Weekend Guide: Oct. 8-11

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May 15, 2024

Rodeo-3-20-scaled-900x600_c-for-web — Photo from River City Rodeo provided by Hoosier Cowboy Association

Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Spring Concert
7 p.m. May 17, Victory Theatre, 600 Main St.
Conductors Lee Veazey and Chun-Ming Chen lead the EPYO I and II through works by George Frideric Handel, Reinhold Gliere, Edvard Grieg, and Johann Strauss II. Tickets cost $15 for adults and free for children and students.

River City Rodeo
5-11 p.m. May 17-18, Vanderburgh County 4-H Center, 201 E. Boonville New Harmony Road
Dust off those cowboy boots and enjoy an evening of bull and bronc riding, barrel racing, cattle roping, and more. This event helps provide animal-assisted therapy for veterans and first responders. Tickets are $20 for adults and free for kids 6 and under.

Evansville Tri-State Heart Walk
8 a.m. May 18, Encompass Health Deaconess Rehabilitation Hospital, 9355 Warrick Trail, Newburgh, Indiana
Walk to support research into heart health and socialize with community members, including a team from Evansville Living.

McCutchanville Fire Department Auxiliary Spring Craft Show
10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 18, McCutchanville Fire Department Station 5, 9219 Petersburg Road
Browse hardware wares from crafters and vendors including Winked Owl Creations, Wagging Tail, plus food from Uncle G’s Lemon Smashers, Big Wally’s BBQ, and Chino Taco food trucks. This event is free to attend but cash donations will be accepted.

Spring Funk in the City
10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 18, Haynie’s Corner Arts District, S.E. Second St. and Adams Aves.
Peruse works from more than 80 Tri-State artists at this seasonal, rain-or-shine festival at Haynie’s Corner Arts District. Don’t miss the food truck lineup, including Bodine’s Newsstand and Lollys Pop Bar.

BBQ Cook-Off
noon-6 p.m. May 18, Young & Established, 1308 Vann Ave.
Fire up your grill and vie for the top prize — $1,000 cash — at this cook-off competition. Entry is $50 per category. Don’t feel like cooking? Sample the contestants’ best barbecue and join a cornhole tournament.

Photo of Junk Journaling provided by Memo

Junk Journaling
1-3 p.m. May 18, Memo, 209 Main St.
For $40, Kim Jones teaches how to create no-sew junk journals with found and upcycled papers and vintage ephemera. All supplies are provided, but bring your own pictures, stickers, and more to customize your new journal.

Oak Hill Cemetery Civil War Walking Tour
2-4 p.m. May 18, Oak Hill Cemetery & Arboretum, 1400 E. Virginia St.
For Historic Preservation Month, join the Vanderburgh County Historical Society for a tour of Oak Hill Cemetery, and visit the graves of Civil War soldiers Conrad Baker, William Baker, Charles Denby, James Maynard Shanklin, John Smith Gavitt, John and James Messick, Charles Butterfield, James Jones, and more. This event is free to attend.

Taste of Haiti Flag Day Celebration
3:30-8 p.m. May 18, Eykamp Scout Center, 3501 E. Lloyd Expressway
Commemorate the creation of the Haitian flag in 1803 by sampling island cuisine, listening to music, browsing vendors, and learning about Haitian culture at this free event.

On the Roof: The Chugs & Shatterhand
7-10 p.m. May 18, Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, 212 Main St.
Punk rockers The Chugs and post-hardcore band Shatterhand headline this week’s free On The Roof concert, named the editors’ pick for best entertainment with a view in 2023’s Best of Evansville awards. Cash bar available.

Latin Dance Night: Summer Kick-Off
9 p.m.-2 a.m. May 18, The Rooftop, 112 N.W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Start the night off with lessons from Evansville Latin Dance, and then cut a rug to salsa, bachata, cumbia, merengue, and reggaeton played by DJ Pana. Admission is $10.

Bark in the Park
12:30-4 p.m. May 19, Bosse Field, 23 Don Mattingly Way
Otters baseball is back. The home team’s Sunday afternoon game against the Joliet, Illinois, Slammers doubles as a give-back night for It Takes a Village No-Kill Rescue. You can meet adoptable dogs at the event, or bring your own to join the fun.

New Traditions Diversity Series
2 p.m. May 19, Wesselman Woods Odonata Pond Amphitheater, 551 N. Boeke Road
Monte Skelton and his saxophone join the Eykamp String Quartet to perform music by underrepresented composers. Admission is free, but bring chairs and blankets to sit on.

Room to Build

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October 12, 2026

Photo of Aaron Purdue and Jeff Purdue by Alli Weurtz

Two decades after arriving in Downtown Evansville, Bowen is expanding its office space at 233 S.E. Third St. to benefit the community as well as the firm.

Founded in Indianapolis in 1967, the general contracting firm originally specialized in municipal water and wastewater facilities, and its scope has grown with energy and industrial projects. Regional work includes facilities for the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility, CenterPoint Energy, Alcoa Warrick Operations, and SABIC.

Photo of Bowen's office at 233 S.E. Third St. by Alli Wuertz — Photo of Bowen’s office at 233 S.E. Third St. by Alli Wuertz

Bowen rented 2,500 square feet on Morgan Avenue in 1999 but outgrew it within seven years. When company officials considered sites outside city limits, then-Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel encouraged them to come Downtown, where Bowen bought its attractive Tudor building.

“He was a big supporter and helped lure us to Downtown, and we’ve had no regrets ever since,” Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Jeff Purdue says. “Our employees love working Downtown. The revitalization of Downtown has been impressive. We are really excited to be part of that.”

The firm’s recent expansion by Empire Contractors branches off the original Tudor-style building and brings Bowen’s total square footage above 40,000. Key features are an expansive training center, a glass-enclosed executive boardroom, and second-floor offices — all needed additions as the firm has grown to around 90 fulltime local team members.

“This building was an accumulation of partnerships we’ve had. A lot of the local construction companies we are able to utilize outside in our normal day-to-day business also helped us build this,” explains Executive Vice President Aaron Purdue, Jeff’s brother. “Being able to work with them and help us bring this to Downtown has been a really positive thing.”

Bowen’s commitment to philanthropy also has a place in the renovated office. The company was involved in leadership groups for construction of projects such as Granted’s House of Hope and Mickey’s Kingdom, and the firm’s new 125-person training center is open for use by local agencies.

Jeff notes that a Bowen employee has started a nonprofit endeavor of her own to expose grade school students to the construction industry trades. He also points to Bowen’s relationships with engineering programs at the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana — Bowen has hired talent from both institutions.

“We really empower our employees,” Jeff says. “We’re going to work hard, but anything we can do to share our time, talent, and treasure to make the community better is worthwhile because the community makes us better.”

Bryan Turley

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October 12, 2026

Photo of Bryan Turley by Chelsea Casanova

EDUCATION Benjamin Bosse High School (1975); Gem City College School of Horology, Quincy, Illinois (1976); Stewart’s International School for Jewelers, Jupiter, Florida (1989)
HOMETOWN Evansville, Indiana
RESUME President and Owner (1998-present) and Master Jeweler (1976-present), Turley Jewelers
FAMILY Wife Joan; son Matt; daughter-in-law Cheyenne; three grandchildren

Everett and Mabel Turley started the business that became Turley Jewelers nearly 80 years ago. With son Bryan at the helm since 1998, the shop at 14 N.W. Third St. is the last of the dozen-plus jewelry stores that occupied Downtown storefronts when he first started working for his parents. It’s also one of the neighborhood’s longest tenants — meaning Turley is an authority on both jewelry and local happenings. “When Lloyd Winnecke was mayor, I told him one time, ‘You’re the mayor of Evansville, but I’m the mayor of Downtown,’” Turley laughs.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A JEWELER AND WORK WITH YOUR FATHER?

I worked in a factory for seven months after I graduated high school and I decided I wasn’t going to do that. So, that’s what my deciding factor was to go to jewelry school. Dad never did jewelry, so when I went to school, I took the jewelry part. I had the same instructor my dad did in 1948. We worked well together for 38 years, officially. I was actually working here when I was 10.

YOUR FATHER PASSED AWAY IN 2014. WHAT SIGNS OF HIM ARE STILL PRESENT AT WORK?

My dad worked on more than 38,000 watches. When he worked on a watch, he had to put it in the logbook. A lady came in one day who had bought a watch at a yard sale, and she wanted to know if it could be fixed. I looked in it, and it had my dad’s scratch marks in it. We got his logbook, and he cleaned it in 1966 for $12. I check scratch marks all the time when watches come in. It’s just curious to me because we can look it up. I also sold a guy from Virginia a wedding ring set, and he called me on the way home: “I called my dad and said, ‘I bought a set from Turley’s.’ He goes, ‘Well, your brother bought his from him. I bought mine from him, and your grandpa bought his from his dad.’” They were here originally and moved to Virginia, but they came back here to buy the rings.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE KIND OF PROJECT?

I like making stuff. I had a lady bring a watch in, a beautiful platinum diamond watch. It was her mom’s, and she wasn’t going to wear it. I broke it apart and made three pairs of earrings and a pin. She just loved it because it was still in the same form as the watch, without changing everything. I like doing that because it’s different.

HOW HAS THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY CHANGED?

I set a lot of stones that I didn’t sell. It used to be (that) people wouldn’t buy a diamond online. … Now, it’s every day. But we’re still as busy as we’ve ever been.

WHAT MEMORIES STAND OUT IN YOUR 50-YEAR CAREER?

Christmases here are always special. We’re so busy. It used to be my mom and dad and me and Joan, and my son, Matt. It’s just part of it, and we know that. A farmer is not going to go on vacation in September. We’re not going to do anything in November or December because we’re in here all the time. We’re together a lot more. It’s good for business on Christmas.

YOU SAY YOU’VE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT LEAVING DOWNTOWN.

There are 10,000 people working down here, so it’s like its own city. If we move, it makes a big change. And Downtown’s been good to us. We’re busy. About 12 or 13 jewelry stores closed in the last three or four years. So, we do what nobody else would do.

In the News

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October 12, 2026

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Photo of Signature School on Aug. 18, 2026, by Jodi Keen — Aug. 18, 2026, photo of Signature School by Jodi Keen

Top of the Class
Signature School ranks high on U.S. News & World Report
By Jodi Keen

Signature School has retained its spots atop U.S. News & World Report’s annual lists of top-ranked public high schools. Released Aug. 18, the lists rank Signature at No. 2 nationally — its fourth straight year at that spot — No. 1 in Indiana, and No. 1 in U.S. charter schools.

“It’s firing on all cylinders,” says LaMmont Jones Jr., managing editor of education for U.S. News & World Report. “On all the metrics we use when we rank public high schools, they’re doing literally all the right things. It’s a huge feather in the cap.”

The institution has ranked high on the national education report’s lists since 2008, six years after it opened as Indiana’s first public charter school. “It’s a terrific validation of the commitment and hard work of our teachers and staff, students, and families,” Signature School Executive Director Jean Hitchcock says. “As a school with a deep connection to the wider Evansville community, we are excited to help put the city on the map on the national level.”

Other area high schools that made the national list are Castle in Newburgh (1,509), North (2,228), Central (3,449), F.J. Reitz (4,209), New Tech Institute (4,259), Harrison (6,240), Boonville (8,128), and Benjamin Bosse (11,375).

NEW HIRES/PROMOTIONS

Anne McKim, whom YWCA Evansville honored as a Woman on a Mission in 2020, has been named the organization’s next CEO. She most recently served 13 years as Executive Director of the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana and has held leadership roles with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Foundation, Haynie’s Corner Arts District Association, Mayor’s Public Art Commission, and Indiana Arts Commission’s Regional Arts Partnership. McKim succeeds Erika Taylor, who this summer accepted the position of Vice President of Member Services at YWCA USA after 15 years with the organization’s Evansville chapter.

Mayor Stephanie Terry has been appointed Chief Local Elected Official of the Southwest Indiana Workforce. In this role, Terry and other regional elected leaders guide SWIN Workforce’s strategic direction and advance initiatives to strengthen the regional workforce. The mayor’s office also appointed Gabrielle Miller its Community Affairs & Special Projects Director. Miller’s decade of experience includes serving as an adjunct professor at Ivy Tech Community College, working with underserved communities in the Warrick and Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporations, and aiding in the construction and implementation of a mental health clinic in Costa Rica through the JD Sheth Foundation.

Explore Evansville has welcomed new Marketing Manager Morgan Howard and promoted Collin Dame to Director of Marketing and Development. Howard, a 2020 Boonville High School and 2026 Ivy Tech Community College alumna, honed her skills as a graphic design intern at Sprout Design before joining the city’s convention and visitors bureau in July. Dame spent more than two years as Explore Evansville’s marketing and communications manager before assuming his new role in June.

John Greaney succeeded Martha Ahlers as President of United Leasing & Finance on Aug. 1. Greaney joined the company in 2025 as Chief Operating Officer after serving as Vice President of Operations at Ascension St. Vincent Evansville. The company in August also welcomed new Vice President of Business Development Mark Engels, who spent two years at Northpoint Commercial Finance and 12 years with DLL before joining United.

Hafer has made several new hires. Project coordinator Tricia Feller has 25 years of experience in construction administration and sits on the Vanderburgh 4-H Center board of directors. Electrical engineer Emily Nunn is a graduate of Saint Louis University in Missouri. Interior designer Erin Moore holds a degree from Indiana University and brings nearly three decades of experience to the architectural firm.

University of Evansville President Christopher Pietruszkiewicz has been named chair of the Missouri Valley Conference Presidents Council, where he’ll help guide strategic direction for the 11-member MVC during a two-year term that began July 1. The University also invested Kristy K. Miller as the Barbara J. Kolb Price Endowed Chair in Chemistry on July 1. Miller also serves as Associate Provost for Student Success and Academic Excellence and Professor and Chair of the Robert and Judy Decker Wargel Department of Chemistry.

Rexing Companies President and CEO Dylan Rexing has been appointed to a three-year term on Ivy Tech Community College’s Evansville campus board of trustees, where he represents the logistics and agriculture sectors. The fifth-generation farmer’s family business spans logistics, cold storage, agriculture, and real estate. Eddie Burkel, a second-year supply chain and logistics student from Bolingbrook, Illinois, was selected as one of two student representatives on the community college’s state board of trustees for the 2026-27 academic year.

Riverside Capital Management Group has added Katlyn French as Operations Assistant. The F.J. Reitz High School graduate will focus on delivering high-quality client service at the Downtown financial and investment planning firm.

AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS/MILESTONES

Two local businesses were among 34 legacy organizations honored Aug. 17 by Gov. Mike Braun for their contributions to Indiana communities. 2026 Century Award honorees included 160-year-old office supplier Smith & Butterfield, while accounting firm Harding, Shymanski & Company received a 2026 Half Century Award.

Mary Bower and the late Sister Mary Stella Simpson were honored by YWCA Evansville and Women Stepping Up Evansville at the 22nd Annual Women’s Equality Day Luncheon on Aug. 26. Bower, the Emeritus Executive Director of the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science, received the Inspirational Leader Award, while Simpson, who passed away in 2004, was honored as a Legacy Leader for pioneering family-centered maternity care practices that influenced hospitals nationwide.

Attorney Mark Foster of Foster, O’Daniel, Hambidge & Lynch, LLP, was selected by his peers for the 33rd Edition of Best Lawyers in America for his work on DUI/ DWI defenses. The Indiana University law graduate started his career in the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office before becoming a Vanderburgh Superior Court magistrate. He left the bench in 1987 to focus on private practice. He also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Evansville from 1984-92.

Jim Morley Sr. was recognized by The Buffalo Trace Council of the Boy Scouts of America as its 2026 Distinguished Citizen on Aug. 13. The Morley & Associates founder and longtime Scout leader served three terms as president of the Buffalo Trace Council. Grant Reigelman also was named the council’s Scout Executive, succeeding John Harding, who retired in April after 39 years with Scouting America. Reigelman’s 16-year Scouting career includes serving as the Assistant Scout Executive of the Mid-Iowa Council in Des Moines.

The University of Evansville has received a $1 million gift from Randall and Cheryl Alsman, a majority of which went to the Strategic Reserves Fund, used to strengthen the university’s finances, ability to pursue future opportunities, and tackle any challenges. The rest was directed to the UEvansville Fund to enhance student experiences with scholarships, academic support, faculty resources, and more. UE’s Emily M. Young Mental Health Clinic received a $25,000 grant from Colts Kicking The Stigma to fund its Mental Health Access Program to reduce financial barriers for individuals and families. United Way of Southwestern Indiana also gave the mental health clinic a $25,000 grant through the Pathways to Potential initiative.

CenterPoint Energy has awarded up to $25,000 each in matching grants to 13 local nonprofits: Ark Crisis Children’s Center, Community Action Program of Evansville, Encountering Hope Ministries, Inc., Evansville Christian Life Center, Holly’s House, Joshua Academy Charter School, Lampion Center, The Potter’s Wheel, Reitz Home Preservation Society, Salvation Army of Evansville, Tri-State Food Bank, Vanderburgh County CASA, and Vanderburgh Humane Society. The grants will fund facility improvements such as HVAC replacements, lighting upgrades, and enhanced energy efficiency.

The State of Indiana’s READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Initiative has announced funding for two regional projects. The Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville received $1.5 million for the Evansville Family Arts Corridors & Regional Creative Learning Initiative, which expands programming through interactive sidewalk murals, outdoor music experiences, and a rooftop cultural space. The Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science received $310,000 to redesign its riverfront sculpture garden.

The D-Patrick family of auto dealerships has made several donations, including $1,500 to Hangers and $1,250 to Tri-State Food Bank by D-Patrick Honda; $1,000 to the Evansville Children’s Choir by D-Patrick Nissan; $2,500 each to Keep Evansville Beautiful and Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden by D-Patrick Ford/Lincoln; and $1,000 each to Southern Indiana Resource Solutions, Warrick County Community Foundation, and Warrick County Chamber of Commerce by D-Patrick Boonville Ford.

The City of Evansville has awarded $500,000 in Forward Together GO Grants to 35 organizations: $25,000 to Echo Housing Corporation, HOPE of Evansville, Vanderburgh County Health Department’s Environmental Division, and YWCA Evansville; $22,000 to Youth First; $20,000 to Aurora, Community Action Program of Evansville (CAPE), and Dream Center; $18,000 to YMCA of Southwestern Indiana; $17,500 to Carver Community Organization; $17,400 to Habitat for Humanity of Evansville; $16,500 to Boys & Girls Club of Evansville; $16,000 to Holly’s House; $15,200 to Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana; $15,000 to Autism Everyone, D.T.E.A.M. Inc., Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Foundation, JD Sheth Foundation, Mother’s Holdin It Down, and Youth Resources of Southwestern Indiana; $12,000 to Hospitality and Outreach for Latin Americans (HOLA); $10,000 to Ark Crisis Children’s Center, Evansville African American Museum, Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science, Greater Hope Christian Church, Haitian Center of Evansville, University of Evansville Dance Program, Vanderburgh County CASA, and WNIN; $9,100 to The Potter’s Wheel; $6,500 to St. Vincent de Paul; $5,800 to Ozanam Family Shelter; $5,000 to the Immigrant Welcome & Resource Center and Eight12 Run Club; and $4,000 to Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging (SWIRCA & More).

GROWTH/DEVELOPMENT

Denver, Colorado-based architecture and engineering firm Galloway & Company LLC has acquired Hafer. In a Sept. 9 press release, Galloway officials stated their intent to build on the architecture, interior design, and MEP engineering firm’s nearly 50-year legacy in the Tri-State with additional resources, expanded multidisciplinary capabilities, and new opportunities for employees and clients. Hafer has indicated it will continue operations at its offices in Evansville; Owensboro, Kentucky; Carbondale, Illinois; and Columbus, Ohio.

The City of Evansville has unveiled plans to power 15-17 municipal facilities with renewable energy over the next four years, a project expected to reduce electricity costs by up to 50-60 percent over the systems’ 25-year lifespan. The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility will front the initial $6.5 million cost, which the city will reimburse over six years using federal clean energy tax credits. The project supports the city’s 2025 Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will power major facilities such as Swonder Ice Arena, Deaconess Aquatic Center, and Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden’s Amazonia section.

CLOSINGS/REDUCTIONS

Southwest Indiana Recovery and Engagement is transitioning its recovery and reentry support services to Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare. Officials for SWIRE, which launched in 2025 at the Vanderburgh County Detainment Center, say putting the programs under Southwestern’s operation gives them greater clinical resources, operational support, and long-term sustainability.

REGIONAL

Ports of Indiana’s Mount Vernon Megasite has earned a silver designation through the Site Selectors Guild. The nationwide Readiness Evaluation for Development and Investment program evaluated the 544-acre property on utilities, ownership and entitlements, environmental, ease of development, and logistics. The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership pursued the designation in partnership with the Ports, OmniTRAX, CenterPoint Energy, and other regional entities.

Remarkable

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Todd A. Tucker

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October 12, 2026

WEB_NEW_toddtuckerportrait — Photo of Todd A. Tucker by Brodie Curtsinger

I am getting old. Actually, I am “officially old.” Besides my sons referring to me as “Old Man,” there are the physical reminders, like a receding hairline — which didn’t just leave, it evacuated — and the numerous aches, pains, and twinges that are now part of my advancing years. Two things have recently occurred that, while insignificant to others, made me quite self-aware. Walking in and out of our building, I found myself not carrying a briefcase, but a heating pad. I also was excited enough about a new toaster to fist-bump my wife, Kristen. Now, that’s living! Also growing old with me is my great buddy, Jed the dog. Now 14, he is slowing down. His hips are giving him some issues — that is, until it is time to eat or get a treat; then, he practically moonwalks. His visits to our office aren’t as frequent now, and, of course, he snoozes (a lot) on a favorite piece of furniture. But he loves everyone and was just voted “Best Dog Ever” in a non-scientific ballot.

Longstanding businessman and all-around great guy John Lamb retired from German American Bank on Aug. 31 after 43 years in the banking industry. He is a friend, confidant, and mentor to many. Not surprisingly, John was just as valued as a board member by too many nonprofits to mention. Unfortunately, overcoming his love of University of Kentucky basketball was a hurdle he could not clear. Congratulations to you, John. Thanks for everything you have done for the community, and my sympathy to your lovely wife, Julie.

Over Labor Day weekend, Kristen and I traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, for the Music City Kickoff football game between the University of Mississippi and the University of Louisville. A takeover commenced around Nissan Stadium as both teams’ fans filled the bars and restaurants Downtown. There was a lot of good-natured bantering and trash talk (I, of course, held my tongue), plus great weather. It was a long weekend, a great college football game, and a last-second win by Ole Miss, 41-38. In my opinion, it doesn’t get much better. Well … a U of L win would have been nice.

1 of 3

“Remarkable” is the word I will use to describe Sam Schulz. Like his older sister, Sophie, Sam was born with epidermolysis bullosa, a rare condition that made his skin very fragile, causing it to blister and tear easily. I have been around Sam for many years: He attended Holy Rosary Catholic School and Reitz Memorial High School, as did my sons, and he always was around the ballpark or gym. That young man had a painful, debilitating disease and yet was full of courage and personality, which he then shared when he met some of the most legendary people in sports. I also commend the tremendous love and care Sam’s parents, Pat and Lori, gave him. Maybe that is where some of his spirit and courage came from.

Sam passed away on Aug. 12 at 22 years old, surrounded by family. He most certainly will not be forgotten.

As always, I look forward to hearing from most of you.

Todd A. Tucker, Publisher

Keeping the Calls Alive

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October 12, 2026

John-Miley-Image-WEB — Photo of John and Carole Miley provided by source

Name a magical moment in sports, and John Miley likely has it documented.

Photo of The Miley Collection by Kristen K. Tucker

His well-known collection of more than 44,000 audio and video recordings has been profiled in national publications. He has preserved epic Olympic moments, buzzer-beating NCAA basketball tournament finishes, thrilling Indianapolis 500 and Kentucky Derby races, and college football games, his favorite sport. Super Bowls? Miley has recordings of all 60. “And I have some really great golf,” he adds.

Pairing a recorder with his radio was a childhood obsession for John, now a spry 95. Miley kept taping while attending the University of Oklahoma and working as a petroleum engineer in Odessa, Texas. He kept taping after moving back to Evansville and while owning Evansville Title. His son and daughter recorded for the collection while living in other cities, and after the then-print publication The Sporting News profiled Miley in the 1970s, another 50 or so people across the country began contributing.

His baseball collection alone is jaw-dropping. Miley owns three versions of Hank Aaron’s record-breaking 715th home run in 1974. He can dial up Don Mattingly’s first and last games with the New York Yankees, plus home and away broadcasts of each of the six grand slams the Evansville native clubbed in 1987. “Name something he did, and I probably have it,” Miley says.

Miley has been asked to produce compilation tapes, including of Notre Dame’s football team and the late Chicago Cubs broadcasting icon Harry Caray. The collection also has attracted the attention of major networks and media figures. “When I got to NBC and, later, to HBO, anytime we were doing historical stuff, one of my suggestions was, ‘Let me check with John Miley,’” longtime sportscaster Bob Costas told NPR in February 2025.

The Newburgh residence Miley shares with his wife, Carole, also contains her vast vintage doll collection, which she started upon receiving a dollhouse for Christmas in 1974.

Photo of sports recordings in The Miley Collection by Kristen K. Tucker

Married 73 years, the Mileys have mutual admiration for each others’ passions. Carole’s doll collection “has won all kinds of honors,” John says. Carole, in turn, says John “needs to be doing something, and (recording) has filled his mind and time, and he’s been so successful in knowing how to put it together.”

Now, John is taking steps to ensure the memories live on. He shared some of his collection with the Library of Congress in 2011, and Indiana University’s Media School will receive the remainder. Most recordings are not kept, but as he points out, you never know when something remarkable might occur in sports: “I save something that I taped only if, in 10 years, I would want to come back and listen to it again.”

