COMMUNITY
Father and Son Team Launch Health Products for Gamers
A deeply competitive and spectator-driven world has developed within video game culture over the past two decades.
‘Charlie Bird Loves Bloomington,’ And So Does Artist Winnie King
“I’ve come a long, long way from crumpled-up, notebook-paper comics doodled in the back of an elementary school classroom,” says Bloomington artist Winnie King, 23, who was recently commissioned to illustrate the children’s book Charlie Bird Loves Bloomington, a fundraising project for the health care of Charlie, Bloomington’s resident macaw.
Bloomington: Dog-Friendliest Town in the Entire Universe!
Bloomington is a dog’s town, and our love for our four-legged family members is reflected in the myriad of local organizations, businesses, and services that help them lead their happiest lives.
L. Jon Wertheim: From BHSN to 60 Minutes & Sports Illustrated
While he hasn’t lived in Bloomington since leaving for college in 1989, L. Jon Wertheim says he feels an attachment to his hometown, a place where he saw a lot of examples of success.
B-Town to Welcome Afghan Evacuees In Their Most Desperate Time of Need
For nine days in early September, Elizabeth Cullen Dunn distributed toothpaste, towels, diapers, and shampoo to Afghan refugees evacuated from Kabul to Camp Atterbury, the National Guard training post north of Columbus, Indiana.
The B-Town Piano Project: Fun with Art and Music
u may have spotted exuberantly decorated pianos popping up around town—at Artisan Alley, Soma Coffee House and Juice Bar on East 3rd Street, and the Village Pub, to name a few places.
REVIEW: ‘Come Sit With Me’
The subjects of many of the poems, essays, and plays in Gladys DeVane’s inspiring new collection, Come Sit with Me: Life in Poetry, Prose and Plays (Jewell Jordan Publishing), are risk-taking, crusading women.
Zietlow To Be Honored At Rotary Toast
Community activist Charlotte Zietlow has been a vital part of Bloomington since moving here in 1964 with her late husband, Paul. In recognition of her years of service, the three Bloomington Rotary clubs have selected Zietlow as their honoree at the seventh annual Bloomington Rotary Toast.
Lark Ranch: A Fall Family-Day Getaway
or years, Indianapolis-based attorney Matt Lark was asked to conduct school field trips to his family farm in Loogootee, Indiana. After a while, he saw the potential for something more.
IU Credit Union Celebrates 65 Years of Service
David Sipes believes “We started a credit union and created a community” is more than just a tag line—it’s how IU Credit Union, a nonprofit financial cooperative, has grown in the past 65 years.
Ten Questions for Lucy The Famous Service Dog
Lucy, a white Lab service dog, has been probably the most recognizable canine in town as the constant companion of Adria Nassim, whose popular column in The Herald-Times deals with autism and disability-related issues.
‘It Takes a Village’ to Protect B-town’s Only Water Source
The City of Bloomington has one source of drinking water for its roughly 84,000 inhabitants: The reservoir of Lake Monroe, about 20 miles south of downtown. At 17 square miles, it’s Indiana’s largest man-made lake, but it’s an essential—and fragile—resource.
Monroe County Public Library Adds iPads, Mobile Video Production Kits to Library of Things
The Library of Things at the Monroe County Public Library has expanded to include iPads and Mobile Video Production Kits.
Big Changes for the Public Library Outlined in 3-Year Strategic Plan
Input from the community and service to the community are the forces driving the Monroe County Public Library’s new three-year strategic plan.
What’s to Become of The Old Hospital Site?
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton calls the City’s plan to redevelop the current site of Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital “a once- in-a-century opportunity for our community to re-imagine our future.”
Nashville House Re-Opens, And Still a Family Business
For decades, The Nashville House drew daily crowds for its fried chicken, biscuits, and apple butter.
Local Attorneys Donate Video Devices to Bell Trace Residents
Betsy Greene’s mother, Beth Van Vorst Gray, lived at Bell Trace Senior Living Community with her husband, Ralph Gray, and died in February, just before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Review: ‘Minister’s Daughter: One Life, Many Lives’
Many Bloomingtonians will recognize the name Charlotte Zietlow, which is engraved on the local justice center, but may not have met the woman who bears it.
Help Save ‘The Ryder!’
When Peter LoPilato launched The Ryder on April Fool’s Day 1979, it was part of a wave of Bloomington- based alternative magazines.
Dogs on the Job: The Ultimate Greeters
Imagine having a co-worker in your office that greets every customer happily, has passersby stopping in just to say hi, and listens sympathetically to everything you have to say. A pipe dream? Not when you bring your dog to work.
Sassafras Audubon Society: Bird Activists for 50 Years
Before people can begin to care about saving bird species, they need to understand why it’s important. The fact is, bird conservation supports everything from the economy to the ecosystem.
Old IMU Phone Booths Now Tell Hidden Hoosiers’ Tales
The Indiana Memorial Union (IMU) pulsates with life—students circulate between cafés and study nooks, visitors bustle in and out of the Biddle Hotel, and, up marble stairs and tucked around a corner on the main level, “Hidden Hoosiers” resurrects voices from the past.
Bronze Bust to Honor Bloomington’s Future Daughter Captain Janeway
Bloomington has its fair share of famous sons and daughters, but it also has the rare distinction of being the future birthplace of a sci-fi icon: Star Trek: Voyager’s Captain Kathryn Janeway, the first female captain on a Star Trek series.
J.R. Holmes: South High School’s Indomitable Basketball Coach
When Bloomington High School South boys’ basketball coach J.R. Holmes recorded his 807th win in February 2019, he became the winningest high school basketball coach in Indiana history.
Monroe County Public Library Celebrates 200 Years of Literacy
Celebrating its 200th birthday this year, the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) has grown to an all-welcoming, two-branch system that strives to provide services to as many patrons as possible.
The Pipsqueakery Needs Bigger Space to Save More Small Lives (PHOTO GALLERY)
Alex Hernly and Jason Minsterketter are co-founders of The Pipsqueakery, a small-animal rescue that saves more than 400 rodent and rabbit lives each year. But before they married, the couple didn’t even consider themselves “animal people.”
Facts About the 2020 Census: Be Counted. It’s Important!
Mandated by the Constitution and conducted every 10 years since 1790, the census helps determine political districts at the federal, state, and local levels, and is used to distribute federal dollars for roads, schools, hospitals, and other public resources.
The Public Library Now Has 3D Printer
Libraries are generally known for housing books, and while the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) does that, its Level Up Digital Creativity Center, located on the first floor of the Main Library on East Kirkwood, also houses an abundance of digital resources.
