A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-25-04....Indiana, the "Crossroads of America"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

It's "Travelin' Tuesday"...

Please join "A Few of FR's Finest" as we make a cyber-visit to another state in this great Union of ours.

Over the past several months each "Finest" hostess has profiled her home state and I will be presenting the other states in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would appreciate your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

These are the states
we have presented to date:

05-23-03 Alabama 06-27-03 Maryland 07-11-03 Vermont 07-25-03 Utah 08-05-03 Texas 08-22-03 Nevada 08-26-03 Wash DC 09-05-03 Tennessee 09-17-03 Florida 09-19-03 Minnesota 10-03-03 New Mexico 10-14-03 Georgia

10-17-03 Louisiana 10-22-03 Michigan 11-04-03 South Dakota 11-14-03 California 01-09-04 South Carolina 02-06-04 West Virginia 02-20-04 Oregon 03-09-04 Pennsylvania 03-30-04 Wyoming 04-13-04 Mississippi 04-27-04 Missouri

Today we are visiting Indiana, "The Crossroads of America", and we salute the Fine FReepers who call Indiana home. Thank you all for making FreeRepublic the best conservative forum on the internet.

What exactly is a Hoosier?

I have searched the internet looking for an answer and am still not exactly sure when, where or how the term originated.

As Indiana writer Meredith Nicholson observed: "The origin of the term 'Hoosier' is not known with certainty. But certain it is that . . . Hoosiers bear their nickname proudly."

Another question that is apparently highly debatable is: if one is not born in Indiana, can one become a Hoosier after living there for many years? The answers I have found range from "possibly" to "maybe" to "no way, you've got to be born in Indiana to be real Hoosier".

Indiana, the Nineteenth State,
was admitted into the Union in 1816.



The state flag of Indiana has 19 gold stars and gold torch on a blue field. The torch represents liberty and enlightenment. The rays represent far-reaching influence. The stars in the outer circle represent the 13 original states; those in the inner circle are for the five states admitted to the Union next. The star above the torch represents Indiana, the 19th state. The flag was adopted in 1917.

Indiana's governmental roots can be traced back to the territorial era, when simple buildings served as the capitols. In 1813 the assembly for the Indiana Territory petitioned the U.S. Congress to move its capital from Vincennes to Corydon. Corydon then became the state capital when Congress made Indiana a state in 1816.

The seat of state government officially moved to Indianapolis in 1825 and a Greek Revival State House was built. The General Assembly called for a building that would "correspond in character...with the Parthenon" in Athens. The well-known architects added a dome to their design, which proved to be a somewhat controversial element. It drew praise from some, but criticism from others, including architectural purists who pointed out that the Greeks did not have domed buildings and a disgruntled Hoosier who called it a "Greek temple with a cheese box on top."


However by the 1860s the soft blue limestone foundation was failing, and the stucco was chipping off, causing one local historian to call its appearance "disgusting." In 1867 the ceiling in the Representative Hall collapsed and, in 1877, the General Assembly created a commission to supervise the erection of a new capitol building, the present State House. The old Capitol had served its purpose, but it would soon be replaced by a grander and sturdier structure.

Indiana's State House, a building of outstanding architectural beauty, has served as a center of civic life in Indiana since 1888.

1. The first long-distance auto race in the U. S. was held May 30, 1911, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The winner averaged 75 miles an hour and won a 1st place prize of $14,000. Today the average speed is over 167 miles an hour and the prize is more than $1.2 million. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the site of the greatest spectacle in sports, the Indianapolis 500. The Indianapolis 500 is held every Memorial Day weekend in the Hoosier capital city.
   
   Gil de Ferran defeated teammate
   Helio Castroneves by 0.2990 seconds to win
   his first Indianapolis 500 on May 25, 2003.
    
2. Abraham Lincoln moved to Indiana when he was 7 years old. He lived most of his boyhood life in Spencer County with his parents Thomas and Nancy.
    
3. Marcella Gruelle of Indianapolis created the Raggedy Ann doll in 1914.
    
4. The first professional baseball game was played in Fort Wayne on May 4, 1871.
    
5. James Dean, a popular movie star of the 1950s in such movies as "East of Eden" and "Rebel without a Cause", was born February 8, 1941, in Marion.
    
