In fair disclosure, my involvement with Ryves Hall Youth Center in Terre Haute, Indiana came on two…read moredifferent occasions - the first in which I spoke to children and youth involved with the organization as part of a social justice awareness event and the second due to a fundraiser/awareness event where Ryves received part of the funds from the event. If you know anything about my work as an activist, then you likely know that I gravitate toward grassroots efforts where the modest amounts that I raise will actually make a difference. Ryves Hall Youth Center, a program of Catholic Charities of Terre Haute, is such an operation. Located at 14th & Locust in Terre Haute, Ryves serves children aged 3-17 with services that range from a pre-school to after school supports to a meal, recreational programs, educational supports, mentors, tutors, sports programs, scouting programs and so much more. During my first visit to Ryves, I fell in love with the place as this diverse group of young people listened with focus and enthusiasm as I attempted to plant seeds of hope for some of Terre Haute's most at-risk children and youth. You could tell the staff and volunteers cared about the kids and I promised at the time that I'd return despite being on an event and living nearly 100 miles away. So, as I entered Ryves this past weekend it felt good to have honored that commitment. This was a more casual, less formal visit that involved meeting the kids and learning more about Ryves Youth Center. For example, I learned a fun fact - the first Scout at Ryves to attain Eagle Scout was a youth with Down Syndrome. I loved this. No child is turned down for entering Ryves and the organization serves a diverse population comprised largely of those kids considered "at risk" and many whom are homeless or in circumstances where their only meals are at Ryves or at school. Having had the chance to share a meal with these kids, I can testify that the food is healthy, tasty and well prepared. Ryves offers a program called "TIME for Me," a trauma-informed mentoring program that pairs of children with trained mentors who've also been trained for awareness on the various traumas that impact the lives of these kids. In terms of access, a person in a wheelchair does best if entering through an East entrance that offers a level surface and fewer obstacles. The facility, which is at a building known as Etling Hall, is shared with a food pantry and is housed in an older building that comes with all the challenges of an older building housing a non-profit. Ryves did recently have a grant that paid for some flooring upgrades and the involvement of the community has made the building more accessible than one might expect. Ryves advertises itself with a banner that was created for it proclaiming it the "Miracle on 14th Street" and, indeed, this has been my impression from two visits to the small but mighty youth center. They accomplish a lot with very little and provide stability and healthy role models for kids who truly need it.

I want to know why I get fired for talking about something that a old lady said. But the woman in…read moredaycare Tonya can put a black child in the library and camera but nothing happens to her. They grab on them kids but nothing said. But when I say something that Ms Ruth was mad about they calling me in the office. Great job pinkstaff.

Just passing through before I get to Indianapolis. Heading to Philly after we leave here. This town…read moreis small and service oriented. Walmart is the go to store, almost pizza is served and liquor and beer prices are just as expensive as gas in 2022! As you are traveling on Hwy 41 (the highway that drives through the entire city) you will notice that stop lights dominate the flow of traffic. It is a quiet town... most business close around 6pm. Almost fine dining closes shortly after sundown... this place reminds me of a place where you will get a good education, go to church and become a rock scientist! It seems like this place is where people come for school or retirement. We came here for a college graduation - now that this is over, and I am not in retirement yet... I guess it is time to go back to Atlanta GA

The smell is gone? I just pass through...rarely stop unless a family visit forces me to make an…read moreappearance.

After reading my pal Bruce K's review, I'm almost convinced this is not the world's largest gavel -…read morewell, maybe the world's largest wooden one. But who knows; I'll read up on it later. As part of the City of Casey's "large things" promotion, they decided to spread the love of large to their county seat's court house. The court house does have a lot of history, especially Abraham Lincoln-related. There is a quote attributed to Lincoln under the gavel. If you're cruising through Marshall and/or the Historic National Road, don't miss out on this!

Lest I get smacked by the actual World's Largest Gavel (that appears to be in Columbus OH), this…read moreone is perhaps the World's Largest WOODEN Gavel and it is in the entranceway to the Clark County Courthouse in Marshall, Illinois. The city has it on their website as such, https://marshall-il.com/places/united-states/illinois/marshall/worlds-largest-gavel/. A plaque on the base reads, "'The best way to predict the future is to create it.' -Abraham Lincoln." Dedicated to the past, present and future judges of Clark County Illinois. There is street parking and the area was very quiet on a Sunday morning. Plenty of parking. [Review 19667 overall - 122 in Illinois - 639 of 2023.]

Situated about half a mile north of Coxville on County Road 325W (gravel), this Single Span Double…read moreBurr Arch Truss structure was built by Joseph A. Britton in 1908 to span Rock Run Creek. The bridge is still in use, although it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. #19 on the Parke County Covered Bridge Map, it is but one of the twelve covered bridges that Britton put up in this county.

