Local-Lady Richmond Interview: Angel Gray, Tourism Bureau

Over the summer, I was invited to attend a session at the
Institute for Creative Leadership, a sort of

Angel Gray & Adorable Son: Image Source

community activist think tank in Richmond, where I first met fellow blogger Angel Gray. Angel is the Social Media Communications Director at Visit Richmond, the Welcome Center. Angel Gray is a multifaceted, talented local gal with a diverse set of hobbies. Geo-caching is one in particular, which I find fascinating. She agreed to take some time out of her busy schedule to chat with the Local Lady! Thank you, Angel! Here we go:

What do you like best about your job at the Tourism Bureau?

"My favorite thing about working with the Wayne County Tourism Bureau is having the unique opportunity to interact with locals and visitors through social media. I enjoy answering questions about Wayne County for visitors as well as encouraging locals to appreciate their home town through social media games and promotions such as our photo contests, “Where’s Angel” contest, and trivia questions. 

I also love the opportunities that allow me to become an active participant in community projects. Earlier this year I was blessed with the ability to attend the Institute for Creative Leadership. Here, I learned more about myself along with my own strengths and weaknesses. With this new information, I was able to team up with fellow Institute for Creative Leadership graduates to work on a community project, Pedals for People, which took donated bikes and refurbished them to give to families in the community who could not afford bikes. I love the ability to give back to the community and encouraging others to do so as well. I am lucky enough to have a job I love and a job that allows me to express my individuality and my unique perspective about the community. My job here is more than just a job, it’s a career and a hobby and I look forward to many more years here."

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As a blogger for Visit Richmond, what entry was the most fun for you to write? 

"One that will always stick with me as my favorite is Joseph Moore Museum of Natural History. I had so much fun taking my young son to the museum for his first time and seeing the reactions on his face as he discovers dinosaur bones, snake skins, and more. I love when I can share personal experiences in my blog posts because I believe personal experiences is what intrigues readers the most and it give me the chance to connect with my readers on a personal level."


What's the story behind geocaching? How did you get started & where can a Richmond beginner go for more information on how to do it?

"I’ve always enjoyed hiking and anything involving the outdoors. I would often travel to state parks to hike. It wasn’t until I started searching for more local outdoor activities that I stumbled upon geocaching. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices (handheld gps or a smartphone app). Participants navigate to a specific set of coordinates found online, and then attempt to find the geocache (the container) hidden at that location. 

Richmond has countless geocaches hidden among the town: at the Welcome Center, Hayes Arboretum, Depot District and many other spots in the area. The goal of geocaching is to get people out in the community to visit unique places they may not have chosen to visit otherwise. We often have geocachers come in the Welcome Center to find our hidden geocache and they come from as far away as California, Texas, and Florida. 

If someone is interested in learning more about geocaching they can certainly come visit me at the Welcome Center! I would love to offer a few pointers, also I would recommend visiting the official site Geocaching for more information."

The Geocaching Logo is a registered trademark of Groundspeak, Inc. Used with permission.

What's your best Richmond memory or what do you love about Richmond? 

"Having grown up here all my life, I would have to say my favorite memory is my childhood in general. I have a lot of wonderful memories growing up here but my favorite part is now the ability to share these memories with my 2 year old son. I am ecstatic to relive some of my favorite childhood memories as I watch my son experience them for the first time. The ability to explain to him that mommy did this same thing when she was little always makes me smile. 

The one experience that stands out in my mind is the day my son got his Veach’s birthday card in the mail when he turned 1. I remember growing up and getting my Veach’s card in the mail for the birthday castle and always begging to go to Veach's Toy Station as soon as possible. I think I was more excited than my son was as we hopped in the car and took a trip downtown. The experience is still the same and the enjoyment of opening the door and picking out a wrapped present brings a smile to every child’s face. I love the fact that these simple childhood memories are still around for our children to experience!"

Thanks for chatting with the Local-Lady, Angel! And thank you for the work you do to connect and highlight some of the best in our community! Kudos!

Play Where's Angel? on Facebook at the Official Visit Richmond Facebook page and be sure to stop by the Visit Richmond blog.

<3 the Local Gal

PS

Enjoy the interview? Stay in the loop with the Local Gal via Twitter or Facebook & feel free to sign up for e-mail page updates below!

Richmond, Indiana's Shanie and Sallie: A Local-Lady Interview

visit shanieandsallie.com

Is baby shower shopping on your To-Do List? Is your darling little stinker turning two? Shop no further for gifts than this store! Shanie and Sallie uses only organic cotton and non toxic dyes. With that assurance, you can be sure your little ones will look adorable while playing in these safe retro-adorable prints!

There are so many ways to shop local!

I love to visit brick and mortar mom and pop shops, but the attraction
of on-line shopping can be great. Shanie and Sallie offer both options. Indiana parents don't have to sacrifice their shop local ethic, when they order from Shanie and Sallie a locally owned, environmentally conscious apparel store for children.

For those of us not into the click and pay, they're also available around town. Savvy shop owner, Ali Rivera agreed to talk shop with the Local Gal in an interview! Thanks, Ali!

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Here we go:

What inspired you to use only Organic Cotton and non-toxic dyes?

 "After having my first child in 2007, we quickly learned she had allergic reactions to a lot of the clothes she was wearing. She would even get a rash where the printed hang tag was laying on her neck. We quickly turned to all organic garments, and her skin irritations quickly diminished. 

