little Indiana Pitch: Produced by JBH Productions

I don’t think big city producer Jesse Harper of JBH Productions quite understood the popularity behind little Indiana.

I know he must have thought it was a good idea (or else why would he want to waste film on it) but I don’t think he understood why so many people were interested.

WHY are there so many readers and such a large ever-growing Facebook Fan Page for a site about Indiana towns? To think of 50,000  people a month reading about small towns by the beginning of Summer…it’s a lot to take in.

But something happened while on location in Wabash, Indiana.

Filming in Wabash

It began at Wabash County Historical Museum and Modoc’s Market, and continued while we visited Eagles Theater, Charley Creek Inn, Ellen’s A Dress Shop, and Market Street Grill. We didn’t even get to some of my favorite haunts, like Jack in the Box Children’s Consignment or Reading Room Books. But I do believe that after touring incredible place after incredible place–he had a light bulb kind of moment! An “aha!” if you will.

Maybe it was the fact that Wabash, Indiana is a beautiful Indiana town—visually, it’s stunning. Or maybe it’s the fact that we bumped elbows at an artsy gallery, reconnecting with folks we’d seen throughout the day, who spoke with us as though we were friends. Otherwise, it could have been that small town attitude. In this Indiana town? Everyone cared.

Of course, since the producer may have made a retail purchase or two, (which I don’t think he expected to see anything worth buying), those small town prices may have helped a bit too! Kidding aside, those heartfelt words of thanks meant a lot.

It wasn’t just little Indiana and JBH Productions working hard filming, it was the entire town cheering us on and ready to step in and help any way they could. Everywhere we went, we were sincerely thanked just for our presence. JUST for being there. That had to make an impression.

The Thank You

little Indiana Pitch

It seems like such a little thing: a thank you. Doesn’t it? But in small towns, it’s sort of what we do–and I think it’s lost in the city. No, I know that the “thank you” is lost in the city. I’ve lived in a few of them. But here? It’s a way of life.

It’s funny. When we got home from shooting the pitch, a man was walking his dog and stopped for a minute so my boys could visit. I have a container to return to a neighbor that she had loaded up with fresh squash. I’ll probably sneak a homemade treat inside as a return thank you.

I can expect a friend to drop off farm fresh eggs before she carries on with her day “just because.” I’m already looking forward to the annual neighborhood circus and block party–and it is months away. A small town is full of meaningful moments in the every day.

Without you, loyal readers, this wouldn’t be possible. Sure, it hasn’t been picked up by a network yet–that’s a bit of a process so we’ll be playing the waiting game, however–there’s a chance. A chance to share little Indiana in a whole new way and to reach more people than ever before! And that just blows me away.

My Thank You’s…

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for reading, thank you for sitting down and taking the time to send me your personal emails as though we were neighbors discussing life over a cup of coffee. Thank you for forcing me to slow down and respond and appreciate the small town hub that little Indiana has become. Thank you for becoming such actively involved Facebook fans. But most of all, thank you for creating such a vibrant online community in little Indiana!

little Indiana Pitch: Produced by JBH Productions

Small towns are destinations—not drive-throughs. Stay on top of the pitching process and help JBH Productions and little Indiana get it out there.

Special thank you to the businesses mentioned above as well as Emily Perkins of Wabash County Historical Museum, Jo and Joyce at Artistica Gallery, Lisa Keffaber of Ellen’s A Dress to Impress Shop, Angie and Mike Beauchamp of Modoc’s Market, and Bill Gerding of Market Street Grill (as well as our server for her sense of humor).

A big howdy to Jason and Alison McClure at McClure’s Orchard, Candie Cooper, Terri and Kelley at Dorothy-Ilene’s, and the man on the street with the rose-colored glasses.

Big thanks to JBH Productions owner Jesse Harper for his fantastic direction, Rick Allen of Key Lime Films for his great eye, and Christine Flohr of Wabash County CVB for arranging our stay (and enduring my multiple phone calls)! My opinions remain mine and mine alone (as always).

Find Pilot episode images and other pictures in Wabash, Indiana on my Flickr photostream.

Wabash, Indiana in Wabash County

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Consider subscribing via email or RSS feed to little Indiana. Don’t miss a moment!

Sincerely,
Jessica Nunemaker
Social Media Cupcake/Small Town Explorer

little Indiana: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in Small Towns in Indiana. Discovering Indiana’s best small towns! Now get little Indiana on your Kindle.

Targeted. Relevant. Affordable! little Indiana advertising.

Related posts:

1. Where I Roam: Wabash, Indiana
2. Wabash, Indiana: Reading Room Books Rocks My Book-Loving World
3. Eagles Theater in Wabash, Indiana: Where Movie Meets Event

Yes, she saw my little plea for an interview while surfing around trying to find small towns in Indiana, and kindly took the time to send me an email–is that cool or what?

Amanda Overmyer: From Mulberry, Indiana to American Idol Season 7 to little Indiana!

