Follow the North Star is Back!

This outstanding program at Conner Prairie puts you in the shoes of a runaway slave on the Underground Railroad. It is an emotional challenge but memorable and immensely educational, and I walked away with a new understanding of the slavery experience.

This year's program runs 6:30-8:30 p.m., the first three weekends in November, with groups starting every 15 minutes. (The program lasts 90 minutes.) Tickets are $20 for non-members or $17 for members. Reservations are required; call (317) 776-6006.

Although the program is outstanding, it's not for everyone. Take a look at the museum's disclaimer: "Follow the North Star is not for everyone. This program takes place outdoors in all weather conditions, and participants walk approximately one mile on rough terrain. The emotional effect of the program is intense, as participants are treated as slaves, being told to keep their eyes down and not to speak unless spoken to." Participants must be at least 12.

Photo courtesy Conner Prairie.

Closing: Frasier's Gourmet Foods

I stopped by Frasier's Gourmet Foods this weekend, in search of little chocolate cups for our annual Halloween party. The shelves seemed more bare than usual, and there were "30 percent off" signs on the cookware. It seemed ominous.

"Um, Joyce, why is everything 30 percent off?" I asked.

"Because we're retiring at Christmas," she replied.

[Insert one of those drawn-out movie screams of "Nooooooooooooooooo!" Next, in an intrigued voice, "Wait, so the Le Creuset stuff is 30 percent off? Excuse me while I shop."]

So, that's that. I'm losing the gourmet food store just minutes from my house, and we're losing one of the best adult education venues in the city. I'm taking a desserts class at Frasier's this evening, so maybe I'll get more details. Fingers crossed that someone will buy the store and keep things going.

Blues Harmonica Class at the JCC

Tonight, I'm attending the second of six blues harmonica classes taught by local musician Allen Stratyner. Regular readers know that I've been trying to schedule this class for about a year, ever since I wrote about it for Indianapolis Monthly. I'm thrilled to finally make the schedule work.

Our first class, held last Tuesday, consisted mostly of housekeeping: introductions, care instructions for our new harmonicas, and a short history of blues harmonica. Finally, at the end of the class, we got to "break in" our harmonicas and learned how to hold them properly (which was actually the most difficult part). Then we learned to mimic the sounds of a train, which we were supposed to practice as homework.

The class is held at the JCC and offered in conjunction with the IUPUI Community Learning Network. Our class has about 10 students, which is perfect -- small enough for individual attention but large enough to feel comfortable in the group.

During the class, we're going to learn how to play scales and individual notes, how to perform simple songs, and how to develop our individual harmonica styles. Perhaps, if I feel confident enough by the end of the class series, I'll post an audio file of my harmonica skills!

Irvington Skill Share Feastival

The Irvington Skill Share Feastival is coming up Nov. 7, promising "down to earth skills from garden to kitchen." Locals will share their experiences with canning, beekeeping, bread-baking, composting -- everything you need to know to have your own little urban homestead.

The event, which is part of the Spirit and Place Festival (more on that later), will be held from 1-5 p.m., Nov. 7, at Irvington United Methodist Church. I just put it on my Google calendar, so I'll see you there!

Hoosier Harvest at Indiana State Museum

The harvest season is upon us, and the Indiana State Museum is celebrating with a variety of classes and activities.

• Oct. 2-3 = Harvest Jubilee. Workshops include making gourd birdhouses, extending the growing season, and finding local food in Indianapolis. Don't miss the Hoosier Farmer's Breakfast at 9 a.m. Oct. 2 ($17).
  
• Oct. 9-10 = Crocked, Sauced and Pickled. Learn how to make your own refrigerator pickles or create a fall wreath. Afterward, snack of local jams, jellies and preserves at the Farmer's High Tea, at 3 p.m. Oct. 9 ($12).
• Oct. 16-17 = Urban Fresh. Workshops include composting 101, DIY rain barrels and spring garden planning. Celebrate with the Farmer's Chic Buffet, at 11 a.m. Oct. 16 ($17).
  

Review: Fondant Class at Frasier's Gourmet Foods

Cake decorating is not my thing. For one thing, I can't stand the taste of cake. If forced to choose between eating a cake or licking a tire, I would gratefully choose the tire.

Still, I signed up for today's fondant class at Frasier's Gourmet Foods because I wanted to learn something new, and because I'm enjoying the classes taught by chef Justin Miller. I'm starting to see a lot of the same people in each of his classes, and we're developing a nice camaraderie.

Today's class was limited to just eight people, which allowed for a hands-on lesson. It was a bit more expensive ($45 instead of the usual $35), but for a topic like this one, the practice was invaluable. Miller explained how to do a crumb coat, how to use butter-cream icing and fondant, and how to pipe a few basic designs.

I admit, a blind-folded monkey could probably beat me in a cake-decorating contest. But I had a good time tonight, even though I ate enough icing to make myself ill (or maybe because I ate that much icing).

Upcoming Upholstery Classes

These days, everything old is new again. I just received a note from Shelly Leer about upcoming upholstery classes at ModHomeEc -- a great way to reinvigorate a tired piece of furniture. Here's the info:

Intro to Upholstery Workshop: This is a two night class in which you will learn the very beginnings and basics about upholstery tools, measuring your furniture to determine fabric yardage, tear down, re-padding and upholstering a SIMPLE piece with fabric.

Suggested pieces: flat benches, slip seats or an easy side chair. Pre-approval needed.
I will show you how to tear down your piece, re-pad it or fluff up the old padding, cut new fabric, plan the layout of the fabric and upholstering your piece. We will do as much as we can during these two 2 ½ hour sessions. If you bring more chair seats than we can complete, you’ll know how to complete the rest of them at home.
New foam and fabric not included. Tools are available for you to use.

This class will give you the confidence to move on to a more detailed piece of furniture.
$90.00

Monday September 13 and 20 7:00-9:30
Thursday September 16 and 23 7:00-9:30
Saturday September 25 and October 2 10:00-12:30

Monday October 4 and 11 7:00-9:30
Saturday October 23 and 30 10:00-12:30

Build Your Own Custom Ottoman: This is it! You will learn the basics of building a piece from the ground up in this one day, four hour class. We will be webbing a pre-made frame, cutting foam, applying the top layer of dacron padding and upholstering the ottoman with fabric. We will also be making welt cord to add to the bottom edge of the ottoman. You will need to purchase wood furniture legs to attach to your ottoman. (you can either bring your own or purchase a variety of legs from me.
Class: $90.00. Tools are available for you to use.
Kit (wood frame, webbing, foam and dacron) $30.00

Saturday September 18 1:00-4:00
Saturday October 16 1:00-4:00

Intermediate Upholstery: This is the next level for students who have learned the basics and are ready to tackle a more detailed piece of furniture. In this 6 week class we will hit the ground running to get your small upholstered chair completed in the 6 week time period. No wing chairs, lazy boys, big lounge chairs. You can learn all you need to know on a small upholstered piece. The skills you learn will translate to larger pieces.
Foam and fabric not included. We will work hard during the 2 ½ hour class in order to complete your projects. Tools are available for you to use. $175.00

Wednesday September 22 – October 27 7:00-9:30 SOLD OUT
Monday October 18 – October 22 7:00-9:30