Fun and Fraternity

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October 12, 2026

Order-of-tje-Owls-3-OOO-WEB — Photo of Order of Owls members Phil Daugherty, Donna Mesker, Randy Smock, and Sue King by Alli Wuertz

When it comes to giving back, the Order of Owls knows socializing can make the impact sweeter.

Evansville’s Nest 30 is one of about a half-dozen 501(c)(8) fraternal benefit societies in Vanderburgh County and, at 119 years, may be one of its oldest. Forty-dollar annual dues for its 700 members unlock access to social activities and electronic gaming, pull tabs, and raffles. Around 175 active members flock to 2427 N. Sherman St., where the Owls have nested since 2012.

“We’ve been a fixture of the community for a long time. It’s just that we’re flying under the radar,” Nest 30 President Randy Smock says.

Philanthropy is part of the fun. “We’ve already given to 24 organizations this year,” says Donna Mesker, chair of charitable donations. She visited Nest 30 with her parents, Clarence and Rosalie Mesker, when she was a child and became a member in 2009. “We not only donate money. We do collections so members can bring in items.”

The Owls recently donated $500 and 2,209 items to Dream Center Evansville. Although many of the Owls’ activities are private, daily lunch service is open to the public, as are monthly events such as karaoke, line dancing, and live music. “We have some great people here,” says Smock, a six-year member. “They come in, have a good time, drink, eat, go to dances, and socialize. That’s what this is, a fraternal order.”

Hometown Hoops, Higher Hopes

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Gordon Engelhardt

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October 12, 2026

1 Mascots-9227049-WEB — Photo by Zach Straw. Expect Ace Purple and Archibald T. Eagle to lead the cheers Nov. 7 at the inaugural River City Classic, which brings together the UE and USI men’s basketball squads.

One joined NCAA Division I in 2022. The other has been a top-tier program for nearly 50 years. They’ve met on the court five times but never as two Division I teams. Now, the wait is over, and local sports officials hope resuming the University of Southern Indiana and the University of Evansville’s crosstown rivalry gives each a boost.

“Anytime you have two in-state programs, let alone two Division I programs from the same city, it’s only right to make that happen,” says Stan Gouard, USI Men’s Head Coach since 2020. As a college player, he helped USI win a Division II title in 1995.

UE Men’s Head Coach David Ragland also played college ball at USI. As a senior at Harrison High School in 1999 when UE made its last NCAA Division I Tournament appearance, Ragland remembers watching the Aces play at Roberts Municipal Stadium, “smelling the popcorn in the air, watching a super-competitive team with sleeves on their jerseys playing the game the right way.”

Announced June 15, the Screaming Eagles and Purple Aces will meet Nov. 7 for the River City Classic, their first matchup since 2019. A major sticking point was the home court: The Purple Aces play at Ford Center, while the Screaming Eagles have Liberty Arena on USI’s campus. Both schools wanted home-court advantage.

Bringing UE and USI together was one of Brandon McClish’s primary goals when he joined the Evansville Regional Sports Commission as Executive Director in 2023. “I have a personal connection to both universities and a pretty good understanding of what this rivalry means to Evansville,” says McClish, a 2008 USI graduate who spent five years working with Purple Aces Sports Properties through Learfield, a college sports marketing company, before joining the Sports Commission. “I wanted to find a way to bring these two programs together again in a setting that could be bigger than just a basketball game — something that would be good for both universities and for the entire community.”

McClish worked with Evansville Regional Economic Partnership President and CEO (and University of Evansville graduate) Lloyd Winnecke on a proposal they believed accomplished just that. After three years of negotiations, both schools signed a one-game contract for their men’s basketball programs to meet for the first time as Division I competitors. “Once we established the River City Classic concept, playing at the Ford Center made a lot of sense,” McClish says. Once the universities agreed, organizers took the title sponsor opportunity to a major local player: Old National Bank. “They understood what this game could mean to the community and agreed to come on board,” McClish says. “That’s really what this has been about from the beginning: bringing two Division I programs together in a way that benefits both universities and gives our community an event we can be proud of.”

LONG IN THE MAKING

Although the schools’ decisions ultimately lay with UE Vice President for Athletics Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried and USI’s Vice President and Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall, both programs’ coaches had discussed renewing the rivalry for years.

Photo of UE men’s basketball head coach David Ragland provided by UE

As an assistant under former USI Head Coach Rick Herdes, Gouard was in his first coaching job when Ragland transferred in 2001 to play for the Screaming Eagles after two seasons with Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. Ragland and his teammates played offseason pickup games against USI players. Who won the most? “It depends on who you ask,” Ragland laughs. “It was really competitive. UE had a team go to the NCAA tournament (in 1999), and USI had teams playing for (Division II) national championships.”

Ragland says only two current players truly understand the significance of the UE-USI rivalry. Aces sophomore guard Luke Ellspermann played one year at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, after graduating from Reitz Memorial High School in 2025. At USI, junior guard Josiah Dunham is a 2024 graduate of Evansville Christian School.

“Young people live in the moment — right now,” Ragland says. “The environment will be electric. We have to go out (and play) like there’s no tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Siegfried underscores that Winnecke and McClish’s work did not stop when the contract was signed. “They continue to invest significant time and energy in making the event a success,” Siegfried says. “Old National Bank’s commitment as presenting sponsor was a game changer.” McClish says the event’s financial terms are part of the private agreements and will not be publicly disclosed.

Photo of Aces senior forward A.J. Casey provided by UE

For the series to continue, Siegfried says both institutions must find an arrangement that makes sense competitively and financially. “We are not opposed to playing at Liberty Arena,” he says while comparing the 4,800-seat arena on USI’s campus to Ford Center’s 11,000-seat capacity Downtown. “However, the Ford Center provides greater capacity and the best opportunity to make this a major community event. We remain open to discussing different arrangements for future games.”

Although the Eagles have played Ohio Valley Conference tournament games at Ford Center since joining the OVC in the 2022-23 season, Hall and Gouard do not agree that the River City Classic at the Downtown arena should be considered a game played in neutral territory. But Hall notes officials will split the arena and both teams’ bands and cheerleaders will be present. “We would want a home-and-home series,” Hall says. “But this is a start.”

Gouard says it’s only fair that part of a proposed series should be held at Liberty Arena. “Everybody said it’s a neutral game at the Ford Center, but it’s (the Aces’) home court,” he says. “They play 16 or 17 games there.”

SCHOOLS SHARE DIVISION I STRUGGLES

Photo of USI men’s basketball head coach Stan Gouard provided by USI

Between 1959 and 1971, UE won five national championships in NCAA Division II (called College Division until 1973) and, since joining Division I in the 1977-78 season, has made five trips to the national tournament. However, the Aces were 40-91 (.305 percentage) in Ragland’s first four seasons as head coach, including a 7-25 record in 2025-26. The Aces did advance to the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) semifinals in 2023-24.

USI, which moved up from Division II in 2022-23 but was ineligible for NCAA postseason appearances until 2025-26, finished 16-17 in its inaugural Division I season under Gouard and advanced to the CBI. But the Screaming Eagles have posted an overall mark of 25-67 (.272) in the last three seasons, including 7-23 in 2025-26.

It’s no secret that mid-major programs such as UE and USI have struggled in the new era of the NCAA’s transfer portal and Name, Image and Likeness campaigns in which student-athletes can earn money from their personal brand. Both options favor the upper-tier collegiate programs that are more flush with cash. And because mid-major players often transfer, UE will have 11 newcomers this season and USI, 12. “That’s normal,” Ragland says.

Photo of USI junior guard Josiah Dunham provided by USI

He reports that he is often asked if two Division I universities can survive in Evansville. “Absolutely,” he responds. “But you can’t survive without support.”

Gouard says it’s an unfortunate situation for schools such as UE and USI, which have to successfully navigate this new era in order to survive. “You can’t blame the university’s operations capacity,” he says. “We have to keep it afloat.”

FUTURE MEETINGS TO BE DETERMINED

Unlike UE and USI’s women’s basketball programs, which this summer inked a four-year series starting in 2027-28, the River City Classic’s contract is just for one year. But Hall says securing the women’s series — which was not negotiated through the Sports Commission, trades host sites, and is being scheduled directly by the universities — was part of sealing the deal for the men’s one-game contract.

“We certainly hope this is the start of something that can continue, but there are several factors in college basketball that must be considered, including NCAA scheduling rules, conference schedules, existing agreements, and, ultimately, the response from the fans,” McClish says.

About that last point: The first UE-USI men’s exhibition matchup in 2004 drew 12,411 at the former Roberts Municipal Stadium. But by 2019, attendance had basically halved to 6,263 at Ford Center. “We need Evansville to show up and show out,” McClish says. “If the community wants to see this rivalry continue, this is our opportunity to prove it.”

The UE-USI game is valuable to both universities as well as the community, Siegfried says. “It creates excitement, generates regional attention, and gives fans of both programs an opportunity to support Division I college basketball in their hometown,” he says. “Evansville remains a great basketball town, and an event like this allows our community to demonstrate that on a significant stage.”

With the landscape of college basketball changing, mid-major programs are trying to navigate those changes while competing with programs operating with multimillion-dollar resources.

“Between the transfer portal, NIL, and the constant movement of players, building and maintaining a roster is challenging for every program. That’s why I believe the River City Classic can be a real boost of energy for both programs and for this community,” McClish says. “These are two tradition-rich universities, and this is a rivalry that matters to Evansville. Rather than focusing on where either program has struggled, I think this is a time for fans and supporters to get behind them.”

Well aware of the significance of the UE-USI matchup, Gouard also cautions, “It’s not the Super Bowl” — the River City Classic is only the third game on the Screaming Eagles’ 2026-27 schedule. Ragland concurs. “The two coaches understand that (the season is) a marathon, too,” Ragland says. “We’re in a time of declining attendance in college basketball, and hopefully this will be a shot in the arm.”

CROSSTOWN TIMELINE
The men’s basketball teams at the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana have met on the court five times, all in exhibition games.

2004: UE 88, USI 75
Attendance: 12,411 at Roberts
Municipal Stadium

2006: UE 77, USI 75
Attendance: 11,597 at Roberts
Municipal Stadium

2008: UE 71, USI 67, 2 OT
Attendance: 9,648 at Roberts
Municipal Stadium

2012: UE 73, USI 55
Attendance: 7,358 at Ford Center

2019: UE 71, USI 68, OT
Attendance: 6,263 at Ford Center

The Business of Dying

By

Mitzi S. Morris

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October 12, 2026

Evansville Business staff

Cemetery-9216490-WEB — Photo of Reitz Family Memorial by Zach Straw

Walking into a funeral home, you may expect a somber atmosphere — pictures of the deceased on display and murmured conversations throughout the facility. But today’s grieving rituals don’t always follow the patterns of the past.

“COVID’s taken out the traditional four walls that you have to do a funeral within,” says Jordan Duncan, owner of Boone Funeral Home. “People want to bring in their Harley-Davidson motorcycles or have a tiki bar or have more of a party than a funeral.”

As a higher number of aging Americans is prompting the culture around dying to evolve, changes also are rippling across the professions guiding people through that process. When Carol Havens entered the caregiving field four decades ago, “We didn’t mention anything about dying. That just wasn’t talked about,” she says. “Now, we can get online and find counseling services and support networks.”

More people are taking proactive steps to protect family asset details. “We live in a time where there are a lot of bad actors out there that look to prey upon people, particularly at vulnerable times,” says Andy Nestrick, a trust and estate lawyer at Stoll Keenon Ogden, PLLC. “If you can stay out of probate and therefore keep your information private and not have it more publicized, the better off you are.”

Additionally, the value of assets, property, and possessions has flipped, with traditionally coveted items dropping in price — or vice versa. “It’s almost unbelievable what that market has done,” says Andrew Wilson, President and Principal Auctioneer at William Wilson Auction & Realty. “Where we used to sell a farmland tract for $5,000 per acre, now the same tract is bringing $30,000 per acre.”

For businesses providing ornamental services, adapting to the rising popularity of cremation has proven successful. “Whether somebody gets cremated or not, they would possibly want to bury the cremated remains, or they want to purchase something that holds the cremated remains,” says Brandy Woods, co-owner of Rakestraw Monuments. Since death remains a significant part of life, consumer behavior is transforming how industries handle the business side. “There’s always going to be change, so you always have to work with change, because that’s just the way of the world,” she says.

Estate Evolution

Professionals in many industries handle assets and possessions left behind after a death. Because the process can take at least six months, experts encourage pre-planning so a person’s final wishes — and desires for their end-of-life care — are clearly defined, easy to follow, and available for updates.

Andy Nestrick, a trust and estate lawyer at Stoll Keenon Ogden, says that while probate cases have always been public, digital records have made estate information easier to access.

“All of those files that used to be contained within the walls of the courthouse, they’re all now scanned in and uploaded to the cloud,” he says. “Anyone who has access to the internet via laptop, cell phone, or whatever now has the ability privately to pull up information about decedents’ estates.”

At German American Bank, Alvin Basham has noticed families becoming more interested in working with someone knowledgeable about estate tax laws and who can remain an unbiased third party.

“Death is emotional,” the Senior Vice President and Director of Wealth Advisory Group says. “A trust agreement is meant to be a roadmap. Especially when you have a family dynamic — that’s a trend we’re seeing — they’re looking for someone who’s going to be neutral.”

Photo of Andrew Wilson, President and Principal Auctioneer with William Wilson Auction & Realty by Zach Straw

Estate liquidation businesses remain busy, even as the inventory has changed. Andrew Wilson, President and Principal Auctioneer with William Wilson Auction & Realty, says that because baby boomers are downsizing, the industry is navigating the largest transfer of wealth in history, with market oversaturation inverting traditional asset values. While consumers covet precious metals, firearms, and farmland, fine china and antique furniture are less valuable.

“We have to tell a family member, ‘You have a silver flatware set that used to be worth $500. Now, it’s worth $5,000. On the other hand, you have a nice walnut corner hutch that used to be worth $5,000 that is now worth $500,’” Wilson says. “We walk through those expectations with them so they understand what they have and make a decision accordingly.”

Tradition in Transition

As American adherence to religious traditions loosens and green options and celebrations of life gain popularity, some families are bypassing the traditional funeral experience for their loved ones’ services. Andrew Wilson’s father, Bill, loved his hometown of New Harmony, Indiana, and built his auction and realty business there. When Bill passed away in July, it felt fitting for Boone Funeral Home to hold his celebration of life at the historic Rapp-Owen Granary.

Jack Headlee celebration of life photo provided by Jon Headlee

After Ten Adams founder Jack Headlee passed away in January, his son Jon Headlee worked with Ziemer Funeral Home & Crematory to arrange an event at the company’s office. The 45-minute service featured live music and food from Be Happy Pie Company, a business Jack had mentored.

“Years ago, there was this organ music playing beforehand, and it was somber and depressing. Everybody’s quiet, waiting to walk up and pass by the casket,” Headlee says. “My buddy was a worship leader, so he played his guitar. The objective was to be upbeat and celebratory.”

That lighthearted trend led Browning Funeral Home, in business since 1954, to remodel its facility. “You can’t have a celebration of life in an old, 1960s style, dark funeral home,” says Funeral Director Jake Browning Hester, grandson of founder Charles Browning and son of owner Jean Browning Hester. “More like a high-end hotel or event space is the direction we’re catering more to.”

Attention to detail is important when mourners say goodbye to loved ones, and personalization is key. Browning offers to cremate veterans with an American flag, while Alexander Funeral Home’s Memorial Park on Mesker Park Drive offers a section for veterans. Alexander also uses memory tables to display personal belongings at funeral services.

Photo of Jordan Duncan, owner of Boone Funeral Home, by Zach Straw

“Sometimes the family will say, ‘I don’t know if this has ever been done before, but can we?’” says Jordan Duncan, owner of Boone Funeral Home, which dates back to the late 1800s. “It’s best to say yes because they’re here, and it’s our job to make their wishes come true.”

Daniel Ziemer, President of Ziemer Funeral Home & Crematory, notes 60 percent of the business’s funeral ceremonies are prearranged. While guaranteed contracts lock in current prices, non-guaranteed contracts set aside funds without protecting against inflation. Cost is one of the factors pushing people toward cremation, along with environmental concerns and simplicity. A cremation and burial report released just over a year ago by the National Funeral Directors Association revealed the U.S. cremation rate was projected to rise to 63.4 percent in 2025 and 82.3 percent by 2045. Conversely, the rate of burials was expected to drop to 13 percent in the next 20 years.

Photo of Ziemer Funeral Home and Crematory by Zach Straw

Browning, Alexander, Ziemer, and Boone funeral homes confirm their cremation rates top 40 percent. The shift has prompted business model changes such as expanding offerings and educating families. For example, Sunset Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Cemetery makes placements for ashes available in its Community Garden.

“Designing an outdoor cremation garden and having indoor cremation permanent placement options has been something we’ve done to address that growth,” says Andrew Alexander, Manager of Alexander Funeral Homes’ West Chapel. (In a city of mostly locally owned funeral homes, the 146-year-old fifth-generation business with four sites and a Memorial Park is part of the Dignity Memorial nationwide network of 2,000 providers after being acquired in 1997 by Service Corporation International.)

What’s not growing? Employment. NFDA’s report projects funeral industry employment to grow only four percent between 2023 and 2033. In fact, to compensate for the movement toward cremation, Ziemer says his family’s 99-year-old business has reduced staff, relying more on part-time personnel than full-time employees at its three locations. It’s also added keepsake merchandise. “Cremation jewelry, where some of the remains can be placed, has become popular. There are some ancillary items that we’re able to sell that help make up for the loss in margins,” he says.

Photo of Browning Funeral Home owner Jean Browning Hester and funeral director Jake
Browning Hester by Zach Straw

Visitations also are getting shorter, with some families opting for a one-day service compared to a two-day event. Post-service meals are still requested — “People like to do that,” Browning Hester says — and Browning, Alexander, and Boone funeral homes provide spaces for bereavement meals, with Alexander offering catered receptions. “The menus are pre-designed, and we have several options so people don’t have to think through that,” Alexander says.

Many families used to choose funeral homes based on religion, ethnicity, and race — especially during segregation, when Mason Brothers Funeral Services and Osborne Funeral Home served the Black community. But the NFDA report shows the number of Americans identifying as nonreligious grew 12 points between 2007 and 2023 to 28 percent. “Over the years, I have seen those lines become much less defined, with a steady increase in the diversity of religious backgrounds among the families we serve,” Duncan says. Browning Hester adds, “People predominantly choose us because we have served their family or friend in the past, and they were pleased with how we handled their services. Also, word of mouth is a big factor.”

Photo of Robert Jacobs with Heidi Griese, owner of Flowers and More, by Alli Wuertz

As funeral homes adapt to a new normal, the demand for floral arrangements remains steadfast. “People still just love a fresh flower,” says Heidi Griese, owner of Flowers and More on West Franklin Street. “When there’s beauty in the funeral home, it brings a light to what’s going on that day.”

Griese estimates funeral and sympathy services make up more than half of her business. She consults with families to design customized displays, such as casket sprays, lid corsages, and urn arrangements, and color-coordinates flowers with the container and clothing. The cremation shift motivated Griese to create more arrangements that wrap around urns. She has noticed customers ordering more permanent sympathy gifts, such as stones, benches, wind chimes, and lanterns. Personalization has also become significant when expressing condolences. “I had a lady come in, and we knew that the deceased gentleman was a hunter, so we added antlers to a beautiful lantern that was decorated,” Griese says. “We had a gentleman who was a farmer, so we incorporated potatoes and corn mixed in with the flowers and with cattails and different vegetables. That was a nice tribute to him.”

Modern Memorials

Creating a gravesite marker requires craftsmanship, says Ryan Scherer, owner of 94-year-old West Side business Scherer Monument Works. “These stones, you want to keep them up forever,” he says. “We are motivated to pour a good foundation.”

While families are choosing a design and layout from options like granite headstones, bronze memorials, and customized benches, Brandy Woods at Rakestraw Monuments is checking that their choice doesn’t run afoul of the intended cemetery. “If they’re in a certain area of the cemetery, that area could strictly be bronze plaques,” says Woods, who owns Rakestraw with her husband, Brian. “Or there could be some areas that are strictly grass markers, flat to the ground, or you can have an upright monument, but it can only be up to a certain size.”

Photo of Brandy and Brian Woods, owners of Rakestraw Monuments, by Zach Straw

Though the U.S. cremation rate is now double the burial rate, the National Funeral Directors Association states approximately 38 percent of cremated remains are still interred at cemeteries. Woods attests cremation has not affected her 16-year-old business because families continue to seek meaningful ways to memorialize their loved ones. “There are monuments and benches and plaques and different types of things to hold cremated remains,” she says. Scherer reports that demand for community columbaria (above-ground structures for urns) at cemeteries has driven a steady increase in his cremation monument unit sales over the past five years.

To keep up with the personalization trend, Rakestraw invested in a laser-etching machine to engrave detailed designs, like pictures, onto monuments and urns. Woods has also observed people becoming more proactive in pre-need planning. “[They are] coming in and designing their monument, choosing what they want, having everything done so their family doesn’t have to deal with that when that time arises,” she says.

Technology is changing the industry in other ways. The National Funeral Directors Association’s report in 2025 found that 65 percent of U.S. funeral providers offer virtual services through themselves or a third party. Scherer adds that QR codes placed on markers may be the next big thing. “Everybody’s got iPhones now. They can [scan and] sit and view videos of their loved ones instead of just putting flowers on the stone,” he says.

Life’s Final Chapter

In a four-decade career as a registered nurse, health advocate, court-appointed adult guardian, and more, Carol Havens has seen cultural changes open the door to discussion about death, and she encourages people to organize their medical, legal, financial, and personal wishes sooner rather than later.

Photo of Alexander Memorial Park by Zach Straw

“We never know when something’s going to happen,” says Havens, who authored “When the Time Comes,” a guide to navigating estate planning and end-of-life care. “A lot of times, people think that getting your affairs in order means just getting your will, power of attorney, and health care representative. In my experience, that’s less than a fourth of what needs to be done to help make that preparation.”

Death-related services are not just for people. According to the World Organization of Funeral Operatives, global spending on pet death care and commemorations is expected to reach $3.9 billion by 2033, and funeral homes are adding those services.

Ziemer Funeral Home & Crematory President Daniel Ziemer contends the desire to memorialize companion animals has become more popular. “A lot of people prefer to bring their pets to us. They want to take them that last mile,” he says.

Titzer Family Funeral Homes provides private cremations, casket options, memorials, monuments, and pre-planning for terminally ill animals. Ziemer Pet Memorial Center offers an eco-friendly cremation process using an alkaline water bath, engraved wooden urns, and even online pet obituaries.

Pet memorial photo provided by Ziemer Pet Memorial Center

Dogs and cats aren’t the only pets Ziemer has observed at his funeral business. He has provided care for chickens, raccoons, goats, snakes, geckos, hamsters, and guinea pigs. “We’ve had one pet funeral where people came and talked. They put together a video of pictures. It was sweet,” he says. “Pets are part of your family.”

As much as the culture around death has changed, grief has not. “Grief has no cycle,” Havens says.

THE COST OF DYING

The National Institutes of Health reports that Vanderburgh County averaged 2,265 deaths annually between 2020 and 2024. Families saying goodbye could face these costs for their loved one’s funeral arrangements.

$1,495: Basic services by Simple Cremation

$2,295: Signature service that includes an American flag, keepsake urn, or jewelry by Simple Cremation

Photo of Browning Funeral Home caskets by Zach Straw

$2,000-$2,860: Basic cremation services at Boone, Browning, and Ziemer funeral homes

$4,000: Cremation with funeral service at Boone Funeral Home

$7,000: Cremation with viewing and funeral service at Boone Funeral Home

$10,000-$15,000: Full-service funerals at Boone, Browning, and Ziemer funeral homes

$795-$1,095: Starting prices for catered receptions at Alexander Funeral Homes

$295: Starting price for urns at Alexander Funeral Homes

$2,495: Starting price for caskets at Alexander Funeral Homes

$250-$650: Casket sprays from Flowers & More

$500-$5,000: Grave markers from Scherer Monument Works

$230-$420: Animal cremation and urn by Ziemer Pet Memorial Center

DID YOU KNOW?

After opening Browning Funeral Home, founder Charles Browning quickly spotted a demand and need for historical preservation and genealogical records. The result is a digital database of thousands of records documenting marriages, births, deaths, immigration, military service, and cemetery plot locations in and around Southwestern Indiana since the 1800s.

On the Calendar

By

-

October 9, 2026

EPD-Chief-Philip-Smith-WEB — 2024 photo of Evansville Police Chief Philip Smith by Zach Straw

The Salon Professional Academy Open House
5-7 p.m. Oct. 12, The Salon Professional Academy, 5545 Vogel Road
Explore a career in the growing field of cosmetology — or spot budding talent for your own business — at this Redken partner training school profiled in the October/November 2025 issue of Evansville Business. RSVP by emailing [email protected].

Safer Evansville Town Hall Series
5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 14, Dream Center Evansville, 1516 N. Main St.
Speakers including Evansville Police Chief Philip Smith, Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers, Sheriff Noah Robinson, Judge Gary Schutte, and Magistrate Judge Celia Pauli cover local crime statistics, trends, and prevention efforts. A second town hall discussing crime enforcement strategies and community engagement is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 29 at Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

Women in Business Soiree
4:30-7 p.m. Oct. 15, Henderson County Public Library, 101 S. Main St., Henderson, Kentucky
Connect with and celebrate local trailblazers at this dinner event. Tickets are $35 for Henderson Chamber of Commerce members and $50 for non-members.