I have always been environmentally conscious. I, along with 2 friends started an environmental group in High School in 1990, which started recycling programs in schools and planting trees everywhere. When I decided to start a children’s art tee shirt business, I knew exactly what materials I wanted to use: non toxic, water based dyes. It was extremely important for me to offer an organic and non toxic product.  My shirts are for children that suffer from skin allergies, as well as for promoting sustainability and environmental awareness."

What's the story behind Shanie and Sallie?

"My grandfather told my sister and I stories about the adventures of two little girls named Shanie and Sallie. I realized when I was older that he was switching my sister Aimee, and my name, Ali around. 
In 2008, my sister and I were looking through my mother’s hope chest and came across her childhood drawings from the early 1950’s. We thought they would be cool prints on kids clothes. I knew Shanie and Sallie would be the perfect name for us. 

In January 2010, Shanie and Sallie was born.  Four generations are all wrapped up in Shanie and Sallie: Grandpa coined our business name, my Mother drew the art, and we're two sisters running the business with my daughter as the inspiration. 

I drew up our logo as two backwards S’s that form a heart- for the love of our family. It just fits.  Shanie and Sallie is driven by our desire to help children with skin allergies and our environment."

Any quick tips for an aspiring entrepreneur interested in opening their own shop?

"Research, research, research. I spent almost 2 years just researching the industry, and am still learning. And of course you need a business plan.  I struggled with that the most. Even though I  ran a business prior for over 9 years, I had some aversion to them.  I had everything in my head and had a difficult time putting it all down on paper. However, I strongly suggest having one. I still put off the plan until later. I wish now that I had completed it in the beginning.  

It was overwhelming at first, although I was so passionate about what I was doing. I quickly learned I had a lot to learn: everything from copyright and trademark laws to manufacturing. I thought I would be able to just order size 12 month and send an image over. That's not exactly the case. I had to develop patterns and send exact colors. Not to mention, I was determined to use local companies, then national. Then I opened up to global. 

I realized that it was much more difficult to find companies that can not only produce organic products but to also use water based dyes. I was concerned about my footprint, and with my analysis for using up to 4 different companies in the states just to produce one shirt, the cost was impossible to resell. So I went global and found a wonderful Fair trade company that has been green since 1991. It's also GOTS Certified (Global Organic Textile Standard)."

Where can we find Shanie and Sallie items?

"Currently Shanie and Sallie can be purchased locally at the Earlham Bookstore,  the Shanie and Sallie website, Etsy and in select boutique stores around the country. We just did a Zulily sale too! We debuted last October in Louisville at the ABC Kids Expo, where we were able to get some global exposure. We're also excited to be a featured artist for two months at the Whitewater Canal Scenic Byway Visitors Center in Metamora starting in September. 

We have 5 prints in our first line called Around the Barnyard. Watch for our second line "Around the Water" coming out next summer!"

Thank you, Ali! Your shop has a great story & you have got some great business advice! Thank you so much for sharing!

Next time you're looking for something special for the little ones in your life, consider supporting a local family & Hoosier owned business, Shanie and Sallie!


<3 the Local Gal

All Images above (in this post) were provided by the interviewee & belong to Shanie & Sallie.

PS

Ali would like to give special kudos to John Aiken at Web Canopy Studio, a Richmond based web design and marketing business, for doing Shanie and Sallie's website. Kudos!

Shopping local keeps dollars in our community! It just makes cents!

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Interview with Ribbons & Robots

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Ribbons & Robots is a locally based, on-line storefront for hand crafted toys. I may be all grown up, but my heart still melts for dollies and stuffed animals, especially if they are made by hand! Ribbons & Robots is run by a Hip, Digitally Savvy Business Mama with a passion for crafting. Thank you R&R for taking time out of your hectic mommy/crafting/awesome lady schedule! 

Here we go:

What's the inspiration behind Robots & Ribbons? 

"One of my biggest inspirations is my own little family. Since having our first son, I have really noticed and been frustrated by the lack of fun toys geared towards boys! When they're still too little for Legos or action figures of things with a zillion little pieces, there really isn't a ton of exciting (and affordable) toys on the shelf to choose from. I want to have a shop that carries a good balance of things boys AND girls will like, beyond the typical puppy/kitten choices....

And my parents always encouraged my sister & me to be creative. My mom is this really incredibly talented seamstress, so we grew up with a love of sewing and appreciation of handmade in our house."

Why do you love to craft?  
"One thing I love about crafting, especially creating toys, is the idea that something I have loved and found so much joy while creating could also bring a big smile to some kid's face. It could be something they treasure forever & I just think that is so exciting! For me, creating and crafting has just always been part of my everyday life. I also love that crafting is a way to take a break for myself. Even if it’s just for 5 minutes at a time!"

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Can you tell me a bit about Storenvy, the site that hosts your on-line shop?

"StorEnvy is a bit newer online marketplace. It is growing and gaining attention really quickly. It’s got a social networking vibe, which is neat. Instead of having collections curated by editors front & center, your StorEnvy Feed is more tailored to you. It's based on items you’ve “envied” or stores you’ve followed. Also, when you’re browsing on StorEnvy the products are listed by popularity in real time, so there are constant updates & new things you may not have found on your own just by searching tags! 

One really useful aspect of StorEnvy, for both shoppers and shop owners alike, is that when you “watch” a store, StorEnvy notifies you whenever that shop’s stock is updated! They send fun emails with products you might like based on things you’ve “envied”…I like to read them during nap time, when I take a little break, so I can really enjoy them!"

What's your favorite project?

