January / February 2021

Growing up in Evansville has such great memories for me. I was born here and lived here most of my life. Thinking of highlights of my childhood brings many things to mind — getting ice chips from the ice delivery

For 30 years, the home at 805 E. Chandler Ave. sat vacant along historic Bayard Park. Nature reclaimed the yard, a large catalpa tree grew inside the chimney, and the original roof decayed, leaving a 4-foot-wide hole straight into the

Amy Word was certain the universe was showing her a sign. During the summer of 2019, while in talks to sell her restaurant Dapper Pig in Haynie’s Corner, she was mulling over the thought of opening another venture along Franklin

A quiet brick ranch on the city’s East Side, this home at 7420 Wren Drive is packed with value. With an amazing park-like setting, the 3,299-square-foot home features a backyard oasis with an inground pool just off the sunroom. “This

Corkscrew Curiosities — at 120 N. Elm St., Henderson, KY — overflows with peculiar and intriguing items from the past. But the richest history inside the antique store (a cozy cubicle inside The Elm Consignment shop) is the story of

The last time architect Rick Guina saw his cousin, Idea Home owner Maricel Reyes, was 15 years ago, when she and her husband Hubert were living in California. Guina had just started his own architecture firm in Irvine when Maricel

When Chef Dontae Hines opened his first restaurant at the site of the former Highland Pizza, he decided to return to what jumpstarted his culinary career — pizza. Dontae’s Highland Pizza Parlor, located at 6669 Kratzville Road, is dishing out

Unlike traditional Mexican fare, Ghost Quesadilla in Newburgh, Indiana offers a unique blend of Southwest flavors that will spook the conventional taste right out of your mouth. Opened in March 2020, Ghost Quesadilla owner Ryan London was itching to get

Deaconess President Dr. James Porter addressed media and hospital personnel on Dec. 16, 2020, as a small white cart carrying the newly created vaccine rolled in front of the crowd. “These are people seeing COVID patients on the frontline every

Described as a “food desert” with little to no access to food sources, the Tepe Park neighborhood will see a transformation over the next year with the opening of a community kitchen at the site of the former Bedford Tavern

It was a time of undeniable change. The allies of the U.S. in Europe were at war with the Axis powers. The country continued to reel from a devastating economic crash in the form of the Great Depression. Many wondered

Like a real-life Willy Wonka, Mike Schmitt can be found dipping marshmallows into vats of chocolate and infusing caramels with wacky flavors in the kitchen of Sweet Schmitt’s Candy. Located at 422 North Main St., the local favorite was a

Living history — a term you’ve heard but may never have experienced. When my feet made contact with the cold metal Top Deck of the USS LST-325, I began to truly understand how the past can thrive in the present

Sam Mitchell used to be standoffish. He wasn’t much of a public speaker either. But that changed two years ago with the launch of his podcast Autism Rocks and Rolls. Sam, a senior at Eastern Greene High School near Bloomfield,

I have rewritten the opening of this letter, at least in my mind, a dozen times — more than in any letter before. Should I say, “Goodbye, 2020 — we are sick of you in the most awful, literal way?”

Now Open Purple Cup Coffee Co., at 4502 W. Lloyd Expressway, is now brewing caffeine-infused favorites, purple specialties, and select teas. The owners and culinary masters behind Pangea Kitchen opened The Patisserie, which will serve European pastries, at 401 N.W.

Sitting on an overturned white crate in the studio space of his Downtown apartment, artist Drew Cooper reflects on the path that led to his show at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana from Jan. 15 to Feb 12. While

Your brain is hardwired to make connections. And it’s really good at doing it. Walk into a room and you have a reaction. Most likely, it’s nothing substantial — the brain surveys what is around and then acts in response.