Nonprofit Excellence Symposium
8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Oct. 23, University of Southern Indiana, 8600 University Blvd.
Industry professionals, business leaders, and students interested in the field can engage in workshops, presentations, idea sharing, and networking. Registration is $30 and includes a continental breakfast and buffet lunch.

10th Annual Greater Evansville Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet
4-9 p.m. Oct. 24, Old National Events Plaza, 715 Locust St.
View a wide variety of sports memorabilia before a dinner program featuring three guest speakers and the induction of the GESHOF’s newest members. Tickets are $65 per person and $25 for children ages 12 and under.

Finding Southwestern Indiana’s Hidden Gem

By

-

October 8, 2026

2 Nate_Spangle_IMG_7501_WEB — Photo of Nate Spangle with Alex Kindig trying the Spicy Turkey Crawl at Booth 23, German Township Booster Club, on Oct. 7, 2026, by Sarah Morgason

It’s no accident that influencer Nate Spangle was at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival in 2025. Since founding the media company Get Indiana in 2024, the Plymouth, Indiana, native has covered all aspects of Indiana’s 92 counties through podcasts, newsletters, social media, and videos that have attracted more than 300,000 followers — including Evansville Regional Sports Commission Executive Director Brandon McClish. In 2025, the West Side Nut Club member clued in Spangle on a gem of an experience he was missing in Southwestern Indiana. Evansville Living caught up with Spangle during his return trip to the Nut Club’s 2026 Fall Festival, where the Indianapolis resident shared why he loves exploring Indiana, which festival foods are his favorite, and what he’s learned about this corner of the state.

***Evansville Living*: First things first: Why did you start Get Indiana?**

Nate Spangle: Indiana’s not boring. There are a lot of cool people and cool places here. I went on this journey basically to promote interstate tourism. So, instead of going to Lake Michigan for the weekend, come down and spend time on the Ohio River. Instead of going to Florida for spring break, this is what you could do in your backyard.

EL: What makes you passionate about highlighting Hoosier towns?

NS: I’m a small-town guy. It’s so easy to just complain about what Indiana’s not: There are no beaches, there are no mountains. … People just like to complain about how Indiana’s boring, and that made me mad. You just need to get out and explore. So, I got passionate about being the “sherpa” of all the cool things that are going on. If you say Indiana’s boring, it’s your own fault. I’ve been booked every weekend since Feb. 17, and I’ve done something different. I’ve been to the final town before you get to Illinois and Chicago, all the way down here to Evansville, and there’s just a lot of cool stuff.

Photo of Brandon McClish and Nate Spangle at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival on Oct. 7, 2026, by Sarah Morgason

EL: Brandon, how did you connect with Nate?

Brandon McClish: He did videos and a series where he named 10 Indiana high school mascots. I’m a huge high school sports fan. So, I started following him. … He started expanding into the hidden gems of Indiana. That’s when I thought, “We’re missing the biggest hidden gem.” I’m not originally from here. I’m from Elwood, Indiana. He’s been to my hometown.
NS: I came down for the wrestling state finals when they were hosted down here in 2024. I had been talking about different festivals in the state. And Brandon messaged me: “You’re missing the Fall Festival. This thing is huge.” I had, at that point, literally a hundred comments on my video saying, “You have to come down for the Fall Festival.” And I was thinking it was, like, scarecrows and pumpkins and a hayride. I was like, “Whatever, I’ll come down.” And then I stumbled upon what it actually is, which has nothing to do with hayrides, nothing to do with pumpkins. It’s just such an awesome experience.

EL: Nate, what was your first impression of Evansville?

NS: “Holy cow, that’s a big river.” (laughs) The river is just massive. I’m in Indianapolis, and the White River is a normal-size river. When you see the Ohio River, you’re like, “Holy smokes.” I got introduced to a bunch of the Nut Clubbers. The genuine niceness of people and hearing about how they do so much philanthropy — it’s a very generous community, I would say. Generous with their time. I’m hearing about volunteers who are spending 30 to 40 hours a week getting ready for this thing. That’s crazy. It’s really refreshing to be around a bunch of people who are so generous. A half pot that gets up to $2.6 million-plus — and half of it goes to charity. All of these different booths, raising all this money for nonprofits. That’s a generous community, and that has just resonated with me every time.

EL: What have you discovered about the River City?

NS: I’ve always felt that Evansville has been semi-disconnected from Indianapolis and the rest of the state. If you’re in Evansville, you might feel closer to Nashville or Saint Louis than you do to Indianapolis. When I came down last year, it was the first time I got to really walk around Downtown and come down here to the West Side. … (At) the Reitz Bowl, I ran a bowl buster, where you run a sprint up the side of the stadium. This year, I’m getting to explore and see how big the Ohio River is. I’m just now learning about the Ports of Indiana in Mount Vernon and what’s happening out there. I’m learning the history of makers and doers down here. I read somewhere about the World War II era and all the different stuff that was built right here. I’m also learning about the economic force that is here, which has been so cool. When they announced that they were opening up an Orr Fellowship chapter down here … I was so pumped. That program changed my life. Getting plugged into the business community through the fellowship was amazing. It’s just such a cool collaboration that shows that Evansville is really leaning into what the future looks like and how to attract, retain, and keep young people. And also these historic things, including 105 years at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival. Heritage and progress are both equally balanced.

EL: What food have you tried at the Fall Festival so far?

NS: The fried brain sandwich. If you gave it to me blind, I’d say, “It’s kind of like the chewy pork tenderloin” — (it’s) the one that just feels like I need a nap afterward. I really love the BBQ Parfait (found at Booth 55-Salem United Methodist Church and Scout Troop 335, and Booth 114-Outboard Boating Club). I dreamed about that one. I also liked the walk-off chop (Booth 95-Golfmoor Baseball). The donut burger at the Evansville African American Museum’s Booth 41 — it’s amazing. I had fried butter. Delicious. Also, the “holy stromboli” from Booth 63 (Reitz Memorial High School Athletics). I said last year, “Blindfold me, throw a dart, and they’re all so good.”

EL: Where else in Southwestern Indiana have you been to or want to visit?

NS: I was just in Rockport Sept. 29 for the Indiana Fever’s WNBA playoff Game 2 vs. the Las Vegas Aces, which was shown on the Holiday Drive-In screen. They did a 25-minute drone show, and the drones made a silhouette of Caitlin Clark shooting baskets. I want to go to New Harmony. Downtown Newburgh looks pretty cool. I actually drove through, but I didn’t get to stop.

EL: How would you recommend people highlight and show pride in their community?

NS: Change the way you talk about your home. If someone asks you, “What do you like about Evansville? What do you like about this?” don’t roll your eyes and say, “Oh, there’s not that much going on.” Go out there and be curious about your community, change the way you talk about it, and be proud of what you have going on. There’s amazing stuff happening in Evansville. There are really, truly amazing people doing amazing things. But it starts with how we talk about home. So, the No. 1 thing you can do, wherever, to show pride in your community is just change the way you talk about it, take a sense of pride in it, and do things like what Evansville Living is doing with the magazine.

Fudge, Friendship, and the Fall Festival

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October 7, 2026

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band — Photo of Alisha Gaddis and Lucky Diaz provided by Alisha Gaddis

Between pursuing a Master of Business Administration, writing a new book, and lining up speaking engagements, Alisha Gaddis is staying busy. But this week, Gaddis — one half of the Grammy-winning Latin music duo Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band — is taking a break from work to visit her hometown and serve as the grand marshal of the West Side Nut Club’s Fall Festival Parade on Oct. 10. Ahead of her arrival from California, she spoke with Evansville Living about what she’s most looking forward to during her first trip home in three years.

“I’m bringing my daughter and getting to experience Evansville as a real homecoming,” says Gaddis, a 1999 graduate of F.J. Reitz High School. “We’ll spend time with family and friends, take in the Fall Festival, and let her experience this place that shaped so much of who I am.”

Answers condensed and edited for clarity.

Who are you most excited to see after three years away from Evansville?
My girlfriends! I am so honored to have stayed friends with these ladies for over 35 years now, from being kids to having kids! I’m really hoping to see them and their families and have some real time together. And, obviously, there needs to be a Donut Bank and G.D. Ritzy’s situation. Preferably more than once. I have priorities.

What is your favorite Fall Festival booth or food?
Growing up, my church had a booth selling homemade fudge to raise money for our big winter youth retreat to Colorado. I have such vivid memories of making mountains of fudge in the church kitchen and then slinging those little squares to festivalgoers all week. When I think about Fall Festival food, I immediately think about fudge, friendship, and being a kid in Evansville.

What Fall Festival food do you consider a can’t-miss?
The haystacks in the Frito-Lay bags! Absolutely. There is something deeply satisfying about eating an entire meal directly out of a chip bag while walking down Franklin Street. Fine dining, Evansville style.

How will you mark your daughter’s first visit to Evansville?
She was born in California, but her name is Indiana, so clearly the home state pride runs deep in our family! She’s 10 now and experiencing the Fall Festival for the first time. I think it’s the perfect age. I’m so excited to show her the food, the crowds, the rides, the traditions, and the wonderfully wild spectacle of it all. Getting to experience my hometown through her eyes makes this homecoming especially meaningful.

Have you chosen your Grand Marshal outfit?
This has become a surprisingly serious question in my house! I was originally planning to go full Canadian tuxedo because denim on denim is always a great choice. Then I saw the weather forecast. HOT. So I’m trying to solve the very specific fashion equation of “Grand Marshal, but make it 80-something degrees.” My daughter wants me to wear a ball gown, which might be ambitious. Are sequins ever really too much? I feel like if there is ever a socially acceptable moment to wear sequins down Franklin Street in broad daylight, being grand marshal of the Fall Festival has to be it.

Unlocking The Vault

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October 2, 2026

THE-VAULT_41_WEB_MAIN — Photo of The Vault on Main on Oct. 2, 2026, by Alli Wuertz

Almost five years after the 18-story Old National Bank Tower was demolished Downtown, its replacement is open for business. Officials, residents, and the community gathered Oct. 2 to cut the ribbon on The Vault on Main. The first residents began moving in by mid-July, and Property Manager Jacob Snider says around 50 of the 161 units have been leased in the four-story building.

“For decades, the Old National Bank Tower stood here as part of the skyline and part of daily life Downtown. We knew that whatever came next had to be thoughtful, collaborative, and transformational,” says Ross Merder, Director of Development at CRG Residential. “When we stood here in May 2024 and broke ground, we made a commitment to deliver Downtown Evansville a beautiful development worthy of its place here on Main Street. Thank you for welcoming us (and) trusting us with such an important part of your city. We’re proud to be a part of Downtown’s next chapter.”

Photo of Lloyd Winnecke, Jacob Snider, Beth McFadin Higgins, Mayor Stephanie Terry, Chris Reid, Dave Powers, Jared Wilson, Sydney Franklin, and supporters during the ribbon cutting at The Vault on Main’s grand opening by Alli Wuertz

Residents of The Vault can enjoy amenities including a fitness center, delivery room for packages, communal gathering area, coworking rooms, makerspace for hands-on projects, a heated outdoor swimming pool, and a fire pit. Evansville taxpayers helped fund the 183-space underground parking garage with bonded financing approved by the City Council in 2023.

While tenants are filling the apartments, focus remains on the commercial space. The first floor contains 4,500 square feet for two small tenants or one large tenant. As reported in June/July 2024 Evansville Business, Mayor Stephanie Terry expressed hopes for a grocery store or pharmacy — essentials lacking Downtown.

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CRG also added a grease trap to pave the way for a restaurant. In addition to The Vault, Indianapolis-based CRG also built two upscale apartment complexes in the past six years: Post House on Northwest Second Street and Promenade Flats off North Burkhardt Avenue.

“I’ve been an Evansville resident since back when Downtown was really boring. My mother ran a business out of the Hilliard Lyons building,” says Snider, who previously served as the community manager at Post House. “I stood on the rooftop of Post House, and I watched 420 Main be imploded. I remember having two thoughts: ‘I really hope this doesn’t become a pockmark on our Downtown,’ and ‘I bet there’s already a noise complaint in my email.’ Fortunately, I was wrong about one of those things.”

The Vault occupies three-fourths of the total space of the 400 block of Main Street, with a community park planned for the corner of Northwest Fourth and Main streets. CenterPoint Energy announced a donation to that endeavor in May 2021. Evansville Parks and Recreation Executive Director Danielle Crook says construction is expected to wrap up in late November or early December. Park design plans include a stage to host performances and a four-season bathroom.

Photo of Mayor Stephanie Terry speaking during The Vault on Main grand opening on Oct. 2, 2026, by Alli Wuertz

“We’ve also been waiting for this moment for a very long time, and so I’m glad to be here,” Terry said at the ribbon-cutting. “For years, this was one of the most visible sites in our Downtown. … The big question was, ‘What will come next?’ Today, we have the answer. It’s a nearly $60 million private investment. … This project is a great example of what can happen when the public and private sectors work together for a shared vision.”

A $3.85 million READI grant was part of a state-funded $95 million investment that included The Vault and other projects. Attorney Beth McFadin Higgins, who is a member of the five-person Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, says that investment has brought close to $1 billion back to the region.

“All of this is going to bring students, residents, and visitors into Downtown. They’re going to be knocking on the front doors of Downtown businesses. They’re going to be looking forward to River Vision,” she says. “It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we all come together at all levels, and we think outside the box.”

Your Fall Festival Preview

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October 1, 2026

F-Fall-Festival-1030993-ZS — Photo of West Side Nut Club's Fall Festival by Zach Straw

It’s almost the first full week of October, when the West Side Nut Club’s Fall Festival takes over four blocks of West Franklin Street. Starting Monday, Oct. 5, more than 200,000 attendees (hopefully including you!) will find 130-plus food booths, a wildly popular half-pot raffle, carnival rides, live entertainment, parades, and more at the event that USA Today readers have named the best fall festival in the nation for the fourth consecutive year. For the seasoned Fall Festivalgoer, here are four things making their debut this year.

Festival Mobile App
The Nut Club has entered the 21st century with a festival-focused mobile app. Pull up maps, entertainment schedules, the latest half pot totals, and more information as you balance a giant fried tenderloin sandwich. Speaking of the half pot …

Half Pot Early Bird Drawing
The start of early raffle ticket sales and statewide online sales in 2025 have helped push the half pot over $2 million the past two years. Now, the Nut Club is sweetening the deal with a smaller drawing early in the week. Purchase half pot tickets now through 7 p.m. Oct. 5 for the chance to score an Early Bird Prize of $25,000. Even if you hit “snooze” on Monday’s drawing, a big payout likely awaits: The Half Pot Bot, an “unofficial Fall Festival half pot tracker” developed by freelance graphic designer (and onetime Evansville Living summer intern!) Nick Basham, scans the public half pot feed almost every minute and uses that data to predict the total raised. On Sept. 30, the Half Pot Bot projected this year’s raffle to hit a staggering $3 million.

Photo by Oswald Marketing. Evansville Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit includes Lt. Tyrone Wood and C.J., Lt. Justin Jackson and Thor, and Sgt. Nick Winsett and Midnight.

Police Horse Debut
Saddle up, because Midnight, the latest addition to Evansville Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit, makes its debut at the Fall Festival. After being introduced to the public at a press conference Monday morning, Sgt. Nick Winsett will help Midnight acclimate to the crowds each morning through Wednesday. Thursday through Saturday, Midnight and Winsett will patrol the streets around the festival and help Saturday with traffic for the parade (featuring Grand Marshal and Grammy-winning Evansville native Alisha Gaddis). Bonus: Midnight and other members of EPD’s Mounted Patrol and K9 units have new trading cards.

Booth 41’s New Faces
Grace & Peace Lutheran Church has retired from working the festival, but fans of its famous Donut Burger shouldn’t fear — the Evansville African American Museum has picked up the torch. This summer, church members donated their mobile booth, equipment, grills, utensils, and well-loved recipe to the museum so its tasty legacy can continue. The museum soft-launched the booth Sept. 5 during Family Day festivities. Now, kitchen crews at Booth 41 are ready to whip up the flat-patty burgers sandwiched between glazed doughnuts from Donut Bank that Fall Festivalgoers have come to crave.

Overwhelmed with food options while reading the Munchie Map? Don’t sweat it. Evansville Living readers indulged in sharing their favorite booths while voting in this year’s Best of the City awards. Vanderburgh Humane Society (Booth 75) took home the top prize for its popular vegetarian items and hand-squeezed lemon and “lemorange” shakeups, but readers hardly skipped over their other favorite spots. Here are nine other booths they recommended:

Reitz Varsity Scholarship Club (Booth 65): Fill up on barbecue grippos and smoky pulled pork from Miller’s BBQ & Catering, another 2026 Best of the City winner.
Resurrection Catholic Church (Booth 29): Make room for warm German kutchen, creamy chicken and dumplings, and even pizza.
Germania Maennerchor (Booth 132): The German club’s menu is made for serious eaters, with bratwurst, pork chops, sausage burgers, and its famous kraut balls on the lineup.
Tau Kappa Epsilon (Booth 73): The USI fraternity introduces out-of-towners to River City’ favorites like strombolis, Grippos, and SKI.
SWIRCA & More (Booth 78): Arrive early, because the line quickly gets long for the aging organization’s generously portioned slices of fruit cobbler.
Evansville Day School (Booth 110): This stop doubles as a Hail Mary for tired parents, who can purchase puppy chow, walking tacos, and more kid-friendly snacks. Don’t walk away without a pint of fresh, cold apple cider!
USI Varsity Club (Booth 107): Ribeyes and pork chops headline this reader-favorite stop.
Bible Center Church (Booth 106): Next door to the USI Varsity Club, you’ll find giant fried tenderloin sandwiches, pancake batter-covered pronto pups, and iced tea.
Armstrong Recreation Center (Booth 42): Choose from sweet treats like brownie sundaes, filling entrees such as gumbo, and favorites like the West Sider haystack featuring chili, cheese, and lettuce stacked atop salty Fritos chips.

Want more advice? Here are five things to know before you go, plus food recommendations from Evansville Living staff. Enjoy!

Completing the Connection

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September 25, 2026

1-ORX-(credit-I-69-Ohio-River-Crossing)-WEB — Photo provided by I-69 Ohio River Crossing. Construction is nearly finished on the Indiana approach to the future I-69 bridge over the Ohio River.

With $202 million worth of infrastructure just north of the Ohio River now built, all that’s left to connect Interstate 69 from Indiana to Kentucky is the most costly piece — a four-lane bridge expected to open in 2031.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and other dignitaries gathered Sept. 25 to celebrate the Ohio River Crossing project’s latest milestone: completion of three approach bridges, roadways, and embankments. Work on this phase, called Section 3, started in fall 2024 and was completed by ORX Contractors, a joint venture of Walsh Construction and Traylor Bros.

Braun noted challenges such as the rising cost of construction materials — “50 percent over the last three or four years,” he said — as well as the many years of advocacy to complete I-69 between Indianapolis and Evansville and, now, southbound from the River City.

“It’s taken a lot to get here,” Braun said at the project site. “But the community of Evansville and folks who never let this get out of the attention of the Statehouse, thank you for that. … It’s a big day. And you can count on us to make sure the rest of it gets done.”

The ORX project’s next step is letting a contract for the river crossing. That is expected late this year, with construction slated for spring 2027.

A 2031 opening “is what we are targeting,” Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Lyndsay Quist said. “As we look to pursue an award to a contractor, anything we can do with our partners in Kentucky to speed that up … if there’s any way we can innovate and go faster, we would certainly be open to it.”

Cost estimates for the bridge reached $933 million as of 2025. Project officials say financing will come from toll revenue supplemented by federal funding, as well as dollars from Kentucky and Indiana. According to ORX officials, initial toll rates on the bridge are expected to range from $3.14 for a passenger vehicle with a prepaid account and transponder to $18.62 for a large vehicle without an account or transponder. The rates are similar to those expected to be in place for tolled bridges in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2032.

Braun said tolls are needed to build the I-69 connection in part because efficient vehicle technology is driving down revenue from gas taxes. The governor described tolls as “a dedicated long-term funding source” and “one of the tools in the tool chest.”

Officials hailed the enhanced driver safety the four-lane bridge will bring, and finishing the infrastructure work on each side of the river is a critical step. Kentucky’s approach to the bridge site, known as Section 1, was wrapped up in fall 2025.

Now, officials say it’s time to build the big bridge — Section 2. Braun said the completed interstate stretching from Evansville to Henderson “may arguably be the most important north-to-south connection in the country. The amount of commerce that will move across I-69 from the Mexican border up to Canada is going to be hard to measure.”

A Voice of Her Own

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September 23, 2026

Kenna-Elpers-on-The-Voice-(credit-Griffin-Nagel-NBC)-WEB — Photo of Kenna Elpers' blind audition on Season 30 of "The Voice" by Griffin Nagel/NBC

Kenna Elpers vividly remembers stepping up to her mark, facing the backs of the coaches seated in front of her, taking a deep breath, and belting out a song. Then, a chair turned. A coach wanted her voice.

True, the “coaches” were her 10-year-old friends, the “chairs” were office furniture, and the “set” was her Posey County home. As a child, the aspiring musician dreamed of appearing on “The Voice.” Now, she’s getting her big moment on Season 30 of NBC’s long-running talent competition.

“It’s such a surreal experience,” Elpers, 23, told Evansville Living the morning her audition episode aired. “It’s a very emotional thing. You’re putting yourself out on the line.”

Kenna Elpers photo by Danny Ventrella/NBC

The set at Universal Studios’ Stage 30 is a far cry from Lamasco Bar & Grill (now Ray Leo’s at Lamasco), where her cousin Andrea Wirth — one half of the hit acoustic duo The Honey Vines — invited the then-12-year-old to join her weekly sets. At age 13, the budding singer-songwriter started performing country covers and original tunes at solo shows at The Hornet’s Nest Steakhouse and the former Roca Bar North and Kevin’s Backstage and opened for singer Josh Turner at Lincoln Amphitheatre in Spencer County. “All through high school, I just wanted to be onstage,” she says.

Elpers committed to a career in music. After graduating from North Posey Senior High School in 2021, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and studied music business at Middle Tennessee State University in nearby Murfreesboro. Connections made in Music City helped her score an in-person interview for “The Voice” last summer. She was one of a few dozen singers among thousands of applicants who were selected to shoot televised blind auditions in May in California.

Season 30 of “The Voice” premiered Sept. 21. Elpers appeared Sept. 23 for her “blind audition,” when four celebrity coaches — Kelly Clarkson, Riley Green, Adam Levine, and Queen Latifah are this season’s lineup — listen to contestants while facing away from the stage. Coaches press a button to turn their chairs if they’re interested in adding a voice to the 12-singer team they are building for the competition. “You have 90 seconds to get a turn, and I went in thinking, ‘I just need one to turn,’” she says.

Elpers’ version of Chris Stapleton’s “White Horse” snagged the attention of Queen Latifah and Green — not that Elpers noticed at first. “When I’m onstage, I click into a mode and I’m thinking, ‘This part’s coming up, you need to be ready for that note.’ I didn’t realize Queen Latifah turned around until I heard people cheering,” Elpers laughs. “I looked up, she pointed at me, and I let loose. Viewers will see it on my face when I realize.”

If she thought the blind audition was the hard part, next came an enviable task: choosing her coach between the rap legend and the country musician. “Riley said, ‘I could hear a little bit of nerves on you, Kenna, but I got to thinking, I’m nervous, too. It’s my first time doing something like this. We can be nervous together,’” Elpers recalls. “Queen almost had me, and then Riley said that. I thought, ‘Wow, that really calmed me down. We’re in the same boat.’”

Green and Elpers actually crossed paths several times before “The Voice.” They met while performing at the 2019 Vanderburgh County Fair, where Elpers sang the national anthem and Green, then a rising star, shared a set with Morgan Wallen. Four years later, Elpers opened for Green at a music festival in Missouri. “He’s an artist who has created some wonderful music, and we’ve grown up on a lot of the same music,” she says. As singer-songwriters experiencing their first televised competition, “We can be on the same level, even as a coach and an artist. … Riley as my coach is a full-circle moment.”

Elpers filmed her appearance in the Battle Round on a California soundstage over the summer. Although she’s required to stay mum on whether she advanced, she can talk publicly about her experience on Team Riley, including how she became fast friends with her fellow singers. “You become really close with other artists. You’re all from different places. It felt like we were all at band camp!” she laughs. “I’ve gained some incredible collaborations for the future. I’ve gotten to network. The friendships I’m making, it’s remarkable. You become one big family.”

Also part of the family are those working behind the scenes. “Going in, I thought, ‘This is TV. How are they going to treat us?’ But the producers and the team of people behind the scenes are really there for your best interest. It surprised me a little bit,” she says. “It is considered a competition, but at the end of the day, we’re a team, and teammates work together. That’s what I love the most.”

“The Voice” became a fan favorite TV show for Elpers and her family while she was growing up in Cynthiana, Indiana. Watching episodes with her father Dan, mother Dana, and brothers Kaleb and Josh, “I loved seeing new artists and what kind of music people were making,” Elpers says.

Now, Southwestern Indiana is cheering her on — including at this weekend’s Autumnfest in Poseyville — as Elpers aims for a spot in the Live Shows, which are expected to air over six weeks in November and December.

“My dad does not fly, and my parents went to California to watch the blind auditions,” she says. “They’ve been right next to me through this whole journey, traveling with me, driving me to shows across the Midwest, working long hours so I can do what I love to do. They’re my rock.”

Watch Elpers on Season 30 of “The Voice” when NBC airs new episodes at 7 p.m. Central Time on Mondays and Tuesdays; episodes are available for streaming on Peacock the day after the broadcast. For the first time, Live Shows will stream live on Peacock, with fans voting live via text message and social media. Find information on Elpers’ future shows on her website.