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"I especially love making dolls. Rag dolls are so fun because the possibilities for giving each doll its own personality are endless. Right now I have some really fun mermaid dolls posted for sale, but I have plans for more boy-style dolls to come and I am really, really excited to get started on some of those! I also have some play sets that I have been getting started on; they have folk tale & fairy tale themes and I think are going to be super fun toys."

What's your best Richmond memory?

"One of my favorite memories is walking downtown with my sister and our mom. We would walk to the library and Mom would make sure we really got to make a day out of it. We played word games or I Spy on the way and would get to go to Readmore & the other stores on our way there & back. Stopping in to get ice cream at The Circus Shoppe was REALLY a treat because we got to eat it in that zoo cage at the back of the shop! Remember that? But the best part was, hands down, the fountains in the summer time. I was heartbroken when they tore out the promenade to extend Main Street."

What kind of unique Richmond memories is your family making today?

"My husband is a bicycling enthusiast so we try and get the boys out for rides on the Cardinal Greenway on cooler evenings (because I am a total wimp about being out in the heat!!). We try to take advantage of our parks. We love the library, and my three year old absolutely LOVES going to the Wayne County Historical Museum. And I am really looking forward to the park the city is building in the city lot at North A street."

Thank you again for sharing with us. I wish you every success in your business venture!
 

You can find Ribbons & Robots on-line at Storenvy.com. Follow Ribbons & Robots on Facebook to stay updated with new items and specials.

Ribbons & Robots is your source for quality, hand made stuffed toys & dolls for children of all ages. Looking for something specific? Ribbons & Robots takes custom orders! You can contact Ribbons & Robots via e-mail at ribbonsandrobots@gmail.com.

Seriously, darling! Check them out & support a local business!
That's right, on-line shoppers- you can still shop local :)

<3 the Local Gal

What's Behind That Window? Main Street Diner

"I think poems return us to that place of mud and dirt and earth, sun and rain, and that's where food comes from, and so there's this common link." 

 Kevin Young

You might not connect poetry with food or consider them one and the same, but then perhaps you haven't had a plate of home fries alongside the western omelette at the Main Street Diner in Richmond, Indiana. (At least that's the Local Lady's Official Opinion!)

Kent and Dori Baxter co-own the Main Street Diner with their daughter Mary Baxter-Lucas. The Baxter's sons also are part of the restaurant staff. Main Street Diner is one extra fabulous, family run business. Dori was good enough to agree to a Local-Lady Interview. Thank you, Main St. Diner!

Here we go:

What about Richmond, Indiana keeps you investing and working in our community? 

"Family roots. Kent and his family moved here when he was in Jr. High. His dad was President of Friends Fellowship Community for many years. His mother still lives at FFC. His brother is now President. We have moved around many many times in our 32 years of marriage, and we always seem to land back in Richmond, near family. We have lived on a farm outside of Williamsburg for the last 14 years."

You took ownership of the Main Street Diner last year. You retained the name, but what have you done to make the Diner more your own?

"We have expanded the menu, attempting to highlight local foods (a passion of ours), become a little family friendly. We also support other local businesses and are working towards being more involved in the community."

Your restaurant sources fresh, local ingredients whenever possible. You are definitely leaders in Richmond's growing local foods movement. Where does your philosophy and inspiration come from?

"Through our efforts to become self sufficient and our time as a small farm business with Abundant Acres. Due to family obligations we have scaled back the farm business and are currently not supplying produce to outside sources. We will be growing a small garden in the back of the Diner so that we can provide fresh produce on the menu during the growing season."

What was running the farm like?

"We ran the farm business for about 4 years. It was successful but very hard to run with Kent working a full time job. The boys helped in the garden by growing veggies and flowers, helping with goat husbandry, and caring for the chickens. It was a great experience for us, especially with homeschooling. We still homestead and I still make goat milk soap. Our energy has changed of course with running the diner, but we still are providing good, local food for a reasonable cost."

The local movement extends beyond just food. Your family is also part of a network really interested in building community and support throughout Richmond. Why?

"We love building community. We love keeping it local. We shop local whenever we can. I would rather spend a few cents extra at a local "Mom and Pop" business than shop at the large chains. Large chains may provide things that people don't always have access to, but we Love to Shop Local!  Veach's is a special, family favorite. I just feel that when a community is strong, it creates a strong state and a strong nation. It all begins in the community and in the attitude we develop with each other."

There's a lot of excitement about the new Farmer's Market adjacent to the Diner. Can you tell us a bit about the new Thursday Market?

"We are so excited about this market! We will be featuring one unique vendor per week, either by using their ingredients to make a meal in the diner or by giving a complimentary sample provided by the featured vendor. For example, last week's feature was a Honey Glazed snack mix I made using Pappaw's Hunny Farm honey. Each table was given a small bowl to snack on while waiting for their dinner. This week's feature is Arden Farms. We will be using their herbs in whatever creation Kent comes up with. We are also excited that we now have our retail egg license so we can sell farm fresh brown eggs inside the restaurant!"

What are your top favorite menu items?

"That is a hard question to answer! There are so many favorites.  My personal favorite would have to be the hand cut, hand battered onion rings.  Kent's favorite is the homemade biscuits and sausage gravy (made with fresh local sausage (M.S.G. Free). Many people say we have one of the best cheeseburgers around. Diners should definitely try the hand breaded tenderloin and pretzel buns we bake in house."

As a family business, how do you enjoy working together? What do you all do after a long day at the restaurant to relax?