With each passing year, we mourn and celebrate the lives lost of members of the community who made a difference in their places of work, to civic organizations, and to their families and others. This year, those losses were felt

Each Sunday, Father Claude Burns carefully dresses in his traditional Catholic robes, grabs his Bible, and steps in front of the congregation at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Newburgh, Indiana, to deliver what he hopes is an inspiring

There’s a special type of beauty in a ginkgo tree during the fall. The fanned green leaves turn a vibrant, eye-catching yellow before they cover the ground in all their splendor. Along Southeast Second Street in the Historic Riverside District,

The building at 662 S. Green River Road, home to the Nance family and Nance Galleries since 1958, contains a pristine world of color, art, and antiques inside. Some amazing gems are hidden among the exquisite items and local goods

On the West Side of town, next to the park that shares its name, sits one of only five urban wetlands parks in Indiana. Howell Wetlands provides walking trails and boardwalks for visitors to take in the 35 acres of

It’s been more than 200 years since Abraham Lincoln spent his youth in the rolling hills of southern Indiana. After all that time, we are still fascinated with the man who was the 16th president of the U.S. The latest

Evansville has many beautiful landscapes and trails, and one of the most ambitious projects over the past two decades in the city has been construction of the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage, an effort by community leaders to further compliment the

In a year of historic moments, it seems the weather of winter 2021 wants to make its own mark in the history books with record-lows and snow and ice storms across the Tri-State as well as across the country. As

Historically, Indiana hasn’t been known to attract top political candidates, largely because our primary election date falls late in the race (May 3) and a fairly small amount of electoral votes (11). Despite this, Evansville has actually hosted quite a

Mardi Gras — the annual celebration in February filled with costumes, beads, and revelry before Ash Wednesday and “Fat Tuesday” is an appropriate name for this day simply for all the delicious food you can take in before Lent! If

January and February have historically been bad months for weather in Tri-State and no, we’re not just talking about ice storms. For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we remember the Great Flood of 1937 that surged through the streets of Evansville

Happy Valentine’s Day, Evansville! This weekend it’s all about love. Whether you celebrate a romantic evening with your partner or snuggle with your favorite furry friend for a night of rom-coms, one thing is for sure — you have to

Tired of the freezing rain and snow this week? Looking to get out of the cold and have some fun? Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden has just the thing for you! Escape the winter weather and travel to South

When it comes to lists, we know our readers can’t get enough of them — from Evansville Living’s annual “Best of the City” feature in the September/October issue to online restaurant reviews. The Daily Meal, a digital publication, recently combined one

Last week on Feb. 2, Sixth and Zero held the grand opening of its new location at 425 Main St. Locally-owned by Mary Allen, the shop offers eco-friendly, ethically, and sustainably sourced goods, as well as homemade soaps and body products.

The Tri-State boasts countless talented artists in clay making, painting, photography, and other mediums. Lucky for you, their fabulous works of art can be found at several galleries across the region both virtually and in-person. We’ve gathered a list of

Of all the Evansville traditions and celebrations, one event rises above the rest as the River City’s most notable annual attraction. The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival began in 1921 when a group of West Side businessmen formed an

Evansville may reside smack in the middle of the country, but the city is packed with international dining options, including one Japanese delicacy — sushi. The rich, refreshing rolls shaped with a bamboo mat Evansvillians know and love are a

The date was Feb. 6, 1992. Guests at the Drury Inn (now a Comfort Inn and Suites) at 3901 U.S. 41 N. were preparing for a full day in the city. But at roughly 9:53 a.m., the unthinkable occurred. A

It was hard not to be thrilled by the delicious smells in the air as I sat at a table in Executive Chef George Sidaros’ kitchen at the Old National Events Plaza. Greeting me with as much enthusiasm as I

The month of February marks Black History Month, a nationwide commemoration of the notable contributions Black people have made in shaping the history of the United States. While this federally recognized month is familiar to many, most are unaware of

This year, Super Bowl Sunday just won’t be the same. A limited number of fans will be at the stadium along will a limited number of friends and family at your Super Bowl party. You might not be able to

The skies in Evansville lately have been filled with dark or heavy gray clouds, alluding to some sort of cold precipitation in our future. The biting wind that comes off the Ohio River doesn’t exactly produce thoughts of warmth either.