Cambridge U. Press Reissues Rebecca Zietlow’s Book ‘The Forgotten Emancipator’
Bloomington native Rebecca Zietlow and 19th-century abolitionist James Ashley, the subject of her latest book, both have their parents to thank for their interest in social justice.
Civic Champs Helps Nonprofits Keep Track of Volunteer Hours
Volunteers are the heart and soul of many nonprofit organizations, but sometimes even a great resource can be hard to manage. Enter Civic Champs, a Bloomington-based startup with an app that automates volunteer management.
New Switchyard Park: It’s Large, Has Lots of Stuff & It’s Eco-Friendly
Officially opened in November, Switchyard Park is the city’s largest park—more than 65 acres. The facilities include an amphitheater, 11,000-square-foot event pavilion, skate park, splash pad, playground, dog park, and community gardens, as well as fitness circuits, electric car-charging stations, and several sports courts.
Bloom’s 14th Annual Holiday Party
A merry time was had by all!
Police Social Worker Helps Those in Need Find Services
Melissa Stone’s gray polo shirt has a Bloomington Police Department (BPD) badge on one side and the words “Social Worker” on the other. She says it’s important that she gain the trust of the people she approaches. “I’ll introduce myself and say ‘I’m not an officer. I’m just a social worker. I can’t arrest you,’” Stone explains.
New Special Victims Unit For Sex Crimes & Domestic Violence
When Erika Oliphant stepped into her new role as Monroe County prosecutor in 2019, she wanted to improve the experience of sex crime and domestic abuse victims within the criminal justice system, as well as the experience of those who work to prosecute their offenders. “These are difficult caseloads,” Oliphant says. “They’re very emotionally draining. I thought it might be better to try more of a team approach.”
In a Town Called Kotz: B-town native Mike Cagle is now working 30 miles above the Arctic Circle.
While many people in Bloomington know me as an artist and illustrator, several years ago my life took a drastic turn and I, in turn, decided to head to law school in Portland, Oregon. After successfully passing the bar, I began my job search. It took a year.
What Are You Reading?
Three community members weigh in on what they’re currently reading.
Prof Günther Jikeli Honored For Influence on Jewish Life
This fall, when Indiana University professor Günther Jikeli was named to an international list of “The Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life,” he was in good company.
Bloomington Volunteer Network: Making Connections for 40 Years
Next year is a big one for the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network (CBVN). In August, after 19 years as assistant coordinator, Lucy Schaich was named coordinator of the organization. Now, as Schaich heads into her 20th year, CBVN is turning 40.
Guest Column: Growing Up Taliaferro
While I consider Baltimore, Maryland, my childhood home, I was born in Los Angeles, where my father, George Taliaferro, was a member of the Los Angeles Dons. As a family, we moved to Baltimore, where my two younger sisters were born and Daddy continued his professional football career with the then-Baltimore Colts.
‘Votes for Women’: The Local Suffrage Story at History Center
A research fellowship honoring one of Indiana’s most significant suffrage activists is helping a local historian tell the story of Monroe County women who fought for the right to vote.
Kits Designed to Save Pets In Fires & Other Disasters
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, about 40,000 pets die in household fires in the United States every year. In response to those disturbing numbers, Kimberly Goy, development director for the Monroe County Humane Association (MCHA), spearheaded a campaign to protect local pets, and last spring the MCHA outfitted all 37 Bloomington, Ellettsville, and township fire trucks with animal rescue kits.
What Are You Reading?
Four community members weigh in on what they’re currently reading.
Three CASA Volunteers: Helping Kids for More Than Two Decades
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are asked to investigate the circumstances of children who have been abused or neglected, offering the court a broad perspective of what are in the children’s best interests. It is a commitment of time and of one’s heart.
Four Who Have Volunteered To Help in African Countries
While Virginia Hall’s experience with Operation Crossroads Africa (OCA) had been life-changing, it had also been, until recently, relatively uncommon. “In all these years, I’d only met one person who [had also participated in OCA],” says Hall, interim rector for Trinity Episcopal Church. Then she met three other Crossroaders in Bloomington. “It was a big surprise,” she says.
Native American Heritage Celebration in November
In 1990, a joint resolution of Congress was approved by President George H.W. Bush proclaiming November “National American Indian Heritage Month.” According to the Library of Congress, similar resolutions have been passed by Congress and approved by the president every year since. In 2009, the name was changed to “National Native American Heritage Month.”
Help a Hoosier Showcases Talents of Homeless and Folks in Recovery
When Ivana Fox was a human services student at Ivy Tech Community College–Bloomington, she worked as an intern at Centerstone’s Peer Run Recovery Center (PRRC). While she expected to learn a lot about the conditions of homelessness, mental illness, and addiction, what she didn’t expect to find were the many talented people who could sing, dance, write poetry, or who had technical skills that would easily transfer to a performing arts production.
‘Truth Matters’ Event Examines Untruth in News & Social Media
It’s a phenomenon many people, especially those who are politically liberal, can relate to. In The Brainwashing of My Dad, filmmaker Jen Senko explores how her once reasonable, non-political, Kennedy Democrat father became the embodiment of racial and social intolerance. The answer was easy to find. It began when he started a long commute and filled his time with right-wing talk radio. It peaked when he started watching Fox News.
13th Anniversary Gala: A Big Thank You to Bloom Supporters
Bloom Magazine celebrated its 13th anniversary on August 13 with a party in the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU) Tudor Room.
You, Too, Can Be A Philanthropist: No Gift Too Small
Philanthropy is for everyone, and there’s no wrong way to donate to the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, says President and CEO Tina Peterson.
History Center Program Aids Those With Dementia
History museums are often full of everyday objects and cultural touchstones, the kinds of items that, with compassionate assistance, may evoke memories for adults with dementia and facilitate rewarding conversations with those who care for them.
Monroe County CASA Celebrates 35 Years of Advocating for Kids
In the early 1980s, things began changing for children who were the victims of abuse and neglect. “There was a grassroots movement that led people in the judicial system to begin talking about how to best advocate for children,” says Kristin Bishay, executive director of Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
Beanblossom Bottoms Still Open In Spite of Damage from Tornado
After being closed for nearly a year, Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve reopened in May. “People waited very patiently for the preserve to reopen, and it was worth it,” says Abby Henkel, communications director for Sycamore Land Trust. “There are so many magical things about that place. You feel like you’re in another time and place out there.”