"Working together and going home together has provided its own set of challenges, but we work through it. We are a close knit family with a unique restaurant history. (Kent and Dori met while working together at Bob Evans) At the end of the week we turn off the Diner sign light and relax with a great cup of coffee at Roscoe's Coffee House."

Local Lady's Favorite Order: Western Omelette & Fries

The Main Street Diner's Thursday Market takes place from 4:00-7:00 pm during the summer & fall. The market includes 7-12 vendor booths. One vendor is featured each week by the Diner through the menu or by a shared product sample. Come for the quality, locally produced items and stay for dinner!

Much thanks to the Baxter Family for their time!

The Main Street Diner is located at 1600 East Main Street in Richmond, Indiana.

Hours: Mon - Sat: 7:00 am - 2:00 pm and Ext. Hours on Market Thursdays til' 7:00 pm.

You can find them on Facebook Here.

The Thursday Market concluded in October 2013, but We're looking forward to next year!

<3 your Local Gal

Local Lady Interview: Author Marissa Brim

Marissa Brim, Local Author

As providence should have it, I was recently reunited with an old acquaintance turned novel-writer, self-published author and all around go-getter, Marissa Brim. A friend loaned me a copy of her first book, Daughter of the Red Isle. I was intrigued by this new author's writing and her publishing process. Marissa agreed to a Local Lady Interview which is transcribed below. Thank you, thank you, Marissa!

Here we go:

What's your best Richmond/Indiana memories?

"When my mother first moved us to Richmond, her hometown, my grandparents helped to raise us and make us feel a part of the community.  They helped enroll us in Seton Elementary School in Richmond, and really gave us as much as they possibly could.

One memory in particular is of my grandfather, Leroy Atkins, taking me to Paulee's for breakfast, and then to the Farmer's Market next to the Depot, under 9th St. bridge.  It was great quality time with my grandfather.  He bought me a small cactus, which actually thrived for a few years, until my mother and I somehow managed to kill it.  Since then, I've been enchanted by the Depot district, and I'm so excited to see it coming back to life, as well as downtown."

How did you set off to become a writer?

"I can't say that one day I just woke up and said to myself "I'm going to be a writer now."  I can say I've always been a dreamer, and have read books & imagined stories that seemed to make my childhood more interesting.  I've always been an "in-my-head" type of person, as I'm not a great social speaker.  I can't formulate witty responses on the spur of a moment, but I can come up with a whole conversation if I'm left alone with a piece of paper, a pen and a situation.

Mostly, I decided to start writing again after elementary school because a story had started forming itself in my head, and it was taking up too much of my thoughts.  So, as a "cure," I decided to write it down, just to get it out of my head.  The initial outline was somewhere around ten thousand words.  I put it away for a while, until a tragedy in my family spurred me to finish the story."

Could you tell us a bit of what your book is about?

"Daughter of the Red Isle is a novel with two story lines: Lexi, a homeless young woman struggling to make it on her own and Leo, a wealthy businessman, learning life's lessons through tragedies.  While Daughter begins with tragedies, I think the main focus is on the characters surviving and learning to live through their hardships. Within the first chapter of the book, Lexi learns that her mother has finally succumbed to her addiction, dying from an apparent drug overdose.


Leo's story, on the other hand, is revealed much later.  He is the author of some "love letters" in the beginning of the book, and his tragedy hits closer to home with a lot of readers, myself included."

The Cover of Marissa's First Book

How did you go about publishing your book? You're a novel writer & self-published to boot! That's impressive!


"The publishing portion of the book was actually the easiest (once I decided I was going to go the Indie route, that is). I looked up several different options, including contacting one of the local printers in Richmond to print copies for me.  After all was said and done though, I started with an eBook, available only through Amazon Kindle.


After a few months, I decided to get a paper version as well, as people who either didn't have eBook access, or didn't have a Kindle, kept asking me for paper copies.  I used CreateSpace, a sub-company of Amazon, to publish the book.  It had multiple options, including a generate your own cover for the book feature, that really appealed to me."

Your book, although titled as somewhat of a romantic novel, touches on some big issues.
What inspired you to delve into things such as homelessness, drug abuse, etc.?

"For lack of a better explanation, personal (not me) experiences.  Substance abuse was a big player in my father's side of the family, mostly alcohol, but some drug use as well.  My grandmother had also a cousin who had lived on the streets of New York City for a time. He built his own business, and the last I heard, was a millionaire, living on the same island as Julio Iglesias.  

While they had some personal relation to me and my family, more people can relate to these issues.  Homelessness affects more people every year, and substance abuse seems to be within nearly every family.  They are tough issues, but people can survive and overcome them.   I have known for years that my father was an alcoholic, and knowing that, I was determined to never fall into that kind of addiction.  I have no desire to drink and drink and drink.  I'd rather spend that money on yarn for knitting!"

What's next on your agenda. I hear this may become a series?

"Yes, actually I'm somewhere around thirty thousand words on book 2 of The Isles series. The title is Son of the Emerald Isle, and focuses more on Lexi  finding "new" relatives, and it will explore further social issues. I'm working on the end of the book, and I have actually surprised myself with the end.  There's a lot going on. This installation in the series feels different than the first book. 

I'm also working on a few other things. Most notably an urban fantasy-type novel, which is published entirely on my blog, as I write, chapter by chapter.  The title is Death of a Fairy, a modern fairy tale, but it's not like any fairy tale I've ever read.  After it is finished, I will publish it on eBook and in paperback so others can read it as well."