When it comes to entertainment, Evansville sure knows how to have a good time. From sports and nature trails to performing arts, the Tri-State offers enjoyable entertainment for all ages. Though the pandemic has prevented many of these venues and

Happy February, Evansville! Or should we say happy four layers of pants, three parkas, two pairs of gloves, and a giant fuzzy hat season? It may be cold outside, but when we closed our eyes and took a sip of

In the January/February issue of Evansville Living, we toured the USS LST-325 at 610 N.W. Riverside Drive to give you the inside scoop on what lies inside the warship and how to prepare for the tour. But part of our

Seventy-three seconds. In that short amount of time after the Challenger space shuttle lifted from the ground at Cape Canaveral, Florida on the morning of Jan. 28, 1986, the shuttle broke apart in an explosion that killed all seven crew

The World Wars have a special connection to Evansville. Thousands of ammunitions, LSTs, and P-47 Thunderbolt planes were manufactured in the city during World War II (read more about the war effort in the Jan/Feb issue of Evansville Living When

French fries — wedges, curly, crisp, long, short, loaded — it doesn’t matter how you “fry up” this staple snack, the Tri-State, and staff of Evansville Living, can’t seem to get enough. Whether you like to dip your fries or

If you’ve already forgotten your New Year’s Resolution, now is the time to get back on track! The YMCA indoor triathlon offers a unique spin on the traditional triathlon. This Sunday beginning at 5 a.m., participants will compete based on

Anna Jean Stanley’s passion for antiques left a lasting legacy for her granddaughters, cousins Jasmine Elzy and Kyla Ford, owners of Corkscrew Curiosities in Henderson, Kentucky. It may have been her knack for perusing garage sales that gave them the

Our “Chew on This” food news section included in each issue of Evansville Living has gone digital! The same week our magazine hits newsstands and mailboxes across the country, we’ll pick the month’s top dining stories from print and serve

What’s one thing that’s changed the most in the city of Evansville over the last five years? Development! It seems like each week we get the news of a project moving forward or a new one in the works. This

Churches have long been a premier attraction of any city, with their remarkable architecture inside and out captivating the gaze of their congregation and abroad. In the 2018 March/April issue of Evansville Living, we casted a light on 10 of

Since Easterseals Rehabilitation Center opened on Bellemeade Avenue in 1957, it has been home to many unique special events and traditions, all benefiting the lives of local people with disabilities. This year, the organization is marking its 75th anniversary —

Working Downtown has its perks. We get a great view of the Ohio River, are close to many amazing local businesses, and at midday, we have several dining spots to choose from. We’re in love with the Evansville’s local eateries,

Yesterday, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman and first African American and South Asian American to hold the office. While this ceremony was

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for an outdoor weekend getaway. Stocked with masks, negative COVID-19 tests, and no less than four layers of sweaters and coats each, my friends and I explored Chattanooga’s premiere

Although Martin Luther King Jr. Day was yesterday, you can still celebrate the civil rights icon with a week of virtual learning events through the University of Southern Indiana. These events honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King are

While the world said Happy New Year on Jan. 1, 2021, we also are saying happy birthday to the state of Indiana. It was 205 years ago when a seemingly random series of events, including a famous war, led to

Home to roughly 118,580 people, Evansville is the third largest city in Indiana behind Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. Despite being mid-sized and much smaller in population than most other major Midwest cities, Evansville houses not one, not two, but four

Parlor Doughnuts and Proper Coffee is well known locally for its layered doughnuts, roasted coffee blends, and other breakfast delicacies. But what recently caught our attention was the spinach pesto breakfast sandwich. This delicious breakfast sammy is stacked with spinach, pesto,

After more than a decade, I soon will be leaving my role as Creative Director with Tucker Publishing Group for a new adventure in food media. While I’m excited for the future, these last days are filled with bittersweet moments

Pepperoni, sausage, and cheese — Oh my! Pizza Week has come to Evansville! Evansville Pizza Week, coinciding with National Pizza Week from Jan. 10 to Jan. 16, is a local dining event supported by several area businesses, including State Farm

The weather in Indiana is unpredictable in the winter and so are the birds that travel throughout the Hoosier state. Most commonly, you can find year-round residents like cardinals, blue jays, house sparrows, finches, and woodpeckers, but other sightings change

Bundled up in coats, gloves, and scarfs, Evansvillians across the city may be grumbling about the cold chill that’s settled in River City in the last few weeks. But with no winter weather advisories so far and even less considerable