It’s always an enjoyable experience meeting a new proprietor with a fledgling business. Michael and Claudia Lee are the owners whom I recently met at their Great Western Diner adjacent to the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. I was attending the Indy Advertising show, had my sights set on a local diner meal afterwards, and the Great Western was right there next to the facility.
I’ve been watching A Christmas Story since it aired in 1983. Watching the movie is a holiday tradition in our household, and from what I can tell, I am far from alone. It’s since become a Christmastime classic; even the TBS network airs a 24 hour marathon starting on Christmas eve. There are a lot of folks who wouldn’t consider Christmas complete if they missed Ralphie in pursuit of the Red Ryder BB gun. Imagine unsuspecting fans’ delight when they find out that they can actually tour the house where A Christmas story was filmed!
In the town of Worthington Ohio, in the northern reaches of Columbus, there is a little-known enclave of mid-century modern, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired homes called Rush Creek Village. Known as Usonian architecture, and relatively undiscovered, even by Wright enthusiasts, Rush Creek is actually the most intact collection of such properties in the country.
In late July of this year I had the pleasure of visiting Daytona Beach, Florida for a week’s vacation, and while there, I visited a variety of places of interest to mid-century enthusiasts. Of particular merit were several remaining Tiki-style motels scattered along the coast, still enticingly outfitted in their South Pacific regalia.
It’s important to mention that Florida has its own “Tiki style” reflecting Caribbean and Atlantic influences. However, in places like these — built in the 1950’s and 60’s Polynesian Tiki architecture was clearly the concept.
Outside of Nashville, there’s a gem of a tourist stop that has nothing to do with country music, or even with the South. It’s about cars; and, not just any cars, but ones you’ll not likely see anywhere else.
It’s the Lane Motor Museum, southeast of downtown on Murfreesboro Pike.
