The 2003 version of our Readers' Choice Awards brought to mind an old saying: "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
In March, we asked you Electric Consumer readers to tell us about some of your favorite Hoosier things. We wanted to know the people and places that make Indiana special. Once again you answered our call. We thank you. Readers from around the state filled out and mailed or faxed the ballot or sent us an e-mail with their answers to our 25 questions. Our first "Best of Indiana" was presented last July.
This year, we shortened the ballot by dropping and combining several categories, but we also added some new ones.
To further legitimize last year's (and this year's results), the questions that were the same yielded the same results in all but three categories. A few categories this year broke ties from last year. In the new categories, we learned about the best place to go for big breaded tenderloins, the best Hoosier historical event, romantic getaway, live theater, summer camp, art gallery and Hoosier hero.
We also asked readers to name their best encounter with an electric co- operative employee or service. You shared kind words about many co-op directors, managers and employees and even gave kudos for fun-filled annual meetings and Electric Consumer. But deserving special recognition are these co-op representatives who were cited more than once: Leroy Parker, Clark County REMC; John Crays, Daviess-Martin County REMC; Rex Shisler, Noble REMC; Dan Burke, Dubois REC; and Bill Stackhouse, Steuben County REMC.
Also deserving of special recognition is one consumer Madylon Kosta, a Jasper County REMC consumer from Rensselaer. She didn't just fill in the form and send it in. She filled in the form and included a 48-page scrapbook filled with comments on each of her picks that she illustrated with old post cards, programs, letters, photographs and newspaper clippings. For her extra effort, we say thanks and will be sending her a copy of the coffee-table book, The Quiet Path: Covered Bridges of Indiana, that Electric Consumer has been proud to sponsor.
Eleven other randomly-selected readers who returned ballots also received copies of the book.
Winners in many of the categories you picked will receive a certificate recognizing the honor. We again thank all the readers who participated!
RESTAURANT
Black Buggy, Washington
(812) 254-8966.
The Beef House, Covington
(765) 793-3947
Last year's Casual Restaurant winner, Black Buggy, tied with last year's Fine Dining winner, The Beef House, as our readers' favorite restaurant. Located on the southern outskirts of Washington in southern Indiana's Amish country, Black Buggy delights diners with Amish home-style cooking. The pies, bread and noodles satisfy many a hankering for homestyle fare. Visitors to The Beef House, located just off Interstate 74 in westcentral Indiana, are guaranteed not to leave hungry. The large restaurant is famous for its juicy grilled steaks, dinner rolls and homemade pies.
PLACE TO GO FOR TENDERLOIN
Storie's, Greensburg
(812) 663-9948
Hoosiers, we learned, love their tenderloins and offered hundreds of suggestions for the best breaded delights in the state. But when all the votes were tallied, we discovered Storie's in Greensburg served golden-fried pork loins worthy of, well, our readers' stories!
BED & BREAKFAST/COUNTRY INN
Kintner House Inn, Corydon
(812) 738-2020
Corydon's historic Kintner House repeats as your favorite Bed and Breakfast. Originally opened in 1873 and restored in 1986, the inn features 15 elegant rooms, all with private baths and antique furnishings (five have gas fireplaces, too), with all the amenities of a modern hotel. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is conveniently located just a block from the state's first capitol building. Runners up in this category were the Harvest Moon in Ferdinand and the Spring Mill Inn in Mitchell
CAMPGROUND
Patoka Lake, Birdseye
(812) 685-2464
Patoka Lake was one of your favorite campgrounds last year, and you still consider it THE place to go to pitch a tent and enjoy the beauty of nature. Last year, Patoka Lake tied with Brown County State Park and Spring Mill for top campground honors. This year, the other two campgrounds garnered enough votes to place second and third in this category. All three campgrounds are operated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
STATE PARK
Spring Mill, Mitchell
(812) 849-4129
Spring Mill State Park's impressive array of historic and natural wonders surely helped it clinch its second straight selection as your favorite State Park. Park visitors find many attractions to enjoy: a Pioneer Village featuring an impressive water-powered grist mill, nature preserves, caves, a pool, saddle barn and a memorial to astronaut Gus Grissom, who you named your favorite Hoosier Hero. The Gemini space capsule flown by the Mitchell native and other memorabilia are displayed at the park.