Just a few miles off the Red Route for touring Parke County Covered Bridges is the Harry Evans…read moreCovered Bridge between Mecca and Coxville, IN. The Burr arch-truss style bridge was built in 1908 and restored in 1977, so it is in pretty good shape. The bridge is still in service though traffic is told to greatly reduce speeds to a walking pace to cross the span. The red and white bridge with black lettering has a total length of a modest 81 feet with a span of around 61 feet which crosses the Rock Run. To find this bridge, take US 41 west of Rockville just passed Mecca Road to CR 325W (4.3 miles). Head south for 5 miles to reach the bridge. Much of this is gravel road. Also of interest is that this bridge is only 0.8 miles away from Roseville Covered Bridge which is also on CR 325W to the south. Zacke Cox Covered Bridge is fairly close to the north along CR 325W, half a mile east on Tickridge Road. If you are coming from Rosedale, take Main Street/Coxville Road north 2.25 miles to Coxville and CR 325W. Head east/north for about 1 mile on CR 325W. Review #3203

We might not know where Jimmy Hoffa is now, but we know he was born in Brazil, Indiana. He is a…read morehome town legend that was celebrated as part of Clay County's Bicentennial. A historical plaque in his honor stands prominent at the intersection of Forest Ave and National Road in Brazil. Hoffa, born 1913, grew up impoverished. He became an advocate for labor during the depression and eventually rose the president of the National Brotherhood of Teamsters. He advocated to reduce poverty and discrimination during his tenure. He was instrumental in increasing wages for truckers. Hoffa was convicted of jury tampering in 1964. He disappeared in 1975. And so it goes.

Club Soda has been a great place to live and continue my recovery. I have been a resident for over…read morea year, During that time i have stayed sober and received a ton of support. The staff are understanding, helpful and have always supported me with anything I needed. They provided breakfast, lunch and dinner, helped me get to all my doctors appointments, and even helped me find work. Them providing transportation to and from work was a huge relief and made my life a lot easier. Overall, I would definitely recommend going to Club Soda if you are trying to get your life together and stay sober.

I would not recommend this sober living facility under any circumstances. Based on my direct…read moreexperience, the conditions and management practices raise serious concerns regarding safety, ethics, and accountability. Management appears to prioritize financial gain over resident welfare. Residents are reportedly subjected to intimidation tactics, including threats intended to prevent them from leaving the program. This creates a coercive environment that is not conducive to recovery. The men's residence has had a documented bed bug infestation, posing a clear health and sanitation concern. Additionally, there are unresolved financial matters, including $420 owed to a resident for work performed, which remains unpaid. There are also concerns regarding basic necessities. The facility has run out of food, and residents have been told they are not allowed to eat if they are not present at a specific time, resulting in individuals being denied meals. This practice is inappropriate and raises serious concerns regarding resident care and well-being. The owner, Kevin, made an unsubstantiated and inaccurate claim regarding a former staff member's termination, stating it was due to failure to pass a drug screening. This statement is false and misleading. There have also been serious concerns regarding honesty and transparency among staff. Personal property belonging to me--a ring purchased by my partner--went missing while on the premises. Staff initially denied knowledge of its whereabouts; the item was later recovered without explanation. Overall, the facility is poorly managed, lacks transparency, and fails to provide a safe or supportive recovery environment. Individuals seeking sober living arrangements for themselves or loved ones should proceed with extreme caution. To add I would never send my dog here if that means anything.

A little distant from the town of Casey but it's still one of those "Largest Things" that you need…read moreto see if you're in the area. This is the World's Largest Horseshoe and yes, it's large. You can see that here as I parked next to it for scale. The claim to fame as world's largest became official in 2013, when this 1,144-pound cast iron horseshoe was verified by Guinness World Records. Then in 2015 it was surpassed by a slightly larger horseshoe in Kentucky that weighed half as much. So I wouldn't say that you need to go out of your way, unless you're interested in the world's largest things. Or perhaps you're already here for the Martinsville Agricultirual Fair. [Review 19672 overall - 127 in Illinois - 644 of 2023.]

I think most drivers aren't aware of the number of bridges they cross but they would sure be aware…read moreof them if they were missing. Imagine the hassle of trying to drive your vehicle over some stream or creek instead of zipping on by at 40 or more miles per hour. This is one such bridge and if it wasn't for the sign, I wouldn't have been aware of the historic nature. National Road and this bridge were here before US-40 was built nearby and of course, I-70 passes by a few miles away. So think back in time and here we are. The marker reads, "This Bridge was completed by Army Engineers sometime between 1834 and 1837 as part of the Old National Road, between Cumberland, Maryland and Vandalia, Illinois, was authorized by the enabling act of 1803 and was the Nation's first federally financed highway. The Bridge is a prime example of the Stone-building art and early American Engineering. Stones were precisely cut and fitted together without bond or mortar. Many stone arch bridges were built along the Cumberland Road, but this was the only one is still in use at the time of the marker dedication." The marker was erected in 1976 by the Clark County Historical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.. There is not room to pull over on the bridge but there is a nearby crossroad where you can stop and see the bridge from the side. It's an impressive structure especially considering that it is over 150 years old and in constant daily use. [Review 19671 overall - 126 in Illinois - 643 of 2023.]

Reviewing historical structures like this can be difficult, but for any Historic National Road…read moreenthusiast - it's a must-do! If you are heading west out of town, be sure to check out the Old Stone Arch Bridge. No, you can't pull over and look but you can turn left on Oak Crest Road and pull off there. That way, you get a nice view of the bridge. If you want to read the historical marker, then you gotta walk up a-ways. By the way, did you know Abraham Lincoln went across this bridge many times during his lawyer days?