September / October 2014

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign. There are so many signs along the landscape that we all sort of overlook them. But there are some pretty cool signs in Evansville. Some of them are vintage neon, while others, like the Corner

Evansville’s theatrical roots were planted in the middle of the 19th century when independent theater companies were established and performed throughout the Midwest. Evansville’s own Civic Theatre traces its history to the 1920s, when the community theater movement swept the

It’s the Germans who get all the attention in Evansville — so strong is our heritage with the republic. Yet Italians also have made their mark on the city. By 1900 there already were about 150 Italian immigrants living here

Even as a little girl, Tracy Watson spent hours rearranging and decorating her bedroom. Through the years, the habit stuck and branched into helping friends decorate and find rugs and artwork for their homes. “I one day asked myself, ‘Why

A year after Castle High School installed a new 40-foot band tower, the senior class presented the name Eifler to the structure as their senior gift. “It was very cool,” says Mark Eifler, a band director at Castle High School

Samantha Ramsey, 31, didn’t know the first thing about Evansville’s roller derby league, Demolition City, but she could skate. She learned that flat track roller derby is a fast-paced contact sport played with two five-member teams roller-skating in the same

Let’s face it; everyone loves jumping on a trampoline. You don’t have to be a kid to admit that. But when I learned I would be testing out the SkyRobics fitness class at Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, I had

On a nearly perfect, warm weather morning, Joni Matthews opens her front door to greet an out-of-town guest with warmth and excitement. A small but dressy affair is in the making and the house’s energy is palpable as preparations flow

Inside the barn at Seton Harvest, produce is placed in bins market-style, and scales are readily available for customers to weigh and bag their choice of healthy offerings. But no money is exchanged here; instead, shoppers own shares of the

Hungry patrons searching for freshly fried chicken and slow-cooked ribs flock to the Overlook Restaurant, located on a picturesque bluff in Leavenworth, Indiana. The aptly named restaurant — about a 90-minute drive from Evansville — is situated above the horseshoe-shaped

The term “casino” is born of Italian origin with the root word being “casa” or house. Tropicana Evansville is getting back to its roots with its latest Italian restaurant, Mama Mia’s, which opened in December 2013. Mama Mia’s became the

In the day-to-day operations of being a restaurant manager, I often find myself worrying about the business while awash in “busy-ness.” When I am afforded a moment of clarity in the midst of organized chaos, I sometimes find myself desiring

City Taco 2403 Washington Ave., 812-477-1955, facebook.com/citytacoevansville BBQ Nachos and Chips and Queso: Begin with crisp tortilla chips and creamy queso before ordering the BBQ Nachos, which have house queso topped over pulled pork, slaw, corn and avocado salsa, and

Naturalization ceremonies are among Richard Young’s favorite moments. As a U.S. District Judge, Young gets to preside over the moment when immigrants are finally granted U.S. citizenship. He likes them because everybody leaves the courtroom happy. Young, 61, the chief

Be careful what you offer a magazine editor. She will likely recall what was proffered — just when she needs it — and soon you’re rolling off a German manroland web press and onto the pages of Evansville Living. That’s

Sidewalk Café (228 Second St.), a new restaurant in Henderson, Kentucky, opened July 9. It offers gourmet chicken salad, Italian beef, tomato basil turkey wrap, loaded potato soup, and strawberry cake. Bella e Dolce Ristorante (970 S. Hebron Ave.), a

Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln invite you to a Civil War ball in Rockport, Indiana, where visitors will be swept back in time to a different world to pay homage to the area’s colorful past. Hosted by Friends of Lincoln

From what to plant in the growing season to the effects of climate change in the Tri-State, those who have a passion for gardening can explore several different topics at the Ohio Valley Garden Conference Oct. 18 inside the Tropicana

It took 11 years and more than 300 truckloads of dirt to get Evansville’s only dog park, Central Bark, up and running. “I went to New York and became crazy about the idea of a dog park,” says Alice Rademacher,

Just breathe. It’s something you say to your friend about to go on stage in a play or to your wife as you hold her hand in the hospital room. It’s part of life; it seems so easy, but for

In the beginning, pictures were hung on a clothesline strung tree to tree. Fifty-eight years later, the Louisville-based St. James Court Art Show has grown to attract nearly 750 artists displaying art ranging from drawings, prints, and ceramics, to pottery,

If you think schools are tumultuous today, ask your grandparents if they remember the name Glen Bretz. Bretz was the boys’ basketball coach at Central High School from 1935 to 1947. In the 1945-46 season he led Central to the

I do not know how many times I have said the weather we are experiencing this summer is absolutely amazing. The days have mostly been pleasant — great times to sit outside. As fall approaches, we will be blessed with

One year ago, Sean (not his real name) was struggling in school. The Glenwood Leadership Academy student, who has special needs and a behavior disorder, had trouble focusing in class and often became frustrated or angry. Sometimes he would storm

The local radio market is going through some big changes, some more obvious that others to listeners. Townsquare Media made a major format change on WJLT, South Central Communications is selling its radio stations, and a new FM signal will

Before 1918, there was only one high school in Evansville. But in the next six years, three new high schools sprung into existence: F.J. Reitz, Benjamin Bosse, and Reitz Memorial. At the time, football was not nearly as popular as

When Maestro Nick Palmer first came to Owensboro, Kentucky, in 1998 to become the music director and conductor of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, he was immediately impressed by the community’s interest in the arts. Before coming to Owensboro, he spent

Anna Maria Josephine Reitz and her family had a spectacular jewelry collection. And after she died, a local jeweler used it to make something special. In 1929, David Cohn, one of the founders of Kruckemeyer & Cohn Fine Jewelry, designed

While the idea of a coffin ride and being buried alive might make the average person cringe, for Chris Lankford it’s just another day at the office. During the fall months, Lankford serves as the owner and operator of Eville

Jazz music is uniquely American. It was born a century ago in the Deep South, but its style and rhythms changed as it spread across the country. Today, jazz is often little more than wallpaper at a corporate function, in

Etsy — just what does the name of the popular online commerce retailer of vintage items, arts, and supplies mean? For a number of years, the founder of the Brooklyn-based company responded obliquely about the company’s name; however, in 2010,

“I have two loves in my life besides my family — art and gardening,” says artist Jaime Haney. “And a lot of times, they fight each other.” Haney’s home studio is a combination of both loves, with an attached greenhouse, a

Autumn in Southern Indiana offers those gorgeous halcyon days; perfect for meandering along Indiana’s newest wine trail. Founded in 2012, the Hoosier Wine Trail touts nine wineries as it winds along 100 miles of the southern part of the state.

Throw out the bad, and bring on the good! That’s what Jason’s Deli serves on the table as the first major restaurant in the U.S. to ban artificial trans fat, and also the first to eliminate high-fructose corn syrup. Bringing

While USI’s new teaching theater won’t open until next year, the university has been sending graduates into theatrical professions for many years. Here is a short, not-in-any-way complete listing of some of the University of Southern Indiana Theatre students who

Vote for the Best of Evansville! Tell us the latest and greatest the city has to offer! The 14th annual Best of Evansville competition is your chance to vote for your favorites. So, what people and places stand out to

The success of a university is often judged by the accomplishments of its graduates. For the University of Evansville Department of Theatre, there is no shortage of stories of achievement in front of the camera, onstage, or behind the scenes.