IU Health Addressing Push to Provide Nurse-Midwives

Susan M. Brackney, Andrew Grodner

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) help with pre- and postnatal care, but none are available at nearby hospitals. Since a local group petitioned IU Health Bloomington to provide a network of CNMs, the hospital has been “actively addressing this need.” First, it must recruit enough obstetricians to support a midwifery program. Click here to read the full story.

May 20, 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

Laura Reagan sits with her twin sons, Korbyn (left) and Jarek, and their dog, Sancho, and cat, Squishy. Reagan has dealt with food insecurity on and off throughout her entire life and has worked very hard to protect her sons from the stress of being food insecure. | Photo by Natasha Komoda

Food Insecurity, Part 2: Seniors and Children Are the Most Vulnerable

Sarah Gordon, Natasha Komoda

In part 2 of this three-part series, Sarah Gordon looks at two of the larger groups of Americans who are experiencing food insecurity — seniors and children. Not only are they more vulnerable and susceptible to hunger and malnutrition than most of the population, they’re also less able to improve their situations. Click here to read the full story.

April 14, 2016

For six Saturdays each fall and spring, kids ranging in age from kindergarten to eighth grade take over college classrooms while attending Saturday Science Quest for Kids and Saturday Art School. | Courtesy photo

Curious Kids Explore Science and Art at IU

Jen Hockney Bratton

Children ranging in age from kindergarten to eighth grade take over IU classrooms on Saturdays. At the School of Education, prospective teachers get real-life field practice and youngsters get real-world experiences in art and science that they might not otherwise get at school. Click here to read the full story.

December 21, 2015

Mary D'Eliso, who has been the librarian at University Elementary School since 2004, shares some of her favorite children's books. | Photo by Natasha Komoda

14 Books Kids Will Love to Get as Gifts

Jen Hockney Bratton, Natasha Komoda

Books, arguably, make the best presents. And children’s book expert Mary D’Eliso knows some of the best books you can give. Since 2004, after 15 years in the children’s department at Monroe County Public Library, D’Eliso has been the librarian at University Elementary School. As writer Jen Hockney Bratton puts it, “This librarian knows her stuff.” Click here to read the full story.

December 8, 2015

Through lynda.com, the Monroe County Public Library now offers online classes in everything from photography to business, free with a library card.

What Can Lynda Do for You?

Jonna Mary Yost

Through lynda.com, the Monroe County Public Library now offers online classes often taken by university students and corporate employees. Lessons in everything from photography to business are free with a library card and can be taken at one’s own pace — as writer Jonna Mary Yost learned while tackling her Adobe Illustrator demons. Click here to read the full story.

November 6, 2015

Plant-dyed wool dries on the sheep deck while the Marble Hill Farm cattle enjoy their evening graze. | Photo by Samuel Welsch Sveen

Farm to Yarn: The Dye Part 2 of a 3-Part Series on the Life of Local Fiber

Lindsay Welsch Sveen, Samuel Welsch Sveen

Lindsay Welsch returns to Marble Hill Farm for the second article in her three-part series on procuring yarn from its source. Stage two comprises the many steps in dyeing wool and the hands-on relationship that develops with color as it’s drawn out of indigo, goldenrod, marigold, and onion skins and affixed to the animal fiber. Click here to read the full story.

October 30, 2015

Stirring the Pot: Apples to Apples

Ruthie Cohen

Ruthie Cohen reflects on how rituals season our lives, such as the apple-picking pilgrimages she and her children used to take every fall. Although her children have “launched” (that is, left the nest), she continues to peel, core, and prepare, adding her own touches to a coveted recipe and remembering the smiling eyes of her apple-cheeked children. Click here to read the full story.

October 28, 2015

Saying ‘Yes’ to Kids Goes from Nightmare to Daydream

Jen Hockney Bratton

Jen Hockney Bratton met trepidation and more than a little dread as she approached her children’s first Yes Day — a day of saying Yes to their every request instead of the litany of No’s that’s so prominent in a parent’s vocabulary. But with planning and guidelines, Yes Day for the kids also became a “Heck Yeah!” day for Mom. Click here to read the full story.

October 23, 2015

This unprocessed fleece has been soaked and skirted (the dirty parts removed) but still contains organic debris and long, scraggly top hairs. It will be among the fleeces Whitney sends off to be milled for her spring CSA shares. | Photo by Lindsay Welsch Sveen

Farm to Yarn: The Wool Part 1 of a 3-Part Series on the Life of Local Fiber

Lindsay Welsch Sveen

Knitting and other fiber crafts have found a new generation of enthusiasts who care about the source of their yarn as much as about its color and pattern. In this first installment of a 3-part series, Lindsay Welsch traces yarn to one of its local sources, Marble Hill Farm. Click here to read the full story.