In Venne today there was a unified outdoor church service of three Lutheran congregations. Of course it was in German, however, also unique in that there was a 19 piece brass band providing the music.

Maybe serving beers and brats after church might boost attendance!!!

Tomorrow we head to Bremen.

While roaming the Venne countryside in 🇩🇪 Germany, we came upon the Restaurant Trentmann in Hunteburg. Tonight’s specialty was a German delicacy, White Asparagus, along with schnitzel, pork 🐽 , 🐓 chicken, potatoes and of all things, scrambled eggs.

We spent the day traveling around Venne and stopping at old farms and home towns of Jackson County ancestors. Old home places of the Melloncamps, Stuckwisches, Darlages, Schaffstalls, etc.

RaeAnn turned 35 on May 31 and we celebrated tonight with grilled 🐓 chicken, asparagus, baked 🥔 potatoes, homemade ice cream and Heidi knocked it our of the park ⚾️ with the strawberry 🍓 Bundt cake.

The cake was super moist and had a homemade icing as well.

The food and camaraderie were first rate.

Now, on how to eat this cake and ice cream; the best way is to put the cake in a bowl and then top it with ice cream. But don’t stop there. You need to mix it up until is is a bit soupy. Excellent!

The kids got me a wood fired pizza oven for Christmas 🎄 and it took me until May to put it together.

The maiden voyage was tonight while the grandkids were visiting and it has me interested.

I used kiln dried wood from Huck’s Gas Staion ⛽️ and also discovered you can get a big box at Sam’s Club for a better price.

We used Great Value sauce, pepperoni from a bag and mushrooms from a can. Not fancy, but easy.

Although it got a little black on the bottom, the crunch factor was its redeeming feature for me. We will get some better ingredients and branch out as I get more comfortable with how it works. One thing I especially want to try is cooking a 🥩 steak in a cast iron 🍳 skillet, as well as potato 🥔 wedges and 🥕 carrots when the the steak is done. ✅

We enjoyed the historical aspect and I want to return to try the meatloaf!

1982: Fast Times At Ridgemont High:

Jeff Spicoli: So, today, Jeff Spicoli has his own pizza 🍕 at Brooklyn Pizza on 2nd Street in Seymour, Indiana.

Before Shawn Malone brought Brooklyn Pizza and Seymour Brewing to 2nd Street, I had purchased at least one growler from Twisted Crew Brewery. Spock Fingers Chocolate 🍫 Raspberry tonight.

Shawn and his crew earned a third place finish at Belterra’s pizza competition with this Spicoli pizza.

Every visit to this establishment is an adventure and a treat!

Richard wasn’t feeling up to attending the North Alabama game and with no school today or tomorrow, I was available to fill in.

I met brother-in-law Doug Hackman and wife Debbie before the game and they took me to the Hoosier Bar and Grill, which is a regular spot for them. Although they are known for an outstanding tenderloin, I went for the mushroom and Swiss which was excellent! They not had the grilled chicken salad which appears to be pretty darn good.

With the Hoosiers raining ☔️ down threes, it was a fun night!

Brooklyn 🍕 Pizza is located at 753 West 2nd Street in Seymour. Shawn Malone posted this pizza on his fb page and I just happened to see it Wednesday afternoon. I don’t think it is even on the menu yet.

To wash it down, I had the Hometown Pecan Brown Ale which was delicious! (I am a proud Mug Club member that just got moved up to the wall)

Brooklyn Pizza and Seymour Brewing is always a homerun! ⚾️

It started Wednesday evening with Men’s Town at the Hartley garage in Vallonia, Indiana. You can eat squirrel 🐿️, 🐢 turtle, etc. as well as play ♣️ poker and watch John’s Redneck Ingenuity can crusher in action.

Heidi and I smoked a turkey 🦃 on the Traeger Smoker and it turned out fantastic! Great flavor!

We actually have another dinner tomorrow in Louisville. ⚖️ Dood coma coming soon.

Located in beautiful downtown Jamestown on State Road 136 is where you will find Baire’s 🍔 Burgers. It is a brand new (opened September 30) To Go only burger joint with the “Best Burger On Wheels.”

Jamestown is the hometown of Herman B Wells, former Indiana University president and educator. As well as the info stated on the historical marker, he was also the president of IU in 1947 when Bill Garrett of Shelbyville was Mr. Basketball and became the first African-American basketball player in the Big Ten for IU. Along with Coach Branch McCracken, Wells was a key player in making that happen.

Around the mid 1980s I went to an IU football game with then Student Trustee Tom Haley and Tim Durham. After the game Tom took us to a party at the president’s house on campus. As we were walking in Dr. Joe Black (IU Trustee) pulled up the the front of the house. ( I also mowed Dr. Black’s yard for five years growing up.)

As Dr. Black walked toward the house he stated to us, “The bar is open boys. Let’s go.”

During our stay at the party Tom introduced me to Herman B Wells. (At the time I really had no idea who he was.) He sat in a chair with a red cardigan sweater and a cane across his lap. He was quite personable and had plenty of time for our conversation.

On a side note, I have also met Bill Garrett. He was a high school friend of my Dad’s (Walt Wintin and came by the house for a visit back in the early 1970s. He was tall and lean and looked like he could still play 🏀. He was a gentleman and my Dad had tremendous respect for him. He also has a historical marker on the IU campus and has a building named after him as he was a great athlete and a better person during a volatile time in our country. Dad attended Bill’s wedding in Madison, Indiana to Betty Innskeep. He said that there were three white people at the wedding. Himself and Mr. and Mrs. Branch McCracken.

Thank you for attending Indiana History 101.