Contents Contributors
Favorite Photos
Contents Contributors
13 COLORING CONTEST 15 HISTORY MYSTERY
SUBSCRIBE
16 Kelp’ s Pumpkin Patch ~ by Bob Gustin
22 A poem ~ by Michele Pollock
26 Rev Peyton’ s Big Damn Band ~ by Brian Blair
34 Lost and Forgotten ~ by Mark Blackwell
38-41 CALENDAR / EVENTS 44 Art Colony Weekend 45 Brushstrokes & Backstories 45 Good People Good Times Fest
50 Chris Trotter, Chainsaw Artist ~ by Brian Blair
54 Back Roads Studio Tour
56 100 Years of Art ~ by Julia Pearson
62 Energy for a Y Generator 62 Christkindl Market News 63” Climb to the Top” Campaign
68 Caterpillars ~ by Jim Eagleman
72-74 INFO PAGES
OUR BROWN COUNTY P. O. Box 157 Helmsburg, IN 47435
ourbrowncounty @ outlook. com ourbrowncounty. com
( 812) 988-8807
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.
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.
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.
Melanie Voland is a writer, poet, recreational historian, and arts enthusiast. Recently retired, she stays busy working on various boards and commissions in the community. She regularly promotes events at All Things Brown County.
Cover: Peggy Kelp’ s grand-niece Ainsley Bruner
~ by Cannon Kelp
We invite you to share your
Favorite Photos
We decided to eliminate our two-page photo spread. Instead, we will include your favorite Brown County photos in every issue. Email us a photo with the subject“ FAV PHOTO” along with your name and where you are from, to: ourbrowncounty @ outlook. com— Publisher decides what gets shared.
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.
Michele Pollock is a poet and visual artist who works in several mediums, including fiber art, books arts, and photography. She loves living and working in the woods of Brown County.
Julia Pearson loves learning and writing about local history, faith communities, and the radically ordinary lives of people. She continues the work and association of her late husband, Bruce L. Pearson, with the Wyandotte and Delaware tribes, and visits museums of all types and sizes.
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.
Thanks, Mom, for making it happen! copyright 2026
Sept./ Oct. 2026 • Our Brown County 9