6. Historic Parke County has 32 covered bridges and is the Covered Bridge Capital of the world.
    
    
7. Indiana's shoreline with Lake Michigan is only 40 miles long, but Indiana is still considered a Great Lakes State.
    
8. Deep below the earth in Southern Indiana is a sea of limestone that is one of the richest deposits of top-quality limestone found anywhere on earth.
    
9. Although Indiana means, "Land of the Indians" there are fewer than 8,000 Native Americans living in the state today.
    
10. Indiana was part of the huge Northwest Territory, which included present day Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, which were ceded to the United States by the British at the end of the Revolutionary war.
     
11. True to its motto, "Cross Roads of America" Indiana has more miles of Interstate Highway per square mile than any other state. Today more major highways intersect in Indiana than in any other state.
     
12. At one time Studebaker Company of South Bend was the nation's largest producer of horse-drawn wagons. It later developed into a multimillion-dollar automobile manufacturer.
     
13. Indiana University's greatest swimmer was Mark Spitz, who won 7 gold medals in the 1972 Olympic games. No other athlete has won so many gold medals in a single year.
     
14. In 1934 Chicago Gangster John Dillinger escaped the Lake County Jail in Crown Point by using a "pistol" he had carved from a wooden block.
     
15. Before Indianapolis, Corydon served as the state's capitol from 1816-1825. Vincennes was the capital when Indiana was a territory.
     
16. In 1862, Richard Gatling, of Indianapolis, invented the rapid-fire machine gun.
     
17. From 1900 to 1920 more than 200 different makes of cars were produced in the Hoosier State. Duesenbergs, Auburns, Stutzes, and Maxwells - are prize antiques today.
     
18. Many Mennonite and Amish live on the farmland of Northwestern Indiana. One of the United States largest Mennonite congregations is in Bern. According to Amish ordnung (rules) they are forbidden to drive cars, use electricity, or go to public places of entertainment.
     
19. The farming community of Fountain City in Wayne County was known as the "Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad." In the years before the civil war, Levi and Katie Coffin were famous agents on the Underground Railroad. They estimated that they provided overnight lodging for more than 2,000 runaway slaves who were making their way north to Canada and freedom.
     
20. During the great Depression of the 1930's 1 in every 4 Hoosier factory hands was out of work, farmers sank deeper in debt, and in southern Indiana unemployment was as high as 50%.
     
21. In the summer of 1987 4,453 athletes from 38 nations gathered in Indianapolis for the Pan American Games.
     
22. Comedian Red Skelton was born in Vincennes.
     

And the #1 Interesting Fact about Indiana is.....

David Letterman, host of television's "Late Show with David Letterman," was born April 12, 1947, in Indianapolis.

No tribute to Indiana would be complete without a salute to Indiana University and their athletics program....

"Indiana University's total intercollegiate athletic program has received national and international acclaim. From its humble beginnings with baseball in 1867, the Hoosier athletic program has grown to include over 600 male and female student-athletes on 24 varsity teams boasting one of the nation's best overall records."

And, last but not least, Notre Dame's "Fighting Irish"....

“On a cold November evening in the year of grace, 1842, a young priest stood near the old log house on the banks of the little lake called St. Mary’s, and viewed for the first time the principal field of his future labors...The young priest was Father Sorin; the place, Notre Dame du Lac; two names that will always be associated, ever linked together in the memory of old students and old friends, and will go down together in the religious and educational annals of our country,” (from the Silver Jubilee of the University of Notre Dame).

Notre Dame played its first football game in 1887. They would go on to win 11 national championships.

Planning a trip to Indiana?
Be sure to check out this website:

Enjoy Indiana!

"Indiana is a state of mind and a state with abundant ways to hook your interest. Don't believe anyone who whines that there is nothing to do in the Hoosier state. There is plenty to entertain you, educate you and engage your senses. So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip here, then hit the road!"

These websites provided
graphics and information for this tribute...

The Indiana Star
Indiana Firsts, Facts and Trivia
Indiana University Athletics
Enjoy Indiana
Northern Indiana Center for History

Thank you for joining us on our cyber trip to Indiana. I am sure I have overlooked many interesting facts and points of interest, so please help us celebrate Indiana by joining in and posting what you know about this Fine state.