City Celebrates Hispanic Heritage From September 15 to October 15
Each year across the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month occurs from September 15 to October 15. In Bloomington, there’s a long tradition of celebrating the achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans in North America, says Lillian Casillas-Origel, director of the La Casa/Latino Culture Center at Indiana University.
The Summit: A Forum on Issues Facing Women, Transgender & Nonbinary Folks
“We want the library be a place where women [and] transgender and nonbinary individuals can meet and talk,” MCPL community engagement librarian Erica Brown says.
Soap, Cheese, Even Landscaping & Yoga—All at The Goat Conspiracy (PHOTO GALLERY)
Although business partners Tonya Plachy and Nicole Schonemann say they left their careers four years ago to work for themselves, in reality, they work for their goats. Their venture is The Goat Conspiracy, a goat farm on the outskirts of Bloomington.
Brown County Humane Society Delivers Food, Supplies & Help
Whether they are dog walkers or cat caregivers, volunteers are a big part of the operation of the Brown County Humane Society (BCHS), 128 S. Ind. 135 in Nashville. One important volunteer program, known as S.P.O.T., is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Former IU Field Hockey Star Is Team’s New Head Coach
When Kayla Bashore arrived in Bloomington as a freshman in 2001, it was to play field hockey for Indiana University. When she returned in January, it was to lead that same program as its new head coach.
Volunteers Save Lives Fostering Baby Animals
Spring and summer see an increase in the number of newborn animals. Both WildCare, which rehabilitates wild animals, and City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control rely on volunteers to foster young animals in their homes. Bloomington Animal Shelter manager Julia Eppley says, “Without those homes offering daily care during a critically high-volume time, our organization would not have nearly so many positive outcomes.”
B-town’s Liz Watson in D.C. Heading Progressive Center
Bloomington native Liz Watson, who fell short of unseating Rep. Trey Hollingsworth in Indiana’s Ninth District in 2018, may not be in Congress but she is in Washington, D.C. Watson is serving as the new executive director for the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center (CPCC).
Jill Lees Rejoins IUPD as New Chief
Bloomington frequently has a pull on former residents, and Jill Lees, recently named Indiana University Police Department chief of police, is no exception. She’s returning to the city 25 years after graduating from the IU Police Academy.
Charlie Nelms: From Picking Cotton to Leadership at Indiana University
Charlie Nelms, the first African American chancellor of an Indiana University campus (IU East, in Richmond) and a vice president at IU Bloomington, has been retired and living in Bloomington since 2012. His days aren’t especially retiring, however.
Bloom’s Greatest Hits: Life on the Lake
On a hot, bright summer day on the lake, three houseboats are tied together side-by-side in a cove. The occupants—men, women, kids, dogs—are gathered on the upper decks, sipping cool drinks, nibbling on chips and hors d’oeuvres, taking in the sun and breeze, occasionally jumping in for a dip.
Benefit Concert Celebrates Stone Belt’s 60 Years of Service
Sixty years ago, Stone Belt was based in a church basement and raising funds through chili suppers and yard sales. Today, fundraising for Stone Belt looks a bit different.
Parks & Rec Passport to Play Is a ‘Bucket List for Parents’
Kids will have no reason to say there’s nothing to do this summer thanks to the new City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Passport to Play program.
What Are You Reading?
BY CRAIG COLEY Jo Ann Vogt Coordinator, Indiana University Writing Tutorial Services If Jo Ann...
Bloom’s Greatest Hits: IU Campus in Spring
Wells and the IU administrators who have been stewards of the campus since his time have espoused the philosophy that the landscape is not just an adornment but an essential ingredient of the university’s mission.
April: Autism Awareness Month School Inclusion Is a Priority
Adria Nassim is a young woman with autism, cerebral palsy, and a learning disability. She is also a self-advocate with the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC), a columnist with The Herald-Times, and a public speaker. And she knows all about the importance of school inclusion.
Accessibility for All Is Goal of Local Council
Fourteen years ago, Katie Herron took a walk through her east-side neighborhood with her then 4-year-old son, Ben, who has a physical disability and uses a wheelchair. Along the route, they found intersections with missing curb cuts—the sloped areas that enable wheelchairs to roll from the street to the sidewalk.
The Warehouse Offers Play Space for Kids of All Ages (Photo Gallery)
The first time Dave Weil visited the former RCA television facility at 1525 S. Rogers St. in 2009, all he saw was an abandoned warehouse “full of birds and bird poop.” Still, it was easy for the evangelist and youth pastor to imagine the 5-acre building as a recreation center, a place that would give young people alternatives to the choices he made as a teenager.
Bloomington Refugee Network Now Helping Asylum Seekers Here
Exhausted migrants from the Northern Triangle of Central America, many of them running for their lives from political violence and lawlessness in their home countries, face a hostile official reception at the U.S. border. A few will ultimately be allowed to apply for asylum.
Community Foundation Grants Make Innovative Efforts Possible
“We want Bloomington to be a place where everyone succeeds,” says Tina Peterson, president and CFO of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. In December, the Foundation awarded $326,700 in Community Impact Grants to 13 area nonprofit organizations working in the arts, youth development, health, self-sufficiency, and other areas.
City’s Barbara McKinney Wins Statewide ADA Award
When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990, cities across the country were faced with compliance issues. Barbara McKinney had been hired the previous year as Bloomington’s human rights attorney and was immediately charged with planning how the city would comply with new standards for buildings, sidewalks, parking lots, and city services.
Better Angels: Bringing Red and Blue Together
On a Saturday morning in December, Republicans and Democrats came together in a Monroe County Public Library meeting room, hoping to learn to better communicate with one another. After drawing up name tags with the appropriate red or blue markers, the 19 participants shared stories of heated holiday dinner table arguments and friendships lost in the wake of the 2016 election.
Podcast Offers ‘The Lowdown’ on Bloomington Happenings
While casting around for a new project last fall, Bloomington singer-songwriter Jeremy Shere (Songs in the Key of B-town, 2015), a self-professed fan of podcasts, decided to produce one of his own, focused on what’s happening in and around Bloomington.
Why Is Anti-Semitism Rising? Scholars of Hate to Convene Here
Desecrated graves, bomb threats, and scrawled swastikas aren’t new, but in recent years there has been a marked increase of attacks on Jewish communities in the United States.
Dare to Test Your Expertise? Enter the VITAL Quiz Bowl
Since 1977, the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) VITAL program—Volunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners—has provided free literacy instruction for adults, both native speakers and new language learners. And each April since 1983, VITAL has hosted a Quiz Bowl fundraiser for the program.