Amanda Overmyer Interview

You lived in little Mulberry, Indiana, then you became a nurse. The jump to American Idol is pretty huge — what made you go for it and audition for American Idol Season 7?
I was never a fan of the show, or a watcher, by any means. I had played in cover bands before, but had since quit playing 2 years before I went.

I am a person that takes “calculated risks”. I didn’t have it in me to take off to LA to “make it.” So, when I heard about the auditions, I figured “Why Not?” It was going to be the only shot I had.

I love that you didn’t sacrifice who you are because you didn’t fit the usual American Idol cookie cutter standard. So, what was your favorite part of American Idol experience?
The fact that I can now play music and tour the country for a living.

Is there an “Amanda Overmyer Day” in Mulberry? Your hometown must have been pretty proud! How did they celebrate your return?
No Amanda Overmyer Day. When I got back, I was able to do a homecoming show in Lafayette, and then further on in the year I gained a warm welcome of 15,000 viewers at the Dancing in the Streets Festival I headlined.  That was really cool!

Before American Idol, you were a small town girl. Where were your favorite hangouts around your Mulberry, Indiana hometown? (and what did you rock out to on the radio when you were cruisin’ around?)
There is a little pub called Southfork Pub in Mulberry that I would be at on occasion and I would listen to 93.5 or 94.7, the classic rock stations!

What do you believe is the best part of small town life?
I live out in the country, lots of privacy, quiet; living in a city would never work for me, there are too many people.

You mentioned that you found “little Indiana” when you were looking for cool places to ride — what are some of your preferred out of the way places?
Actually, this past weekend we rode down to Lake Patoka and come back up through Nashville, Indiana. The southwest region of Indiana is awesome.

So, what’s the “Rock and Roll Nurse” doing now? Did I see something about a new CD?
Yes, my CD “Solidifiy” is available on itunes, Rhapsody, Amazon and CDBaby.com. I have been touring America promoting it! Go to Overmyer Productions for all of your Amanda Overmyer needs!

Do you have any shows coming up?
This weekend I will be in Denver CO, then Blue Lake, CA then Wisconsin. I will be in Auburn, IN October 2 for the Dekalb Co. Fair, so come out and see the show, Indiana!

You Can Take The Girl Out Of The Small Town…

But fortunately? You can’t take the small town out of the girl! Amanda Overmyer is level-headed and definitely grounded. Like any small Indiana town resident, she understands the simple pleasures of a day in the country.

Related posts:

1. Mulberry, Indiana: Once the Wealthiest Town in the Country
2. MulberryFest in Mulberry, Indiana
3. Southfork Restaurant in Mulberry, Indiana Dishes out the Good

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His focus?  Interesting characters around the Midwest (think Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois).   But, he made the best of the worst, compiling his favorites together in the aptly named book: Favorites.  To make a long story short, he kindly sent me an extra copy for review.

It isn’t very often that I have the opportunity to read something that really stays with me.  My life is on information overload, but these days, really, who’s isn’t?  I read a lot: blogs, news sites, social networking websites, you name it, I’m on it, but most of the time, it just doesn’t stick.   Favorites, however, stuck.

Mr. Mathews possesses a particularly thoughtful turn of phrase.  At times I would thrust the book into hub’s hand and demand, “Read this!  Read this one!” just because I wanted, no needed, to discuss it with someone.  Days later I still think about some of these people and wonder what became of them.

Many of these are tear jerker stories about people that society has almost forgotten.  Thanks to newspaper columnist and book author Garet Mathews, though, society never will.

My favorites of Favorites: (in case you were wondering)

*She’s Too Old To Be A Caregiver But She Doesn’t Care

* For This Old Soldier, The War Isn’t Over

* Mortality Tables Creep Up On You

* Thoughts of Baby Girl Don’t Go Away

* Suitor, 91, Has Tough Standards

Want a copy of your own?  Yes, of course you do!  Go to Newspaper Writer and pick one up right now!  You can chose to read it in full online (but, seriously, nothing beats the feel of a book).  Shoot me an email when you are finished – or leave a comment below — and we’ll discuss.

Related posts:

1. Wabash, Indiana: Reading Room Books Rocks My Book-Loving World
2. Wolcott, Indiana Architecture: Victorian Extravaganza!
3. Proflowers.com Review – No Local Florist? Dead of Winter? No Problem!

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Here is 12 Days of Christmas sung by the ten member Indiana University group Straight No Chaser, from their CD, Christmas Cheers.  I’ve had this in my head non-stop for hours! Truly amazing. Your turn.

Straight No Chaser: 12 Days of Christmas

Targeted. Relevant. Affordable! little Indiana advertising.

Related posts:

1. Hendricks County Holly Days: Christmas Fun in Danville, Indiana
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3. Hendricks County Holly Days: Images from Danville, Indiana

Even then you can see that Michael Jackson could really move!  Interestingly enough, thanks to Michael Jackson’s recent death, there is even a movement to get it put back on the air!

Here’s a clip from the show featuring: Going Back to Indiana.  Gotta love that 70’s orangey-goodness!

Related posts:

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2. Step Back In Time Antiques in Edinburgh, Indiana
3. Adams Mill in Cutler, Indiana: A Step Back in Time