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Romance is in the Air at the Jasper County Fair Combine Derby

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:21:12 +0000

little Indiana has a guilty pleasure. It was an absolute accident and completely unplanned three years ago when we first went to the Jasper County Fair and caught the Combine Derby — but I have been hopelessly hooked ever since! In fact, I would go so far as to say it is one of the highlights of my summer.

Big farming combines crashing into one another? Oh yeah, it’s fun! But this year was different. Love was at the Combine Derby! If this video doesn’t scream little Indiana then I just don’t know what else possibly could! Who knew the Combine Derby in Rensselaer, Indiana could be romantic? Watch Love strikes at the Jasper County Fair Combine Derby in Rensselaer, Indiana on YouTube or below.

The Circus Comes to little Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:30:39 +0000

Why do I live in a small town in Indiana? I think the knock on my door the other night can help explain this one. To start with, most people don’t knock on our door, they walk right in! For another – it was a neighbor a street and a half over inviting us to a circus put on by her visiting grandkids…who also happen to be in a circus club (and to bring a side dish to share)!

We had no idea what to expect. I threw together a red potato and green bean vinegar and oil salad with my farmer’s market purchases from that morning and, well, you can imagine my surprise when – the street was hopping! Fifty people minimum, no problem. They actually had the street closed off at each end – only in a small town, right?

There were chairs set up across the street from the house (as well as chairs that people brought from home), a water and punch table, various large framed circus prints, and a makeshift spotlight over it all. Plus a very long table laden with yummy stuff: pasta salads and dessert pizza, layer cakes and veggie trays.

I didn’t know everyone but it didn’t matter. The kids all played together or chatted while the performers got ready, the grown-ups mingled, chatted, and ate. After the sound check – the circus was on!

What a circus this was! These kids juggled, they juggled while one girl walked slowly between two jugglers, they juggled on unicycles, with balls and clubs — and did figure-8’s (then reversed it!).

A girl stood on a ball and managed to move it between colorful cones. They performed classic skits and walked on stilts. It. Was. Fun! Especially after the show when we could try out everything! Yes, I rode the clown bike which is a lot harder than you’d think! Hubs learned how to juggle and he could even balance on the ball. The circus definitely brought out his inner Carnie!

It’s nights like that that remind us why we chose to live in a small town. Sure, we don’t have twenty brands of orange juice to chose from at the grocery store, yes, you could sit in a lawn chair in the middle of the street on a Sunday in town and not have to get out of the way very often, and yup, you will always see someone you know no matter where you go (two people if you leave the house without make-up), and Cornhole is pretty big in these parts, too. But, then again, so is the sense of community.

Mopsy, Flopsy, Cottontail, and the Nunemakers

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:30:56 +0000

We weren’t in any hurry. The kids were happy just chugging along on a bike ride. The Nunemakers, in case you didn’t know, are a bike-riding family.

We pull the kids along in a bike trailer and, while they normally love it, baby was getting hungry. As usual. We are very much out in the country. We rode slightly into a driveway to get out of the road, the only one for quite awhile. Hubs started feeding the Chunk, and then we saw a man and woman come out of the house. That’s awkward. With two bikes and a trailer packed with toys, snacks, lunch, books, and camera, we more closely resemble an expedition to the Arctic than a family out for a leisurely ride. We are also most definitely taking up the end of his driveway.

The man is friendly. He shrugs off our apologies at using his driveway like this, and says he has something that we would probably like to see. Um, what? Don’t a lot of horror movies start out this way? He walks to the front of his yard near the ditch. Hubs and the kid follow.

Baby bunnies -- yes, they were actually hopping around a bit!

My mind jumped to road kill of some sort which would probably scar kid #1 for life…but then I heard hubs say something about how neat that was and that I had to see it. My turn.

I head over to kid #1 crouched down in the grass, looking at something very intently. I just see a mess of fur and think back to road kill and wondering why hubs would think I would enjoy that when…baby bunnies.

When toodling around the yard, the man of the house saw the fur and wondered if their dog had dragged something home. He couldn’t believe (and we couldn’t either) that mama bunny had decided to make her nest right near the road like this. Miles of country around and she picks the front yard of a home!

I’ve seen plenty of bunnies at the fair, I even know a few people who have them, but I’ve never seen baby bunnies. These are tiny! Aren’t they cute? I mean, it just makes you say, “Aw.”

I do think there is a valuable lesson here. Sure, the yard needed mowing (like always) and the garden needed planting, and let’s not get started about our work-in-progress on the inside — but look at what we would have missed out on if we hadn’t taken a chunk of time out of our day to slow down a little! Where we stop looking at the clock and the to-do list and just enjoy each others’ company.

What would happen if we all slowed down a little? What are the the things that you are missing out on because you are moving too fast?

Mark This Date Down in History! It’s little Indiana’s Special Day!

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:25:28 +0000

Heidy ho neighbor – and welcome! Today is a very special day! It’s little Indiana’s SITs Day! For those of you who don’t know, SITs, or The Secret is in the Sauce, is a blog recognition and comment support site. It’s a great way to network – and discover awesome blogs!

