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Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys created a cradle of bluegrass music in Bean Blossom, Indiana, that continues to influence musicians of all genres today. Anders Beck of Greensky Bluegrass (pictured here performing at The Vogue in Indianapolis in January) credits the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia for his introduction to bluegrass. Garcia was heavily influenced by Monroe, and even visited Bean Blossom in 1964 to audition for him. | Photo by Samantha Eibling

From Blue Grass to ‘Purple Rain,’ Bean Blossom Fest Celebrates 50 Years of Influence

Samantha Eibling

Even before Bill Monroe's first “Blue Grass Celebration” in 1967, Bean Blossom, Indiana, was a home to the style of music Monroe created. Fifty years later, it’s still considered the cradle of bluegrass music. As writer Samantha Eibling tells it, Monroe’s — and Bean Blossom’s — influence reaches far and wide. Click here to read the full story.

May 12, 2016

Mercedes Jones founded Crimson Cupboard to combat food insecurity on the Indiana University campus. The food pantry focuses on student-specific issues, such as the fact that dorm residents don't have easy access to kitchens. | Photo by Natasha Komoda

Food Insecurity, Part 3: Complex Issues Put College Students at Risk

Sarah Gordon, Natasha Komoda

Concluding her three-part series on food insecurity, writer Sarah Gordon found the obstacles to getting healthful food are different for college students than for others — everything from insecurity within their social groups to disasters in their hometowns or countries. She also found an IU student who is doing something about it. Click here to read the full story.

May 9, 2016

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has been the only presidential candidate of either party to visit Bloomington during this campaign season. An enthusiastic crowd greeted him at Indiana University Auditorium on Wednesday. | Photo by TJ Jaeger

Sanders Is Only Presidential Candidate to Visit Bloomington Before the Primary

TJ Jaeger

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has been the only presidential candidate of either party to visit Bloomington during this campaign season. An enthusiastic crowd greeted him inside and outside of Indiana University Auditorium on Wednesday. Writer/photographer TJ Jaeger captured the event in words and photos. Click here to read the full story.

April 28, 2016

Dorian Phillips shares his experience in the Monroe County CASA program at the CASA Day rally at the Indiana Statehouse in March. His CASA of three years, Jim Shelton, stands with him in support. | Photo by Ann Georgescu

Former Foster Child Says CASA Had Huge Impact on His Success

Ann Georgescu

When children enter the legal system due to neglect or abuse, they often confront an ever-changing stream of caseworkers, counselors, and more. As Dorian Phillips learned, their one constant throughout the process is their Court Appointed Child Advocate, or CASA, who stays with each child until the case is closed. Click here to read the full story.

April 26, 2016

Bekka Potter, whose roller derby name is Silken Tofu, clocks a time out during the Women's Flat Track Roller Derby Association's (WFTDA) Championship Tournament in fall 2015 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Tofu is one of the top four WFTDA-certified Non-Skating Officials (NSOs) in the world. | Photo by Bob Ayers

Local Derby Volunteer Officiates, Teaches at the Highest Level

Jonna Mary Yost

Bekka Potter, also known as Silken Tofu, has reached the highest level of officiating in the sport in which the local roller derby league, Bleeding Heartland Roller Derby, competes. Traveling abroad to officiate and certify other Non-Skating Officials helps her to stay connected with family and friends while pursuing her passion. Click here to read the full story.

April 20, 2016

Destination Small Town: Old World Germany in Oldenburg

Michael Waterford

In our newest series, Destination Small Town, adventure-travel writer Michael Waterford explores intriguing places in Indiana. His first trip is to "ludicrously pleasant” Oldenburg. With Germanic heritage, a historic convent, and two restaurants on the Southeastern Indiana Chicken Tour (yes, it's a real thing), Oldenburg is a fantastic weekend getaway. Click here to read the full story.

March 31, 2016

Montana Transplant’s First Hoosier Garden Turns Into ‘Tropical Rectangle of Chaos’

Jonna Mary Yost

With so-so results and “a heavy blanket of defeat” from gardening in her native Montana, Jonna Mary Yost dug her thumbs in the dirt at her new Indiana home. The prime growing conditions of the Hoosier climate turned her backyard into a lush harvest. Click here to read the full story.

March 29, 2016

PupCake The Service Dog works with "her girl" on many things, including guide work, mobility, self-injury prevention, item retrieval, alerting, wheelchair work, and repetitive-motion disruption. | Photo courtesy of PupCake The Service Dog

Service Dogs Are a Breed Apart

Brian Hartz

The range of skills and tasks that service dogs can accomplish is remarkable — almost human. At the very least, they provide a measure of confidence and independence to people with specific needs, but often the results are nothing short of life saving. In this article, writer Brian Hartz looks at the canine saviors. Click here to read the full story.

March 25, 2016

Terran Marks, resident blacksmith and owner of Brown County Forge, working in the Ingot Workshop at Artisan Alley, an artist collective on South Rogers Street. | Photo by Natasha Komoda

Fair, Open House on March 26 to Showcase Artisan Alley on S. Rogers St.

Wesley P. Martin, Natasha Komoda

A collective of glassblowers, painters, welders, photographers, and more, Artisan Alley is on property slated to become part of Switchyard Park. For now, though, founder Adam Nahas is providing a home for artists with a variety of artistic needs. On Saturday, March 26, the collective hosts an art fair and open house. Click here to read the full story.

March 15, 2016

The Eastern box turtle is one of many Indiana species on the state's "special concern" list. | Creative Commons, Branlon

150 Species in Indiana Now Listed As Endangered or ‘Special Concern’

Susan M. Brackney

What would happen if the hellbender goes? More than 150 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mollusks that call Indiana home are now listed as “endangered” or “special concern” in the state. Susan M. Brackney shows who decides which animals make the cut — and how. Click here to read the full story.

March 11, 2016

The stars of the 7th Annual Marsh Madness Sandhill Crane Festival at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area in Greene County. Tens of thousands have already been spotted in the area. | Photo by Thomas Marriage

Treasure Hunting at Goose Pond During Marsh Madness

Limestone Post

The spring migration of sandhill cranes and countless other birds will be celebrated on March 4-5 during the 7th Annual Marsh Madness Sandhill Crane Festival at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area. David Rupp, owner of IndiGo Birding Nature Tours, gave Limestone Post a preview on a recent trip to the pond. Click here to read the full story.

March 2, 2016

6 Things You Didn’t Know About the Jordan Greenhouses

Jen Hockney Bratton, Lynae Sowinski

A former quarry? Sunken Gardens? The Passion Pit? And you thought you were looking at greenhouses. Those glass buildings with steamy windows on East 3rd Street have quite the past. And their present is rather colorful, too. Jen Hockney Bratton reveals what you didn’t know about IU's Jordan Greenhouses. Look at some gorgeous photos, too! Click here to read the full story.