Cafe Culture

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September 23, 2026

1 Honey Moon by Lindsey McIntosh WEB — Honey Moon Coffee Co. photo by Lindsey McIntosh

Evansville Living readers love their caffeine, hence why a category about coffee typically shows up in the annual Best of Evansville contest. The top vote-getters for “Best Locally Owned Coffee Shop” in 2026 include two businesses celebrating 10th anniversaries, a spot noted for celebrity guests, a cafe where you can also get cat cuddles, and a network of nine-plus family-owned shops where you can fill up on award-winning sweet treats.

Coffee flash by Hannah Evelyn Jones, The Secret Garden Tattoo + Cosmetic Studio

1. Honey Moon Coffee Co. (2026 winner for “Best Locally Owned Coffee Shop)
612 S. Weinbach Ave.; 1211 Tutor Lane; 2903 Mount Vernon Ave.; 20 W. Water St., Newburgh
Zac and Jessica Parsons’ nearly 10-year-old business claimed the top prize for coffee for the fifth time, and readers enjoy seasonal sips at four locations. Try the current Lunar Cycle Waffle and monthly autumn-themed drink or the fall drinks menu, which includes a Sweet Cinnamon Cold Brew, Apple Pie Latte, Orange Spiced Chai, PB S’mores Latte, and Teddy Graham Latte.

2. Penny Lane Coffeehouse
600 S.E. Second St.; 601 E. Boonville-New Harmony Road
Follow the lead of former U.S. President Bill Clinton, actor Rob Schneider, and more celebrities who have stopped for a hot sandwich and cup of joe at this Riverside Historic District staple or its newer location near Darmstadt. Fall menu highlights include a Fuchsia Fest Frap, a Dolly Parton tribute brew, and a Blueberry White Mocha Latte nodding at Ethan Douglass & Christian Schmitz’s “Baggy Genes” art show Oct. 23 at Willard Public Library.

3. Donut Bank
5 N. Green River Road; 210 N. Saint Joseph Ave.; 1031 E. Diamond Ave.; 1200 Lincoln Ave.; 1950 Washington Ave.; 2128 N. First Ave.; 4800 W. Lloyd Expressway; 6415 Vieth Lane; 3988 State Route 261, Newburgh
The Kempf family has been known for their award-winning pastries since 1967, and you definitely shouldn’t skimp on those chocolate iced long johns, cinnamon twist Tiger Tails, and cream- and jelly-filled Bismarks. But you also should fuel up on Donut Bank’s house blend, nitro cold brew, and flavored coffees like the caramel-centric Turtle Latte.

4. River Kitty Cat Cafe
226 Main St.
Cats and coffee? Yes, please! Snuggle felines available for adoption from the Vanderburgh Humane Society while sipping a Meowcchiato, Purr Over, Turkish Tabby, and other cat-monikered brews that pair nicely with colorful macarons in more than a dozen flavors. Speaking of colorful, check out Jenna Sharp’s mural near the entrance, which Best of Evansville voters named “Best Mural” in 2026.

5. River City Coffee + Goods
223 Main St.
Heather Vaught’s Downtown coffee spot is pairing National Coffee Day with celebrations for its 10th anniversary A Toast to 10 Years events include a tattoo flash event upstairs at Crescent City Tattoo on Sept. 26, a morning run with Eight12 Run Club on Sept. 27, and crafting with the River Sh*tty Craft Club that afternoon. Stop by River City on National Coffee Day for exclusive merchandise, free coffee with purchase — seasonal drinks include a coconut-cardamom combination and an iced matcha named Hocus Pocus — and a Latte Art Throwdown with cash prizes and for National Coffee Day.

United By Design

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September 21, 2026

1 HAFER-164676-WEB — Photo of Avery Reiter and Jack Faber by Zach Straw

A longtime Evansville business has a new owner, but officials say the partnership will only make the firm stronger.

Architecture, interior design, and engineering firm Hafer on Sept. 9 announced its acquisition by Denver, Colorado-based Galloway & Company. Galloway operates at 21 sites across the U.S. That number now includes Hafer’s locations in Evansville, Owensboro, Kentucky, Carbondale, Illinois, and Columbus, Ohio.

Hafer President Jeff Justice says the decision to seek an operating partnership evolved during the nearly 50-year-old firm’s strategic planning process. After exploring different possibilities, the firm considered Galloway the best fit. “Ultimately, we kept coming back to culture,” Justice says. “We were comfortable with their guiding principles, the fact that they valued their employees, community commitments, and client relationships, and their overall dedication to design excellence.”

“(Hafer is) obviously a firm with a fantastic reputation and client base, and a culture focused on the growth and development of people,” Galloway President of Architecture and Building Services Kristoffer Kenton tells Evansville Business. “That aligned really well with Galloway because we are a people-first organization. Even as we have expanded, people are our No. 1 focus.”

Photo by Zach Straw. Hafer was its own client during the recent renovation of its Downtown Evansville headquarters.

Justice underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to Evansville and its other service areas, where about 70 combined staff members are employed. “We’re not going anywhere,” he says. “It is the same people who this community knows. We will still be intricately involved in the community, providing expanded design services in a more expert way.”

“Our goal is to strengthen what makes Hafer special: its local leadership, its close relationships, and its ability to make a positive impact in Evansville and beyond,” Galloway Chief Executive Officer Dave Guetig added in a Sept. 9 news release.

Hafer’s design thumbprint is on major projects including the Deaconess Aquatic Center, Toyota Indiana YMCA of Gibson County, United Companies Air Center, facilities within the Deaconess and Ascension St. Vincent health systems, the University of Southern Indiana’s Health Professions complex, Wesselman Woods’s Arwood Family Treehouse, and McCutchanville Elementary School. Hafer also completed a multi-level redesign of its Downtown Evansville office space in late 2025.

Justice says the acquisition by Galloway will allow the Hafer team to tap into Galloway’s national architecture and engineering platforms, expanding Hafer’s professional services and resources available to their local clients. He adds that Hafer’s commitment to community involvement will remain: “All of those types of things are important to Galloway, and as I hope everybody knows, important to Hafer.”

For the time being, Hafer’s name will remain visible with the tagline, “A Galloway Company.” Justice and Kenton say there’s no firm timeframe for the company to become known as Galloway. “We want them to maintain that identity as long as they need to facilitate a successful transition,” Kenton says.

A Seal of Excellence

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September 16, 2026

la_campirana_42 — La Campirana photo by Emma Bayens

Best of Evansville voters have long been fans of La Campirana’s authentic cuisine and just named it Best Latin American Restaurant in this year’s Best of Evansville contest. Now, Mexican officials are honoring the business with a major culinary award, just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month.

In late August, the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mexican Academy of Gastronomy awarded La Campirana its Sello M designation. The restaurant joins a list of more than 200 restaurants across the world that demonstrate a true commitment to the authenticity of Mexican cuisine, traditional flavors, quality, cultural identity, and excellence in service.

The fact that La Campirana is one of only 38 U.S. restaurants on the list is an enormous source of pride for co-founder Abraham Brown, who calls the Sello M “one of the most meaningful recognitions we could receive as a Mexican restaurant in the United States.”

“This honor represents everything we have worked toward since opening our doors at Washington Square Mall in 2015,” Brown told Evansville Living in an email. “What started as a small local restaurant with a commitment to serving authentic Mexican food has grown into something we could have never imagined. Eleven years later, La Campirana is being recognized among some of the most authentic Mexican restaurants in the nation.” Aside from La Campirana, the Sello M restaurant closest to Evansville is Carnitas El Tarasco in Indianapolis.

Photo by Zach Straw. La Campirana co-founders Abraham Brown and Ezequiel Campos pose for a photo at their restaurant for a 2017 Evansville Living story.

Brown and Ezequiel Campos started La Campirana small with just a storefront in Washington Square Mall’s food court in 2015. “We thought probably if we had 30 to 50 people coming, we would be OK,” Brown told Evansville Living in 2017. “The first day we had more than 200 people there at the restaurant, and we didn’t advertise or anything. It never went down from 200. It went up and up and up.”

They upgraded to a flagship restaurant at 724 N. Burkhardt Road and in 2024 added a second location at Main Street Food & Beverage at 900 Main St. La Campirana’s traditional Mexican birria often gets rave reviews, as do the gorditas, tortas, and flautas. “The food is a reflection of how our community has been enriched with the different cultural heritages we now celebrate in Evansville. It’s not just diversity through race, but it’s diversity in flavors, too,” Brown told Evansville Living in 2019 for its “Mex in the City” feature story. “With our gorditas, we want to make sure people understand it’s not just an item on our menu. It’s a way to tell a story through that item by being able to say this is the food the indigenous ate even before they were colonized by the Spaniards. It is a celebration of our culture (that) we still celebrate now.”

Mexican Consular authorities will visit Evansville on Oct. 30 to officially award the Sello M designation to La Campirana.

“This recognition is a celebration of our commitment to authenticity, flavor, quality, culture, and service, but it is also something we are extremely proud to bring home to Evansville,” Brown says. “We are not only representing La Campirana, we are representing Evansville and the entire Tri-State region on a national stage.”

Hungry For More?
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 at one of these businesses that Best of Evansville voters named the top 10 Latin American restaurants of 2026:

La Campirana: 724 N. Burkhardt Road; 900 Main St. (2026 Best of Evansville winner)
Los Bravos Mexican Restaurant: 3534 N. First Ave.; 4630 W. Lloyd Expressway; 6226 Waterford Blvd.
Sazón y Fuego: 8666 Ruffian Lane, Newburgh
La Plaza Restaurant: 420 S. Green River Road
Taqueria y Pupuseria Miranda: 2008 Washington Ave.
El Paisano Restaurant: 311 S. Green River Road
Hacienda Mexican Restaurant: 600 E. Boonville-New Harmony Road; 711 N. First Ave.; 990 S. Green River Road; 5440 Pearl Drive
Noche Cantina & Cocina: 2215 W. Franklin St.
Gollita Peruvian Cuisine: 4313 E. Morgan Ave., Suite H
Riviera Mexican Grill: 10604 State Road 662, Newburgh

River Watch

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September 14, 2026

1 mcintosh_patrol_boat_2_WEB — Photo by Lindsey McIntosh. Evansville Police Sgts. Mark Saltzman and John Montgomery pilot the Riverwolf away from Marina Pointe on July 26, 2026.

“Hey, folks! How are you doing today? Out catching fish or just sun?”

To anyone listening, this sounds like a typical conversation between passing boaters. And while the exchange is brief and friendly, the sleek boat being piloted by Evansville Police Sgt. John Montgomery is not out on the Ohio River for a pleasure cruise.

Launched in April, the Joint River Patrol Unit operated by the Evansville Police Department and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office gives the water around Evansville a consistent law enforcement presence, something it has lacked for more than 25 years.

Photo of EPD Sgts. John Montgomery and Mark Saltzman aboard the Riverwolf by Lindsey McIntosh

“Presence is prevention,” says co-pilot and EPD Sgt. Mark Saltzman. “People know we’re out here, and we have as many positive interactions as we can.”

Vanderburgh County had a river patrol until the mid-1990s, when its vessel broke and there wasn’t money for repairs. After that, “we were completely dependent on Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, but they don’t have manpower,” Sheriff Noah Robinson says. The U.S. Coast Guard, whose regional office operates out of Louisville, Kentucky, does not have regular inland river patrols on the waters around Evansville.

Local river patrols look for violations of local, state, and federal boating laws, and law enforcement personnel can issue citations and even make arrests. When an Evansville Business writer and photographer joined a patrol in late July, the unit had responded a few calls about stranded boaters but no water accidents. Saltzman says most of the unit’s work is spotting and addressing potentially unsafe actions, such as unlit vessels after dark, intoxicated boaters, and the improper use of life preservers. “Few people out here have the intent to do wrong — they just don’t know they’re doing something wrong,” he says.

Robinson credits volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary public affairs officer Rob Henson for helping revive the local river patrol by applying for a grant through the U.S. Coast Guard Port Security program and Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Rob did the heavy lifting,” Robinson says, noting that the idea of a city-county partnership sparked during the application process. “It was very competitive. Other local agencies also applied,” he says. “Our application was more attractive if it were a joint operation with the city.”

Once the grant was approved, local officials purchased the 200-horsepower twin-engine watercraft from Metal Shark Boats and had it outfitted with a depth gauge and side-imaging sonar for underwater search operations. Robinson says the grant paid for 75 percent of the total cost, which was around $306,000. Local personnel picked up the outfitted boat in Louisiana and tested it in the Gulf of Mexico. (Its sonar picked up crab pots.)

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After the boat — named Riverwolf — was delivered in fall 2025, EPD and VCSO selected 18 personnel — evenly split between the agencies — from internal applicants to attend boating safety, tactical, and rescue training exercises with Louisville Metro Police and Jeffersonville Police Department in Kentucky. Shifts are manned by 2-3 deputies and officers, who serve on an overtime basis. An April 17 press release from the Sheriff’s Office says a separate grant from the Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement will pay for overtime accrued from river patrol assignments.

The vessel was christened by city and county officials April 17 in a ceremony at Dress Plaza. Operated on weekends during the traditional boating season from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the patrol — call sign: River One — covers approximately 36 miles of shoreline from the Warrick to Posey county lines. This area includes the Port of Evansville as well as the sides of the river technically in Kentucky.

Montgomery and Saltzman, who worked together at the Posey County Sheriff’s Office before joining EPD in 2008, volunteered for the joint unit since both grew up on the water. “Many guys on the unit have their own boats and experience on the water, but some of them have never even been on a boat,” Saltzman says. “Our job as more experienced officers is to get them up to speed.”

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The unit is available to assist neighboring jurisdictions, fulfilling another need: Robinson says that aside from Evansville Fire Department, Indiana’s DNR, and Perry Township first responders, no other regional agencies have a river patrol unit.

“Evansville is a city on the water, but it’s not a water city,” Saltzman says. “The boating community is mostly on weekends.” Since they encounter mostly recreational boaters, they stock the vessel with gear such as life rings, rescue throw ropes, medical kits, an AED, and personal flotation devices.

The Joint River Patrol Unit can be deployed for special events that see increased recreational boating activity, such as this summer’s Independence Day fireworks shows in Evansville and Henderson, Kentucky. Fireworks are launched from a barge in the Ohio River, meaning a permit to use the federal waterway for the show is required from the captain of the port in Ohio. Montgomery says the unit patrolled 500 feet in all directions, the typical safety zone around a barge.

Whether encountering a family spending an afternoon on the water or a 1,500-ton barge transporting grain toward the Newburgh Lock & Dam, Saltzman says Joint River Patrol Unit’s goal is consistent: “We educate when we can and enforcement when we have to.”

Small City, Big Arts

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September 10, 2026

Barbecue on the River, Sept. 24-26

3R9A0064 — Photo of Barbecue on the River provided by Paducah Travel

Although the drive on I-69 is spectacular during autumn’s multi-hued foliage, any season is perfect for visiting Paducah, Kentucky, which is in elite company as one of only 10 U.S. cities recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for its creative heritage.

The UNESCO Creative City program was launched in 2004, and Paducah is easily the smallest community in a group that includes San Antonio, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Detroit, Michigan; and New Orleans, Louisiana. Paducah’s 2013 designation is for Crafts and Folk Art, an award it shares with global cities including Icheon, South Korea; Tunis, Tunisia; Cairo, Egypt; and Perth, Australia.

“The designation validates what our creative community has been building for years, and it gives us this powerful language to connect with visitors who aren’t just looking for a quick weekend getaway,” says Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Alyssa Phares.

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How did a city of only 26,730 people pull off such a feat? Start with the National Quilt Museum, whose colorful, elaborate creations by quilters across the world have attracted more than 1 million guests since opening in 1991. Temporary exhibits shine a contemporary light on a skill that some associate with past generations. “We’re a quilt museum for today’s quilters,” explains Curator Rachael Baar, who also is a former Henderson, Kentucky resident.

Also boosting Paducah’s UNESCO Creative City push was its acclaimed artist relocation effort, dating back to the 1990s, in the city’s Lower Town Arts District. A stroll through Lower Town brings sights of murals, galleries, and Victorian, Greek Revival, and Italianate architecture. The neighborhood’s volume is turned up every May when a two-day arts and music festival draws thousands of visitors.

Passion For The Arts

The UNESCO designation has boosted Paducah’s identity as an arts-centric community throughout the year, says Landee Bryant, owner of Bricolage Art Collective. Bryant’s Downtown shop is within walking distance of Lower Town as well as Paducah’s mural-lined Ohio River flood wall, and it’s packed with artisans’ handiwork. Bryant also curates art exhibitions at other Paducah locations, including nearby restaurant Freight House (more on that shortly).

Photo of Bricolage Art Collective owner Landee Bryant by John Martin

“When I do get tourists in here, a lot of them say their perception of Paducah has been one thing and they find out it’s something else, which is kind of fun to see through other people’s eyes,” Bryant says. “I think just Paducah as a whole — our restaurants, our shops, our music scene, beautiful historic architecture — has cool spots that have different vibes.”

Kimberly Story, owner of the nearby Lepa Jewelry shop, agrees. She sees several out-of-towners, including those stepping off Ohio River cruise vessels. “Paducah is stark full of talent, the theater shows are like New York quality. The musicians are great. The food, you can’t go wrong. And, the jewelry is magnificent,” she says with a laugh.

In addition to the aforementioned Lower Town Arts and Music Festival, Paducah’s music scene includes the city’s Symphony Orchestra — during a spring visit, Evansville Living was treated to the orchestra’s first classical-bluegrass collaboration featuring performers such as Hickman, Kentucky, singer-songwriter S.G. Goodman.

Food For Thought

Where to eat in Paducah? Locals recommend Freight House, a dinner-only Downtown destination that has gained notice beyond Western Kentucky. Owned and operated by Sara Bradley — whose accolades include being a runner-up on the Food Network show “Tournament of Champions” and Bravo’s “Top Chef” — Freight House specializes in Southern-style cuisine with an upscale twist. The menu is tweaked seasonally, but choices such as shrimp and grits, smothered cabbage, catfish, and steaks remain all year.

Photo of Abstraction Spirits by John Martin

Stella’s tavern at Broadway Street and Market House Square sits in a property dating to the 1880s and offers lunch, an upscale dinner menu, and signature cocktails. Paducah also is all-in on the Bluegrass State’s barbecue tradition, with 11 restaurants included in the West Kentucky BBQ Belt.

For bourbon (this is Kentucky, after all), check out Abstraction Spirits, which combines fine sips with Paducah’s love of fine art. The distillery’s in-house, horse-racing-themed label art is by Louisville, Kentucky, artist Keith Anderson. Browse and imbibe on Friday and Saturday nights, or schedule a tour and see how the spirits are made.

Come In And Rest

When you’re ready to lay your head down, the Belle Louise Historic Bed & Breakfast is an Italianate treasure in the heart of Lower Town. The Belle Louise dates to 1879 and was a funeral home for many years, hosting a 1956 visitation for 35th U.S. Vice President Alben Barkley. The property has five guest rooms, including four suites, and is decked out for Christmas every winter. Cary and Melinda Winchester, a pair of passionate local preservationists, took ownership in 2019. In addition to cooking made-from-scratch breakfasts each weekend, they’re glad to help steer your visit — Melinda is a former director of Paducah Main Street.

The Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau (which is branded as Paducah Travel) is the city’s focal point with the UNESCO Creative City program. Phares, the CVB’s President and CEO, says a goal is to use the designation to broaden the city’s reach. “They’re looking for authenticity, for places where they can actually engage with artists and makers, where the culture is alive and not just on display. That’s opened doors with travelers who care about supporting local creativity, who want to learn a craft or be part of something meaningful. It’s helped us reach beyond the traditional tourism audience and build relationships with people who are genuinely invested in what makes Paducah unique. The designation is really a tool for telling a bigger story about who we are.”

These autumn events in Paducah are worth the drive:

Cars & Guitars, Sept. 19 and Oct. 17
Paducah’s monthly classic car and live music series closes out the season with show vehicles lining Broadway Street northeast to the riverfront and includes live bands, food, and shopping.

Smoky flavor wafts along the Ohio River as regional pitmasters compete and serve up barbecue for a good cause — proceeds support local charities. Expect craft vendors, live entertainment, and a kickoff party called PorkStock.

Oktoberfest, Oct. 17
Maiden Alley Cinema‘s annual cultural festival brings Bavarian-style food (courtesy of West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s Culinary Arts program), local craft beer and cider, live music, and stein-holding and keg-squat contests to Downtown Paducah. Admission is $20.

American Bluegrass Classic, Oct. 17
This flat, fast marathon, half marathon, and four-person relay loops through Downtown and the Lower Town Arts District to the Avondale Heights neighborhood. Up to 1,200 runners are expected, starting and finishing in Historic Downtown before spilling right into the Oktoberfest celebration. Registration is $70-$100 plus fees.

Best of the City 2026

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September 10, 2026

What makes the River City stand out? For 25 years, readers have answered that question in Evansville Living’s Best of the City awards. From the top spot for a fried tenderloin to the perfect place to score vintage threads, here are this year’s winners — plus a few shoutouts from editors.

Best Jeweler

Brinker’s Jewelers
Wherever there’s a green box, readers know they’re about to receive something special. And they’ve remained loyal: Brinker’s Jewelers has won top jewelry honors for 14 years running, and numerous years before that. The family jewelers recognize that loyalty: “For more than 50 years, Brinker’s Jewelers has proudly served the Evansville community with knowledge, integrity, quality fine jewelry, and personalized customer service,” says CFO and Chief Marketing Officer Kyle Brinker.

Best Brunch

The Hornet’s Nest Steakhouse
We were on to something when Evansville Living Creative Director Laura Mathis chose a photo of the Hornet’s Nest’s popular take on eggs Benedict — the Nest Benedict — for the cover of the March/April issue. Our choice was prescient: Hornet’s Nest returns this year as Best Brunch. The restaurant puts it plainly on its website: “Brunch is not a meal. Brunch is a competition. And we’re winning.” Located in Scott Township in an old community once called Earle, The Hornet’s Nest serves brunch Saturday and Sunday.

Best Place to Take Visitors or Out-of-Town Guests

New Harmony, Indiana
Readers may have taken the “out-of-town” part a little too far, literally. Although Evansville Living editors intended that the visitor — not the destination — was from elsewhere, the top vote-getter, New Harmony, produced a laugh in our office when results came in: “The best place to take outof- town guests is … out of town!” Despite our new favorite inside joke, we can agree: Between the peaceful Roofless Church and the winding labyrinth, to the quaint Downtown shops and a fascination with fireflies, New Harmony is special. “This town grabs people,” Caper’s Emporium owner Mary Beth Guard told Evansville Living in 2024.

Best Way to Know The Weather’s Getting Bad

Wayne Hart Removes His Jacket
After 33 years as WEHT-TV’s Chief Meteorologist, Wayne Hart knows how to reach his audience: Taking off his suit jacket signals that severe weather is brewing and “you need to tune in,” says Philip R. Hooper, a broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Indiana Realty. Even the color of his shirt is a clue. “When Wayne knows the weather will be bad, he wears a light blue shirt,” says Brent Zerby, WEHT’s Production Manager. The reason: A white shirt on camera can produce a too-bright glow if the face is light, too. So, Hart got into the habit of wearing cool hues if he anticipates having to doff his jacket. “If viewers notice the light blue shirt, it’s a telltale sign,” Zerby says.

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Best Women’s Clothing Boutique

Schön Boutique
“Why dress ordinary. Anyone can wear jeans.” That was a social media post this summer from Schön Boutique, readers’ favorite clothing spot three years running. Owner Kelley Borman opened the shop on Franklin Street in 2014 and moved it to the sunny yellow home at Michigan Street and Wabash Avenue in 2017. Schön shoppers cite the boutique’s personalized service, charming atmosphere, and the idea, as one reviewer posted, that “they don’t carry a million of everything, so there is a great variety of items and you don’t have to worry about seeing yourself all over town.”

Best Local Artist

Monte Skelton
In a hotbed of musical talent, Monte Skelton is one of the brightest stars. He first picked up a saxophone when he joined the fifth-grade band. Today, the multi-instrumentalist is a repeat Best of Evansville honoree, racking up five awards for Best Musician in the last 11 years and landing on 2020’s “Best of Evansville” cover. Skelton is constantly on the go and makes regular stops at Mo’s House in Haynie’s Corner Arts District and Entwined Wine & Cocktail Bar on Main Street — check out his Loops & Rhythms shows there every month.

Best Latin American Restaurant

La Campirana
Making its fourth appearance on this list, La Campirana’s success story is extending beyond the River City: As this issue went to press, the restaurant was named one of only 38 U.S. establishments to receive a Sello M distinction from the Mexican government and the Mexican Academy of Gastronomy that honors restaurants abroad for demonstrating a commitment to traditional flavors, quality, cultural identity, and excellent service. “It’s one of the most meaningful recognitions we could receive as a Mexican restaurant in the United States,” La Campirana cofounder Abraham Brown says.

Best Place to Play Pickleball

Wesselman Park
Not just a passing fad, pickleball has become a way of life for people of all ages whose social schedules are driven by paddles and hollow plastic spheres. Wesselman Park offers a pickleball player’s paradise. With 16 courts and amenities including restrooms and water fountains, the complex is a free spot to enjoy the growing sport with family or friends. Stay out of the kitchen and dink to your heart’s content at this centrally located spot, which opened in 2024 and has since become a big dill for pickleballers of all skill levels.

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Place to Celebrate a Special Occasion

The Cork ‘N Cleaver
Old school charm still rules. For special occasions, the Cork ‘N Cleaver — taking its 16th award since 2001 — delivers on a retro steak house vibe, solid grilled entrées, and the famous salad bar complete with house-made croutons, a signature pasta salad, pickled herring, and anchovies. It opened in 1974 and has stood out by presenting its signature dinner menu on a cleaver. (We did find a 1970s-era lunch menu for sale on eBay.) With an early bird menu from 4-5:30 p.m., there’s no reason to wait for a special occasion to visit The Cork.