And a special 'thank you' to our Finest Pippin for her help and suggestions in creating our tribute to this state so near and dear to her heart.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-24-04...Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[Mama_Bear]

[Mama_Bear]

If you would like to be added to the Finest ping list, we would love to have you! If you would like to be removed, let me know via FReepMail.

[Mama_Bear]

I didn't get a chance to welcome you yesterday, so I will welcome you today. We are glad you found us! :-)

[Mama_Bear]

[Mama_Bear]

I am off to bed. I'll be back in the morning.

Good night to all of our lurking night owls.

[JustAmy]

Wow ... thank you, MamaBear.

The Indiana Thread is beautiful. It is always interesting to visit new places and read some of their history.

Thank you, I enjoy these cyber trips.

[JustAmy]

Come to the Finest and tell us about your wonderful state.

Hookman .... how about sharing some of your wonderful photos.



Wabash River.
Photo by Hookman

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Mama.

[Pippin]

HOWDY EVERYBODY!!!

Welcome to my state!

I might have left Indiana when I was about 6 years old, but I still consider myself a proud HOOSIER!! :O)

Welcome to FR's Finest and FreeRepublic MrsMike31 and MrsTank!

Now off to enjoy my favorite state!

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Tuesday !

[GailA]

Good Morning FRiends

Coffee's on

[dansangel]

((((((Mama_Bear)))))) - I love the background and border you selected for your wonderful tribute to Indiana! I'm *so* glad I'm not the *only* one that has no idea what a *HOOSIER* is! LOL!

((((((Pipster)))))) - didn't know you were a born and bred Hoosier. I lived next door in Ohio and found both Buckeyes and Hoosiers to be delightfully warm and friendly people.

(((((HUGS)))))) to all - have a great Tuesday!

To my speshul fuzzie brothah: [[[[[{{{{{(((((Louie_Wolfie_Man)))))))

To the world's most cuddly *curmudgeon*:
(((((((((skinny dood)))))))))))

And, last but not least, warm welcomes to ((((((mrstank)))))) and (((((mrsmike31)))))))

[Temple Owl]

Good morning Mama and FReepers everywhere.

[dansangel]

Good Morning (((((Temple Owl)))))))

Have a blessed Tuesday, y'hear?

:-)

[Mama_Bear]

The Indiana Thread is beautiful.

Thank you, Amy.

What a coincidince that we are celebrating the state that you are going to be winging your way off to today. I hope you have a wonderful time vacationing in Indiana.

[The Mayor]

Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? —Job 40:2

When you feel like complaining, think of all that Jesus endured.

[The Mayor]

May 25, 2004

Who Calls The Game?

Read: Job 40:1-14

Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? —Job 40:2

Bible In One Year: 1 Chronicles 25-27; John 9:1-23

---

During an afternoon baseball game when American League umpire Bill Guthrie was working behind home plate, the catcher for the visiting team repeatedly protested his calls.

According to a story in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Guthrie endured this for three innings. But in the fourth inning, when the catcher started to complain again, Guthrie stopped him. "Son," he said gently, "you've been a big help to me calling balls and strikes, and I appreciate it. But I think I've got the hang of it now. So I'm going to ask you to go to the clubhouse and show them how to take a shower."

Job also had been complaining about calls he didn't think were fair. In his case, the umpire was God. After listening to Job's objections, the Lord finally spoke out of a violent storm. Suddenly things came into perspective for Job. God was gentle, but He was also firm and direct. The Lord asked him the kind of questions that bring finite man back down to size. Job listened, gave up his complaining, and found peace in surrendering to God.

Father, we don't make sense when we complain about Your fairness. Help us to be like Your Son Jesus, who trusted You without complaining, even to the point of dying on the cross. —Mart De Haan

When troubles come and we complain
Because we do not understand,
The problem is our narrow view
That fails to see God's loving hand. —K. De Haan

When you feel like complaining, think of all that Jesus endured.

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks for posting hookman's photo of the Wabash River, Amy.

Hookman, I had forgotten that you are a Hoosier!

BTW, I just now became reacquainted with your adorable cats that you've linked to your profile page. Cute pictures! I especially like the background music you've chosen. The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies is perfect!

I hope that you will share more photos of your state with us today.

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Aeronaut. Have a nice day. Fly safe!

[The Mayor]

Very nice, I've never been to Indiana..