Buddhist Cultural Center Celebrates 40 Years Here
The dharmachakra (wheel of dharma) that adorns the entry gate of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (TMBCC) is almost luminous, freshly gilded for the center’s 40th anniversary celebration. Yet, despite its decades-long history, visitors still ask, “Why is this place in the middle of Indiana?”
Friends of Lake Monroe Working to Improve Health of Local Watershed
Bloomington resident and retired hydrologist Sherry Mitchell-Bruker had a troubled day of kayaking on Lake Monroe several years ago. “I saw blue-green algae in the water and litter along the shore,” she says.
City Wraps up Bicentennial Year With New Trails, Swag, and Party
Bloomington is capping its bicentennial year by initiating a plan to build new trails for recreation and transportation.
Lee Hamilton Honored for Career-Long Bipartisanship
In October, Indiana University announced it would rename the School of Global and International Studies in honor of Lee Hamilton and Republican Richard Lugar.
We Are You—Working To Bring People Together
In December 2016, Jenn Harmless was on Facebook with three friends. All were concerned with the increasing number of hate incidents in Bloomington and across the country. At one point, someone asked, “Well, what are you doing about it?”
How State Government Restricts What City of Bloomington Can Do
State legislators may squawk about federal government overreach, but most states, including Indiana, have their own “home rule” laws enabling them to snatch powers preemptively from cities, counties, and other political subdivisions.
MCCSC Bus Drivers Win State ‘Roadeo,’ Head to Nationals
In June, a “roadeo,” officially known as the School Transportation Association of Indiana’s (STAI’s) School Bus Safety Competition, challenged drivers to prove their mettle.
Bloomington Black Strategic Alliance: A Black Voice for the Black Community
At 4.3 percent of the population, Bloomington’s African-American community is small, and from the outside it may appear to have a singular voice. But within it, there are diverse perspectives, expressed by a multiplicity of organizations and leaders.
Kaisa Goodman, 25, Now Heading Monroe County Democratic Party
Kaisa Goodman, the new executive director of the Monroe County Democratic Party, has attended political fundraisers all her life.
‘Follow the Fish’—A Bicentennial Scavenger Hunt
The gilded fish that adorns the Monroe County Courthouse not only spawned a city (see page 106), it has spawned a scavenger hunt. In honor of the county bicentennial, 25 numbered brass plaques bearing its image have been placed on sites of historic or cultural significance around Monroe County.
12th Anniversary Gala: A Big Thank You to Bloom Supporters
Bloom Magazine celebrated its 12th anniversary on August 9 with a party in the Tudor Room at the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU). More than 200 business and civic leaders, educators, artists, members of the arts community, humanitarians, and contributors to the magazine attended the event, which was a fundraiser for Shalom Community Center.
The Many Ways Our Food Bank Gathers Produce for the Hungry
With its bustling farmers’ markets and ever-growing interest in farm-to-table cuisine, it’s no secret that Bloomington residents have an appetite for locally grown produce. What people may not know is that the farmers who bring their goods to market also make fresh vegetables and fruits available to people seeking food security.
Kelley School Grads Develop Allergy-Friendly Snack Bar
According to Food Allergy Research & Education reports, 15 million Americans have serious food allergies. From 1997 to 2008, nut sensitivity in children has tripled. Another 30 million people are indirectly affected by others’ food allergies.
Fix-It Fair: An Ecological Way to Save Some Green
Whether you’re working to keep items out of the waste stream or just want someone to repair a much-loved keepsake, the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) invites you to attend its first-ever Fix-It Fair. The event, on Saturday, August 18, will be held at the main library branch, 303 E. Kirkwood, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Many Ways Our Food Bank Gathers Produce for the Hungry
With its bustling farmers’ markets and ever-growing interest in farm-to-table cuisine, it’s no secret that Bloomington residents have an appetite for locally grown produce. What people may not know is that the farmers who bring their goods to market also make fresh vegetables and fruits available to people seeking food security.
Animal Shelter Renovation Aims To Keep Rescue Animals Healthier
When the Bloomington Animal Shelter hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its newly renovated and extended building in June, a 6-month-old shelter dog named Spike cut—or rather tore—the ribbon, with an assist from shelter Director Virgil Sauder and Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton.
How to Make Your Place of Business a Gun-Free Environment
We at Bloom Magazine believe that no one should be subjected to apprehension or fear as they go about their daily lives.
Bloomingtonians Who Broke the Color Barrier
In 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson smashed baseball’s color barrier when he became the first African American to play in the major leagues. Since then, many other African Americans have made history by surmounting racial prejudice in a wide range of fields, including medicine, law, education, public service, and sports.
Bloom Benefit Raises $7,120 For Two Very Worthy Causes
It was billed as “An Evening with Krista Detor” at the new FAR Center for Contemporary Arts, and what a night it was!
Efrat Feferman United Way of Monroe County Executive Director
The United Way logo—a human figure standing in a cupped hand, encircled by the arch of a rainbow—may be one of the country’s most recognizable branding images. But the local reach of its fundraising—how the money is actually used—doesn’t carry the same high profile.
Center for Sustainable Living Wins Award for Making Bloomington Better
Operating since the mid-1990s, the Center for Sustainable Living (CSL) has long had a hand in helping advance community ventures like the Bloomington Winter Farmers’ Market and the Bloomington Bike Project. In 2008, the nonprofit organization’s efforts led the National Wildlife Federation to officially recognize Bloomington as a certified Community Wildlife Habitat.
Emily Pike New Director Of New Hope for Families
Since 2011, New Hope for Families has sheltered families experiencing homelessness, and Emily Pike has been a part of the nonprofit organization’s mission since she came on board in year two. Now, after serving as director of New Hope’s early childhood development program, she is the executive director, taking over in January after the departure of former director Elaine Guinn.
Celebration to Honor Hoosier War Correspondent Ernie Pyle
In this time of political discord, when it seems the two major parties find it hard to agree on anything and the media is frequently demonized, the fact that two senators from Indiana—Todd Young, a Republican, and Joe Donnelly, a Democrat—jointly introduced a bill honoring a deceased journalist might raise some eyebrows. But maybe it’s not so surprising when that newsman is Indiana University alum Ernie Pyle.
Farm Animal Sanctuary Moves but Mission Remains the Same
Moving is widely acknowledged to be one of life’s most traumatic events. Almost no one looks forward to it. Now, imagine not only moving all of your worldly possessions, but also nine pigs, eight chickens, five goats, four cats, three cows, and two dogs.
