Contents Contributors
Contents Contributors
13 COLORING CONTEST 15 HISTORY MYSTERY
SUBSCRIBE
16 Ryan Seward’ s Ventures ~ by Boris Ladwig
22 Music Center Volunteers ~ by Bob Gustin
28 Native Sons Show ~ by Jeff Tryon
34 The Ghost of Christmas Past ~ by Mark Blackwell
38-39 Photos by Michele Wedel *
40-42 CALENDAR / EVENTS 44 Holiday Highlights
48 Tribute Bands ~ by Brian Blair
54 Christmas Pageantry ~ by Jeff Tryon
58 Connections ~ by Jim Eagleman
62 Songwriter Showdown ~ by Mandi Rainwater
68-70 INFO PAGES
Cover: The RVA Volunteer Huddle ~ by Bob Gustin
Jeff Tryon is a former news editor of The Brown County Democrat, and a former regional reporter for The Republic. Born and raised in Brown County, he currently lives with his wife, Sue, in a log cabin on the edge of Brown County State Park. He is a
Baptist minister.
Joe Lee is an illustrator and writer. He is the author of Forgiveness: The Eva Kor Story, The History of Clowns for Beginners, and Dante for Beginners. He is an editorial cartoonist for the Bloomington Herald-Times, a graduate of Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Clown College, and a veteran circus performer.
Boris Ladwig is a Columbusbased journalist who has worked in print, online and TV media in Indiana and Kentucky and has won awards for features, news, business, non-deadline news, First Amendment / community affairs and investigative reporting.
Mandi Rainwater is a freelance travel / lifestyle writer, and also runs Rainwater Studios with her husband Kenan. She promotes local musicians and supports the Southern Indiana music scene. She lives in Nashville with her husband, children, and cats.
* Michele Wedel is a photographer and visual imaging artist in Nashville. She is the house photographer for the Brown County Music Center. She finds inspiration for her art in the natural beauty of Brown County and in the variety of amazing people that live here. You can view more of her work on Facebook at Michele Wedel Photography.
Mark Blackwell no longer makes his home in Brown County where“ the roadway is rough and the slopes are seamed with ravines.” He now resides within sight of the sixth green of an undisclosed golf course. He was born in the middle of the last century and still spends considerable time there.
Jim Eagleman is a 40-year veteran naturalist with the IN DNR. In retirement, he is now a consultant. His program“ Nature Ramblings” can be heard on WFHB radio, the Brown County Hour. He serves on the Sycamore Land Trust board. He enjoys reading, hiking, music, and birding.
Bob Gustin worked as a reporter, photographer, managing editor, and editor for daily newspapers in Colorado, Nebraska, and Indiana before retiring in 2011. He and his wife, Chris, operate Homestead Weaving Studio. He enjoys expanding his book and record collections.
Brian Blair is a former longtime features writer for The Republic in Columbus. His work has appeared in publications ranging from the Miami Herald to U. S. News and World Report.
Cindy Steele is the publisher and editor of this magazine. She sells and designs ads, sometimes writes, takes photos, and creates the layout. For fun, she likes to play the guitar or banjo and sing.
OUR BROWN COUNTY P. O. Box 157 Helmsburg, IN 47435
ourbrowncounty @ outlook. com ourbrowncounty. com
( 812) 988-8807
Thanks, Mom, for making it happen! copyright 2025
Nov./ Dec. 2025 • Our Brown County 9