Best Tattoo Studio

The Secret Garden Tattoo + Cosmetic Studio
At The Secret Garden, owner Rosalie Coston and fellow tattoo artist Hannah Evelyn Jones create masterpieces in “a space that is professional, art forward, inviting, and just truly joyful,” Coston says. Since opening on Main Street in July 2024, “The Secret Garden blows my original dream right out of the water,” she says. Both enjoy tattooing Lady Faces, but while Coston calls Jones “the queen of making it look like a literal painting or piece of fine art, I live for those classic traditional-style faces.” “I love how we push each other as artists and service providers,” Jones adds. Regardless of the design, Coston says, they deliver the same heartfelt message: “Every single person deserves to love their skin.”

Best Game Plan

River City Classic
Better late than never: The city’s two Division I men’s college basketball teams will finally square off in a regular season game on Nov. 7 at Ford Center — University of Evansville’s home court, but a neutral site for this long-awaited matchup. The River City Classic is a wish come true for local hoops fans who hope it’s the first of many contests between the Purple Aces and Screaming Eagles. Not to be outdone, both schools’ women’s basketball teams have penned a four-game contract starting in 2027-28, with host sites trading off. Game on!

Best Pizza

Turoni’s Pizzery & Brewery
Walking into Turoni’s cozy interior, you may notice a family birthday party, bar patrons competing over trivia questions, a tableside magic show, or even USI Men’s Basketball Head Coach Stan Gouard recording his latest podcast. No matter the occasion, pizza is at the heart of it, and Turoni’s cracker-thin square slices have drawn hungry patrons since 1963. In fact, this year’s honor gives Turoni’s 18 “Best of Evansville” awards — more than any other restaurant winner. So, take a cue from readers and carve up a Stromboli Pie paired with garlic cheese toast and a house-brewed beer.

Best Place to Discover Local History

Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science
It’s easy to visualize the way Evansville has moved history by visiting this 48,000-square-foot facility on the Ohio River. Sections devoted to visual art, local history, and science brim with mixed media sculptures, World War II artifacts, and historical photos of the River City throughout the years. Current exhibits follow Evansville’s founding in 1812 through its manufacturing might. Outdoors, visitors can pretend they’re boarding a train at the former Louisville & Nashville Railroad Station or the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Depot when they walk through a real 1908 steam engine, 1926 club car, and 1900s-era caboose.

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Best Restaurant for Patio Dining

Cafe Arazu
Al fresco choices have expanded in recent years, but patios with river views remain scarce, making Cafe Arazu’s perch along Newburgh’s bustling Jennings Street all the more special. Preparing for patio season is a family affair for owner Cathy Webb: Her brother and grandchildren get in on the action by planting the terraced patio. Fresh Mediterranean food and drinks are the main draw, but the outdoor space invites you to stay awhile. “People say it is the way the staff feels at Cafe Arazu that makes them feel welcome and at home,” Webb told Evansville Living in the May/June issue.

Best Fall Festival Booth

Vanderburgh Humane Society, Booth 75
Residents regularly rally around the Vanderburgh Humane Society, and since 2017, that includes at the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival. Amanda Coburn, director of advancement, says that on Oct. 5-10, VHS will again present six popular vegetarian items: fried green tomatoes, fried green beans, deep-fried macaroni and cheese, and hand-squeezed lemon and “lemorange” shakeups, plus a sampler platter. “It’s our second-largest fundraising event,” Coburn says, adding that Fall Festival proceeds cover a week of payroll for VHS’ animal care staff. “Doing it for this long, it thankfully runs, for the most part, like a well-oiled machine!”

Best Home Decor Shop

Gehlhausen Boutique
While repeat winner Gehlhausen Boutique is known today as a boutique for upscale home decor, gifts, furniture, apparel, and floral design, its origins were decidedly more utilitarian. Gehlhausen’s evolution mirrors the changing American home. It began by selling the products people used to paint their homes, then shifted to helping them decorate them, and today focuses on helping customers live beautifully in them. Owner Vikki Oxley called it a “one-stop shop” when she spoke to Evansville Living in 2023: “You can find something for any occasion, anybody you know, that is in style.”

Best Bartender

Jessica Nuffer, Bokeh Lounge
Hardly just a bartender, Jessica Nuffer also is a co-partner at Bokeh Lounge, but her behind-the-bar friendliness and skills have been known since her days working at long-closed haunts such as Duck Inn, Funky’s, Harpole’s Main Street Exit, and Village Saloon. Nuffer told Evansville Living in 2025 that she still loves the science of mixing a perfect cocktail — “I’m kind of geeky like that,” she explained — and readers know a good time awaits when Nuffer is on duty.

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Best High School Sports Rivalry

Reitz & Mater Dei
Rivals on the playing field and neighbors in the community, F.J. Reitz and Mater Dei high schools define the West Side’s allegiances. Their annual football series dates to 1952, and since 1970, the winner has taken home the West Side Nut Club Golden Acorn Trophy. The historic Reitz Bowl, home to both teams, holds more than 10,000 fans, and at the next annual matchup Oct. 16, you’ll see Panthers navy and gray mixed with Wildcat red and gold. On a fall Friday night, it doesn’t get much better than Reitz vs. Mater Dei on the gridiron.

Best Place to Get an Entrée Salad

Bru Burger Bar
After moving into the old Greyhound Bus Station in 2016, this regional burger chain quickly became a Downtown favorite, but not just for sandwiches. The five-time winner gets spicy with the Sriracha Caesar Salad or goes sweet with the Gorgonberry Pecan, mixing Italian blue cheese with cranberries, candied pecans, and bacon, topped with cranberry-poppyseed dressing. Fat-pattied burgers and custom cocktails remain the top draw, but next time you dine in, give the guacamole-and-boiled-egg-topped Buttermilk Cobb Salad a go.

Best Place to Play Trivia

Myriad Brewing Company
Trivia nights have become a trendy way for friends to bond over a fun, competitive activity. Myriad’s taproom in Newburgh is an ideal spot to round up a team and put your collective knowledge to the test — and a few lucky guesses never hurt. Myriad’s trivia nights typically are on Tuesdays, and in addition to a top craft beer selection, there’s often a visiting food truck. Myriad welcomes leashed dogs as well, even though they likely won’t help your trivia squad.

Best Place for a Frozen Treat

Lic’s Deli & Ice Cream
For 76 years, Lloyd’s Ice Cream Shoppes — Lic’s, for short — has stacked its scoops higher in the hearts of area residents. And it’s still the same recipe — made fresh at the restaurant’s Downtown location, one of five locally — that has made this deli an 11-time winner. Its cold confections don’t stop at soft serve and sorbet; the menu also includes cakes, smoothies, milkshakes, floats, turtle pie, and slushies, as well as the hardshell-covered choco creams, licschip frozen sandwiches, and lic’scicle push pops.

Best Running Route

USI-Burdette Trail
Our region is blessed with plenty of attractive pedestrian paths, but this three-mile paved stretch connecting the University of Southern Indiana and Burdette Park is a woodsy jewel. Mostly flat but with enough hills to offer a challenge, the trail is an ideal place to walk, run, bike, hike, and skate. Trailheads near USI’s Liberty Arena and Burdette’s Discovery Lodge make access easy, and although picturesque at any time of year, we love to tackle it when fall foliage is showing off. The trail has received accolades from beyond the River City: In 2008 — four years before its full completion — the U.S. Secretary of the Interior named it a National Recreation Trail.

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Best Locally Owned Coffee Shop

Honey Moon Coffee Co.
For many readers, the day starts with a jolt of java from one of this coffee shop’s four locations. A five-time honoree since opening in 2016, it’s become a popular place for meetings, catchups, and study sessions over iced baklava lattes and Salty Dog Cold Brews. Rotating seasonal menus keep things fresh. After a decade in operation, Jessica Parsons, who owns the shop alongside her husband, Zac, told Evansville Living in the January/February issue that the most rewarding part is “the kids who grew up with their parents taking them, and now they’re super fans.”

Best Place to Find a Unique Gift

The Exchange
Located in a World War II munitions plant, today The Exchange is the destination for interior design, gifts, and antiquing. After Ann and Troy Tornatta bought the 90-year-old building in 2022 — she appreciated the “historic strip center vibe” — she started Tickled Pink with Kathryn Nix, selling vintage interior decor and garden supplies. Six more shops have joined — Vintage House 812, Treasures, Rotations, The Happy Coconut Resale, Black Cat Antiques, Karen’s Upscale Resale, and, soon, Mason D’Orsay Antiques — leading shoppers to the perfect present.

Best Massage Therapist

Emily Adams, Ascend Massage & Bodywork
Feeling stressed or busy beyond reason? Press “pause” and unwind under the expert touch of Ascend Massage & Bodywork owner Emily Adams, who one client raved has “hands blessed by God.” Adams helps clients relax and rejuvenate, mixing services with clever names (“Solely Grounded” for a foot massage, “Thermal Reset” for a hot stone treatment) with advanced techniques like lymphatic drainage and Kinetic Chain Release. Here, self-care goes deep, leaving clients refreshed and soothed. Marking 10 years in business in 2026, we think Adams’ “Best of the City” award is the icing on Ascend’s anniversary cake.

Best Place to Swing a Golf Club

Evansville Country Club
The city’s oldest golf course still ranks high. Founded in 1900 as a fishing and dining club, Evansville Country Club began with 101 members, who reorganized under the current name in 1908 and shifted their focus to golf, completing the front nine shortly afterward and the back nine in 1927. Today, the club serves more than 700 members, and its golf course has hosted the championship round of the Men’s City Golf Tournament since 1930, plus annual charity tournaments. A $6.5 million renovation completed in 2023 modernized the course and improved its layout.

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Best Local Mural

River Kitty Cat Cafe
Painted just outside the Main Street shop’s front door is a colorful, retro-style testament to what feline adventures await inside. The great selfie spot was created in 2020 through a University of Southern Indiana Endeavor Award grant by 2019 art alumna Jenna Sharp, and the cafe has seen nearly 1,700 cats find homes since the Vanderburgh Humane Society took ownership the prior year. “You can stop in for a coffee or sweet treat and end up leaving with your new best friend,” CEO Kendall Paul says.

Best Caterer

Miller’s Catering
Barbecue is what Miller’s does, and Warren and Dianna Miller have it down to a smoky, tasty science. Meat choices include slow-cooked, Saint Louis-style ribs, smoked salmon, pulled pork, prime beef brisket, smoked chicken breast, and smoked kielbasa. Catering customers also fill up on sides including mac and cheese, brisket baked beans, garlic herb mashed potatoes, and even tacos, burgers, and hot dogs. If you need catering for a 25-person luncheon, a 500-guest extravaganza, or something in between, Miller’s always brings the heat.

Person Who Gets Things Done

Mayor Stephanie Terry
As the first woman and first Black mayor of Evansville, Stephanie Terry has championed neighborhood revitalization through initiatives such as Block by Block and Fight Blight. She’s also been a staunch advocate for public safety, backing salary increases for police officers and firefighters. A graduate of Benjamin Bosse High School and the University of Evansville, Terry has become her hometown’s most public face since her historic 2023 election, and Evansville Living readers are noticing results.

Best Plant or Flower Shop

Emerald Design
Whitney Muncy’s four-year-old Downtown shop is like a Swiss Army knife for fans of flora. Green-thumb shoppers can stock up on polka-dot begonias and silver brake fern. Customers clueless about whether pincushion flowers and thistle go together are guided by an expert florist. Prom-goers and wedding parties can order flower crowns, corsages, and even floral pocket squares. Those wanting to sharpen their skills can take classes on flower pressing and terrarium building. Outside-the-container services include subscriptions for fresh flowers and plants, plus a Propagation Station with fresh cuttings to start your own garden.

Best Restaurant to Order Takeout (TIE)

Pangea Kitchen and Wasabi Evansville
Readers say Pangea and Wasabi’s globally influenced flavors hit just right when you want to dine at home. Pop open a box from Pangea and absorb the sight and scent of a Thai delicacy, a Neapolitan-style pizza seared at 900 degrees in a wood-fired oven, or a deep-dish, Detroit-style pie. Wasabi’s sushi choices range from traditional to tricked out and pair well with a big heap of fried rice in the middle. The best thing about ordering takeout from either spot? It’s a short walk to the fridge to stash your leftovers.

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Best Place to Buy Artisan Crafts

Rare Bird Gifts & Goods
Searching for a recycled sari cloth blanket or soapstone bowls? How about a knit beanie and matching hand warmers? If the item is off the beaten path, you’ll likely find it at this shop on Lincoln Avenue near Saint James Boulevard. Michael and Cary Gray and their daughter, Olivia Wright, have spent more than a decade sourcing eclectic items to display in their East Side shop. With the recent addition of Inman Art & Frames, “People seem really happy about being able to make it a one-stop shop,” Michael told Evansville Business this summer.

Hairstylist You Trust Most With Scissors

Racheal Truitt, Shannon Aleksandr’s Salon & Spa
It takes a leap of faith to trust the person wielding shears at your head. Good thing Racheal Truitt is a pro. “She’s great at short haircuts, beautifully cut bobs, and intricate highlighting,” says Taylor Croft, Truitt’s coworker at Shannon Aleksandr’s Salon & Spa. “Her color placement brings out people’s natural beauty.” Truitt, a Shannon Aleksandr’s stylist since 2009, is known for more than her talent. “Her energy draws people in,” says fellow stylist Eric Croft. “Once you sit in her chair, she’s an amazing listener.” And when clients get up to leave, they feel like themselves — but better.

Best New Hardware

Evansville Thunderbolts
After scoring their first SPHL President’s Cup in April 2025, the Thunderbolts skated into the 2025-26 season with one mission: defending their title. Led by Captain Matt Hobbs, the squad made good on its goal, downing the No. 1-ranked Rivermen of Peoria, Illinois, on May 9 for an unprecedented second straight title. “To win two championships back-to-back … it’s so hard to do. If I could bottle it and sell it, I’d be a millionaire right now,” Head Coach Jeff Bes said during the team’s celebration rally. Thunderbolts emcee Dan Katz applauded the team in an early 2026 story: “The guys compete their hearts out and fight every minute.”

Best Diner or Cafe

Nellie’s Restaurant
Nellie’s is on top for meals enjoyed in a comfortable atmosphere. Since Renee and José Jimenez gave the original Newburgh site a sister on North First Avenue in 2024, its popularity with diners has only grown. The restaurant’s two prior appearances on this list noted its craveable breakfast selections of fluffy pancakes and waffles, savory omelets and skillets, and classic French toast, but there’s a wider menu to be explored. Hand-breaded tenderloins, smothered pork chops, country fried steak, and sandwiches and gyros keep this place packed all day long.

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Best Food Truck

The Pizza Revolution
It’s no surprise to see this double-decker bus back for the seventh time. Stephanie and Aaron Peckenpaugh’s Neapolitan pizzas have been a staple at Farm 57 and other regional events for more than a decade. In each pie, locals get a taste of fresh ingredients from a wood-fired oven reaching more than 1,000 degrees and producing 120 pies an hour. Popular slices include the sweet and spicy Buzz Kill’a, gorgonzola and prosciutto-based Fig N’ Pig, and mushroom-laden Fun Guy.

Best Asian Restaurant

Ma T 888 China Bistro
Twenty years after Jane Tang and Lin Ma opened this East Side staple, diners still compliment the friendly atmosphere and the delicious cooking. Eat in or take out a variety of Cantonese and Chinese-fusion dishes, including popular choices like crab rangoon, spicy garlic chicken, lo mein, egg drop soup, and pork spring rolls served on a white tablecloth. Groups can order a Royal Queen or King dinner for 2-5 people. Ma T’s popularity with readers is clear: It’s landed on this list four times.

Best Place to Take Your Dog

Evansville State Hospital Grounds
The 88-acre green space between Lincoln Avenue, Vann Avenue, and the Lloyd Expressway has long been a favorite for dog walking, and even more pups have arrived with the recent addition of widened footpaths and the 2024 opening of KC’s Barkville at Woodmere dog park. Walk up the recently regraded hill to the SWIMGA Display Garden, where dogs on leashes are welcome.

Best Tenderloin Sandwich

Hilltop Inn
Chances are you’ll want a knife and fork for Hilltop Inn’s take on Indiana’s signature pork tenderloin, which is pounded thin, handbreaded, and cooked until it curls over the bun. (Hilltop will bring it to you on white, wheat, or rye bread, if you prefer). The juicy cut comes with onion and pickle; add a slice of cheese or give the grilled version a try. Dine like a true West Sider and get German potato salad on the side and a frosty fishbowl of beer.

Best Place to Hear Live Music

Bokeh Lounge
A repeat winner, Bokeh Lounge welcomes local, regional, and touring performers across genres in an intimate indoor venue and lively outdoor stage that anchors the Haynie’s Corner Arts District. Local drummer Gregg Martin says, “My experience playing music at Bokeh Lounge has always been a fun event. Our group, The BackBeats, have played numerous gigs there and the crowd has always been very receptive of our Beatles tribute sets. The staff is also kind and professional.”

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Best Vintage Store

Philthy Vintage
What’s old is new at Phil Ashenbremer’s namesake vintage shop. The 2014 Castle High School graduate combs estate sales, thrift shops, antique stores, and flea markets for top-quality sports jerseys, concert tees, ballcaps, and pins, then resells them at his Franklin Street shop, which quickly became a West Side staple when it opened in 2020. This year, an East Side location joined the fray at Weinbach and Lincoln avenues, perfect for University of Evansville students hoping to score old-school Aces jerseys. The hunt is only part of the fun. Discovering a Central High School cardigan from 1945? Priceless.

Best Place to Birdwatch

Wesselman Woods
You’ll find plenty of flying friends among the city’s old-growth forest — at 310 acres, it’s the largest urban tract in the U.S. “This forest has quietly persisted while generations of people have come and gone,” Wesselman Woods Co-Executive Director and Marketing and Events lead Kristina Arwood told Evansville Living this summer. Bring your binoculars and see if you spot the American kestrel, Mississippi kite, sharpshinned hawk, great horned owl, or, if you’re lucky, a bald eagle. “Eagles are my favorite because they are our national symbol,” Gibson County resident and birdwatcher Charles Kiesel told Evansville Living in 2025.

Best Local Band

Hannah Evelyn & The Handmades
By day, Hannah Evelyn Jones pens intricate permanent designs on blank skin as a tattoo artist at The Secret Garden. By night, she croons with her indie-pop rock band, The Handmades. The 2017 Castle High School graduate also is a natural poet and found that one art form linked her to another. “I was writing poetry, so it went hand in hand that guitar was the vehicle to put poetry to music,” she told Evansville Living in 2024, but like art, it’s just “a piece of the pie of my professional career.”

Write-In Category

Best Business Bank in the Tri-State: First Bank
When Evansville-based Cloud Defensive wanted to scale up in-house manufacturing of its lighting solutions to meet demand, First Bank helped CEO Sean McCauley secure a Small Business Administration loan. “Few banks are as personable, accessible, and genuinely supportive as First Bank,” he said in an ad First Bank published in April/May 2023 Evansville Business. Clients of the 133-year-old Illinois-based institution are aided by complimentary downloadable tools like a start-up checklist, strengths-and-weaknesses analysis, and cash flow template. And with First Bank’s new podcast “Insights 2 Impact,” industry experts offer actionable ideas that listeners can put to work right away.

Best Surprise Sweet Treat

Strawberry Lemonade Cake, Piece of Cake
We have a secret: We’ve enjoyed this Piece of Cake specialty during many office celebrations and marveled at its ability to expertly mimic a glass of sweet-and-tart strawberry lemonade. “It’s very light and fresh, recalling summer days,” says Publisher & Editor Kristen K. Tucker, who often requests this cake for her birthday in June. The recipe seems simple enough — two layers of lemon cake topped with fresh strawberries, whipped icing, and a single sugar lemon— but the result tastes like a slice of summer. Not to our surprise, Cate Sisco and Kristi White’s Main Street shop has snagged “Best Birthday Cake Baker” before, and this sweet treat is one of our favorites.

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Love in Mid-Century Modern Times

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September 10, 2026

Photo by Zach Straw. Guy Crouch and Justin Tommeraus pose with their Boston Terriers, Percy and Simon, in front of the mid-century modern home in the historic Hebron Meadows neighborhood.

The first thing that attracted Guy Crouch and Justin Tommeraus to Evansville was a house. From Austin, Texas, and Kindred, North Dakota, respectively, they met in 2024 and lived in Crouch’s 4,458-square-foot, three-story home in Louisiana, Missouri. Despite the 220-degree view of the Mississippi River, Crouch planned to sell his house, and the couple were looking at mid-century modern properties in Georgia, Illinois, and Texas. Then, a one-story ranch-style home for sale on South Meadow Road caught their eye, and they were not the only admirers.

Arthur Martin and Associates designed the 2,444-square-foot rectangular residence, built in 1958 for businessman Webb Brasseale and his wife, Esther. Fast forward six decades, and the property was listed for sale in September 2024. Its red roof, stone-like exterior, and recessed ceilings quickly landed it on Zillow Gone Wild. Crouch and Tommeraus are mid-century modern fans, but when the South Meadow Road property first crossed their social media feeds, their minds were focused elsewhere. By spring 2025, they turned their attention back to the River City.

“Justin wanted a house with a pool, and I wanted a house that was a single story,” says Crouch, a Certified Public Accountant and member of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission. “I remember distinctly: We were watching a movie, and Justin said, ‘Hey, look at this.’ And … I said, ‘I don’t know if you’d ever be interested in moving to Evansville, Indiana … but this house looks really fun and really cool.’”

“Both of us wanted a unique house. We didn’t want a new house, a cookie-cutter house,” adds Tommeraus, a finisher at Fehrenbacher Cabinets.

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LOVE FROM THE FIRST TOUR

During their initial visit, Tommeraus turned to Crouch and said, “I love it.” The feeling was mutual. The exterior — one of Tommeraus’s favorite details — is actually brick with a veneer of uncoursed cut stone and redwood siding, plus an overhang serving as a carport. It’s also distinguished by a flat red fascia board roof of varying heights with exposed beams.

Terrazzo floors led them inside, where they noticed the stonework continues throughout. Some areas are sunken and filled with small rocks, including right off the entrance where, atop a display stand, sits a brass Erté figurine. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room extend from glossy, medium-toned wooden floors, allowing natural light to bathe the space. A three-sided sunken fireplace ties together the kitchen, dining room, and sitting areas, with hues of orange and swathes of dark blue adding vibrant color.

“I like the color choices that the previous homeowner made,” Crouch says.

Photo by Zach Straw. The seven-room home that Guy Crouch and Justin Tommeraus decorated themselves is full of vintage elements, from the interior and exterior stonework to the art pieces in Crouch’s collection. There also are two of Crouch’s vintage cars under the couple’s carport: a 1950 DeSoto sedan in seafoam green and a beige 1950 Chrysler Windsor. “They fit the era of the house,” Crouch says.

Most of the furniture and accessories the couple bought upon moving last year, but there were a few antique gems that Crouch, a collector at heart, brought with him. A working 1949 Zenith porthole TV and an 1885 German grandfather clock from an antique shop in Saint Louis, Missouri, sit in the living room, while another German grandfather clock from Santa Rosa, California, ticks just off the hallway. Both have to be hand-wound every day and go off every 15 minutes with a calming chime. Twenty pieces from Crouch’s extensive art collection hang around the house, including original works by prominent artists. (Although the couple declined to mention any work by name, those with a discerning, art-loving eye could identify the pieces.) They added modern touches with their furnishings, which came from Ashley Furniture and online retailers Walker Edison and Joybird.

“We knew we wanted some shag in the sitting room, and I wanted a blue that matched the wall,” Tommeraus says. “We’re not afraid of color.”

In the kitchen are stainless steel appliances and plenty of counter space with a black, gray, and white linear mosaic backsplash, a pullout bar cart, and a cooktop island that is a centerpiece for entertaining. Down the hallway is a multi-colored geometric stained glass installation — original to the home — along with two guest bedrooms separated by a sliding divider wall. Straight ahead, the primary bathroom includes a vintage 1970s pod-style bathtub/shower.

“We’ve significantly improved the front yard,” Crouch says of the landscaping. The couple added plants, pieces of driftwood, and even two flamingo planters overlooking the Hebron-Meadows neighborhood’s historical marker, which was installed around the time the couple moved in.

A vacation from everyday life awaits on the back patio. In 2011, an in-ground pool was installed, around which Crouch and Tommeraus have stationed bright blue patio furniture. The tiki bar was built shortly after and offers a refrigerator, pantry, and dartboard. The exterior is wooden, but the red roof matches that of the house. It’s a perfect place for entertaining, and Crouch and Tommeraus report that new Evansville friends — like Marcus Johns, whose East Chandler Avenue residence with husband George Evans was featured in Evansville Living’s 2026 Most Beautiful Homes issue — make themselves right at home.

“When I’m lying by their pool, I sometimes find myself thinking that Cary Grant or Marilyn Monroe could walk through the door and feel completely at home,” Johns says. “Guy and Justin are the quintessential hosts. They have a remarkable ability to make everyone who walks through their door feel genuinely loved and welcomed.”

“It doesn’t hurt to be the friend that has the pool,” Tommeraus laughs.

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BECOMING A HOME

Crouch and Tommeraus returned to Evansville a few more times after their first tour, and that’s when they began to imagine themselves living here. “Evansville reminded me of the Downtown Fargo area, the size of it. Everything is 10-15 minutes away,” Tommeraus says.

“Coming to Evansville felt like it was big enough to have all the options for things I wanted to do, but small enough to be manageable. … We also love that it is the center of four major cities,” Crouch adds. “We honestly just like driving around random neighborhoods and looking at houses.”