COMMUNITY
Father and Son Team Launch Health Products for Gamers
A deeply competitive and spectator-driven world has developed within video game culture over the past two decades.
‘Charlie Bird Loves Bloomington,’ And So Does Artist Winnie King
“I’ve come a long, long way from crumpled-up, notebook-paper comics doodled in the back of an elementary school classroom,” says Bloomington artist Winnie King, 23, who was recently commissioned to illustrate the children’s book Charlie Bird Loves Bloomington, a fundraising project for the health care of Charlie, Bloomington’s resident macaw.
Bloomington: Dog-Friendliest Town in the Entire Universe!
Bloomington is a dog’s town, and our love for our four-legged family members is reflected in the myriad of local organizations, businesses, and services that help them lead their happiest lives.
L. Jon Wertheim: From BHSN to 60 Minutes & Sports Illustrated
While he hasn’t lived in Bloomington since leaving for college in 1989, L. Jon Wertheim says he feels an attachment to his hometown, a place where he saw a lot of examples of success.
B-Town to Welcome Afghan Evacuees In Their Most Desperate Time of Need
For nine days in early September, Elizabeth Cullen Dunn distributed toothpaste, towels, diapers, and shampoo to Afghan refugees evacuated from Kabul to Camp Atterbury, the National Guard training post north of Columbus, Indiana.
The B-Town Piano Project: Fun with Art and Music
u may have spotted exuberantly decorated pianos popping up around town—at Artisan Alley, Soma Coffee House and Juice Bar on East 3rd Street, and the Village Pub, to name a few places.
REVIEW: ‘Come Sit With Me’
The subjects of many of the poems, essays, and plays in Gladys DeVane’s inspiring new collection, Come Sit with Me: Life in Poetry, Prose and Plays (Jewell Jordan Publishing), are risk-taking, crusading women.
Zietlow To Be Honored At Rotary Toast
Community activist Charlotte Zietlow has been a vital part of Bloomington since moving here in 1964 with her late husband, Paul. In recognition of her years of service, the three Bloomington Rotary clubs have selected Zietlow as their honoree at the seventh annual Bloomington Rotary Toast.
Lark Ranch: A Fall Family-Day Getaway
or years, Indianapolis-based attorney Matt Lark was asked to conduct school field trips to his family farm in Loogootee, Indiana. After a while, he saw the potential for something more.
IU Credit Union Celebrates 65 Years of Service
David Sipes believes “We started a credit union and created a community” is more than just a tag line—it’s how IU Credit Union, a nonprofit financial cooperative, has grown in the past 65 years.
Ten Questions for Lucy The Famous Service Dog
Lucy, a white Lab service dog, has been probably the most recognizable canine in town as the constant companion of Adria Nassim, whose popular column in The Herald-Times deals with autism and disability-related issues.
‘It Takes a Village’ to Protect B-town’s Only Water Source
The City of Bloomington has one source of drinking water for its roughly 84,000 inhabitants: The reservoir of Lake Monroe, about 20 miles south of downtown. At 17 square miles, it’s Indiana’s largest man-made lake, but it’s an essential—and fragile—resource.
Monroe County Public Library Adds iPads, Mobile Video Production Kits to Library of Things
The Library of Things at the Monroe County Public Library has expanded to include iPads and Mobile Video Production Kits.
Big Changes for the Public Library Outlined in 3-Year Strategic Plan
Input from the community and service to the community are the forces driving the Monroe County Public Library’s new three-year strategic plan.
What’s to Become of The Old Hospital Site?
Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton calls the City’s plan to redevelop the current site of Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital “a once- in-a-century opportunity for our community to re-imagine our future.”
Nashville House Re-Opens, And Still a Family Business
For decades, The Nashville House drew daily crowds for its fried chicken, biscuits, and apple butter.
Local Attorneys Donate Video Devices to Bell Trace Residents
Betsy Greene’s mother, Beth Van Vorst Gray, lived at Bell Trace Senior Living Community with her husband, Ralph Gray, and died in February, just before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Review: ‘Minister’s Daughter: One Life, Many Lives’
Many Bloomingtonians will recognize the name Charlotte Zietlow, which is engraved on the local justice center, but may not have met the woman who bears it.
Help Save ‘The Ryder!’
When Peter LoPilato launched The Ryder on April Fool’s Day 1979, it was part of a wave of Bloomington- based alternative magazines.
Dogs on the Job: The Ultimate Greeters
Imagine having a co-worker in your office that greets every customer happily, has passersby stopping in just to say hi, and listens sympathetically to everything you have to say. A pipe dream? Not when you bring your dog to work.
Sassafras Audubon Society: Bird Activists for 50 Years
Before people can begin to care about saving bird species, they need to understand why it’s important. The fact is, bird conservation supports everything from the economy to the ecosystem.
Old IMU Phone Booths Now Tell Hidden Hoosiers’ Tales
The Indiana Memorial Union (IMU) pulsates with life—students circulate between cafés and study nooks, visitors bustle in and out of the Biddle Hotel, and, up marble stairs and tucked around a corner on the main level, “Hidden Hoosiers” resurrects voices from the past.
Bronze Bust to Honor Bloomington’s Future Daughter Captain Janeway
Bloomington has its fair share of famous sons and daughters, but it also has the rare distinction of being the future birthplace of a sci-fi icon: Star Trek: Voyager’s Captain Kathryn Janeway, the first female captain on a Star Trek series.
J.R. Holmes: South High School’s Indomitable Basketball Coach
When Bloomington High School South boys’ basketball coach J.R. Holmes recorded his 807th win in February 2019, he became the winningest high school basketball coach in Indiana history.
Monroe County Public Library Celebrates 200 Years of Literacy
Celebrating its 200th birthday this year, the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) has grown to an all-welcoming, two-branch system that strives to provide services to as many patrons as possible.
The Pipsqueakery Needs Bigger Space to Save More Small Lives (PHOTO GALLERY)
Alex Hernly and Jason Minsterketter are co-founders of The Pipsqueakery, a small-animal rescue that saves more than 400 rodent and rabbit lives each year. But before they married, the couple didn’t even consider themselves “animal people.”
Facts About the 2020 Census: Be Counted. It’s Important!
Mandated by the Constitution and conducted every 10 years since 1790, the census helps determine political districts at the federal, state, and local levels, and is used to distribute federal dollars for roads, schools, hospitals, and other public resources.
The Public Library Now Has 3D Printer
Libraries are generally known for housing books, and while the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) does that, its Level Up Digital Creativity Center, located on the first floor of the Main Library on East Kirkwood, also houses an abundance of digital resources.