MUSEUM
Children's Museum of Indianapolis
(317) 334-3322 or 800-208-KIDS
Once again, the Indianapolis Children's Museum captured the most votes in this category. There's something to capture everyone's imagination at this major attraction just north of Indy's downtown area even those who are only young at heart. Plan to spend the major part of a day to experience 10 hands-on galleries, the planetarium and an old-fashioned carousel. Coming next year and replacing the CineDome is the $25 million Dinosphere exhibit.
HISTORICAL EVENT
Lewis & Clark Expedition begins at Clarksville
(812) 280-5566, 1-800-552-3842
Electric Consumer readers must have paid particular attention to our February cover story about the Lewis and Clark expedition's bicentennial and its ties to Indiana. This event garnered the most votes in the historical events category, topping such diverse vote-getters as the firing of Bobby Knight and various Fourth of July celebrations.
COMMUNITY FESTIVAL
Parke County Covered Bridge Festival
(765) 569-5226
Indiana's covered bridge capital annually draws almost 2 million people to its October festival. Tours and photo ops of the county's 32 covered bridges amidst autumn's splendor are a major attraction. So are the plethora of booths featuring traditional Indiana festival foods, country crafts, and various keepsakes. The Covered Bridge Festival, this year Oct. 10-19, is something you have to experience.
SHOPPING SPOT
Edinburgh Outlet Center
(812) 526-9764
Part of the fun of shopping is finding a good bargain, which is why so many of you are once again telling us that the Edinburgh Outlet Center off I-65 is the best shopping spot in the state. Those who take the phrase "shop 'til you drop" seriously will be happy to know motels and restaurants are nearby!
PICK-YOUR-OWN-FARM
Huber farms, Starlight
(812) 923-9813 for Huber Orchard; or (812) 923-5255 for Joe Huber's Family Farm
"U-picked" Huber's once again as your favorite Pick-Your-Own Farm. There are two Huber farms operated by two related, but separate, families within a mile of each other in Starlight Huber Orchard, Winery and U-Pick Farm and Joe Huber's Family Farm. Since most voters didn't differentiate between the two, we're giving both farms a first place nod. Both farms offer fruits and vegetables and a large variety of other activities, including the Readers' Choice winery and
Joe Huber's Family Restaurant.
WINERY/VINEYARD
Huber Winery, Starlight
(812) 923-WINE, 1-800-345-WINE
Huber's, one of the state's oldest and largest wineries, again was named the best in its category. Huber Winery grows 15 different varieties of grapes on site and produces 19 varietal and blended wines. Now in its 25th year, the winery has won over 900 gold, silver and bronze awards in wine competitions from New York to California. Visitors can sample wine in an air-conditioned seating area and tour the cellar and vineyards.
TOWN TO VISIT
Madison
(812) 265-2956, 1-800-559-2956
The historic downtown portion of this Ohio River town features impressive architecture, several antique stores, bed and breakfasts, wineries, excellent restaurants and a brick-laid riverwalk. Clifty Falls State Park is just a short drive from downtown. And come July, the annual Madison Regatta attracts hydroplane race fans and those who just like being part of all the excitement. What's not to love about Madison?
SPORTING EVENT
Indianapolis 500
(317) 484-6700
They obviously don't call it "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" for nothing. Electric Consumer readers overwhelmingly named the Indianapolis 500 the best sporting event in the state, echoing the scores of race car drivers who have been quoted as saying there's nothing like winning at Indy. And, there's nothing like being witnessing the thrills and tradition of the 500 in person. Runner up in this category is, of course, our state's allegiance to basketball be it high school, collegiate or professional.
WALKING/HIKING TRAIL
Turkey Run State Park, Marshall
(765) 597-2635
If you're told to "take a hike" and you happen to be at Turkey Run State Park, you're in for a treat! We're talking deep, sandstone ravines amidst aged forests. Enjoy beautiful views of Sugar Creek and the awe-inspiring canyon on the park's famous Trail 3. Take your time and enjoy the sights and sounds of being one with nature
GOLF COURSE
Sultan's Run, Jasper
1-888-684-3287, (812) 482-1009
Set on 224 rolling acres of woods, water and wildlife, this Southern Indiana course, designed by Tom Liddy in 1996, has gotten its share of accolades. Not only did it top our Best Golf Course category; Golf Digest noted its "18th hole is the classiest finishing hole in Indiana." The course was named for the legendary horse Supreme Sultan, who sired a record number of world champion American Saddlebred horses there.