Thank you again Marissa for your time and your company! I wish you much happiness and success in your writing career! May you sell many books and dream many more stories!

<3 the Local Gal

For more information: You can follow Marissa Brim, the author on Facebook Here.
Here Debut Novel is available at Two Sister's Books & More, as well as Richmond's local Hastings store.

Tempest III Interview with the Director, Joshua Robinson

Studio 10 Site

  Our last installment of the III Part Tempest Series is an exclusive interview with the Director himself, Joshua Robinson! Thank you, Joshua for taking the time from your busy schedule to be a guest on the Local Lady Blog. 

Here We Go:

Joshua Robinson, Director of the Tempest at RCT

What are some of your best Richmond memories?

"My first taste of the stage was in the production of THE WIZARD OF OZ in the early 1990’s. I fell head first in love with theatre. It was a gigantic production. If I recall, somewhere around 150 kids cast in the show. It was insane. Even as a fifth grader, I  was immediately taken with the nature of live performance and the relationship between the audience and the show. It was also where I met John Bronston, my best friend and frequent collaborator who is writing the original score to THE TEMPEST. Of course, we were actually sworn enemies through a significant portion of our childhood. Now, he’s like family and we’ve had a fantastic time collaborating on two musicals that have appeared in NYC. We also have three new projects on the horizon. "


Could you tell us about your involvement in the theatre in Richmond as well as elsewhere?

"I was pretty active at RCT, Junior Players (now Stage One) and at Richmond High School. While I always loved performing, I knew early on that I wanted to be involved more creatively with theatre. When I was a freshman in high school, Junior Players allowed me to direct my first show, STUART LITTLE. That experience sort of reoriented my trajectory in terms of how I wanted to work in the arts. Music and acting were important to me, and I continued to participate in shows at RHS as well as Chamber Choir, but I became obsessed with directing. Through a series of great miracles, and some generous donations from members of the community, I got to spend my senior year of high school at Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI. That was my first exposure to studying directing in a formal setting. It’s that gift, the year I got to spend in Michigan making connection that my career has relied on to this day, that has inspired me to come back and help to begin a Shakespeare program in Richmond."


What's it like to stretch your wings and then return home? 

"I love the east coast. There’s nothing quite like it and the theatre scene is so large and varied. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to develop myself  first as an actor and singer, then as a director and playwright. Bringing back what I’ve learned has been an intoxicating experience. More importantly, I’ve learned so much from not only directing THE TEMPEST here, but teaching a series of workshops on acting and directing. I’m always a Midwestern boy at heart, so merging the two worlds together has been an awesome experience."

How do you see Richmond differently now? What's the same/What's different?

"RCT has grown so much since I’ve been gone! They’re literally doing over a dozen productions a season! What has been most exciting is the enthusiasm for the project.  One thing that is often missing in the professional world is the unbridled passion that comes from a place like RCT. No one is doing this for a paycheck. Everyone is doing this in their very limited free time. That sort of love for theatre is unique and is the reason I fell in love with the form as a child. It has been amazing to be reacquainted 
with that. It has also been fun getting to work with folks who used to direct me. Two of the actors in THE TEMPEST, Ruthanne Bolling and David Cobine, directed me when I was a kid. Also, TJ Rivard, who plays Prospero, was one of the first directors I assisted at RCT. It’s been a trip, everything coming full circle."

What kind of inspiration led to producing an original score for this particular play?

"John and I are writing partners and we have been toying with writing a musical version of THE TEMPEST for a few years now. It’s in the early stages and John has written some absolutely stunning songs for it. When the opportunity arose for me to direct THE TEMPEST at RCT, it seemed like a great opportunity to have John, who also grew up at this theatre and has been very successful in NYC, to pen some vocal and incidental music. His work on the show is so haunting and sophisticated and I’m thrilled that RCT audiences are going to hear his work."

Tempest Rehearsal Sneak Peek

What can we expect to see in Studio 10's version of the Tempest? Any sneak peek or 
titillating tidbits you're willing to share?

"There are TONS of surprises in this production, but I think one of the most exciting is that we have reconfigured the playing space in the theatre. The audience will be onstage with the cast for the performance. Quite literally, the audience will be in the heart of the storm as the ship faces off against the mighty tempest! Actors are centimeters away from the action! Andy has done a fantastic job of facilitating the technical aspects of the show. THE TEMPEST lends itself to fantastical design elements and Andy has been interpreting the vision of the show so brilliantly. I feel I can safely say that this production of THE TEMPEST will be something very unique and I 
can’t wait to share it with the RCT community."

Joshua Robinson (Director) & Andy Darr (Lights)

How are you guys enjoying the collaborative work? 

"John and I have been writing partners since we were in high school and it’s always exciting to see what he is going to come up with. Things are sort of reversed this time. I’ve worked with Andy on some design stuff, but usually at a distance while John and I are on the east coast. This time, Andy and I are together in Richmond and John is working from New York! The three of us won’t be back in the same room together until the closing performance! But these two guys are not just collaborators or even friends. Andy and John are family to me. Our friendships span two decades now and I’m so 
grateful for it. And, with some luck and support, we are hoping to make this an annual 
offering in Richmond. So we’ll be working together for most of our lives, I imagine."

Tempest II, Interview with the Composer John Bronston

Studio 10 Site

It's time for the second installment of the III part Local Lady series on Studio 10's production of the Tempest. It's my pleasure in introducing you to John Bronston, a talented composer, lyricist and musician who has been collaborating over the phone and through e-mail conquering distance with technology in order to bring an original sound accompaniment for Shakespeare's play the Tempest 

especially for Richmond Civic Theatre. 