Cambridge U. Press Reissues Rebecca Zietlow’s Book ‘The Forgotten Emancipator’
Bloomington native Rebecca Zietlow and 19th-century abolitionist James Ashley, the subject of her latest book, both have their parents to thank for their interest in social justice.
Civic Champs Helps Nonprofits Keep Track of Volunteer Hours
Volunteers are the heart and soul of many nonprofit organizations, but sometimes even a great resource can be hard to manage. Enter Civic Champs, a Bloomington-based startup with an app that automates volunteer management.
New Switchyard Park: It’s Large, Has Lots of Stuff & It’s Eco-Friendly
Officially opened in November, Switchyard Park is the city’s largest park—more than 65 acres. The facilities include an amphitheater, 11,000-square-foot event pavilion, skate park, splash pad, playground, dog park, and community gardens, as well as fitness circuits, electric car-charging stations, and several sports courts.
Bloom’s 14th Annual Holiday Party
A merry time was had by all!
Police Social Worker Helps Those in Need Find Services
Melissa Stone’s gray polo shirt has a Bloomington Police Department (BPD) badge on one side and the words “Social Worker” on the other. She says it’s important that she gain the trust of the people she approaches. “I’ll introduce myself and say ‘I’m not an officer. I’m just a social worker. I can’t arrest you,’” Stone explains.
New Special Victims Unit For Sex Crimes & Domestic Violence
When Erika Oliphant stepped into her new role as Monroe County prosecutor in 2019, she wanted to improve the experience of sex crime and domestic abuse victims within the criminal justice system, as well as the experience of those who work to prosecute their offenders. “These are difficult caseloads,” Oliphant says. “They’re very emotionally draining. I thought it might be better to try more of a team approach.”
In a Town Called Kotz: B-town native Mike Cagle is now working 30 miles above the Arctic Circle.
While many people in Bloomington know me as an artist and illustrator, several years ago my life took a drastic turn and I, in turn, decided to head to law school in Portland, Oregon. After successfully passing the bar, I began my job search. It took a year.
What Are You Reading?
Three community members weigh in on what they’re currently reading.
Prof Günther Jikeli Honored For Influence on Jewish Life
This fall, when Indiana University professor Günther Jikeli was named to an international list of “The Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life,” he was in good company.
Bloomington Volunteer Network: Making Connections for 40 Years
Next year is a big one for the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network (CBVN). In August, after 19 years as assistant coordinator, Lucy Schaich was named coordinator of the organization. Now, as Schaich heads into her 20th year, CBVN is turning 40.
Guest Column: Growing Up Taliaferro
While I consider Baltimore, Maryland, my childhood home, I was born in Los Angeles, where my father, George Taliaferro, was a member of the Los Angeles Dons. As a family, we moved to Baltimore, where my two younger sisters were born and Daddy continued his professional football career with the then-Baltimore Colts.
‘Votes for Women’: The Local Suffrage Story at History Center
A research fellowship honoring one of Indiana’s most significant suffrage activists is helping a local historian tell the story of Monroe County women who fought for the right to vote.
Kits Designed to Save Pets In Fires & Other Disasters
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, about 40,000 pets die in household fires in the United States every year. In response to those disturbing numbers, Kimberly Goy, development director for the Monroe County Humane Association (MCHA), spearheaded a campaign to protect local pets, and last spring the MCHA outfitted all 37 Bloomington, Ellettsville, and township fire trucks with animal rescue kits.
What Are You Reading?
Four community members weigh in on what they’re currently reading.
Three CASA Volunteers: Helping Kids for More Than Two Decades
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are asked to investigate the circumstances of children who have been abused or neglected, offering the court a broad perspective of what are in the children’s best interests. It is a commitment of time and of one’s heart.
Four Who Have Volunteered To Help in African Countries
While Virginia Hall’s experience with Operation Crossroads Africa (OCA) had been life-changing, it had also been, until recently, relatively uncommon. “In all these years, I’d only met one person who [had also participated in OCA],” says Hall, interim rector for Trinity Episcopal Church. Then she met three other Crossroaders in Bloomington. “It was a big surprise,” she says.
Native American Heritage Celebration in November
In 1990, a joint resolution of Congress was approved by President George H.W. Bush proclaiming November “National American Indian Heritage Month.” According to the Library of Congress, similar resolutions have been passed by Congress and approved by the president every year since. In 2009, the name was changed to “National Native American Heritage Month.”
Help a Hoosier Showcases Talents of Homeless and Folks in Recovery
When Ivana Fox was a human services student at Ivy Tech Community College–Bloomington, she worked as an intern at Centerstone’s Peer Run Recovery Center (PRRC). While she expected to learn a lot about the conditions of homelessness, mental illness, and addiction, what she didn’t expect to find were the many talented people who could sing, dance, write poetry, or who had technical skills that would easily transfer to a performing arts production.
‘Truth Matters’ Event Examines Untruth in News & Social Media
It’s a phenomenon many people, especially those who are politically liberal, can relate to. In The Brainwashing of My Dad, filmmaker Jen Senko explores how her once reasonable, non-political, Kennedy Democrat father became the embodiment of racial and social intolerance. The answer was easy to find. It began when he started a long commute and filled his time with right-wing talk radio. It peaked when he started watching Fox News.
13th Anniversary Gala: A Big Thank You to Bloom Supporters
Bloom Magazine celebrated its 13th anniversary on August 13 with a party in the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU) Tudor Room.
You, Too, Can Be A Philanthropist: No Gift Too Small
Philanthropy is for everyone, and there’s no wrong way to donate to the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, says President and CEO Tina Peterson.
History Center Program Aids Those With Dementia
History museums are often full of everyday objects and cultural touchstones, the kinds of items that, with compassionate assistance, may evoke memories for adults with dementia and facilitate rewarding conversations with those who care for them.
Monroe County CASA Celebrates 35 Years of Advocating for Kids
In the early 1980s, things began changing for children who were the victims of abuse and neglect. “There was a grassroots movement that led people in the judicial system to begin talking about how to best advocate for children,” says Kristin Bishay, executive director of Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
Beanblossom Bottoms Still Open In Spite of Damage from Tornado
After being closed for nearly a year, Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve reopened in May. “People waited very patiently for the preserve to reopen, and it was worth it,” says Abby Henkel, communications director for Sycamore Land Trust. “There are so many magical things about that place. You feel like you’re in another time and place out there.”
