February 16th
Celebrate Valentine's Day by bringing your sweetheart to the Orange County HomeGrown Concert with Lick Creek Band. Lick Creek Band plays a unique brand of "Eclectic Acoustic Music". Tight vocal harmony is the most distinctive feature of the group. Blending guitar and bass, Lick Creek affectionately renders rock, pop, jazz, and original music into their back-porch, tuneful stylings. Visit www.lickcreekband.com

Concert will be held at the Orange County Community Center near the 4-H buildings in Paoli. Tickets are $8 in advance and can be purchased at Lost River Market & Deli or from the band members. At the door, tickets will be $10.00. Lost River Market & Deli will be providing delicious appetizers and drinks for purchase.  7:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Phone: 812-653-0977www.orangecountyhomegrown.org

 February 14th, 15th, or 16th Stone Cutters Cafe & Roastery is very proud to present  their first annual Valentines Day Dinner.  Gluten free and Vegetarian options will be available.

Reservations are requested; call the cafe at 812-675-8491 or Ruth at 812-272-8691

First Course
*Mediterranean Focaccia Bread with Infused Dipping Oil

Second Course
*Mixed Greens with Dried Cranberries, Candied Pecans, & Crumbled Goat Cheese drizzled with Blackberry Vinaigrette
Or
*Smoked Oyster and Mushroom Soup

Third Course
*Baked Salmon with Dijon Cream & Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs, with roasted Asparagus
Or
*Balsamic Braised Short Ribs
with Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Or
*Garden Lasagna Rolls (V)

Fourth Course
*Selection of Imported Cheeses with Fresh Fruit

Dessert
*Affogato al Caffé
*Crème Brulee
*Rustic Apple Galette with Salted Caramel Whipped Cream