Without further ado, the composer of the incidental score to the Tempest soon to play at Richmond Civic Theatre, John Bronston, here we go:

What are some of your best Richmond memories?

John Bronston, Talented Composer, Lyricist and Musician

"I have many Richmond memories tied to Richmond Civic Theatre and the theatre in general. I grew up there and had some of my happiest early performing experiences there in such productions as Fences (directed by Tempest cast member David Cobine) and the first RCT production of A Chorus Line. Even before becoming active at RCT, I had participated in Junior Players productions where I met the director of this production of the Tempest, Joshua Robinson, when we co-starred in The Ransom of Red Chief. I returned to Richmond for a brief period over ten years ago to work as a director and choreographer at Earlham College. I currently work as a writer, musical director, educator, and occasional performer and director all over the country. 


 In the last twelve months I have done shows in Manhattan, New Jersey (a production of Amahl and the Night Visitors that Joshua Robinson was the producer of and I musical directed), Colorado (with the designer of this production Andy Darr who designed lighting for the production of Hairspray that I directed and choreographed for Midtown Arts Center in Fort Collins), and upstate New York where I am currently. I am hoping to get to come back to Indiana in time to see this production of the Tempest."

What's it like to stretch your wings and then return home? 


"I have been back a number of times over the years, most recently I saw the fundraiser production of Rocky Horror Show that Andy Darr mounted a couple of years ago at RCT which was a blast. I love that theatre, it is one of the most remarkable spaces I have had the good fortune to perform in and audiences in Richmond are always willing to try something new. My career in the theatre has happened because I am willing to wear a number of different hats and that began for me in Richmond. While I was there, I performed, I directed (Shadows In the Theatre which was a benefit for the Richmond AIDS Task Force at Civic Hall in 1996 among others), I designed costumes, I played in pit bands, I did whatever I was aksed to do. That is the spirit that has seen me through and it all started in Richmond."

What kind of inspiration led to producing an original score for this particular play?

"The inspiration for creating an original score came from Joshua asking me to do it. Over the last ten years, we have formed a writing partnership that has seen our musicals performed all over Manhattan. Our original show "Fairy Tale" was originally produced by the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) in their reading series and then went on to be produced in a commercial run by (re:) Directions Theatre Company at the 14th Street Theatre in Manhattan. Our next show, "Confessions of A Reality TV Star" was produced in concert by New York Theatre Barn and we have had other developmental runs of projects that we have written together and separately." 


What can we expect to see in Studio 10's version of the Tempest? Any sneak peek or 

titillating tidbits you're willing to share?

"The sound of this show will definitely be something different for local audiences. It is an attempt to meld a neo-classical melodic line with a late nineties acoustic rock harmonic framework. I hope that people find it beautiful and intriguing and sensual and romantic and surprising. It isn't designed to shock the ears but to support the beauty of Shakespeare's language with a modern tone. On this particular project our collaboration has been taking place primarily on the phone and over email, although we did have a number of face to face meetings to discuss the tone before I was ready to put pen to paper."

How are you guys enjoying the collaborative work? 

"It is always a joy to return home and that is what I feel like I am doing whenever Joshua and I collaborate on a project."

Thank you so much for you responses, John. I hope you make it home in time for the show! 

<3 Your Local Gal

Tempest I Interview with the Lights, Andy Darr

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Studio 10 is a branch of Richmond Civic Theatre founded to provide our community with opportunities to experience "contemporary and classic-but-seldom-seen gems (that) are equally at home on Studio 10 stage." These productions are usually intended for a more mature audience. Their up and coming production is one such gem, The Tempest by William Shakespeare, 

a lesser known play of the famous bard that in some circles is considered to be one of his greatest of works. 

The Local-Lady blog is pleased to offer readers a special III part series of exclusive interviews leading up to the play which is to run June 7th and 8th at 8 pm at Richmond Civic Theatre.   

All three of our guest interviewees hail from the Richmond area and have a history of working together in the theatre. All three are returning and specially collaborating for this production. Andy Darr, behind the technical scenes & in charge of manning the lights is our first guest! Welcome home, Andy!

Here we go:

What are your best Richmond memories?

Portrait of Andy Darr Photo Credit: Jim Hair

"Most of my best Richmond Memories involve friends and family, really but every time I come back I make an effort to visit Glen Miller, and if there's time, a visit to local favorite eateries is always a treat." 

Tell us about your history of theater involvement/musical involvement in your hometown of Richmond at RCT or elsewhere?

"My first introduction to the theatre was in Richmond, at Richmond Civic Theatre. And you know, when you find something you just absolutely love, the drive to explore it can be almost unstoppable. 

I've designed (the scenery for) a handful of productions at RCT, a couple of favorites there being To Kill A Mockingbird and Picasso at the Lapin Agile. In Indianapolis, I designed the lighting for Cabaret Poe, and most recently I designed the settings for a stage adaptation of The Yellow Wall Paper by Charolette Perkins Gillman; ...served as a Technical Director at a small theatre in Nashville, Indiana."

What's it like to stretch your wings and fly and return home?

"Honestly, it's a little surreal, actually, to return home to produce a show. My partner and I usually come back for holidays with the fam and what have you. It's kinda exciting, really."

Tempest Light Focus

How do you see Richmond differently now? What's the same/What's different?