City Celebrates Hispanic Heritage From September 15 to October 15
Each year across the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month occurs from September 15 to October 15. In Bloomington, there’s a long tradition of celebrating the achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans in North America, says Lillian Casillas-Origel, director of the La Casa/Latino Culture Center at Indiana University.
The Summit: A Forum on Issues Facing Women, Transgender & Nonbinary Folks
“We want the library be a place where women [and] transgender and nonbinary individuals can meet and talk,” MCPL community engagement librarian Erica Brown says.
Soap, Cheese, Even Landscaping & Yoga—All at The Goat Conspiracy (PHOTO GALLERY)
Although business partners Tonya Plachy and Nicole Schonemann say they left their careers four years ago to work for themselves, in reality, they work for their goats. Their venture is The Goat Conspiracy, a goat farm on the outskirts of Bloomington.
Brown County Humane Society Delivers Food, Supplies & Help
Whether they are dog walkers or cat caregivers, volunteers are a big part of the operation of the Brown County Humane Society (BCHS), 128 S. Ind. 135 in Nashville. One important volunteer program, known as S.P.O.T., is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Former IU Field Hockey Star Is Team’s New Head Coach
When Kayla Bashore arrived in Bloomington as a freshman in 2001, it was to play field hockey for Indiana University. When she returned in January, it was to lead that same program as its new head coach.
Volunteers Save Lives Fostering Baby Animals
Spring and summer see an increase in the number of newborn animals. Both WildCare, which rehabilitates wild animals, and City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control rely on volunteers to foster young animals in their homes. Bloomington Animal Shelter manager Julia Eppley says, “Without those homes offering daily care during a critically high-volume time, our organization would not have nearly so many positive outcomes.”
B-town’s Liz Watson in D.C. Heading Progressive Center
Bloomington native Liz Watson, who fell short of unseating Rep. Trey Hollingsworth in Indiana’s Ninth District in 2018, may not be in Congress but she is in Washington, D.C. Watson is serving as the new executive director for the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center (CPCC).
Jill Lees Rejoins IUPD as New Chief
Bloomington frequently has a pull on former residents, and Jill Lees, recently named Indiana University Police Department chief of police, is no exception. She’s returning to the city 25 years after graduating from the IU Police Academy.
Charlie Nelms: From Picking Cotton to Leadership at Indiana University
Charlie Nelms, the first African American chancellor of an Indiana University campus (IU East, in Richmond) and a vice president at IU Bloomington, has been retired and living in Bloomington since 2012. His days aren’t especially retiring, however.
Bloom’s Greatest Hits: Life on the Lake
On a hot, bright summer day on the lake, three houseboats are tied together side-by-side in a cove. The occupants—men, women, kids, dogs—are gathered on the upper decks, sipping cool drinks, nibbling on chips and hors d’oeuvres, taking in the sun and breeze, occasionally jumping in for a dip.
Benefit Concert Celebrates Stone Belt’s 60 Years of Service
Sixty years ago, Stone Belt was based in a church basement and raising funds through chili suppers and yard sales. Today, fundraising for Stone Belt looks a bit different.
Parks & Rec Passport to Play Is a ‘Bucket List for Parents’
Kids will have no reason to say there’s nothing to do this summer thanks to the new City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department Passport to Play program.
What Are You Reading?
BY CRAIG COLEY Jo Ann Vogt Coordinator, Indiana University Writing Tutorial Services If Jo Ann...
Bloom’s Greatest Hits: IU Campus in Spring
Wells and the IU administrators who have been stewards of the campus since his time have espoused the philosophy that the landscape is not just an adornment but an essential ingredient of the university’s mission.
April: Autism Awareness Month School Inclusion Is a Priority
Adria Nassim is a young woman with autism, cerebral palsy, and a learning disability. She is also a self-advocate with the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC), a columnist with The Herald-Times, and a public speaker. And she knows all about the importance of school inclusion.
Accessibility for All Is Goal of Local Council
Fourteen years ago, Katie Herron took a walk through her east-side neighborhood with her then 4-year-old son, Ben, who has a physical disability and uses a wheelchair. Along the route, they found intersections with missing curb cuts—the sloped areas that enable wheelchairs to roll from the street to the sidewalk.
The Warehouse Offers Play Space for Kids of All Ages (Photo Gallery)
The first time Dave Weil visited the former RCA television facility at 1525 S. Rogers St. in 2009, all he saw was an abandoned warehouse “full of birds and bird poop.” Still, it was easy for the evangelist and youth pastor to imagine the 5-acre building as a recreation center, a place that would give young people alternatives to the choices he made as a teenager.
Bloomington Refugee Network Now Helping Asylum Seekers Here
Exhausted migrants from the Northern Triangle of Central America, many of them running for their lives from political violence and lawlessness in their home countries, face a hostile official reception at the U.S. border. A few will ultimately be allowed to apply for asylum.
Community Foundation Grants Make Innovative Efforts Possible
“We want Bloomington to be a place where everyone succeeds,” says Tina Peterson, president and CFO of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. In December, the Foundation awarded $326,700 in Community Impact Grants to 13 area nonprofit organizations working in the arts, youth development, health, self-sufficiency, and other areas.
City’s Barbara McKinney Wins Statewide ADA Award
When the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990, cities across the country were faced with compliance issues. Barbara McKinney had been hired the previous year as Bloomington’s human rights attorney and was immediately charged with planning how the city would comply with new standards for buildings, sidewalks, parking lots, and city services.
Better Angels: Bringing Red and Blue Together
On a Saturday morning in December, Republicans and Democrats came together in a Monroe County Public Library meeting room, hoping to learn to better communicate with one another. After drawing up name tags with the appropriate red or blue markers, the 19 participants shared stories of heated holiday dinner table arguments and friendships lost in the wake of the 2016 election.
Podcast Offers ‘The Lowdown’ on Bloomington Happenings
While casting around for a new project last fall, Bloomington singer-songwriter Jeremy Shere (Songs in the Key of B-town, 2015), a self-professed fan of podcasts, decided to produce one of his own, focused on what’s happening in and around Bloomington.
Why Is Anti-Semitism Rising? Scholars of Hate to Convene Here
Desecrated graves, bomb threats, and scrawled swastikas aren’t new, but in recent years there has been a marked increase of attacks on Jewish communities in the United States.
Dare to Test Your Expertise? Enter the VITAL Quiz Bowl
Since 1977, the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) VITAL program—Volunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners—has provided free literacy instruction for adults, both native speakers and new language learners. And each April since 1983, VITAL has hosted a Quiz Bowl fundraiser for the program.