After the couple closed on their new home in April 2025 and began their move in May, it did not take long for them to feel comfortable in the city. Tommeraus started working at Fehrenbacher Cabinets that July, the same month the couple got engaged. Their wedding was held Aug. 30 on the back patio of their new abode with 50 guests and catering from La Campirana. They also found a community at First Presbyterian Church and volunteer at Sister Joanna’s Table, a weekly community feeding program at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. While their attention-getting mid-century modern checked all their boxes, it does not only feel like home; it also represents the start of their life together.

“While the architecture and design are certainly eye-catching, I think the real magic of the house is the combination of the place and the people. It has the glamour and character of 1958, but it is very much alive today,” says Johns. “Nothing feels contrived — it feels authentic, as though the house has simply been waiting for the right people to come along and appreciate it.”

“It’s been very easy for us to meet friends in this community,” Tommeraus says. “Once I had a job, and Guy started getting clients here … it just started to be.”

Crouch agrees: “As we started to meet people, there’s quite a nice community here. We just really like it.”

Carving Out a Niche

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September 10, 2026

Wood-Slab-King-8040404-WEB — Photo of Wood Slab King co-owners Andrew Craney and Joe Schneider by Zach Straw

After years of building custom cabinets, doors, and even revolving doors, Joe Schneider turned his engineering background and love of woodworking into a new career.

Wood Slab King was born in 2013, when Schneider assembled a massive sawmill capable of cutting slabs up to 53 inches wide and 17 feet long. He and Andrew Craney, his nephew and co-owner, produce live-edge wood slabs — thick pieces that preserve the cut’s natural outer edge. No two items are identical; each has its own pattern and coloration. Customers choose their wood, with the most trendy picks being black walnut, curly maple, cherry, and rainbow poplar.

Schneider and Craney frequently cut logs weighing 4,000-5,000 pounds obtained from area businesses such as Randy’s Tree Service. “They know what we’re looking for, and basically they’ll just bring us truckloads of wood,” Craney says. Through a process called urban salvage, they use only trees taken down due to damage or danger to a surrounding structure.

Photo by Zach Straw. Joe Schneider and Andrew Craney have made a business out of turning salvaged timber into works of art. An early step is removing metals from the wood — they have found clothes line hooks, dog chains, butter knives, beer can openers, and a crucifix.

After removing any metals, the process of prepping the wood takes, literally, years.

Craney explains that any hard wood of normal thickness needs to be air dried for two to three years and then dried even further in a kiln for up to four weeks. Wood Slab King uses two kilns: one wood-fired and the other powered by solar. Thorough drying is critical for any wood product brought into a home because it also sterilizes it of any insects. “Everything we’re selling today was cut in 2023 or 2024,” Craney says.

Photo of Wood Slab King’s Darmstadt showroom by Zach Straw

When Schneider built the sawmill — about the size of a large pickup truck — live-edge slabs were getting popular in both home and business designs. He and Craney say it hasn’t slowed in the years since. The uncle and nephew love what they do, and thanks in part to Craney’s marketing skills honed at the University of Southern Indiana, they have built a diverse network of clientele. Bar and tabletops are frequent requests of commercial customers such as Zaps Tavern, Cross-Eyed Cricket, and Parlor Doughnuts. Wood Slab King is also working on furniture pieces for Bowen Engineering’s Downtown office under construction.

Craney says 90 percent of their clients are homeowners, who can view finished pieces by visiting Wood Slab King’s Darmstadt showroom. Once a table slab is selected, Craney and Schneider make a detailed drawing with all the customers’ desired features, which come to life in 4-8 weeks.

“Floating shelves are really hot right now. We’ve been making tons of those, and big tables,” Craney says, noting that Wood Slab King does not perform custom milling jobs unless customers want their log turned into a table. Schneider says fireplace mantles are popular, too.

Craney worked alongside his uncle for years before becoming his business partner in 2021. If a customer can dream it, the duo can build it. Wood is shaped and crafted six days a week in northwestern Vanderburgh County barns surrounded by corn and soybean fields.

“We’re out here pretty much every day working together,” Craney says. “We used to not take Sunday off, but it’s kind of nice to have a break.”

Sci-Fi Scenery

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September 10, 2026

Space-Clock-WEB — Photo of Oofo Table Clock from Pendulux Design

Why settle for a regular clock when you can also have a conversation starter? That’s the gist of the Oofo Table Clock, an out-of-this-world piece of home decor available at Nance Galleries. Circular, cast from aluminum, and embellished with solid brass accents, its nearly 10-inch height and eight-inch width is packed with attention-getting details that make it look right at home on the starship Enterprise.

“It has so much of a ‘wow’ factor,” says Francia Nance, who owns Nance Galleries with her husband, Curt. “It’s just so different. It has a futuristic and industrial yet classic look.”

Handcrafted in India from repurposed materials, the Pendulux piece’s 7.5-inch depth contains retrofuturistic fins and antenna features springing up from a bulbous, blue, battery-powered face. Can they help you communicate with other life forms or fend off an attack by aliens? Probably not, but the experience of telling time is infinitely more entertaining.

“We want our products to be enjoyed for many, many years,” Nance says. “We enjoy looking at it, too!”

Perfect for 1950s sci-fi fans, the adjustable stand ensures you can easily check the time between mapping your warp trajectory and turning on your ship’s defense shields. Even the name — “Oofo” being a phonetic play on “UFO” — gets in on the fun. At 2.7 pounds, this Space Age-inspired clock carries weight — and distinction. “We try to curate sustainable items that you will not find in your friend’s home,” Nance says. “We take a lot of time looking for products that would be different. We search all over the world and bring them here to the Tri-State.”

Pendulux Oofo Table Clock, $195, Nance Galleries, 662 S. Green River Road

Perfect Harmony

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September 10, 2026

Browne Sisters Moore — Photo of Joan Moore-Mobley and Gina Moore onstage at Evansville Civic Theatre by Zach Straw. Born 18 months apart, they grew up in a music-loving family whose favorite performers influenced the sisters’ artistic tastes.

Joan Moore-Mobley and Gina Moore may be musical siblings, but they didn’t originally intend to duet. A 1986 theater audition for Evansville Civic Theatre Director Dick Engbers changed that. Nearing their 40th anniversary of singing R&B, gospel, and rock hits as The Browne Sisters, Gina and Joan pull back the curtain on set lists, stage presence, and sibling harmony.

Tell us about the 1986 audition for the same role in “The 1940s Radio Hour” that created The Browne Sisters.
Gina Moore: When I get there, Joan’s there. I said, “What are you doing here, girl?” And she said, “Uh, what’d you say? Go ahead, girl.” We each did a number: She sang Anita Baker, and I sang Whitney Houston.

Did either of you secretly hope the other wouldn’t get cast?
Joan Moore-Mobley: No. If [Director] Dick [Engbers] had given it to her, I would’ve been happy for her.
Gina: He said, “I don’t want either one of you to not be in this production.” The character in the show was Geneva Lee Browne. She had speaking lines —
Joan: And I know Gina didn’t want that. So he gave that role to me. Gina made up a role —
Gina: I used my middle name, Noreen, so I was Noreen Marie Browne. And there you have the Browne Sisters. Then, he had to think of a song we both could do as sisters, and that’s where “Ain’t Misbehavin’” came in. That was our debut song and, as they said, it brought down the house.

Describe your sister in three words.
Gina: What’s a good word for you?
Joan: You tell me!
Gina: Mysterious, quiet, smart.
Joan: Uninhibited, free bird, giving.

Browne Sisters Civic Theatre — Photo of Gina Moore and Joan Moore-Mobley in 1996 at The Browne Sisters’ 10th anniversary provided by Evansville Civic Theatre

Do The Browne Sisters have a stage persona different from Gina and Joan?
Joan: I kick it up a notch —
Gina: Yeah, she does, but I’m always crazy.
Joan: But the audience has a lot to do with that. We feed off the audience.

Do you style yourselves?
Gina: Oh yes, absolutely. We always wear black. One time, we were at a choir gig, and we walked out of the bedroom in the same polka dot dress. It was too late to change, so we walked on stage in matching dresses.
Joan: Like my sister said, I always wore the church clothes. [laughs]
Gina: Yeah, she was very matronly sometimes on stage! Like, girl, what are you wearing? You got on white hose …
Joan: Look, you came to hear my voice. Nothing else.
Gina: … white shoes. And I’m coming out dressed scandalous.

Who talks more between songs?
[They point at each other]
Gina: That was funny! I know she’s pointing toward me —
Joan: Oh, yeah —
Gina: But she does way more talking than I do.

Who’s more likely to forget lyrics?
Joan: You know what, the audience doesn’t know that you did. And I am the ad lib queen.
Gina: When I forget the words, I start laughing. And I’m done. If I start laughing, you can’t do anything else with me. And I’m the one who says, “Girl, get on your note.” I’m very bossy.

What’s your favorite song to sing together?
Joan: “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.”
Gina: We go into “Amazing Grace” on that song. We do a lot of mixing of songs. We learned that onstage. We would take “Stand By Me” into “Every Breath You Take.” We mix “Proud Mary” with “Get Ready.” The band just has to keep up.

What is your most-requested song?
Gina: R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Find out what it means to me!

What’s one piece of music you still want to perform?
Joan: Maybe opera. I love Broadway. (Maybe) that song from “Les Misérables” called “Bring Him Home.”

Finish this sentence: “If people remember one thing about The Browne Sisters, I hope it’s …”
Joan: Family and togetherness through music. We’re living in a world today that’s so full of hatred, which is so hard to believe. It feels like we’re going back to a time when, for African Americans, was not good. But when music is played, we come together. We forget about the hatred, and we pour on the love.

Run and Tell That
Performing for four decades produces entertaining stories. In summer 1991, Gina Moore and Joan Moore-Mobley brushed shoulders with famous actors in town to film “A League of Their Own.” “Joan and I sang every Sunday at Marina Pointe, and they would come after rehearsal and hang out with us and dance,” Gina says. That led to the siblings performing at the film’s wrap party. “Everyone was there,” Gina recalls. “I spoke to Tom Hanks. Rosie O’Donnell and Lori Petty danced in front of us.” The Browne Sisters also had a memorable run-in with Madonna. “She said, ‘Put my tape in. Tell them sisters to quit singing.’ And we were like, ‘Oh no, sister, you messed with the wrong sisters here,’” Gina remembers. “We said, ‘No, we’re singing, Madonna.’ We sent her on her way.”

Masks, Monsters, and Mayhem

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September 10, 2026

man in halloween workshop Jim Brown — Photo of Jim Brown in his workshop by Lindsey McIntosh

Each October, the River City gets a little … Eville. From ghostly figures haunting Gothic homes to decaying creatures rising from an operating table, wild imaginations power Evansville’s spookiest season.

Eville J’s Creepy Closet
Facebook and Instagram @evillejs

Jim Brown loves horror movies. He also has an active imagination. Both are apparent from just one look at the shockingly detailed masks and monsters he crafts by hand and sells through Eville J’s Creepy Closet.

Although he took a few art classes before graduating from F.J. Reitz High School in 1989, Brown traces his ghoulish interests to making decorations for his family’s annual Halloween parties. “Back then, it was a lot of clothes hangers, papier-mâché, and duct tape,” he says. Around 1995, another monster maker helped him upgrade his materials. “Then eBay came along, and that gave me an outlet to see if maybe I could make a little money on the side to support this new hobby,” he says.

scary pig mask — Photo of Jim Brown’s pig mask by Lindsey McIntosh

Social media and conventions — especially Transworld, the nation’s largest Halloween trade show — grew that hobby into Eville J’s Creepy Closet, where Brown uses latex, foam, and silicone to fashion haunted house props, heart-stopping masks, and gruesome-looking monsters. He sells his work on his website and at conventions while also fulfilling custom and commission orders.

“All of my masks are original designs,” he says, noting that ideas usually percolate before he starts sculpting them from clay. Next comes creating a mold with plaster, fiberglass, or silicone, then casting, prepping, and painting in those creepy details. “Campy creepy is my favorite,” he says. “I like to make stuff that has a fun cartoon style but also looks like you might not want to turn your back on.”

He’s dabbled in animatronics and moving monsters but hasn’t yet put those ideas into action — his current inventory keeps him plenty busy. “I’m a very lucky guy. This is a crazy thing that I get to call my job,” he says.

Haunted Historic Evansville Ghost Walks photo by Rachel Mathew Photography

Haunted Historic Evansville Ghost Walks
Oct. 16-17, Riverside Historic District

Another creative brain birthed the idea of ghost walks that leverage grand structures and historic personalities — and attract 400-500 guests.

Introduced in 2017, Haunted Historic Evansville Ghost Walks act as a fundraiser for the Haynie’s Corner Arts District Association, Old Evansville Historic Association, and Evansville Civic Theatre. Tours depart every 90 minutes from First Presbyterian Church and wind through the brick streets of the Riverside Historic District. Thirteen apparitions of long-ago residents — who might resemble current-day Civic Theatre actors — appear and share stories about strange occurrences. New this year is a puppet Bride of Frankenstein built and performed by local artist Warren Hayes. Event organizer Rachel Wambach adds that “a towering puppet Count Orlock might also greet guests inside and outside the sanctuary, depending on where he feels like lurking.”

Despite the chill factors, the event is appropriate for all ages. “It’s a fun family thing, and a way to continue to contribute to the arts and our neighborhood,” Wambach says.

The Nick Nackery
201 E. Virginia St.

woman standing in front of wall of masks Tian Moore-Denk — Photo of The Nick Nackery Manager Tian Moore-Denk by Maggie Valenti

When haunted house actors shop for costumes, they go to The Nick Nackery, self-proclaimed “Indiana’s spookiest secret.” With more than 9,200 square feet stocked with costumes, masks, wigs, accessories, and props, locating the perfect outfit is easy. The Nick Nackery has dressed everything from faux zombies to rock star lookalikes since Larry and Suzanne Blesch opened the shop in 1985. The couple sold the business to Dan and Jana Bean in 2021; Suzanne passed away in November 2025.

Manager Tian Moore-Denk loves “helping find something that people feel happy and confident in.” She says “masks are always popular choices,” including Michael Myers from “Halloween,” Ghostface from “Scream,” and Art the Clown from “Terrifier.” Makeup is a top seller for customers wanting to create their own scary-face looks.

This year, The Nick Nackery is an official sponsor for Haunted Historic Evansville’s ghost walks thanks to new owner Lucas Neuffer, who bought the business in May. “I have partnered with Historic Evansville in previous years with other businesses. This year, with purchasing Nick Nackery, it seemed like a natural fit to sponsor the event again,” Neuffer says.

House of Lecter and Catacombs
Sept. 25-Oct. 31, 325 Main St.

Photo of actors at The House of Lecter provided by source

What’s dark, gory, and maniacal at every turn? A visit to “The Nightmare Realm” inside the House of Lecter and Catacombs, Evansville’s long-running pair of haunted houses. Three floors of terror feature disturbing lab scenes, gruesome surgeries, and galling dissections directed by a depraved scientist, who buried the bodies in the basement for your viewing pleasure.

Kevin Stich and Kevin Alvey took on the haunted houses in 2025 after original owner Phillip Wolter died in 2024, the same year that The Catacombs moved into the same Main Street building as House of Lecter after radon remediation forced it out of the Old Courthouse, its home since 1980.

Even after 46 years, House of Lecter and Catacombs’ reputations for scares are still strong: Both were named to social media page The Scare Factor’s 10 must-see haunts in Indiana for 2026.

Paws for the Camera

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September 10, 2026

Diane-Whipkey-VHS-8173741-WEB — Photo of Diane Whipkey by Zach Straw

Look here! Who’s a good boy?”

Animal lover Diane Whipkey is nearly 80, but that doesn’t stop her from jumping up and down to get a pet’s attention. A Christmas keepsake is at stake.

Pet Pictures with Santa, the Vanderburgh Humane Society’s longtime holiday fundraiser, turns 40 this year, and Whipkey has been there since the beginning. Her mother, Helen Ortmeyer, and friend Helen Jaspar read about a similar event in another state, secured a photographer, and recruited area veterinarians and friends to play Santa. Staged at Schmitt Photo in 1986, the first Pet Pictures with Santa was the first of its kind here.

Pet Pictures with Santa photo provided by Diane Whipkey, Vanderburgh Humane Society

Washington Square Mall’s food court has hosted the photo shoots for 20 of those years, with multi-year stops at Eastland Mall and VHS’s facility on Millner Industrial Drive. Attendance and price have fluctuated over the years, but Santa has stayed busy: Whipkey reports that in 1997, a record 725 pets showed up.

Photos aren’t just for (often costumed) dogs and cats. Santa has been snapped with rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, goats, snakes, skunks, bearded dragons, and even a miniature horse. Owners can join; some even use the photo as their holiday greeting card. “Many families will come dressed for the occasion in Christmas clothes, like their pets,” Whipkey says. “It is really fun to see what they come up with.”

The shoot is sweet for VHS staff, too. “We have many pets who came to see Santa as a puppy, and then here they are 15, 16, 17 years later as a gray-faced senior dog,” says VHS Director of Advancement Amanda Coburn.

Whipkey estimates that Pet Pictures has raised $273,000 for VHS over the last 39 years. Previously the coordinator for volunteers and special events, Whipkey now manages the Happy Tails Resale Shop while carrying on the holiday tradition her mother started. “It is heartwarming to see the legacy of supporting the VHS that Helen began all those years ago continue through her daughter,” says VHS CEO Kendall Paul. “While the event location and methods have changed, the constant is the passion and dedication that Helen and Diane have brought to supporting the animals and creating magical Christmas memories for our community.”

Pet Pictures with Santa
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 7 2026; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 8, 2026
Washington Square Mall food court, 5001 Washington Ave.
Cost: $30 for digital images; $35 for digital images and 4×6 prints

Swimming Laps, Chasing Dreams

By

Gordon Engelhardt

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September 10, 2026

swim team in pool above overhead photo deep end between diving boards — Photo by Zach Straw. Assistant Coach Lindsay Benedyk and Head Coach Jake Downs pose with the Greater Evansville Aquatic Team at Deaconess Aquatic Center in August 2026.

Mason Afifi recalls being among the first to make a lap at Deaconess Aquatic Center when it opened in October 2021. Now a freshman at North High School, Afifi sees regular time at the complex, training with other members of the Greater Evansville Aquatic Team beneath a wall-sized photo of GREAT alumna Lilly King. “She grew up swimming on this team, which makes it very cool to think that an Olympic champion started the same way as all of us,” Afifi says.

Photo of GREAT swimmer Mason Afifi by Zach Straw

Founded in 2003 as a for-profit organization, GREAT is affiliated with USA Swimming and saw its profile raised as King gained international prominence. But the January 2021 closing of Lloyd Pool was a setback: Before DAC opened nine months later, GREAT swam wherever it could, whether it was outdoors at Hartke Pool or at Ascension St. Vincent YMCA’s indoor pool Downtown.

The team has risen dramatically in state standings, placing 35th in 2023, 20th in 2024, 13th in 2025, and fifth in 2026. This summer, nine GREAT swimmers helped Team Indiana finish second of six teams at the Central Zone’s southern division 14-and-under championships at the DAC.

“There is no doubt that training out of the aquatic center, as opposed to Lloyd Pool, has created a ton of opportunities for our team,” including hosting meets, says GREAT coach Jake Downs.

Assistant Coach Lindsay Benedyk says GREAT often struggled in its early years because it shared limited space with the public swim teams. That didn’t stop the team from getting creative with fundraising. “(For) a couple years, we hosted a Splash and Dash where the kids ran a mile after racing in the pool,” Benedyk says. The team switched to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2009.

Even just six years ago, the team was small and faced significant financial challenges, with the possibility of folding. “Through fundraising, recruiting, and countless hours of time and sacrifice from coaches, parents, and swimmers, the team steadily increased in size and became financially strong while based in Lloyd Pool,” says former GREAT head coach Beth Ann Ivie.

With Downs now at the controls, GREAT’s three age divisions and around 150 swimmers “set the standard every day with their attitude and effort, and it has been fun to watch the entire team grow and improve the past few years due to their hard work,” Ivie says.

Downs tries to ensure that his athletes use swimming to help learn life’s lessons. “Although not every swimmer can become an Olympian, we believe that every swimmer can pursue excellence of their own degree,” he says.

Wild At Art

By

Pete Burzynski

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September 10, 2026

Michael-Partrick-Bailey-8051452-WEB — Photo of Michael Patrick Bailey with his artwork by Zach Straw

“I have always wanted to be an artist,” Michael Patrick Bailey says. “I think I came alive being an artist, yet it has changed a lot over the years … what that looks like. I never studied art — I’m generally a self-taught painter.”

Born in Indianapolis but raised primarily in Ohio, the Newburgh resident cites his experience as a sportsman and love of the outdoors as influences that led him to become an award-winning wildlife artist. “I’m a second-generation Eagle Scout. I was in Scouting all the way through my teenage years, and I worked at summer camps — it’s part of my DNA,” he says.

After leaving New York City in 2016, he spent nearly 10 years living in Los Angeles, California, indulging his love for “camping, fishing and painting all the way up and down the state,” he says. It was there that he really honed his craft — and discovered his passion. “I started with watercolor wash. Then one day, on kind of a whim, I just tried oils. From the first moment, I was, like, home,” he says. “I wish somebody had told me sooner that I would enjoy oils this much.”

Painting of animal holding a bouquet in its mouth — Photo provided by Michael Patrick Bailey. “Bouquet” was the winner of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s 2026 Collectible Conservation Stamp Art Show.

His wildlife art gained notice: A first-place finish in the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s 2026 Collectible Conservation Stamp Art Show led to his painting of an American pika adorning the state’s conservation stamp. Along the way, his work was shown — and racked up more awards — at exhibitions and contests in Sacramento, California; Manitoba, Ontario, Canada; Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Honolulu, Hawaii. “But the Midwest has always been home for me,” he says. In 2024, he left California and joined his parents in Newburgh.

Regional art enthusiasts can find Bailey’s work for sale at Inman Art + Frames and on display through Oct. 25 at Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites’ 102nd annual Hoosier Art Salon exhibition, plus at an upcoming Ohio Valley Art League show in Henderson, Kentucky. Since moving to Indiana, Bailey has earned 20 awards, including Best in Show and the Purchase Award at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art’s 2025 Bronze Buffalo Festival and Paintout and three awards at the 2026 First Brush of Spring plein air event in New Harmony.

“I’ve read about other artist’s lives, their biographies and what they did. It’s interesting to see what commonalities they and I share, even across countries and centuries,” he says. “[In the creation of a] masterpiece — I may not be there yet — we have the same gig, which is interesting and unexpected for me.”

When You Go
“Living / Room”
Oct. 12, 2026-January 2027
Gallery 101, 101 N. Water St., Henderson, Kentucky

16th Biennial Kentucky National Wildlife Art Exhibition
Sept. 14-Nov. 14
Opening Reception: 5-6:30 p.m. Oct. 1
Preston Arts Center, 2660 S. Green St., Henderson, Kentucky

A Stylish Move

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September 10, 2026

Vicki Bohleber inside her store Posh on Main — Photo of Posh on Main owner Vicki Bohleber by Lindsey McIntosh

Posh on Main has been a Downtown staple since 2019, but this year, it made a big change. In May, owner Vicki Bohleber moved her shop nearly two blocks southwest to 208 Main St., tripling its square footage and putting it in a prime spot to attract shoppers.

“Small businesses kind of run on customer service because we can’t compete with the big box stores. So, I try to make sure that my customers have a good experience coming in,” Bohleber says.

Posh on Main opened at 330 Main St. in April 2019. Though Bohleber had retail experience, she had no background in sourcing or purchasing the clothes and gifts featured in the store. She learned fast and gained a following for her hand-picked clothing and jewelry.

When Emge’s Deli left Downtown in 2021, its space at 206-208 Main St. remained vacant for four years. Built in 1889, well-known occupants included radio station 107.1 FM WJPS, Readmore Magazine and Cards, Lou’s Beauty Shop, and Ragsdale’s Corset and Lingerie Shop when the building caught ‌fire in 1965.

By the time Bohleber took possession on June 9, 2025, the space was gutted. “There were no floors, no air conditioning, no plumbing, no electric, nothing,” Bohleber says.

Renovations took 11 months to complete before Posh on Main relocated and rebranded as Posh on Main Boutique & Gifts. Inside, shoppers still can find apparel, jewelry, and knick-knacks, but inventory has expanded into home goods, original crafts, and even premium olive oils and coffee.

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After 45 years of running the annual Old Courthouse Craft Show, Bohleber draws on her vendor connections to stock Posh with gifts from 40 makers. The selection includes jewelry handcrafted by Honduran artisans for Alegria Accessories, whose owner, Sarah Capeheart, rents office space on the building’s ground floor. Other vendors approach Bohleber about selling their wares at Posh. Shoppers can find magnets made in Newburgh, plushies from Huntingburg, Indiana, and 3D-printed figures from Shoals, Indiana, along with items from four other states. “I have such an eclectic collection of gift items because they’re mostly locally made,” Bohleber says.

Plans for the building do not stop with the store. Bohleber wants to put storage units in the basement for nearby residents to rent. “I felt comfortable investing in Downtown,” she says. “I believe in Downtown.”

Fall’s Fine and Performing Arts

By

Art Woodward

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September 10, 2026

Brown County Fireworks Painting — Photo of Wyatt LaGrand’s “Brown County Fireworks” provided by the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science

Theater

Two fall stage productions mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. STAGEtwo Productions’ “Recent Tragic Events” on Sept. 11-13 is set in the shadow of the attacks as a young woman in Minneapolis, Minnesota, tries to locate her twin sister in New York City. On Oct. 16-17, the Jacob Ball Wish Fund stages “Come From Away,” a Tony- and Olivier Award-winning musical telling the true story of a Newfoundland town that welcomed nearly 7,000 airline passengers rerouted as the skies over the U.S. closed immediately following attacks. (Read remarks on the attacks in Final Detail.)