"I think a lot of people may not be the biggest fan of their small Midwestern Hometown when growing up in it, I know I wasn't. When I was younger it was all: "Golly it's small, there's nothing to do here, it's such a waste land", you know -- and it seems true. Though this trip back seems to have revealed that Richmond is beginning to tap into and embrace things that can make it pretty cool. The revitalization of the Depot District is a good example of that. There seems to be a shedding of the ambivalence, and more energy is being put toward making things better: embracing local history and recognizing some of the stunning architecture that's here. Don't get me wrong, I love urban decay, but it isn't always what one wants when embarking on H.M.S Revitalization."

What can we expect to see in Studio 10's version of the Tempest? Any sneak peek or titillating tidbits you're willing to share?

"People can expect to see some awesome theatre. I don't want to reveal too much but I can say that the awesomeness will begin with the audience being seated on stage, in the three-quarter round. "

How are you guys enjoying the collaborative work?

"For me, it's been great. I've been eager to work with Joshua again as it's been some years since our last project together. John and I recently worked together in Fort Collins, Colorado on a production of Hairspray."

Thank you so much for your time, Andy! Stay tuned Local Lady Readers for more exclusive interviews in the very near future!!

<3 Your Local Gal

Interview with Richmond Resident: Scott Zimmerman, City Planner

"Whatever we do with whatever we have, we leave behind as a legacy for those who follow." 

~Stephen Covey~

In Sights, Sounds and Smells of Richmond, Indiana, I reflected on what I love most about this town. I wrote,

"I love the people who make this city worth living in, whether they are running the companies we work for or the nonprofits and organizations that keep us going in tough times. Maybe they just happen to be the people who are there when someone is needed."

This blog has given me so much opportunity to talk to people in our community. I feel like I really get to connect with more people who are active in this city making Richmond what it is and working towards what it can be. I set out on my hometown exploration in what some would call an overly  naive, optimistic fashion. It's true that when I look at a room, I often see it all ready redecorated! However, I'm glad to say that I have not yet been disappointed, only thrilled to discover how many people in our town care.

I recently contacted a former next door neighbor of mine, city planner and non-profit SPUR President, Scott Zimmerman for an interview. His response was quick! I've wondered just what does a City Planner do, and what advice could be offered to the average resident on how to improve Richmond on a small, do it yourself scale. Answers are below! Here we go:

Scott, you've worked as Richmond's city planner for just over ten years now. What about Richmond, Indiana keeps you living and loving this corner of the world?

"I grew up in Muncie so I feel very comfortable with East Central Indiana. I’ve also lived in Kokomo and Terre Haute; industrial towns that have had to adjust to changing times. What keeps me here is a continued hope that Richmond will be able to develop a new future based on attracting new businesses to town who appreciate our locality. The potential for preservation of our historic resources and enhancement of our natural resources is huge."

What is a typical day for a city planner? What kind of duties are yours?

"I spend most of my day answering people’s questions about land use; more specifically, what they’re allowed to use land for or to what standards must they adhere when building on their property. That ranges from “Can I run a business out of my garage?” to “How tall can a fence be in my back yard?” The answers aren’t always easy like "No" or "6 feet". Sometimes they depend on the zoning classification or location on a block. From a long-term perspective, I try to make sure Richmond is keeping up-to-date planning documents. These are reports that say what a community needs to do to meet goals on topics like Transportation or Housing or Neighborhood Development. We recently replaced a 1980's Transportation Plan with a document that reflects the community’s desire to have better bike and pedestrian accommodations around town. Another portion of my time is spent trying to enforce our zoning codes by sending violation notices when something is determined to be illegal based on our code. Again, the amount of time spent determining what is illegal can be substantial."

There's a lot of potential change in the near future for Richmond. There's talk of bike lanes and increased walkability, the possibility of a Stellar Community Grant, etc. What can the average resident do to help improve our community in general?

"There are a number of ways Richmond residents can improve the community in general. Getting to know your neighbors is VERY important. Many neighborhood problems develop because neighbors don’t get along. It can even help reduce crime just by being neighborly. Another important step is to be willing to keep our streets clean. If you have time to pick up trash on the sidewalk when you’re walking your dog, please do! It may seem like a little thing but it can have a big impact if everyone were to do that every day. Finally, be involved in your community either through local schools or clubs or churches. They support a lot of needs in our community. I think our Stellar Community Program application is so strong because we have strong support from our community organizations."

As a resident of Richmond, in what direction would you like to see Richmond go in the next five years?

"I would like Richmond to continue to develop support for small local businesses. Those businesses tend to be in the older parts of the community (like the depot district or Olde Richmond) which have close connection to our natural resource areas and our historic properties. Those areas continue to bring new people to Richmond."

You also are part of a group called SPUR, what does that stand for and how is your group involved in our community?

"I’m honored to be the president of a nonprofit group started almost 50 years ago as the Society for the Preservation and Use of Resources. Its goal is to better use our local natural resources and to protect significant land areas. The SPUR acquired the land and established the Whitewater Gorge Trail from Test Road to the Starr-Gennett site which is now part of our parks system. That park now extends north and will connect to the Cardinal Greenway. We are now working on a section along the East Fork of the Whitewater River which will connect Sim Hodgin Parkway, Freeman Park, Glen Miller Park and eventually go all the way to the state line."

What do you and/or your family like to do to relax after a busy day in Richmond?

"My youngest son is still at home and since I play trumpet and he plays trombone, we practice brass pieces for our church. I personally like to canoe at Middlefork Reservoir but my wife doesn’t care much for water activities so we garden in our back yard. We have two apple trees, a cherry tree and just planted a peach tree in our front yard two years ago. We mainly grow tomatoes and leaf lettuce but this year we’re adding broccoli, cabbage plus potatoes in raised cages."

