Powwow Keeps Native American Heritage Alive
Drums beating, feathers flying, hearts racing, spirits soaring — Indiana University’s 5th Annual Traditional Powwow at Alumni Hall this past weekend welcomed dancers, drummers, singers, and other performers from across the land. Miles Reiter filmed the event, which is more than just a social gathering — it’s a ritual of many tribes keeping their heritages alive.
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What Can Lynda Do for You?
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.
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Stirring the Pot: Apples to Apples
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.
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A Teenager’s Murder Still Breaks Hearts and Boggles Minds 50 Years Later
Fifty years ago, 16-year-old Sylvia Likens was found tortured to death in the Indianapolis home of her caretaker, Gertrude Baniszewski, who was later convicted of first-degree murder in what’s been called the most terrible crime ever committed in Indiana. In this essay, John Mikulenka ponders how the case went from a local tragedy to something affecting people worldwide. In his video, he interviews the newspaper reporter who covered Baniszewski’s trial.
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Deckard’s Outdoors: Leonard Springs Nature Park
If you’re looking for a quick hike to see fall color up close, check out what Trent Deckard calls Bloomington’s best-kept secret. The main trail at Leonard Springs Nature Park is just over a mile long and takes you by two caves, a wetland, an erstwhile dam, and the springs. And the entire trail is lined with hardwoods that should be showing color for a few more weeks.
Click here to watch the video.