PLACE TO TAKE THE KIDS
Holiday World, Santa Claus
(812) 937-4401, 1-800-GO SANTA
This theme park is so much fun that Santa spends his summers here, meeting and greeting the young folk who no doubt had some influence in naming it their favorite Indiana destination. Holiday World also was tops in this category last year. But, new in 2003 are three thrilling rides: Zinga, a giant, half-pipe water slide in the Splashin' Safari portion of the park; Hallow Swings, an Italian crafted ride that invites you to "fly high with ghosts and witches" in the Halloween section; and, in the Fourth of July section, Liberty Launch, which offers thrills to riders who are launched 80 feet in the air, blasted back to "Earth," and then launched up a second time. Three new musical shows are debuting this season featuring country music, contemporary Christian music, and music from the past decade.
ROMANTIC GETAWAY
French Lick Springs Resort
(812) 936-2100
This architecturally-stunning grand old hotel offers many opportunities to relax and rekindle romance. There are shaded walkways among lush flower gardens for leisurely strolls, several restaurants including Jack's Steakhouse for quiet romantic dinners, and an on-site spa featuring an extensive menu of treatments including massages, reflexology, facials and body wraps, and, of course, the famed Pluto water mineral baths.
FALL COLORS DRIVE
Brown County
Thousands flock to Brown County each fall to enjoy the foliage and you picked various routes in and en route to the Nashville area as the Best Fall Colors drive. Coming in second were various areas along the Ohio River.
LIVE THEATER
Lincoln Amphitheatre, Lincoln City
1-800-264-4ABE
Derby Dinner Playhouse, Clarksville
(812) 288-2632
These two Southern Indiana venues tied as your favorite places to enjoy theater performances. The Lincoln Amphitheatre, dubbed "America's Most Beautiful Outdoor Stage," is the only completely covered amphitheatre in the country. The poignancy of its "Young Abe Lincoln" production is magnified by the amphitheatre's natural forest setting amidst the land of Lincoln's boyhood. At the other side of the spectrum, the Derby Dinner Playhouse is one of the largest dinner theatres in the country with room for 500 guests. Over 200,000 people annually have partaken of buffet meals and a variety of shows over the past 30 years.
SUMMER CAMP FOR THE KIDS
Camp Tecumseh, Brookston
(765) 564-2898
Many a camper, including the 7th graders-to-be who just participated in the electric cooperative-sponsored Touchstone Energy Camp, have enjoyed the fun and facilities of Camp Tecumseh. The camp offers a variety of outdoor experiences, including rock climbing, riflery, swimming and canoeing. As well, a variety of camps are held at the picturesque facility, including an equestrian camp, Girl Scout camps, a "grand" camp for grandparents, and the Hoosier Burn Camp for youths who have been injured by fire.
ART GALLERY
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis
(317) 923-1331
No visit to Indianapolis would be complete without a stop to our readers' favorite art gallery, the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Perhaps the museum's most famous piece is the large "LOVE" sculpture by Robert Indiana located just outside the building's entrance. But, inside, visitors can experience treasures by such renowned and diverse artists as Rembrandt, Rubens, El Greco, van Gogh, J. M. W. Turner, C้zanne, Homer, Monet, Picasso and O'Keeffe.
FISHING SPOT
Patoka Lake, Birdseye
(812) 685-2464
Once again, Patoka Lake reeled in the most votes in the Fishing Spot category. The lake's 8,800 acres of water offers some of Indiana's finest bass and panfishing for anglers of all abilities.
HUNTING SPOT
Perry County (Hoosier National Forest areas)
(812) 547-7051 (Tell City District)
The Hoosier National Forest areas in Perry County offer opportunities for hunters of all abilities. Easily accessible spots near roads are appreciated by hunters confined to wheelchairs or novice sportsmen/women. Serious hunters appreciate the more remote areas. The Mogan Ridge Turkey Management Area near Tell City invites wild turkey hunters, and waterfowl and game hunting opportunities exist at other areas of the forest. Hunters should remember to avoid recreation areas with designated boundaries.
WHO'S YOUR HOOSIER HERO?
Gus Grissom
Cited for "making the ultimate sacrifice," pioneering astronaut Gus Gris-som, a native of Mitchell, was your pick for Hoosier Hero. He received more votes than various entertainers, sports figures and politicians. One of the original seven astronauts and a veteran of Mercury and Gemini missions, the Purdue University alum was NASA's "go-to" guy as it began its moon program. Before Apollo's ultimate triumph in July 1969, though, tragically Grissom and his two Apollo 1 crewmates perished in a fire inside their space capsule during testing on the launch pad, Jan. 27, 1967.