Zimmerman & Zimmerman both RHS Sousa Award Winners Past & Present 

As a former next door neighbor, I can attest to the fact that the entire Zimmerman family shows good citizenship in their polite demeanor, carefully tended garden and community involvement. Thank you Scott for your valuable time and excellent answers! 

Visit the Local-Lady Blog for more features, interviews and events coming soon!

<3 Your Local Gal

What's Behind That Window?

A Charming Display

Two Sisters Books & More!

My family has come across a few rather intriguing, unfamiliar places about town. How many times do we pass by a window, wonder what could be inside and yet move on in a hurried fashion? In an effort to slow down and get to know Richmond, the Local-Lady blog will be posting an occasional "What's Behind That Window?" post.

Today's will be the first! We discovered one window in particular that seemed magnetized each time we passed by it: Two Sister's Books & More. Local-Lady is pleased to introduce you to one of the most darling spots to shop in town! I was delighted to chat with the owners! Kate answered all of my questions. Here we go:

How did you come to own a shop in Richmond and what keeps you living and loving this corner of the world?

Kate and Patty are the two sisters.

"My sister Patty and I grew up in Centerville.  It’s a great place in which to grow up, but there wasn’t a whole lot to keep people around who aren’t actively raising families, and when we were young we couldn’t wait to get out of Wayne County and start living.  The Depot District has some amazing buildings and a fascinating history, but when we were in high school and even college the only place to hang out was Charlie’s.  The District is starting to grow and develop now, and we wanted to be on the ground floor.  We believe that our bookstore provides the community with one of those features they’d find in a big city, thus helping attract and keep young talent in the area."

Why is the shop called Two Sisters? 

A Cozy Book Nook

"Well, the slightly sarcastic answer is that there are two of us, and we’re sisters.  More creatively, when designing the store we wanted it to feel like the sort of old bookstore you’d find if you happened to be backpacking through the English countryside.  We’ve done a lot inside the store to convey that, from the bookshelves our father custom-built to the period-accurate paint on the walls.  We thought The Two Sisters sort of sounded like the name of a pub you might frequent if you wore argyle and could pronounce Benedict Cumberbatch's name without snickering."

What's the story behind the book shop? Childhood dream? Spur of the moment decision?


"Like all good things, the bookstore was both a childhood dream and a spur of the moment decision.  I had always wanted to own a bookstore called Ragueneau’s, after the bibliophile baker in Cyrano de Bergerac.  It was one of those things that I’d talk about doing when I had a lot of money, which has never happened.  Last summer, I had quit my job teaching high school English and my sister had graduated from college.  Neither of us were finding work in a timely fashion, and 193 Fort Wayne Avenue happened to have a “For Rent” sign in the window.  It was our father who seriously suggested we open the business and did a lot of the legality and monetary research for us.   Whether we become a fixture in the community or a miserable failure, we can officially cross this one off the bucket list.

Your shop is located in the Historic Depot district. What drew you to this particular area?

Depot Street View in Spring

The Depot District has a great opportunity to quickly become the trendiest place in town.  On several occasions we’ve had customers remark to us that walking through the Depot District reminded them of this little neighborhood they loved in some much larger city.  In addition, the owners of Depot and downtown businesses really work together to develop and support the community.  We’ve felt very welcome here, and we cannot wait to watch the area grow."

You have book clubs! What kind of events are happening in your space?

"Our Solarium is a room in the back of the store that’s free for anyone who wants to reserve it for meetings and/or parties. We currently have two clubs that meet there regularly: Cognoscenti SteamPunk Society and The Not-So-Young-Adult Book Club.  More information about them can be found on our website.

We also frequently have local authors like Steve Martin and David Hughes in to do book signings.  On May 18th, Tom Everhart will be in to talk about his book 0-60 in Five Minutes: My Stroll Through Rock-n-Roll Music.  

In the future we’re looking to have story hours, classes, and many other events.  Sign up for our mailing list on our website or follow us on Facebook to keep in the loop!"

You have tea! Tell me about your special blends, please?

"As stated earlier, we wanted our store to have an English feel, and being tea drinkers with no local tea rooms we started making our own blends for the store with the idea of having each one be in honor of a specific author, character, book, or genre. For example, our Literary Heroes tea is in honor of characters such as Mr. Darcy and Mr. Rochester and is made of Earl Grey plus Vanilla and Cinnamon. This adds a touch of class to an already classy tea. We offer tins of loose-leaf teas for $10, individual cups of tea for $2, and tea accessories such as teapots, teacups, and infusers. We also have a special offer for groups in which they can learn about blending teas and then create their own unique blend."

Darlene Frame, Local Poet

Thank you Kate and Patty! We can't wait to watch your business grow, and we'll be back for books, book club, events, tea and more!

My family had an excellent time browsing the shop Saturday. I was lucky enough to catch a local author, Darlene Frame, doing a promo for her book of poetry I Always Do Laundry on Monday. The book is published through a local publisher, Kids at Heart Publishing, LLC. All proceeds of her book go to help a friend in need of a kidney. I can't wait to snag a copy of her heartwarming poems for myself along with an extra! What a sweet edition of poems (just in time for Mother's Day!).

If you haven't been already, it's about time you step inside their quaint shop chock full of books: old and new, something for everybody, each book is a portal waiting to take you to a new world.