Buddhist Cultural Center Celebrates 40 Years Here
The dharmachakra (wheel of dharma) that adorns the entry gate of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (TMBCC) is almost luminous, freshly gilded for the center’s 40th anniversary celebration. Yet, despite its decades-long history, visitors still ask, “Why is this place in the middle of Indiana?”
Friends of Lake Monroe Working to Improve Health of Local Watershed
Bloomington resident and retired hydrologist Sherry Mitchell-Bruker had a troubled day of kayaking on Lake Monroe several years ago. “I saw blue-green algae in the water and litter along the shore,” she says.
City Wraps up Bicentennial Year With New Trails, Swag, and Party
Bloomington is capping its bicentennial year by initiating a plan to build new trails for recreation and transportation.
Lee Hamilton Honored for Career-Long Bipartisanship
In October, Indiana University announced it would rename the School of Global and International Studies in honor of Lee Hamilton and Republican Richard Lugar.
We Are You—Working To Bring People Together
In December 2016, Jenn Harmless was on Facebook with three friends. All were concerned with the increasing number of hate incidents in Bloomington and across the country. At one point, someone asked, “Well, what are you doing about it?”
How State Government Restricts What City of Bloomington Can Do
State legislators may squawk about federal government overreach, but most states, including Indiana, have their own “home rule” laws enabling them to snatch powers preemptively from cities, counties, and other political subdivisions.
MCCSC Bus Drivers Win State ‘Roadeo,’ Head to Nationals
In June, a “roadeo,” officially known as the School Transportation Association of Indiana’s (STAI’s) School Bus Safety Competition, challenged drivers to prove their mettle.
Bloomington Black Strategic Alliance: A Black Voice for the Black Community
At 4.3 percent of the population, Bloomington’s African-American community is small, and from the outside it may appear to have a singular voice. But within it, there are diverse perspectives, expressed by a multiplicity of organizations and leaders.
Kaisa Goodman, 25, Now Heading Monroe County Democratic Party
Kaisa Goodman, the new executive director of the Monroe County Democratic Party, has attended political fundraisers all her life.
‘Follow the Fish’—A Bicentennial Scavenger Hunt
The gilded fish that adorns the Monroe County Courthouse not only spawned a city (see page 106), it has spawned a scavenger hunt. In honor of the county bicentennial, 25 numbered brass plaques bearing its image have been placed on sites of historic or cultural significance around Monroe County.
12th Anniversary Gala: A Big Thank You to Bloom Supporters
Bloom Magazine celebrated its 12th anniversary on August 9 with a party in the Tudor Room at the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU). More than 200 business and civic leaders, educators, artists, members of the arts community, humanitarians, and contributors to the magazine attended the event, which was a fundraiser for Shalom Community Center.
The Many Ways Our Food Bank Gathers Produce for the Hungry
With its bustling farmers’ markets and ever-growing interest in farm-to-table cuisine, it’s no secret that Bloomington residents have an appetite for locally grown produce. What people may not know is that the farmers who bring their goods to market also make fresh vegetables and fruits available to people seeking food security.
Kelley School Grads Develop Allergy-Friendly Snack Bar
According to Food Allergy Research & Education reports, 15 million Americans have serious food allergies. From 1997 to 2008, nut sensitivity in children has tripled. Another 30 million people are indirectly affected by others’ food allergies.
Fix-It Fair: An Ecological Way to Save Some Green
Whether you’re working to keep items out of the waste stream or just want someone to repair a much-loved keepsake, the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) invites you to attend its first-ever Fix-It Fair. The event, on Saturday, August 18, will be held at the main library branch, 303 E. Kirkwood, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Many Ways Our Food Bank Gathers Produce for the Hungry
With its bustling farmers’ markets and ever-growing interest in farm-to-table cuisine, it’s no secret that Bloomington residents have an appetite for locally grown produce. What people may not know is that the farmers who bring their goods to market also make fresh vegetables and fruits available to people seeking food security.
Animal Shelter Renovation Aims To Keep Rescue Animals Healthier
When the Bloomington Animal Shelter hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its newly renovated and extended building in June, a 6-month-old shelter dog named Spike cut—or rather tore—the ribbon, with an assist from shelter Director Virgil Sauder and Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton.
How to Make Your Place of Business a Gun-Free Environment
We at Bloom Magazine believe that no one should be subjected to apprehension or fear as they go about their daily lives.
Bloomingtonians Who Broke the Color Barrier
In 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson smashed baseball’s color barrier when he became the first African American to play in the major leagues. Since then, many other African Americans have made history by surmounting racial prejudice in a wide range of fields, including medicine, law, education, public service, and sports.
Bloom Benefit Raises $7,120 For Two Very Worthy Causes
It was billed as “An Evening with Krista Detor” at the new FAR Center for Contemporary Arts, and what a night it was!
Efrat Feferman United Way of Monroe County Executive Director
The United Way logo—a human figure standing in a cupped hand, encircled by the arch of a rainbow—may be one of the country’s most recognizable branding images. But the local reach of its fundraising—how the money is actually used—doesn’t carry the same high profile.
Center for Sustainable Living Wins Award for Making Bloomington Better
Operating since the mid-1990s, the Center for Sustainable Living (CSL) has long had a hand in helping advance community ventures like the Bloomington Winter Farmers’ Market and the Bloomington Bike Project. In 2008, the nonprofit organization’s efforts led the National Wildlife Federation to officially recognize Bloomington as a certified Community Wildlife Habitat.
Emily Pike New Director Of New Hope for Families
Since 2011, New Hope for Families has sheltered families experiencing homelessness, and Emily Pike has been a part of the nonprofit organization’s mission since she came on board in year two. Now, after serving as director of New Hope’s early childhood development program, she is the executive director, taking over in January after the departure of former director Elaine Guinn.
Celebration to Honor Hoosier War Correspondent Ernie Pyle
In this time of political discord, when it seems the two major parties find it hard to agree on anything and the media is frequently demonized, the fact that two senators from Indiana—Todd Young, a Republican, and Joe Donnelly, a Democrat—jointly introduced a bill honoring a deceased journalist might raise some eyebrows. But maybe it’s not so surprising when that newsman is Indiana University alum Ernie Pyle.
Farm Animal Sanctuary Moves but Mission Remains the Same
Moving is widely acknowledged to be one of life’s most traumatic events. Almost no one looks forward to it. Now, imagine not only moving all of your worldly possessions, but also nine pigs, eight chickens, five goats, four cats, three cows, and two dogs.