Brian Blair
The Republic
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Past articles by Brian:
New documentary ‘Weaving Indiana’ to feature two local rug makers
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Rag-rug maker Dee Nierman lets it be known right at the top of a conversation that, at 87 years old, she is holding up as well or better than her indomitable, fourth-generation loom built more than 150 years ago for her great-grandmother. The machine rests in her Brownstown basement, where Nierman does no such thing. All because the 1954 Columbus High School graduate still… → Read More
United Way leading spring food drive
Bartholomew County residents can ensure children have enough to eat this summer by participating in the Community-Wide Food Drive this spring. United Way of Bartholomew County and the Bartholomew County Food Insecurity Coalition are hosting the food drive for the entire month of April. The organizations’ leaders hope to collect 200,000 pounds of food or the monetary equivalent to purchase the… → Read More
In ‘hog’ heaven: Christian motorcyclists rev up for riding ministry season
Dennis Martin hardly needs to be an extrovert when he’s looking to simply share God’s love along the area highways and byways. He worries little about being a smooth talker or straining to get others’ attention when he stops for gas on his Harley Davidson 2001 Ultra Classic, for example. “The bike really does it for you,” Martin said. “People just love to see the shiny bikes.” Guys will… → Read More
Buffett tribute band in concert Saturday
For Dave Albrecht, life’s a beach — a place of cheeseburgers in paradise, plundering pirates and salty sailors whose lives ebb and flow with the tide. He’s the lead singer of Parrots of the Caribbean, the Jimmy Buffett tribute band that has delighted audiences in Columbus, Seymour and all over the country in recent years. The group is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Brown County… → Read More
Bourbonfest draws crowd of more than 500
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Seventh Annual Bourbonfest raised an estimated $38,000 gross Saturday with a crowd of 500 people —175 more than last year — at The Commons, organizers said. “We actually had a slightly better (ending) dollar figure last year, mostly due to the auction and Battle of the Banks (auction item baskets),” said Donnie Robinette, Philharmonic executive… → Read More
Diaper drive set for Sunday
Bum’s the Word Diaper Drive to benefit the local nonprofit Clarity is being held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot in front of American Rental at 2630 Eastbrook Plaza in Columbus. Clarity helps clients with a variety of needs related to pregnancy, sexuality education and more. Organizer Hannah Wasmuth said that sizes 5 and 6 diapers are needed and all sizes for pullups. Last year, a… → Read More
Empty Bowls organizers thrilled with turnout to help the hungry
Richard Boyce, a member of the organizing committee, said as much as he considered an estimated crowd of 340 people at Central Middle School cafeteria Saturday and an estimated $18,000 total and counting, since donations still are coming in. That is slightly shy of a goal of 500 people and $20,000. But Boyce pointed out that the fundraiser was up against several other worthy local events at… → Read More
Founders of Saturday’s Empty Bowls reminisce about the event
Submitted photo Sculptor and potter Bob Pulley is shown with wife Nancy and some of his sculpting work. Sculptor and potter Bob Pulley quickly protests that he is hardly a visionary. He is far more comfortable with the label of one who shared the seed of a simple idea to help the hungry. “I tend to think fairly small,” Pulley said. “My initial contribution was just a pebble thrown into a pond.”… → Read More
IRT marks 50th year with ‘Oedipus’
Jan Lucas of Columbus plays the role of Shepherd in the Indiana Repertory Theater’s production of “Oedipus”. INDIANAPOLIS — For the fifth production in Indiana Repertory Theater’s 50th Anniversary Season, the theatre will stage a modern adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy “Oedipus,” complemented by live music onstage. Directed by IRT’s Playwright-in-Residence James Still, the show will run… → Read More
‘In love with the arts’ theme fits city band’s associate director
Mallets strike a xylophone during the Columbus City Band rehearsal at Central Middle School last month. Paige Grider for The Republic Music has been a matter of the heart for Karen Stonehill since her first days with clarinet as a youngster. “And there’s just a ripple effect that continues today,” Stonehill said. “And we just want to share that with others.” The “we” to whom she refers are the… → Read More
Black Heritage Trail bus trip set for Saturday