Whomever says a small town is boring just doesn’t know where to go! Check out these posts about everything small town – and enjoy the best of little. Indiana is the crossroads of America – maybe some day you’ll find yourself driving through – and you’ll need to know where to stop along the way!

You can dig into actual Indiana towns, mom and pop restaurants, family owned bed and breakfasts – even recipes — by using the categories down the sidebar, but for this one? I’m keeping it simple.

Plain and Simple: Old Order Amish in Nappanee, Indiana

Small Towns: What to Know Before You Go!

Nourish Your Inner Goddess Yoplait Giveaway: Hoosier Style!

Spring is in the Air in little Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:30:43 +0000

Yes, folks – it’s Spring! I only know this because instead of snow…there’s been rain! Actual rain!

It might be a little hard to see it but right in the lower middle of my photo you can see a rainbow. It was a nice one – an arch across the sky! Too bad it faded by the time I saw it and grabbed the camera. Oh, well – there’s no complaining when there is sunshine and flowers blooming and walk around outside without freezing kind of weather!

Now: to decide what small towns to visit next! Have an opinion? Feel free to contact me or leave a comment below!

Butler U Made Everyone a Hoosier

Jessica Nunemaker — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:30:42 +0000

Hoosiers rocking a win? Oh, yeah! Basketball fan or not, Butler University fan or not – you’ve gotta admit that for a small Hoosier college to advance in the NCAA is exciting stuff! Congrats Butler University! Last Thursday? Everyone was a Hoosier.

Indiana Fun: Dartball

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:30:17 +0000

There is always something to do in a small town – like, Dartball! I know, I know – I had never heard of Dartball, either — that is up until two months ago when somehow I ended up on a team (boy do I bet they regret that move!).

Now, Dartball is kind of like darts, except, instead of lightweight, easy to throw darts, you have darts specifically made for the game, which are heavier, thicker, and, well, I kind of feel like I have to whip them at the board just to make the 15 feet to the other end (men have 20 feet to throw).

Where do you throw them? Hopefully you can make it to the Dartball board – a ginormous diamond shaped piece of wood that is divided into orange 1st, 2nd, and 3rd bases – and the coveted home run!

The other sections are red, green, or white and labeled single, strike, ball, or out. Guess which one my dart prefers to land on? Unfortunately, it’s not the homer…yet!

If it lands off the board — break out your silver coins! You’ve got to pay up and, oh yes, you will be teased! Have I thrown it off the board? I plead the Fifth.

Teams play six innings and snacks are always provided by the “home” team (you KNOW that whenever church ladies have to do anything with food it’s impossible to resist!) A game of Dartball takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to get through (depending on how good everyone is doing).

All ages play this one – friendly competition is a good thing! It’s been a lot of fun – and I am so not good at it. Even so, it definitely helped pass what could have been some long Indiana winter nights (and you know how dark those are!). Meeting all sorts of new people was just an awesome bonus!

Want to see the practice board? You can really tell that it’s gotten a lot of (mis)use – and check out those crazy darts! Interested? Local churches are the place to start – play ball!

Indiana Winter…oh, yeah: it’s COLD!

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:30:12 +0000

Some parts of the world possess constant sunshine and warmth year round. Here in Indiana? Not so much. I’m not sure I even remember what the sun looks like at this point!

This late in the game, I am about as tired of snow as I can be but I also know that as soon as the next snowfall hits (we’re talking hours not days) I know I will grudgingly bundle up and head right back out there, looking for that ever elusive perfect shot. Oh, well. As long as there is hot black coffee waiting for me when I get back in…I can take it. After all: I am a Hoosier!

Why I Do What I Do

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:30:47 +0000

I don’t know how long John and Darlene were in business. I don’t know how long they have been closed. I don’t even know who they are. All I know is that when I bummed around Wolcott looking for somewhere to eat, I happened upon this depressing sign scotch-taped to the window.

This is why I do what I do. People are finding and reading little Indiana (amazingly enough) – hopefully they are also VISITING little Indiana (or their equivalent) so things like this can stop happening. You think the recession is hard in the big cities? You don’t even know how bad it is in a small town.

Personally, I know there are many people in my area who have lost their job. Businesses keep closing all over little Indiana and it is heart-breaking. But, it isn’t all bad. We are all pulling a little closer together as a community, spending more time together instead of at the mall.

The next time you are toodling down I-65 or just passing through and are hungry – well, isn’t it about time you stopped hitting places with golden arches and fast food windows and instead discover the little places around your area?

Wakarusa Gets Recovery Grant

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:30:00 +0000

Elkhart County in Indiana has been struggling and struggling and struggling. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this video – I am so glad this cute little area is getting aid!

Can I just say that the man who introduced President Obama must have had quite the year! Laid off, rehired, and then introducing the President! Amazing!

Wakarusa, Indiana; Elkhart County

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