Downtown’s carved birds: The next mysterious appearance
Plus, Memorial Day prelims, though no parade. And a Purdue grad’s role in an Indy 500 victory
Thanks to The Arts Federation for sponsoring today’s issue, with a reminder that advance tickets are available now for the Taste of Tippecanoe, coming Saturday, June 18, in downtown Lafayette. For tickets and more, scroll through today’s edition.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES: Some of this ran last week, as well, but just as a reminder on this Memorial Day …
Memorial Island, Columbian Park: The Tippecanoe County Veterans Council will hold its annual Memorial Day observance and program at Columbian Park’s Memorial Plaza, starting at 1 p.m. today. Tim Hilton, in his final year with the Tippecanoe County Veterans Council, will be the featured speaker on a day that also will include the dedication of a Medal of Honor monument on the recently completed renovation of Memorial Island.
But this year will not feature a Memorial Day Parade. In 2021 Lafayette City Clerk Cindy Murray organized the 2021 parade after veterans groups informed the city that they were more focused on the observance at the park. Last year, the city also renewed a July Fourth parade, following a similar route up Main Street, from Alabama Street to Columbian Park. Murray said the city would do that again in 2022, with the Fourth of July parade applications coming soon to the city’s website.
Indiana Veterans’ Home: The Memorial Day ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. in MacArthur Auditorium at the Indiana Veterans’ Home, 3851 N. River Road, West Lafayette. The public is welcome.
THE MYSTERY OF THE CARVED BIRDS DOWNTOWN: A NEW EDITION: Thanks to a few sharp eyes downtown who noticed a new arrival in recent weeks, complementing the tiny carved songbirds and bird houses placed like ornaments in Main Street trees. This time, the little bluebirds sit atop dowel rods stuck in downtown planters. Once you know they’re there – like the ones in the trees – you’ll see a bunch. I found a half-dozen in a section of Main Street Sunday.
You’ve read this here before, but here goes, again: Who carves the tiny, wooden bird ornaments remains one of the great, better-left-unsolved mysteries in downtown Lafayette, where they appear randomly and often in bunches through the warmer seasons since 2019. (In 2021, tiny carved rabbits were spotted on window ledges and stoops, too. If those are back, I haven’t found them, yet.)
Thanks to the carver who keeps putting the work out … whoever you are.
PURDUE’S TIES TO THE INDY 500 WINNER: Congrats to Angela Ashmore, a Purdue grad who is an engineer with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams who was part of Indy 500 champ Marcus Ericsson’s team Sunday. Purdue was quick with the accolades – and rightly so.
Here’s more about Ashmore, her time at Purdue and what led to her spot in the win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
LAFAYETTE CITIZENS BAND OPENER: If it’s Memorial Day, it also must be the start of the season for the Lafayette Citizens Band. Make that season 180. The Memorial Day Concert begins with a performance by The Arrythmics Quintet at 6:45 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. with a concert by the Lafayette Citizens Band at Riehle Plaza, Second and Main streets in downtown. Free.
CORRECTION: The initial version of Saturday’s report said the West Lafayette City Council approved an ordinance laying out city guidelines and restrictions on automated license plate camera systems. That was a resolution, not an ordinance, approved in early May. That measure took a single vote by the city council. There is no second reading necessary at the June city council meeting. The story has been corrected. Meanwhile, the West Lafayette board of works is scheduled Tuesday to consider installation of three Flock Safety license plate cameras along city streets. Here’s the (corrected) story:
Thanks, again, to The Arts Federation for sponsoring today’s issue. Get your advance admission for the Taste of Tippecanoe, coming Saturday, June 18, in downtown Lafayette. For tickets and more, click the link below.
Tips or story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com. Also on Twitter and Instagram.
The birds are back! Keeping Lafayette fun and funky. Thanks, woodcarver!!