STAGEtwo Productions continues its lineup when “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” a popular Halloween tradition, returns Oct. 23-24 and 30-31. “Everybody,” a modern, comedic reworking of the medieval classic “Everyman,” takes the stage Nov. 11-13. On Dec. 4-6, “A Gift to Remember” finds strangers stranded by a snowstorm at a train station during Christmas bonding through shared stories of life’s mêlées.

Evansville Civic Theatre begins its season Sept. 18-21 and 25-27 with “Next to Normal,” Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical about a suburban American family grappling with the mother’s worsening bipolar disorder. Next is “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” on Nov. 13-15 and 20-22. The Underground stage team performs Jane Austen’s 1813 classic “Pride and Prejudice” Dec. 10-13.

The University of Evansville Theatre Department starts its season Sept. 24-27 at May Studio Theatre with “Hedda Gabler,” which explores the mind of a contradictory, funny, and brilliant character. Local child actors join UE students in presenting Stephen Sondheim’s Tony-winning musical “Merrily We Roll Along” on Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at Shanklin Theatre. Rounding out the fall lineup is the journalism-centric “The Lifespan of a Fact,” directed by senior performance major Owen White, on Nov. 19-22 at the May Studio Theatre.

Taking the stage Sept. 24-27 at the University of Southern Indiana’s Performance Center is “First Daughter Suite,” Michael John LaChiusa’s four-part chamber musical following the lives of six former first ladies and their daughters. “The Old Man and The Old Moon,” a musical adventure of a man who must abandon his duties of filling the moon with light to search for his missing wife, is slated for Oct. 29-Nov. 1.

Beetlejuice Evansville Musical — Beetlejuice photo provided by Old National Events Plaza

Old National Events Plaza’s 2026-27 “Broadway in Evansville” season includes a Sept. 29 staging of “Beetlejuice.”

A national tour of eight-time Tony winner “Hadestown” makes a stop at Henderson, Kentucky’s Preston Arts Center on Oct. 25 as part of the Henderson Area Arts Alliance’s fall stage lineup.

The high school theater season begins Oct. 23-24 when Signature School students stage the courtroom drama “12 Angry Men.” A pair of productions is slated for Nov. 12-15: the audience-interactive mystery “Murder’s in the Heir” by F.J. Reitz High School, and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” a musical based on Charles M. Schulz’s characters, by Central High School. Benjamin Bosse High School closes the season Nov. 19-21 with “Almost Maine,” presented in nine vignettes examining love and loss.

Dance

The Children’s Center for Dance Education presents several opportunities to see its rendition of “The Nutcracker” ballet. Local children perform the holiday classic Dec. 3 at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts in Madisonville, Kentucky; Dec. 5 at Illinois’ Olney Central College, with a sensory-friendly performance followed by a full show; Dec. 6 at Thrall’s Opera House in New Harmony, Indiana; Dec. 11-12 at Evansville’s Old National Events Plaza, featuring another sensory-friendly performance; and Dec. 13 at the Preston Arts Center in Henderson.

Ballet Indiana also offers three performances of “The Nutcracker.” Watch it plié onstage Dec. 12-13 at the Victory Theatre. This production features young local dancers performing alongside professional guest artists under new School of Ballet Indiana Artistic Director Sunny Hsieh.

Cubism Geometric Artwork Evansville Museum — Emily Quandahl’s temporary public artwork, “Untitled (Silent Monitor),”
at New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art

Visual Art

The Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science offers several art happenings, including hosting Artist-in-Residence Tanmaya Bingham on Oct. 29 for a reception opening her latest exhibition, which is displayed through Feb. 14, 2027, in the newly renovated Legacy Gallery. “Clumsy, Colossal” featuring silkscreen prints by Al Sheets is on view through Sept. 27. In the Main Gallery, “Perspectives on America,” featuring a permanent collection of works examining the American identity, goes up on Sept. 13. Meanwhile, an exhibition of plein air paintings by Bloomfield, Indiana, artist Wyatt LeGrand will be hung in the Begley Gallery Oct. 11-Jan. 24, 2027. “Pieces of the Past,” the museum’s tribute to America’s semiquincentennial, closes Oct. 4.

USI shares recent works by regional photographers Jesse Ly and Rachael Banks in an exhibition running Sept. 9-Oct. 30. The 57th Annual Juried Student Art Show returns Nov. 11-Dec. 11.

Photo of Al Sheets silkscreen print provided by Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science

Fine art exhibitions extend outside of Vanderburgh County. From Sept.12-Nov. 7, the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art presents “Be, Held,” contemporary analog artwork by Johanna Aenderl, Jenny Zoey Casey, and Rachel Singel. A five-week Coleman Stevenson solo exhibition debuts Nov. 14. Multi-disciplinary artist Emily Quandahl’s temporary public artwork, “Untitled (Silent Monitor),” runs through November in congress with bicentennial celebrations of the 1825 Owen-Maclure utopian experiment in New Harmony.

Across the river in Kentucky, the Ohio Valley Art League invites the community to exhibits at locations throughout Henderson. One of the longest displays is from Sept. 28-Jan. 9, 2027, for “Fiber & Metal,” featuring work by Evansville photographers and Indiana Artisan members Karen and Larry Hampton at the Dick & Sheila Beaven Gallery at the Henderson County Public Library. Also in Henderson, the Preston Arts Center displays the 16th biennial Kentucky National Wildlife Art Exhibition from Sept. 14-Nov. 14. On Nov. 6, Henderson hosts OVAL’s annual Art Hop with original art, food, and dance spread throughout Downtown businesses and sidewalks.

The galleries at the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center in Jasper, Indiana, display art pieces by Patoka Valley Quilters Guild members through Sept. 20 and textiles, embroidery, batik, and watercolors by Erin Hochgesang. On Oct. 24, purchase one-of-a-kind pottery, jewelry, textiles, wood, paintings, mosaics, handbags, and more at the juried Autumn Moon Fine Arts Fair. Speaking of fairs …

Angel Mounds Festival Native Dance American — Native American Days at Angel Mounds State Historic Site

Festivals

In New Harmony, Kunstfest on Sept. 19-20 marks the region’s German heritage through 200 vendors showcasing art, crafts, gifts, and more. The following month, creators demonstrate their skills in painting, photography, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, and fine crafts Oct. 17-18 at Arts in Murphy Park.

Dia De Los Muertos Evansville — Photo of Día de los Muertos celebration provided by the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library

Angel Mounds, a State Historic Site preserving indigenous mounds built between 1100-1250 A.D., closes summer Sept. 19-20 with the 41st annual Native American Days featuring artists, dancers, and musicians. Oct. 17’s fall YART sale brings together original works by regional artists, all priced to sell for $60 or less, with all sales benefiting the artists directly.

The semi-annual Funk in the City on Sept. 26 in Haynie’s Corner Arts District brings together more than 50 creators showcasing and selling their handmade, one-of-a-kind wares.

Can you believe the Lincolnshire Front Porch Festival turns 10 this year? Oct. 4’s celebration packs in more than musical acts on the Tudor-influenced facades in the East Side neighborhood. Another longtime event, the Henderson Lions Club Arts and Crafts Festival, sets up Oct. 3-4 at John James Audubon State Park and includes one-of-a-kind arts and crafts that are perfect for holiday gifts.

On Nov. 7, Día de los Muertos, an indoor-outdoor event celebrating the Day of the Dead, includes traditional cuisine, music, dancing, crafts, and more at the West Branch of the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library.

Live Music

The Evansville Philharmonic’s 92nd season kicks off with Sept. 19’s Classics concert of Quinn Mason’s “Inspiration! A Festival Overture for Orchestra” and Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2 “Romantic.” Johannes Brahms’ sweeping Double Concerto for Violin and Cello features guest artists Lucia Micarelli and Eric Byers. Philharmonic musicians then scare up cinematic suspense with selections from Bernard Herrmann’s “Psycho Suite” and Saint-Saëns’ “Danse Macabre” to film scores from “A Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Jaws” Oct. 24 at the Halloween Spectacular Pops concert. On Nov. 14, get ready for a Classical Jukebox, a high-energy tour through selections by Brahms, Mozart, Haydn, Verdi, Handel, Beethoven, and more — no quarters required. The Philharmonic’s youth orchestra musicians flex their talent Nov. 22 at their fall concert. Perennial holiday favorite Peppermint Pops returns Dec. 5-6 with guest vocalist Rachel Potter and performances by the Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Evansville Children’s Choir, and North High School’s Huskettes dance team. The Philharmonic Chorus is joined by orchestra musicians and guest vocalists to stage Handel’s powerful “Messiah” at historic Trinity United Methodist Church on Dec. 18; the production travels to Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, Indiana, the following evening. The Philharmonic’s Eykamp String Quartet also presents works by under-the-radar composers throughout the season at its free New Traditions shows.

French Horn EPO Evansville Orchestra — Photo of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra by Daniel Knight/Studio B Photography and provided by the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra

Evansville Symphonic Band musicians embrace the holidays at their free annual concert in November.

The UE Music Conservatory touts a robust schedule of performances, including a Fall Faculty Gala Sept. 8, an Ensemble Showcase Sept. 29, UE Choirs show Nov. 3, and UE Jazz Ensemble performance Nov. 10. The UE Symphony and Wind Ensemble takes the stage at the Victory Theatre Nov. 17. Dec. 3-4, the UE Band performs at Wheeler Concert Hall, while the annual Candlelight Vespers concert is staged at Neu Chapel Dec. 4. The season wraps up Dec. 8 with Holiday Pops at the Victory.

The USI Chamber Choir delights with its free Fall Concert Oct. 5 in the reading room at the David L. Rice Library. The university’s celebrated Madrigal Feaste, now in its 55th year, returns Dec. 3-6 in Carter Hall in University Center West.

Concerts coming to the Victory Theatre include Water For People featuring Monsters of Yacht on Sept. 17 and country singer Tracy Lawrence on Nov. 5, plus tribute shows to Fleetwood Mac on Sept. 25, ABBA on Oct. 15, and Billy Joel on Oct. 27.

Out-of-town musical performances include the three-day New Harmony Blues Festival Nov. 6-8 at the historic Thrall’s Opera House. Nov. 20’s “Boy Band Project” will have you dancing through the aisles at Henderson’s Preston Arts Center like it’s 1999. Then, the Henderson Area Arts Alliance showcases an Elvis-influenced rocking production of “Blue Suede Christmas” on Dec. 18.

Lincoln Amphitheater Music Augeri Steve — Provided photo of Steve Augeri

In Spencer County, Lincoln Amphitheatre’s fall lineup includes three musical performances. On Sept. 13, get a peaceful, easy feeling with On the Border, an acoustic tribute to The Eagles. Sept. 26, spend an evening with Steve Augeri, who sang lead for rock band Journey from 1998-2006. Then, you may think you’re still on vacation when Beach Boys tribute act Sounds of Summer takes the stage Oct. 4. Come early for the craft fair and free wine tastings.

At the Jasper Arts Center in Dubois County, country music singer and “American Idol” Season 10 alum Scotty McCreery takes the stage Sept. 26, followed by the energetic Irish-bluegrass-Appalachian sounds of five-piece band Gadan Oct. 3 and singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton Oct. 30.

Can’t Believe It’s Not Fruit

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September 10, 2026

768949718_17965374306137501_6175694649679844572_n-WEB — Photo of fruit pastries provided by Cookie Bite Pastry

No, it’s not soap. It’s not cake, either. Viral fruit pastries are hyper-realistic desserts, but don’t let that confuse you with the real thing — that “strawberry” may taste like mango.

French pastry chef Cédric Grolet is credited with creating the trendy treats around a decade ago; given their lifelike appearance, he dubbed them “trompe-l’œil,” referring to an optical illusion. Recently a social media sensation, fruit pastries are a popular order at Cookie Bite Pastry, which opened in July at 2021 W. Franklin St. After moving to the U.S. from Jerusalem, Israel, three years ago, chef Hanna Denes started her pastry business from home, creating cookies, cakes, macarons, and bite-sized treats. A customer sent her videos of fruit pastries, trying to convince her to make them.

Photo of strawberry fruit pastry from Cookie Bite Pastry by Sarah Morgason

“I said, ‘OK, I’m going to give it a shot,’” she recalls. “I bought ingredients for mango and raspberry fruit pastries, and it ‌went crazy.”

Making each dessert is an involved, three-day process. “You need to freeze it overnight between every single step,” Denes says. The puree center is created first and then surrounded by mousse and a layer of white chocolate. Denes then dips her creations in chilled cocoa butter with food coloring and uses a cooking airbrush to give them a realistic finish.

The most popular flavor at Cookie Bite Pastry is strawberry — “everybody likes strawberries,” Denes says — but lemon and mango also are common requests among 20 options including strawberry cheesecake, raspberry chocolate, mango, orange, peach, cherry chocolate, caramel apple, banana, and piña colada, a summer special.

Denes uses the same create-and-freeze method to craft larger hyper-realistic pastries, including a coffee bean version — her favorite — with coffee mousse around an espresso ganache center. She also makes a “mega” raspberry lookalike cake filled with two layers of mousse. Her eye-catching confections are gaining notice: A short video of Denes dipping the raspberry cake into pink cocoa butter scored 2.6 million views online.

The treats are “delicate, not overpowering or too sweet,” she says. “I try to keep it very balanced.”

Bold Bites

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September 10, 2026

IMG_7334-WEB — Photo of KFC gummy candy from Exotic Snack Guys by Sarah Morgason

There’s nothing subtle about Exotic Snack Guys’ inventory. Whether you’re searching for nacho cheese dill pickles or gummies shaped like giant bacon and eggs, the national chain’s Eastland Mall shop is stocked with craveable, and at times head-scratching, snacks. Here are four to try.

KFC Candy Combo Meal, $9.99
We bet gummy versions of the Colonel’s fried chicken, fries, biscuits, and even mac and cheese were not on your candy bingo card. Our only dislike: The candies are fruit-flavored, denying us the chance to say, “It tastes just like chicken!”

Beer-Flavored Lay’s, $9.99
Craving a salty, malty treat on the go? These alcohol-free potato chips are your fix. Exotic Snack Guys stocks more than two dozen flavors, including spicy crayfish, cucumber, wasabi, Heinz ketchup, and salted egg.

Mr Simms Black Death Ultra Sours, $14.99
“Not for the faint hearted.” With names like Black Death and Bubonic Berry, we believe it! Use the Simms Sour Scale to gauge how much each hard-boiled sweet feels like a slap in the face.

Fruit-Filled Oreos, $19.99
These chocolate sandwich cookies offer sweet cream centers in matcha, blueberry raspberry, crystal grape peach, and white peach oolong.

From the Mountain Range

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September 10, 2026

Photo of Chicken Tikka at Yak & Yeti by Chelsea Casanova

Introducing a cuisine unfamiliar with Evansville-area diners was a risk, but Sagar Tamang believed authentic Himalayan food would find an audience. He was right, and not just about the first location of Yak & Yeti, which opened on South Green River Road in 2019. Others followed in Fishers, Indiana, in 2023 and Owensboro, Kentucky, this July.

Photo of Sagar Tamang, owner of Yak & Yeti, by Chelsea Casanova

Tamang hails from central Nepal and moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 2009 before joining his uncle, Pash, in the River City in 2016. The family owns and operates two area convenience stores, both of which sell Crazy Bob’s Cajun Chicken. “A couple years later, I look around, and there’s no Himalayan food,” he says.

Encouraged to start his own restaurant, Tamang partnered with restaurant industry vet Krishna Shahi to open Yak & Yeti. In seven years, the restaurant, with a name inspired by a popular regional animal and local folklore, has grown into a staple of area dining. Tamang says peach coloring on the walls is similar to the color found in many restaurants in Nepal, and he’s also decorated with red furniture and added art from the South Asian country. A six-month expansion just wrapped, allowing up to 150 to visit the daily lunch and dinner buffets or order entree specials.

“When you come in here, you feel like you don’t find anywhere else. There’s Himalayan music and documentaries on. You feel cozy here with enough space for a birthday or a gathering of 20 to 30 people. No loud music,” Tamang says.
While common dishes such as chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, curry, and naan are available, adventurous diners are welcome to an experience with meals featuring yak and goat meat. It’s one of the few places in the Tri-State where diners can enjoy Himalayan delicacies served on copper dishware. “We have northern Indian food, too … but the way of cooking, of putting all the ingredients together is different,” Tamang explains.

Perhaps another surprise is the lack of hot spices, and Tamang recommends not adding any to a majority of the dishes. When he brings family and guests into town, he starts them off with a staple and one of his favorites: Traditional Nepali Momo, similar to steamed dumplings but eaten without chopsticks, is prepared with ground chicken, onions, ginger, garlic, and Himalayan spices, and dipped in jhol, a tangy tomato and sesame seed broth. Yak & Yeti offers 15 varieties of momo, including yak meat and vegetarian options. Momo can be steamed or fried, served in the jhol broth, or sautéed in a chili sauce with onions and bell peppers.

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One rule of Himalayan cooking: “If you invite people over, you have to serve goat,” Tamang says. There are four versions of bone-in goat curry, including potato and vinegar or onion and cream blends, as well as a curry cooked in a kadai pan — similar to a wok — with onions and bell peppers. The curry menu section introduces heat: diners ordering chicken, seafood, lamb, and vegetable curry can select from 10 spice levels. “Right now, foods like momo, butter chicken, and all the curries are very popular,” Tamang says.

Yak & Yeti also offers classic South Asian dishes with a twist. Biryani is baked in a warm naan covering that steams the ingredients; the scent wafts into the air as it’s broken open, then eaten. Boneless chicken tikka is cooked in a clay oven and wrapped in tinfoil and surrounded by pieces of onion and green peppers. Can’t pick one dish? A thali packs several cuisines onto a round plate, including curry, rice, lentil dal, and the cauliflower-and-potato alu gobhi. Thirsty? A small bar area offers a selection of draft beer and wine. Diners also can try a hot Himalayan Masala Tea, a caffeinated black tea-based drink that promotes focus and calm.

Tamang hopes for further expansion but is concentrating on his current three locations. He plans to hire a chef from Nepal to elevate the menu with more traditional Himalayan dishes.

“There is strong support we have, which is why we were excited to open a second and third location, as well as expand at this location,” Tamang says. “Now, we are very comfortable. We see a lot of groups coming to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries.”

Making A Splash

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September 10, 2026

CloverClub-19-WEB — Photo of Clover Club cocktail by Chelsea Casanova

After shaking up cocktails at Mo’s House and other local spots for several years, Jade Kopp jumped at a chance to run his own lounge. Opportunity knocked at Clover Club, which has served underground sips to Main Street since April.

A quieter complement to upstairs sister establishment Patsy Hartigan’s Irish Pub, Clover Club is “kind of a foil to the masculine space and all the sports-centric stuff,” Kopp says. It has a busy activity schedule, including trivia, standup comedy, and bring-your-own-vinyl nights, but no TVs. “We’re conversation-centric. That’s the entertainment,” Kopp explains.

Stairs from the Main Street sidewalk to the basement lead to Clover Club’s dimly lit atmosphere, with jungle scene wallpaper and vintage posters evoking a relaxed, lived-in vibe. “The visual of the bar is built around the colors,” he says, with pinks and reds that mimic Clover Club’s namesake cocktail. The lounge has light snacks such as crackers, dips, and desserts, and customers can order off Patsy Hartigan’s menu.

But down in the basement, it’s all about drinks. Clover Club serves classic cocktails and thoughtfully created house specialties. “I wanted to bring something for everybody,” Kopp says. “I didn’t want anything to hit too many of the same spots. I didn’t want anybody to come in and think, ‘Oh, it’s a gin bar. It’s not for me.’”

Kopp says bourbon fans “can still get a drink that scratches that itch” with the S’Great Martinez, which blends New Riff Bourbon Barreled Kentucky Wild Gin and Casoni balsamic vermouth, plus cherry liqueur and orange bitters.

Another Clover Club twist on a classic cocktail is the Enzoni, which Kopp says has similar elements to a Negroni, “but it’s a little more accessible. It’s got some lemon and a green grape syrup that doesn’t make it such a harsh, bitter flavor that a Negroni has.” Looking for a tart, juicy sip? Check out the Singapore Sling, a cocktail name-dropped by Tom Cruise’s character in the 1988 film “Cocktail.” “It’s got some tropical flavors, and it goes down real easy,” Kopp says.

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The signature mix, though, is the aptly named Clover Club: Fords London Dry gin, Lillet Blanc French wine, and splashes of lemon juice and house-made raspberry syrup, plus an egg white.

In addition to being Clover Club’s manager, Kopp also has a slice of ownership. Before joining the staff of Mo’s House, he worked at Hacienda, BRU Burger Bar, the former Arazu on Main, and Fidel’s. A sports-focused friendship with Patsy Hartigan’s Irish Pub co-owner Joshua Pietrowski sprouted a business partnership. “I started hearing him and (co-owner) Scott (Schymik) talk about this project down here,” Kopp says. “It started eating into my brain, like, ‘What are they going to do?’”

He found out soon enough, and Clover Club is off to a promising start, drawing couples and smaller parties as well as a few larger gatherings. Closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, it’s open 5-11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Pietrowski says his businesses have always been about “bringing people together,” and Clover Club is the latest example. “We’re just really grateful for the opportunity to have a space here in the basement and to have a guy like Jade, who we’ve just given full reigns of this thing,” he says.

Welcome to Evansville! Let’s Go to New Harmony!

By

Kristen K. Tucker

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September 10, 2026

Kristen-Tucker---Zoo-Portraits-2171302c-WEB — Photo of Kristen K. Tucker at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden's Amazonia by Zach Straw

There’s nothing quite like welcoming out-of-town visitors to Evansville, showing them our Hoosier hospitality, and promptly putting them back in the car and driving them out of town. That’s one way to read the results of this year’s Best of Evansville voting. (See the annual feature, “Best of the City.”) Asked to name the Best Place to Take Visitors or Out-of-Town Guests, Evansville Living readers chose … New Harmony. We can laugh at ourselves over that one, but we also can’t argue with the choice. New Harmony is a gem, and it’s about time more people appreciated just how special this historic Posey County town is. With its remarkable history as the site of two early utopian communities, beautiful architecture, gardens, galleries, shops, trails, and an atmosphere that encourages visitors to slow down, New Harmony makes a memorable introduction to the southwest corner of Indiana.

Of course, we’re not exactly bereft of things to show visitors closer to home. After New Harmony, the top vote-getter in the category of Best Place to Take Visitors or Out-of-Town Guests was the Ohio riverfront in Evansville and Newburgh. It’s hard to lay claim to being a river city without enjoying the river, and both communities give us plenty of ways to do just that. In Newburgh, walkers, runners, and cyclists take to the Rivertown Trail, a roughly 3.8-mile paved route that stretches through the historic Downtown on the riverfront. Along the way are sweeping views of the Ohio, the old and new locks and dams, the overlook, picturesque Water Street, and easy stops at Downtown restaurants and Honey Moon Coffee Co., not to mention plenty of places to watch river traffic roll by.

In Evansville, the riverfront has gained a significant collection of new attractions in recent years. The waterfall at Sunrise Pump Station turned a piece of city infrastructure into a riverfront destination, complete with an overlook, swings, seating, and a dramatic cascade carrying treated water into the Ohio. A new stretch of greenway ties the area to Mickey’s Kingdom Park, the sprawling all-abilities children’s playground, and the nearly 27,000-square-foot Sunset Skatepark, giving families, walkers, cyclists, and skaters even more reasons to head for the river. And then there’s the attraction that doesn’t require a playground, skateboard, or pair of running shoes: Take a seat on a bench along the riverfront esplanade to watch barges pass and catch a glorious Ohio River sunset.

Gaining enough votes to also make the Top 10 were the USS LST-325, docked along the Ohio River in Downtown Evansville, and Bally’s Evansville Casino and Hotel, which came ashore in 2017 from its earlier days as a riverboat casino.

Also appearing in the Top 10: food. Evansville is a food town, after all, and readers made that abundantly clear: The Log Inn, House of Como, Pangea Kitchen, and Gerst Bavarian Haus all landed among the top vote-getters for places to take visitors.

Perhaps the message isn’t really, “Welcome to Evansville, now let’s leave.” It’s that showing off Evansville means celebrating the whole place we call home — even if that means driving a few miles down the road.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you!

Kristen K. Tucker
Publisher & Editor

Top Ten Places to Take Visitors

Results from 2026 Best of Evansville Reader Survey

1. New Harmony
2. Evansville/Newburgh Riverfront and Riverwalk
3. USS LST-325
4. Log Inn
5. House of Como
6. Pangea
7. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden
8. Gerst Bavarian Haus
9. Bally’s Casino
10. Bosse Field/Evansville Otters

Running It Back

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September 10, 2026

2025-Hadi-Shrine-Circus-251130-11021-WEB — Photo of 2025 Hadi Shrine Circus provided by event organizers

The Hadi Shrine Circus, a Thanksgiving weekend fixture since 1933, is doubling down on last year’s reinvention for its upcoming shows.

As Evansville Living previewed in November/December 2025, organizers
moved away from acts featuring endangered animals such as elephants and embraced a more action-packed environment via high-wire motorcyclists and freestyle motocross stunt performers. Favorites such as Ringmaster Ari Steeples, a “wheel of death,” the Flying Cortes family trapeze troupe, and acts featuring camels, horses, dogs, and even pigs also returned.