Second Baptist Church in Columbus, where in May 2022 Roxanne Stallworth, left, and Paulette Roberts unveiled a marker honoring Black suffragists Lizzie Hubbard and Fannie Davis, is among the stops on Saturday’s Black Heritage Trail bus tour. Republic file photo Pain and pride will co-mingle from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday when the first Black Heritage Trail Free Bus Tour for Black History Month… → Read More
Sewing camp planned in March
A sewing camp set for March 14 through March 16 is open to third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders accompanied by an adult. The class, organized by the Bartholomew County Purdue Extension office, costs $10 for current 4-H members and $30 for those not in 4-H (plus the cost of fabric, pins and thread), according to organizers. All other materials will be supplied. The class will be held from 9… → Read More
First Black Heritage Trail bus tour set for Saturday in Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Pain and pride will co-mingle from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday when the first Black Heritage Trail Free Bus Tour for Black History Month rolls through Columbus. The journey will include 26 sites, ranging from the Crump Theatre balcony, where Blacks once were forced to sit, to successful and thriving Black-owned businesses such as the Harmon Group. There also will be time for… → Read More
United Way leader ‘stunned’ by workshop information
Republic file photo United Way of Bartholomew County President Mark Stewart speaks at a past event. Even one of the community’s most veteran social service leaders had to learn later in life the often-shocking background of what some see as the basis for much of the racial wealth gap in the United States today. Mark Stewart, president of United Way of Bartholomew County, and one who has worked… → Read More
Always Ready for Chocolate set Saturday at Commons
Submitted photo Johnnie Edwards with Bank Baby BBQ passes out chocolate desserts at last year’s Always Ready For Chocolate fundraiser at The Commons. The Always Ready For Chocolate fundraiser last year was a sweet experience for Carrie Davies. In fact, the owner of Geri Girl Bakery in Edinburgh sold all of her 200 cupcakes in short order early in the event to support the work of The Arc of… → Read More
IU Soul Revue performs, part of Black History Month
Submitted photo The IU Soul Revue, to be featured Friday in a performance at Columbus North High School’s Judson Erne Auditorium, is shown during a past performance. Its alumni have worked for artists ranging from John Mellencamp to Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. Moreover, director James Strong has worked with popular artists such as Toni Braxton, En Vogue, Tupac, New Edition and LL Cool J… → Read More
‘Wild West’ rustles up a record $100K for kidscommons
Carla Willis, front left, leads line dancing lessons during kidscommons Carnivale Wild West held at the Commons in Columbus, Ind., Friday, February 10, 2023. Carla Clark | For The Republic The Wild West proved to be wildly successful in raising a wagonload of cash for the local kidscommons children’s museum after sundown Friday at a ranch better known as The Commons. A crowd of more than 300… → Read More
A Wild West Carnivale generates an estimated $100,000 to benefit kidscommons
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Wild West proved to be wildly successful in raising a record wagonload of cash for the local kidscommons children’s museum after sundown Friday at a ranch better known as The Commons. A crowd of more than 300 cowpokes amid that grand, Western theme raised a record gross of $100,000 — $20,000 beyond organizers’ goal — at for the cause at Carnivale, an annual celebration of… → Read More
IU Soul Revue returns to Columbus as part of local Black History Month celebration
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Its alumni have worked for artists ranging from John Mellencamp to Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. Moreover, director James Strong has worked with popular artists such as Toni Braxton, En Vogue, Tupac, New Edition and LL Cool J and performed for sold-out crowds at New York’s Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. So expect the IU Soul Revue to bring top-tier talent… → Read More
Viewpoint Bestsellers
Viewpoint Books’ Bestseller List *Asterisk denotes a local, regional, or Indiana author or connection Children’s Books 1. “Bluey: Pool,” Penguin Young Readers 2. “Construction Site: You’re Just Right (Valentine Lift-the-Flap Book),” Sherri Duskey Rinker 3. “It’s Bath Time! (Indestructibles),” Carolina Buzio 4. “Queen Elizabeth and Her Family: The Incredible Life of the Princess Who Became a… → Read More