The 92nd Hadi Shrine Circus on Nov. 26-29 at Ford Center repeats that blend of old and new. “Whether you have energetic toddlers or hard-to-impress older kids, the show balances modern thrills with beloved traditions to guarantee a memorable holiday outing,” says Joe Vezzoso, the circus’ longtime executive director.

This year’s production features headliner David DiVinci, a “Magical Thrillusionist” who has performed on six continents and in 75 countries. Returning attractions include a popular human cannonball act and the Hadi Shrine Funsters performers, who this year debut a new mascot, Tumble the Clown. There are even prizes: Pick up a $3 coloring book at the circus, and your child will be entered in a drawing for one of two bicycles given away during each performance.

With eight shows scheduled during the weekend, Vezzoso says “fitting an incredible, affordable circus adventure into your holiday schedule is seamless.”

Sound of Resilience

By

Art Woodward

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September 9, 2026

Photo by Art Woodward. Katie Watts, joined by Andy Jones on guitar and Callie Sanders on drums, performed at Ray Leo's at Lamasco in July 2026.

Since 2009, Katie Watts has been well-known as a singer-songwriter around the local club scene, but her talent extends beyond music.

“I’m a multidisciplinary artist, working in paint, printmaking, photography, digital media, and found-object sculptures,” she says. “My work explores transformation, resilience, memory, nostalgia, and finding beauty in things that others might overlook.”

After graduating with a graphic design degree from the University of Southern Indiana in 2007, she earned a Master of Fine Arts in 2021 from the University of Louisville’s Hite Institute of Art + Design. Soon after, Watts accepted an art instructor position at USI; with a more predictable schedule, she found time to play music again.

Then, a 2023 doctor’s visit for a sore throat resulted in the diagnosis of Stage II Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma. For Watts, a singer and educator, that news was devastating and touched on nearly every aspect of her life. An immediate thyroid lobectomy removed one half of her thyroid gland. “After surgery, I couldn’t speak, so my art became my voice,” Watts says. “I was able to process fear, grief, and uncertainty when words weren’t available to me.”

To ensure the cancer was eradicated, in January 2024 Watts underwent a thyroidectomy to remove the other gland as well as some lymph nodes. Although successful, her worst fears were realized when her left vocal fold was paralyzed during the operation.

“As an educator, a musician, a singer, just a human being, losing my voice was one of the hardest parts of my cancer journey,” she recalls. “I could barely speak above a whisper, I struggled to breathe, eat, laugh, and even cry. There were many times when I felt I may never be able to speak again.”

Nine months of intensive speech therapy followed. Today, Watts has regained about 85 percent of her vocal function. “The entire experience has given me an even greater appreciation for every conversation I have, every class I teach, and every song I sing,” she says. In remission since September 2024, she adds, “One of the biggest misconceptions is that the journey is over. That is far from the reality for a cancer survivor. There are ongoing scans, bloodwork, and appointments that every survivor knows well.”

These days, Watts gives back to Cancer Pathways Midwest, where she serves as an ambassador. “Being part of Pathways is one of the most meaningful parts of my survivorship journey,” she says. “Connecting with fellow survivors, caregivers, and families reminds me that no one has to face cancer alone. I’m fortunate to be able to balance teaching, creating visual art, and performing music again. It’s a reminder that life after cancer can still be filled with creativity, and joy.”

Follow Katie Watts on Facebook @katherinewattsart.

Art Woodward, also known as Art the Dude, is a writer and lifelong lover of music — skill sets that serve him well when reviewing Evansville’s concert and events scene.

From This Day Forward: 25 Years Later

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September 9, 2026

Twin_Towers-NYC-Wikimedia-Cropped-WEB — Twin Towers photo from Wiki Commons

No event has shaped modern American life as much as the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 — there is “before” and “after.” In one day, Americans felt horror, confusion, sorrow, anger, and immense pride in our country. A quarter-century later, we asked Evansville residents their perspectives on the tragedy and what it continues to teach us. Here are excerpts of their responses.

“I entered broadcasting in a post-9/11 world, so I’ve only known journalism shaped by heightened security, rapid information sharing, and a deeper focus on emergency preparedness. Today, as Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southwest Indiana Chapter, I see how the lessons of 9/11 continue to influence disaster response. Agencies, nonprofits, and first responders work collaboratively, train for a wider range of threats, and place greater emphasis on resilience before crises occur. The attacks reinforced a lasting truth: strong partnerships and prepared communities are essential to helping people recover when the unthinkable happens. When we come together to support one another, our communities are at their strongest.” — Beth Sweeney, Executive Director, American Red Cross of Southwest Indiana

“I was a young American watching the events of Sept, 11, 2001, unfold on television, never knowing how that day would shape my life. A few months later, I joined the U.S. Army. What began as a national tragedy soon became deeply personal. I went from witnessing history to helping write the next chapter of it, serving alongside a generation of Americans who answered the call. Twenty-five years later, my perspective has evolved. I still remember the unity our country experienced after Sept. 11. Americans stood together despite our differences because we understood that we were Americans first. I also think about the decades of service and sacrifice that followed. The wars lasted far longer than most of us imagined, affecting not only those who served, but their families and communities as well. Today, I think less about the politics of Sept. 11 and more about the people. Through my work with Honor Flight of Southern Indiana, I am reminded that service is a legacy passed from one generation to the next. Twenty-five years later, I believe the greatest lesson of 9/11 is what happens when Americans remember that we belong to one another and come together with a common purpose.” — William J. Kurzendoerfer, Retired U.S Army 1st Sgt.; Local Veterans’ Employment Representative for the State of Indiana

“At the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, a high school class waited for a long time to shake hands with us. … We all felt the agony of so many who died that day from such cruel terrorism.” — Paul Medcalf, Retired U.S. Air Force E-5 Staff Sgt.; Honor Flight of Southern Indiana EVV20 veteran

“I grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee, directly beside Fort Campbell, the third-largest Army base in America. I was a senior in high school when Sept. 11 occurred. Almost every student in my school had military ties, and all military personnel were activated after the attack. People’s parents, siblings, and other family were possibly going to fight, and emotions were high. What was normally a 15-minute drive home turned into about a 30-minute drive home because of all the traffic. Before the attack, we’d drive on base to shop or play basketball with very little hassle. After the attack, gates to the base were closed to minimal entry points. Security became more stringent. As members of law enforcement today, we are constantly made aware of potential threats and the information sharing is of the utmost importance. Our country changed after that day and, in a lot of ways, prepared us to stay more vigilant.” — Philip Smith, Chief, Evansville Police Department

Photo of Stacey Peak’s name on the North Tower Pool at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum by Brad Byrd

“The morning hours of that sunny Tuesday morning provided a false background of the tragedy, the atrocity that was unfolding for almost 3 thousand people, their families and for our world. The visuals are infinite: Firefighters rushing to the scene of disaster nearly a thousand feet up while citizens inside near the towers attempting to flee to anywhere to be safe. And there is the unforgettable image of firefighters raising a flag among the rubble below. The Pentagon and Pennsylvania were to follow. We were not quite the same after that, but a business trip to New York 18 years later gave me a new focus on the impact of this heartbreak. … With respect, I had my eyes open to those we lost on the names on the top edge of the pool at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. One of the names is Stacey Peak of Tell City, Indiana. She worked there. Through the ashes, we had a new perspective on history that undoubtedly will shape the century we live in.” — Brad Byrd, Retired News Anchor Channel 25 WEHT-TV (click here to find the location of Stacey’s name at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum)

“Our life in our wonderful country changed forever after the Sept. 11 attacks on our homeland. As a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, I was blessed to have been afforded an Honor Flight on May 2 this year. While in Washington, I was able to see several memorials, the last of which was at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, where 184 Americans lost their lives when American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon. One hundred twenty-five of the casualties were in the building, and 59 were in the plane. As a warrior, you hope that your war is the last one. We all know this will never be the case. Our enemy in Vietnam used terrorist means of fighting as did the foreign terrorists who carried out Sept. 11 and still are playing havoc around the world. We lost a lot of our freedoms after Sept. 11, feel less secure in a lot of life’s endeavors, and have had to endure many thousands of military and civilian casualties in our War on Terror. God Bless America.” — Ellis King, Retired U.S. Army Spec 5; Honor Flight of Southern Indiana EVV20 veteran

“We always talk about ‘freedom isn’t free.’ I’m not sure younger generations realize how much we have sacrificed as a free country to maintain our freedom. I’m concerned that the general public is becoming complacent and not understanding the dangers that can quickly change everything. It is important to remember our history, to help us plan for our future.” — Cliff Weaver, Director, Evansville/Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Agency; Former Fire Inspector, Evansville Fire Department

“The Age of Innocence, or what was left of it, came to an abrupt end. You don’t have to use an airport to feel it. Try entering a college or pro athletic event without being treated like a possible terrorist. Find a street or highway without Big Brother cameras recording your vehicle and, yes, your face, and tracking your every turn. Are these extreme precautions good or bad? Maybe both. That’s for each of us to decide. But extreme acts against us required extreme acts of defense. We may be safer now than we were 25 years ago.” — Randy Wheeler Retired News Director, 104.1 WIKY-FM

Answers extended for digital publication and edited for length and clarity by Jodi Keen

Inked Art

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September 9, 2026

Secret-Garden-Composite-WEB — Photos of Rosalie Coston and Hannah Evelyn Jones of The Secret Garden Tattoo + Cosmetic Studio by Set Free Photography

Talk about making a mark: Two years after opening a storefront on Main Street, The Secret Garden Tattoo + Cosmetic Studio nabbed Best Tattoo Studio honors from Evansville Living readers in the 2026 Best of Evansville contest. (Find more winners in the September/October feature story.)

To mark the occasion, Evansville Living asked The Secret Garden owner Rosalie Coston and fellow artist Hannah Evelyn Jones to design illustrations of some of this year’s winners; the resulting flash sheet of their work is featured on the cover.

Coston, a Fairfield, Illinois, native, started The Secret Garden as a private studio in November 2021. Esthetician services expanded, and three months after Jones, an Evansville native, joined operations, Coston opened her shop on Main Street. “I want people to walk in for the first time and feel any nervousness melt away,” Coston says. “I’m so proud that between Hannah, myself, and lots of backend help from my husband, we’ve accomplished that and more. The Secret Garden is wholly unique and blows my original dream right out of the water. We have created a space that is professional, art-forward, inviting, and just truly joyful.”

Here, the duo shares their favorite designs to tattoo and what sets their shop apart.

Answers condensed and edited for clarity.

Rosalie, why did you decide to open your own cosmetic and tattoo studio?
Coston: There were no other eco-friendly tattoo shops in town, and I looked around and saw so much waste. Obviously, in this type of environment, pretty much everything has to be single-use, so it’s understandable, but I really wanted to try to find ways to minimize the impact. Thanks to some wonderful suppliers — shout out to Good Judy and their entire community — we can proudly say that we have accomplished a tremendous reduction in waste by using as many things as we can that are either landfill-biodegradable or are sustainably sourced/produced/shipped. As far as the environment of the actual shop … I wanted a space that felt fresh and feminine, somewhere that would be comfortable and soothing and inviting to people from all walks of life.

What do you want clients to feel when they walk in?
Coston: I want them to feel confident in their decision to come to us by seeing that it is a very clean, professional space. And I want them to feel valued, comfortable, and supported throughout their experience. We’ve got cozy little spaces all over the shop, plants in every corner, chill music, it smells fantastic (largely thanks to having The Well and Emerald Design right next door), and the vibe immediately hits you as soon as the door opens. We also invite input from our clients! You want to see various sizes of the design? No problem. You want to move the stencil? You got it. We send a preview of the design to our clients in advance so they know exactly what’s going on their body before they arrive. We communicate every step of the process so nothing is a surprise, and we welcome feedback and will make adjustments to ensure every client absolutely loves their tattoo.

You’ve made inclusive a big priority in your business model.
Coston: I think it’s easier to make a space that’s inclusive than it is to make one that’s exclusive. I could break down how we’ve worked to make sure our pricing stays accessible or the communities we’ve supported, but ultimately, what we’ve done is intentional to not be a space where people feel unwelcome.
Jones: Rosalie brought me in with the intention of growing a community-focused studio with an emphasis on being friendly to women, LGBTQ+ folks, and anyone looking for a relaxed and understanding environment to get tattooed. I immediately gravitated to her vision and love how we push each other as artists and as service providers. Our mutual desire to put care, craftsmanship, and progress at the top of our priorities is an absolute dream work environment that allows us to do our best work for ourselves and our clients.

Let’s talk about tattooing. What styles do you consider your specialties?
Jones: My background is in fine art, with my degree in Studio Art from University of Southern Indiana with a focus in painting and printmaking. I think that shines through my work, and my focus lies in color, painterly details, and illustrative designs that tell a story. If you want something that looks like a museum painting on your skin, I’m your gal.
Coston: Like Hannah, I too love doing lady faces, but where she is the queen of making it look like a literal painting or piece of fine art, I live for those classic, traditional-style faces. And pin-up tattoos, especially when it’s a tattoo with tattoos! Nothing gets me more stoked than when someone wants a tattoo of a lady who has tattoos.

What designs are your favorites to ink?
Jones: I grew up constantly drawing faces, and I still find such joy in the life you can bring to them. Plus nothing is more classic than a pretty lady face tattoo!
Coston: I love doing bold, colorful, neo-traditional pieces. Anything that feels like a traditional motif but with a feminine spin is right up my alley. I also do a lot of delicate, fineline pieces and absolutely love getting to work on things that are very intricate and require absolute focus and a tedious attention to detail.

What do you enjoy most about interacting with clients?
Coston: I just love getting to meet people and hear their stories. It’s so fun when someone is coming in for their first tattoo and getting to watch them go from being nervous to realizing it’s nowhere near as scary as they thought it would be and ultimately being psyched to book their next appointment! Or when a group of friends come in and want to get tattoos together, it’s so much fun getting to be a part of this really special experience with them. At this point in my career, I have a lot of regular clients and feel like I’m just getting to hang out with my friends. My clients truly are just the most wonderful people, and they bring me all these fun projects to work on.

Share one thing you want readers to know about loving their skin.
Coston: They deserve to. Every single person deserves to love their skin. I’ve personally experienced how transformational it is to put a piece of art on a part of my body that I wasn’t proud of. It is amazing to go from feeling like hiding to feeling like showing off. There’s no one way to do it, there’s no age limit, and there’s no “correct” body type that should ever be a barrier to loving your skin.

A Manufactured Network

By

Mitzi S. Morris

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August 28, 2026

1 Conexus-by-Mitzi-Morris-WEB-6 — Photo by Mitzi S. Morris. Conexus President and CEO Jay Wirts speaks to attendees Aug. 20, 2026, at the Conexus Indiana Advanced Industries Council meeting in Jasper, Indiana.

Three years ago, an Evansville Business feature highlighted the need for workforce development and technology adoption to support Southwestern Indiana’s manufacturing sector. Now, an organization dedicated to advancing the state’s manufacturing and logistics industries is expanding its programming into Southern Indiana.

Established in 2007 as an initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Conexus Indiana helps companies focus on those topics through its Advanced Industries Council and offers regional quarterly meetings for its 130-plus council members.

The June 3 session at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton explored workforce development issues, while the Aug. 20 meeting at Jasper Engines & Transmissions tackled technology adoption, specifically artificial intelligence. Companies attending the Jasper meeting included Anchor Industries from Evansville, MasterBrand Cabinets from Ferdinand, and Grain Processing Corporation from Washington.

Photo of Conexus President and CEO Jay Wirts by Mitzi S. Morris

“We have everybody from small family businesses to Eli Lilly and everything in between,” says Conexus President and CEO Jay Wirts. “You don’t have to be a manufacturing and logistics company, but if you are, you’re going to get more benefit out of it.”

The range of companies seeks to foster collaborative peer learning, not only across industries but between small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations. “If you’re a bigger company, you hear the smaller companies talk that probably represent your suppliers,” Wirts says. “If you’re a smaller company, and you hear the bigger company talk, they’re probably representative of your customer.”

CIAIC also includes colleges and government agencies, such as Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue University, the Indiana Department of Transportation, and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “We do that intentionally because [the academic institutions] learn from what the companies are saying so they can be a little more industry-led, and the companies get exposure to the academic institutions,” Wirts says.

At the Jasper session, Wirts noted how engagement increases the value of the CIAIC experience; he credited member input in prompting the nonprofit to venture south of Indianapolis. “If most of our meetings and events are in Central Indiana, it’s a long drive, and not everyone can get to all the meetings. We want to make it easier on them by coming to them.”

Photo of Lindsey Nix of Nix Industries by Mitzi S. Morris

The number of Northern Indiana council members at the Jasper gathering surprised Mike Wagner, President and CEO of furniture manufacturer Jasper Group. Wagner, a Conexus board member, touted the statewide network effect. Lindsey Nix, Director of Talent, Development, & Community Impact at Nix Industries in Poseyville and a guest at the Jasper session, observed the opportunity for local connections. “We have a strong manufacturing presence in Southwest Indiana, but we can get siloed,” she says.

Photo of Scott Hoffman of Jasper Engines & Transmissions by Mitzi S. Morris

Through discussions on building solid foundations for AI use and targeting technology purchases with a strong return on investment, Jasper session members shared best practices on timely AML issues. Similar to the Toyota gathering, attendees also toured the host facility, a practice wholeheartedly promoted by Scott Hoffman, Director of Gas Engine Manufacturing at Jasper Engines & Transmissions. “We embrace the idea of bringing as many people in as we can to see our process and talk about those processes so we can organically get better with other people’s viewpoints,” he says.

Photo of Mike Wagner of Jasper Group by Mitzi S. Morris

For Wagner, both Southern Indiana meetings enabled him to connect the dots between where Jasper Group is now and where the company needs to be regarding workforce development and technology adoption. “Everybody’s on a continuous improvement journey,” he says. “Why do we all have to fail? Somebody can fail once, tell everyone else, and continue to progress as a group. That’s what it’s about.”

In 2027, CIAIC will host two meetings in Northern Indiana, along with four quarterly sessions in Central Indiana. Conexus also hosts free Industry Exchange Workshops that are open to any small and medium-sized enterprise. Workshops earlier this year in Jeffersonville, Fort Wayne, and Evansville offered practical strategies and structured approaches to technology adoption and workforce development projects.

Taste Without Borders

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August 21, 2026

1 Global-Exchange-pan-con-pollo-and-chip-by-Jodi-WEB — Photo of pan con pollo and housemade chip at Global Exchange by Jodi Keen

Weekday meal service is back at Old National Bank — and its flavor profile packs a punch.

Global Exchange, the latest venture from Pangea restaurateur Randy Hobson, began welcoming diners Aug. 10 in ONB’s first-floor restaurant space at 1 Main St. Open 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., the eatery is manned by up to eight full-time employees who craft fresh-baked breakfast pastries, sandwiches, and coffee.

“In early conversations with ONB, it became clear that our restaurant group and ONB have something very important in common — elevating and supporting the people of Evansville,” Hobson says.

“Old National is incredibly excited to partner with Pangea Restaurant Group to provide a friendly, inviting space — located in the heart of Downtown — to enjoy flavorful food and outstanding coffee,” says Rick Vach, Vice President and External Communications Manager at Old National Bank.

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Chef Andrew Pfender is behind the world-inspired menu centered around hot sandwiches, sides, and specials. Starting at 10:30 a.m., lunch diners can line up to order handcrafted dishes, which are brought out to tables. (Dine-in or to-go doesn’t matter: All orders come in a sturdy box that easily accommodates either option.) Hobson installed a charcoal oven to “offer the benefits of live fire in a contained space,” he says. “It’s a key component for creating a lot of the flavors here.”

Hobson’s well-known lasagna with focaccia was featured as an opening-week special, and others are designed to highlight the cuisines at Pangea Restaurant Group’s four other locations: Pangea Kitchen, 2nd Language, Pangea Pizzeria, and Sazón y Fuego. Sandwiches such as the El Salvadorian pan con pollo, Korean pepper steak, brioche burger, the “pork store,” focaccia caprese, and falafel hoagie are served on fresh, house made bread. Meals are served with housemade chips, or diners can substitute roasted vegetables, hummus, or a “build-your-own” salad.

The self-serve salad bar is stocked with produce from Local Source partners Beautiful Edibles, Evansville Countryside Orchard, AA Ranch, Tingley Farms, SB Farms, and Stolls Produce. The lineup includes heirloom tomatoes, gourmet mushrooms, sweet peppers, Japanese salad turnips, carrots, cucumbers, apples, peaches, summer squash, sweet corn, spinach, and cabbage, plus housemade dressings.

“As a brand, we have had the opportunity to garner a reputation for from-scratch, unique foods from all over the world,” Hobson says.

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Downtown employees also have been checking out the coffee bar run by Graham Purcell, a Vincennes, Indiana, native who learned the craft at Black Lodge Coffee Roasters in New Harmony — which supplies beans to Global Exchange — and also operates a pop-up coffee bar called Ragtag.

The current selection of single-origin handbrews includes beans sourced from Colombia. The Nestor Lasso, with hints of blue raspberry and apple candy, is from Stereoscope in Los Angeles, California. Los Nogales, which tastes of fruit punch, raspberry, and red wine, hails from Blendin in Houston, Texas. Andres Martinez, which features rose, sage, melon, and floral flavors, is sourced from Second State in Charleston, South Carolina.

Rotating specialty drinks include the dulce de tomate, with tastes of cherry tomato, cinnamon, star anise, and sorghum; cardamom, with blends green cardamom with brown sugar; and guajillo mocha, with dark chocolate, guajillo pepper, and vanilla smoked sea salt. Traditional offerings like espresso, cortado, flat white, cappuccino, latte, and Americano round out the coffee menu.

Starting at 7:30 a.m., Global Exchange greets customers with a rotating pastry menu. You may find the rosemary gouda biscuit, bacon jalapeño cheddar scone, orange cardamom spice scone, strawberry chocolate hazelnut galette, or banana espresso muffin. Global Exchange also plans to sell packaged gelato.

“Quality is everything, and that is a through line you will see when you visit Global Exchange,” Hobson says. “

The bank’s prior restaurant tenant, The Deli, moved out of 1 Main St. in late July and is searching for its next home. In declining to renew The Deli’s lease after 13 years at ONB, the bank sought a new culinary partner who could also cater its events. Hobson, in turn, gets a spacious kitchen to grow Pangea’s catering operations, which previously were scattered among his four busy restaurants. Now consolidated under one roof, once lunch service ends at 2 p.m., Global Exchange can flip and go “into catering mode,” Hobson says.

“We look forward to the opportunity to work with and cater for the many amazing companies and nonprofits Old National hosts throughout the year,” he says. “We are very excited to see how this relationship continues to grow and the new ways we will be able to serve our community.”

“Global Exchange is more than a new dining option,” Vach says. “It’s a wholly unique experience that celebrates the perspectives, cultures, and connections that strengthen and define our community.”

Top of the Class

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August 18, 2026

A local high school continues to earn high marks. U.S. News & World Report released its 2026-27 list of top-ranked public high schools Aug. 18, with Evansville’s Signature School retaining its spots at No. 2 nationally, No. 1 in Indiana, and No. 1 in U.S. charter schools.

The only Southwestern Indiana institution to make any list, Signature School has consistently ranked high on the national education report’s lists since 2008, six years after the open-admission, tuition-free institution opened as the Hoosier State’s first public charter school. It’s also the fourth consecutive year that Signature School has claimed the No. 2 spot on the nation’s Best High Schools list.

Photo of LaMont Jones Jr. provided by U.S. News & World Report

“It’s firing on all cylinders,” LaMont Jones Jr., managing editor of education for U.S. News & World Report, tells Evansville Business. “On all the metrics we use when we rank public high schools, they’re doing literally all the right things. It’s something the city should be proud of, the state should be proud of. It’s a huge feather in the cap.”

Partnering with global nonprofit social science research firm RTI International, U.S. News & World Report annually ranks nearly 18,000 high schools, but it reviews more than 27,000. Using data from state reports, college-level exams, and the number of successful graduations, schools are evaluated based on college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, and graduation rate.

Other area high schools that made the national list are Castle in Newburgh (1,509), North (2,228), Central (3,449), F.J. Reitz (4,209), New Tech Institute (4,259), Harrison (6,240), Boonville (8,128), and Benjamin Bosse (11,375).

“We are delighted by the news,” Signature School Executive Director Jean Hitchcock tells Evansville Business. “It’s a terrific validation of the commitment and hard work of our teachers and staff, students, and families. And, as a school with a deep connection to the wider Evansville community, we are excited to help put the city on the map on the national level.”

Signature School, Jones says, “tied for first nationally in graduation rate and state assessment proficiency, and it was 25th in college curriculum breadth. It scoring so high in those categories (is) a testament that there’s great education right there in Evansville, Indiana.”

Interestingly, Jones — who, like the U.S. News & World Report, is based in Washington, D.C. — has regional ties. Before earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism and government from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Jones attended and graduated from Owensboro High School in 1984. As a young journalist, he wrote for the Messenger-Inquirer newspaper before leaving Owensboro for WKU, as well as during breaks from his college studies. In 2013, he was inducted into the Owensboro Public Schools Hall of Achievement.

He calls seeing a school from his home region on the list “refreshing. This shows you don’t have to be in a bustling metropolis. You don’t have to be in a coastal state. There’s exceptional education everywhere in the U.S.”

In addition to its annual high school rankings, U.S. News & World Report’s education department, managed by Jones, also offers college and graduate school rankings, plus advice articles, non-college options, and a scholarship finder. All content is free to read.

“We feel like it’s a public good. It’s a great starting point to find accurate information in one place. We want this information to be available for anybody to access anywhere, no matter where you live, how much money you have — it’s available anywhere,” Jones says. “Everyone is owed a good secondary education to go to college or get a good job and contribute to their town, their family, and society.”

Connect and Conquer

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Mitzi S. Morris

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August 14, 2026